Original price was: £9,995.00.£9,650.00Current price is: £9,650.00.
In stock
The Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang represents a magnificent tribute to aviation’s golden age, honouring the legendary American fighter aircraft that helped secure Allied victory in World War II. This exceptional timepiece features a striking 42mm case crafted from solid 18K red gold, creating a luxurious interpretation of Breitling’s renowned pilot watch heritage that combines authentic aviation functionality with contemporary precious metal execution.
Presented on a black calfskin leather strap with an 18K red gold folding clasp, this aviation icon showcases an anthracite dial with vintage-inspired tri-compax layout that perfectly captures the instrumental aesthetic of historic aircraft cockpits. The bidirectional ratcheted bezel and cambered sapphire crystal with glareproofed treatment ensure optimal functionality and legibility, while the proven Breitling Calibre 23 chronograph movement delivers the precision and reliability that professional pilots have trusted for generations.
Condition: Immaculate, pre-owned condition
Includes: Original box and papers
Guarantee: Warranty valid until 2025
Shipping: Free UK delivery
The North American P-51 Mustang stands as one of aviation history’s most celebrated aircraft, transforming aerial warfare through its exceptional range, speed, and manoeuvrability. Entering service in 1942, the Mustang became the Allies’ premier long-range fighter, capable of escorting bombers deep into enemy territory while maintaining superiority over Axis fighters. Its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine delivered extraordinary performance that helped establish air superiority over Europe, earning the Mustang legendary status among aviation enthusiasts worldwide.
Breitling’s connection to the P-51 Mustang extends beyond mere inspiration, reflecting the brand’s authentic aviation heritage dating back to 1884 as supplier of cockpit instruments and pilot watches to military and civilian aviation. The Classic AVI collection specifically honours the golden age of aviation between the 1930s and 1960s, when mechanical precision and reliability could mean the difference between mission success and failure. This P-51 Mustang edition captures the aircraft’s distinctive character through thoughtful design choices, with the anthracite dial echoing vintage fighter instrument panels while the red gold case adds contemporary luxury befitting this legendary aircraft’s enduring status.
The Classic AVI collection represents Breitling’s most direct homage to the golden age of aviation, drawing inspiration from the legendary pilot watches that established the brand’s reputation among professional aviators between the 1930s and 1960s. AVI stands for “Aviation,” and these timepieces specifically reference the oversized wrist instruments pilots wore when accurate timing could determine mission success in an era before electronic navigation aids.
The collection’s significance extends beyond aesthetic tribute, incorporating genuine functionality developed through decades of aviation partnership. The bidirectional rotating bezel, high-contrast dial design, and robust construction serve practical purposes evolved from direct feedback from military and civilian pilots who relied on Breitling instruments for navigation, fuel calculations, and critical timing operations. Each model celebrates specific aircraft that changed aviation history, with the P-51 Mustang’s anthracite dial reflecting American military aesthetics, transforming each Classic AVI into wearable aviation history that resonates with enthusiasts who understand these legendary aircraft’s significance.
The Breitling Calibre 23 represents a thoroughly proven chronograph movement that prioritises reliability and functionality over exotic complications, delivering consistent performance that justifies its selection for this premium red gold timepiece. Based on established Swiss chronograph architecture, this self-winding movement benefits from decades of refinement and optimisation, ensuring parts availability and serviceability throughout the watch’s intended generational ownership.
The 48-hour power reserve provides practical autonomy for daily wear, maintaining operation through typical wearing patterns without requiring manual winding, while the 28,800 vibrations per hour frequency delivers smooth chronograph seconds hand movement while balancing precision with power consumption. The traditional construction facilitates straightforward servicing by qualified watchmakers worldwide, an important consideration for precious metal timepieces. The quarter-second chronograph precision enables accurate timing for most practical applications, while the 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers accommodate extended timing requirements, making the Calibre 23 an intelligent choice where dependability matters more than technical extremes.
