Introduction to the Breitling Avenger
Breitling watches are created for two kinds of adventures—aviation and diving. Breitling Avenger watches have seen the mysteries of space and the depths of the deep ocean. They are designed to work at any altitude. The Avenger is an aviation-specific watch that is most at home in the air, whether you’re piloting a commercial plane or blasting off to navigate the stars.
Avenger Features and Design
The Breitling Avenger is a watch built for aviators, by aviators. The majority of Breitling Avenger watches are unisex, with adjustable bands that allow them to fit most wrist sizes or around gloves. Shock-resistant and durable, the Avenger boasts a Super-LumiNova coating that enhances visibility of the watch face in the sky.
Breitling Super Avenger Chronograph 48
The Breitling Super Avenger Chronograph 48 features:
- 48mm case
- Unidirectional ratcheted bezel
- Self-winding Breitling Caliber 13 mechanical chronograph
- 48-hour power reserve
- Water resistance to 300 meters
The Breitling Super Avenger Chronograph 48 comes in two models: the standard model and the Chronograph 48 Night Mission. The Night Mission is slightly different from the base model, with its case crafted from titanium, a blue dial and Arabic numerals designed to be reminiscent of the numbers on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
Breitling Super Avenger Chronograph 45
The Breitling Avenger 45 has the design of a classic pilot’s watch and features:
- 45mm case
- Unidirectional ratcheted bezel
- Self-winding Breitling Caliber 13 mechanical chronograph
- 48-hour power reserve
- Water resistance to 300 meters
- Subdials at 12 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock
Like the Chronograph 48, the Avenger 45 also has a Night Mission model. The base model has either black or blue dials, while the Night Mission version has either a black dial with a leather strap or a green dial with a khaki-green leather military strap.
Value Ranges of the Breitling Avenger
The value of the Breitling Avenger varies depending on the exact model. For example, the Breitling Avenger Seawolf is more affordable than some of the other models, but still demands a premium price tag.
Breitling Seawolf Avenger: $3,975-$4,795
Breitling Super Avenger Automatic 43: $3,500-$3,750
Breitling Avenger Automatic 45: $3,975-$4,795
Breitling Avenger Chronograph 43: $5,200-$5,650
Breitling Avenger Chronograph 45: $5,405-$5,835
The value of a watch is determined by numerous factors, including its rarity and the breadth of features. A watch that is water-resistant to greater depths is more likely to command a higher price than one that only goes to a fraction of that.
Fun Facts About
the Breitling Avenger
The Breitling Avenger is more than just a high-end watch. It’s a favorite of celebrities and has made an appearance in movies like Blood Diamond, when Leonardo DiCaprio sported an Avenger.
The Breitling Aviation Pioneers Squad, which includes former astronauts, members of the Spanish Air Force and champion drone racing pilots, all wear pieces from the Breitling Avenger collection.
Avenger Cleaning and Maintenance
A watch is both a tool and an accessory. This is doubly true if you are a sportsman and wear your watch while exploring. Sweat, dust and grime can build up under and around your watch. Without proper care and maintenance, this buildup can damage the watch and inhibit its lifespan.
Avengers are tough, but you should clean sweat and dust off your watch case with a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap. Rinse the watch in temperate tap water. Dry the watch with a gentle, absorbent cloth.
If you wear your Avenger in the water, use rubber rather than leather straps. Leather straps are vulnerable to moisture, and even a lot of sweat can cause damage to the straps. If your leather strap gets wet, dry it as quickly as possible to prevent damage.
The Avenger functions optimally between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 122 degrees Fahrenheit. While it can operate outside of those temperature limits, sudden shifts in heat (such as plunging it into cold water after long exposure to the sun) can hamper the integrity of the glass.
Watchmaker's Perspective
There are dive watches, and there are ultra-deep dive watches. The Breitling Avenger II Seawolf is an ultra-deep dive watch capable of surviving dives up to 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). How is it possible for a complex micro mechanical device to operate at the extreme pressures of the ocean at a dive that deep?
The Avenger II Seawolf has two features that make this possible. First is the screw-lock crown. In any watch, the crown is the part of the watch that is most susceptible to water intrusion, as it is the interface between the external world and internal movement. A screw-lock crown ensures that no water can enter the movement, even at deep depths.
The second important feature is the Avenger II Seawolf's helium escape valve, which is used for saturation diving. During the decompression process in a saturation dive, helium cannot escape from the interior of the watch at the same rate as the overall decompression. The helium valve allows for an equalization of pressure, which would otherwise damage the watch as decompression occurs.
