In Depth

Breitling has this Christmas all wrapped up

By Amanda Evans | 6 minute read

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With the festive season in full swing, the Breitling Santa Squad is here to help you find that unforgettable and timeless gift for that special someone in your life. Whether you’re seeking a unique timepiece for a family member or friend, or even a gift for yourself, Breitling has this Christmas all wrapped up!

Discover some of Breitling’s most dazzling watches below and explore more from Breitling’s Chronomat, Top Time and Super AVI collections.

Since 1884, Breitling has been carving a global reputation for the creation of innovative timepieces with style and precision as their foundation.

Defined by quality, design and performance, Breitling gained a formidable reputation for creating chronographs which were highly sought after for military, industrial and scientific purposes as well as for those involved in sporting endeavours. Fast forward to the present day and Breitling has a plethora of collections under its belt, to include Navitimer, Professional, Superocean, Top Time, Aviator 8 and many more. Breitling’s collections feature iconic innovations featuring mechanical or quartz COSC certified movements inspired by aviation, diving and the military. In more recent years Breitling has forged exciting new partnerships outside of these industries, to include its partnerships with Deux Ex Machina and Triumph and continues to exceed expectations today.

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The Chronomat Collection – A Breitling Icon

The first Breitling Chronomat made its debut in 1941 with several subsequent versions created throughout its early history. But it was in 1984, to coincide with Breitling’s 100th anniversary that the magic really happened and the Chronomat was reimagined and redesigned with a much more modern approach which was characterised by its bezel riders and automatic chronograph calibre.

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Breitling Frecce Tricolori watch from 1983 (pictured left) that inspired the Chronomats introduced in 1984 to celebrate Breitling's centenary.

It became an instant hit and is positioned today as one of Breitling’s flagship collections. The Chronomat embodies Breitling’s dedications to sport and precision-led performance which drives its ever-evolving design. Highly durable and equipped for an ever-changing environment, today’s Chronomat is built for endurance. Its robust qualities are equally matched with a stunning design aesthetic that gives the Breitling Chronomat huge appeal to those who seek style as well as functionality. Effortlessly elegant, the Chronomat straddles both work and play, making it a distinctive choice amongst its rivals.

If you’re seeking a timepiece that delivers optimum performance in almost any sporting situation, the Breitling Chronomat collection presents a plethora of timepieces to suit both men and women. Each timepiece boasts a precise mechanism, robust strap, and stunning aesthetic to suit a variety of styles and personalities.

Shop more from the Breitling Chronomat collection here.

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Top Time Collection – The Unconventional Chronograph

First released in the 1960’s, the Breitling Top Time was an entry level chronograph with a bold design which became a classic of its era, building a reputation amongst the dynamic generation of the 60s. With an elegant yet unconventional dial design, it gained popularity amongst watch enthusiasts including those with celebrity status in the sporting, film, and entertainment arenas. Initially targeted at young men with active lifestyles, the bold and elegant dial design with its clean lines had its place within the aviation and motor racing industries and also became a favourite amongst women who saw the Top Time as a symbol of self-expression. Dial designs such as the revered “Zorro” design evolved with panda and reverse panda designs also making an appearance until production ceased in the early 70s.

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An early Breitling Top Time watch from the 1960s

It was in 2020 that Breitling re-introduced the unmistakeable style of the Top Time much to the delight of Breitling Top Time enthusiasts. The story continues today with the new Breitling Top Time Classic Car Capsule Collection.

Paying tribute to the classic sports cars of the 60s, Breitling has launched an unconventional trio of racing chronographs to appeal to those with style and drive. Inspired by the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Mustang and the Shelby Cobra, all icons of American classic car culture, the timepieces are a modern-retro interpretation of the Top Time models of the 1960s. their standout dials are a nod to the unconventional designs of the early models, with a motoring twist that gives them a distinct appeal.

Choose from the red and black Top Time Chevrolet Corvette, based on the striking 1960s Corvette C2 and known by car enthusiasts as the “Sting Ray”. Or there’s the green and brown Top Time Ford Mustang inspired by a car developed in record time which went on to become an icon on the silver screen and amongst rock stars. And finally, the blue and brown Top Time Shelby Cobra which reflects one of the Cobras most distinct looks.

The 42mm stainless steel case of the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang models house the COSC-certified Calibre 25 with a power reserve of up to 42 hours. Three black contrasting sub-dials and black tachymeter scale strike a bold design against the colourway and the respective car logo has pride of place at 6 o’clock and on the caseback. The slightly smaller 40mm stainless steel case of the Top Time Shelby Cobra houses the COSC-certified Breitling Calibre 41 with a power reserve of up to 42 hours. Two white contrasting subdials and white tachymeter scale feature along with the Shelby Cobra logo at 6 o’clock and also on the caseback. Each timepiece is presented on a calfskin leather strap.

This new Top Time Classic Car capsule collection is a distinct celebration of design and freedom, embracing its heritage to create a free-spirited collection of timepieces that will appeal to watch enthusiasts and the young, active professional with a penchant for classic cars and avant-garde dial design.

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Super AVI Collection – An Expression of Aviation Nostalgia

The Super AVI collection is Breitling’s latest watch series, inspired by the Ref.765 AVI, introduced by Breitling in 1953. The Ref. 765 was in essence a ‘wearable flight instrument’ and was an instant hit that became known amongst aviators and enthusiasts as the “Co-Pilot”. The latest Super AVI collection, is a celebration of aviation history and embodies the vintage aviation aesthetic from its heritage.

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Original Co-Pilot Ref. 765 AVI from 1953

This collection embodies that sense of nostalgia for the early days of aviation when pilots relied on their watches as onboard tools. But you don’t have to be a pilot or vintage-aircraft buff to appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship and rugged design.Georges Kern, Breitling CEO

The bold design has a 46mm case with oversized crown at 3 o’clock and large, clear Arabic numerals on both the dial and knurled bezel. Top-stitched calfskin straps are typical of the seams once found on leather flight gear during that era. The 24-hour marking on the inner bezel and red-tipped GMT hand present the opportunity to follow two separate time zones simultaneously and the timepiece is powered by Breitling’s COSC-Certified Calibre B04 movement, affording up to 70 hours power reserve. The Super AVI collection is available in five unique designs that celebrate four distinctly memorable aircraft that were legends of their time. The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito.

The Super AVI P-51 Mustang is available in two unique versions. The stainless-steel case is matched with a black dial and gold-brown leather strap and an 18k red gold version is complemented by an anthracite dial and black leather strap. Both versions pay tribute to the finest fighter plane of its time.

The Super AVI Tribute to Vought F4U Corsair takes its design cues from the infamous livery of this incredible aircraft with its blue dial, tone-on-tone chronograph counters and black leather strap.

The Super AVI Curtiss Warhawk embraces a design aesthetic that gave its namesake an unmistakeable identity. The military green dial features contrasting white chronograph counters with red accents that emulate the colouring of the renowned shark-mouth nose art of the plane.

The Super AVI Mosquito combines a polished and satin-brushed black ceramic bezel with a black dial and distinct white chronograph counters with highlights of red and orange, replicating the roundels and markings found on this historic aircraft.

This nostalgic collection embraces aviation heritage and the watches that pilots relied on as their flight instruments long before the age of digital occupied the cockpit. Despite its nostalgic aesthetic, the collection also harnesses the precision and durability that Breitling is so widely recognised for.

Explore more from Breitling here.