Red gold, also known as rose gold, creates a distinctly warmer aesthetic compared to yellow or white gold alternatives, achieving its characteristic colour through precise alloy composition that includes copper alongside pure gold. The 18K red gold used in the Classic AVI Chronograph contains 75% pure gold, with the remaining 25% consisting primarily of copper and small amounts of silver, creating the distinctive reddish hue that has become increasingly desirable in luxury watchmaking.
The colour characteristics prove particularly complementary to aviation-themed designs, creating visual warmth that enhances vintage-inspired aesthetics while maintaining unmistakable luxury presence. The material’s tone works harmoniously with black leather straps and anthracite dials, creating sophisticated colour palettes that feel both classic and contemporary. The durability characteristics actually exceed those of pure gold due to the strengthening effect of the copper alloy, while the substantial 148-gram total weight conveys immediate quality. This combination of aesthetic appeal, enhanced durability, and tangible luxury makes red gold ideal for statement timepieces intended to mark special occasions or achievements.
The cambered (domed) sapphire crystal represents a sophisticated technical choice that enhances both aesthetics and functionality, creating subtle visual effects that elevate the Classic AVI beyond standard flat crystal designs. The curved profile reduces reflections by directing light away from the viewer’s eye, improving dial visibility across wider viewing angles compared to flat crystals that can create distracting mirror effects.
The glareproofed treatment applied to both sides further enhances legibility by minimising internal reflections that can obscure dial details. This double-sided coating proves particularly valuable for aviation watches where quick-glance timing remains essential, ensuring clear visibility whether checking elapsed time in bright sunlight or dim cockpit conditions. The cambered profile also creates subtle magnification effects near crystal edges, enhancing perceived dial depth while recalling the acrylic crystals used on original pilot watches. The substantial crystal thickness required for the cambered shape contributes to the watch’s robust construction, ensuring durability appropriate for active wear while maintaining the vintage-inspired design language central to the Classic AVI collection.
The 18K red gold folding clasp represents a significant functional upgrade over traditional tang buckles, providing enhanced security and convenience that becomes particularly valuable on a substantial luxury timepiece. The folding mechanism eliminates the need to pass the strap through a buckle daily, reducing wear on the leather and maintaining the strap’s appearance over extended ownership periods, proving especially important for precious metal watches where presentation quality matters.
The clasp’s construction ensures the watch cannot accidentally fall off even if the closure somehow releases, as the strap remains looped through the case, providing peace of mind when wearing a valuable timepiece during active pursuits or travel. The precious metal construction maintains material consistency with the case, preventing the aesthetic compromise of steel clasps on gold watches, while the folding mechanism enables micro-adjustments for optimal fit as wrist size fluctuates throughout the day. When closed, the clasp creates seamless appearance that preserves the elegant lines of the leather strap, contributing to the sophisticated presentation expected from luxury timepieces.
The 42mm case diameter represents an ideal compromise between the oversized pilot watches of the 1940s and contemporary wearing preferences, creating presence that commands attention without overwhelming modern wrists. Original military pilot watches often exceeded 45mm to ensure legibility over flight suits and gloves, but such dimensions can prove impractical for daily wear, particularly in precious metals where weight becomes a consideration.
The Classic AVI proportions benefit from careful optimisation, with the 48mm lug-to-lug distance ensuring compatibility with wrist sizes from 6.5 to 7.5 inches, while the compact lug distance relative to case diameter prevents uncomfortable overhang that plagues many vintage-inspired watches. The 14.7mm thickness creates sufficient wrist presence without catching on shirt cuffs, while the 116-gram head weight feels substantial without causing fatigue during extended wear. This sizing sweet spot appeals to collectors who appreciate vintage aesthetics but require practical daily wearability, avoiding both the diminutive proportions of true vintage pieces and the excessive dimensions of some contemporary pilot watches, resulting in a timepiece that honours historical design codes while acknowledging modern lifestyle requirements.
For any purchases online, we offer a 14 day refund as long as they are returned exactly as sold. Any purchases in person are final.
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