The Breitling Classic AVI is more than just a handsome watch collection, but rather it’s an entire platform. This particular model is the Classic AVI Chronograph 42 Mosquito (in reference Y233801A1B1A1 on the bracelet and reference Y233801A1B1X1 on the brown leather strap), but the larger Classic AVI collection currently has 15 different models that feature different case sizes, movements, and price points. This Breitling Classic AVI Mosquito represents one of the more entry-level models, and I consider it a good value given all that you get. Gold versions of the Classic AVI and those with more complicated movements can easily cost over $20,000 USD. This is a model that on the strap retails for just under $6,000 USD.
I believe it was in the 1950s when Breitling originally introduced a watch known as the reference 765 AVI, which the entire modern collection is loosely based on. Each of the Classic AVI watches today either represents a particular time in Breitling’s history or is inspired by a particular historic aircraft. As the name of this Classic AVI 42 Chronograph Mosquito implies, this watch is inspired by the historic de Havilland Mosquito military fighter plane that was noteworthy for its impressive maneuverability. This was in part due to using a wood frame construction, even though most other planes had moved on to mostly metal frames. Wood was used because of metal shortages during WWII, and the result was an incredibly fast, albeit fragile plane earning it the name “Mosquito.” No, there isn’t any wood in this timepiece (though that would have been cool), and this less-light Mosquito sports a mostly steel frame in the form of the polished and brushed 42mm wide case.
Breitling fits some of its Classic AVI Chronograph watches with a steel bezel, but on this version, the bi-directional rotating bezel is made from black ceramic. The bezel has hour markers on it and is most readily used to indicate a second time zone. I should also point out that Breitling makes two Classic AVI Chronograph models (not just including the different strap options) that look similar but that have different case sizes and movements. At nearly twice the price of this Classic AVI Chronograph 42 Mosquito, Breitling also produces the Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito. That model sports a larger 46mm wide case and includes Breitling’s in-house B04 chronograph GMT automatic movement.
The major reason that this Classic AVI Chronograph 42 Mosquito is much less expensive is that it does not contain an in-house Breitling movement, and frankly, that doesn’t bother me one bit. While the B04 is an excellent mechanism, the ETA 2894 automatic movement, which is the basis for this Breitling caliber 23 movement, is totally acceptable for the vast majority of users. The automatic movement operates at 4Hz with 48 hours of power reserve and features the time with a 12-hour chronograph complication. The movement is further given a COSC Chronometer certification for accuracy. No date is placed on the dial, which is a good thing since it would only serve to break up the attractive symmetry of the dial.
The 42mm wide case is water resistant to 100 meters with a screw-down crown, and over the dial is a domed sapphire crystal. Breitling did an excellent job of giving the Classic AVI Chronograph 42 a vintage-inspired look, but a totally modern build with accompanying performance. The case is cleverly designed to feel thinner on the wrist than its 14.7mm thickness would otherwise suggest. Much of this is thanks to the curved caseback and shorter lugs. The sapphire crystal is given a box-style look which further adds to the vintage feel and also allows for a thinner-looking overall profile. Note that the models I shot still have some protective plastic on the case.
I fell in love with this watch while wearing it. I wasn’t sold on the Mosquito dial color palette in pictures, typically opting for vintage looks with less bright colors. In person, however, this is a stunning design and wins because it feels very much like a real aviator’s instrument in both legibility and style. Breitling these days focuses heavily on dial materials and finishes (along with colors and proportions), and you can see far more overall refinement in a watch like this than compared to much of the competition. I challenge people to find something better at this price point when it comes to looks and overall presentation.
Fans of vintage Breitling watches will see much to love, including the font used for the Arabic hour numerals as well as the design of the subdials. The chronograph minutes counter offers a lot of personality given the red rectangles that are designed to allow you to easily measure five-minute increments. The black face is otherwise nicely contrasted with the silver-tone subdials, and the red-edged hour and minute hands are both interesting and unique to the Mosquito versions of the Classic AVI timepiece family.
Perhaps the easiest element to appreciate about the Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 collection is that it doesn’t need that much explanation. Simply explaining the provenance of the pretty design, showing the decent tech specs, and wearing the comfortable package are enough to get most people excited about it. The only issue is that Breitling currently has so many nice vintage pilot-style chronographs that being able to focus on this model to the exclusion of others can certainly be challenging. I totally sympathize with those who are ready for a Breitling but perhaps aren’t clear on which model to invest their purchase power in. With that said, compared to the much higher price points of Breitling’s watches with in-house movements or precious metal cases, the Classic AVI Chronograph 42 watches in steel (including of course the Mosquito models) are comparatively easy to choose and enjoy. What are your thoughts about it? The price for the Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 Mosquito watch is $5,900 USD on the leather strap and $6,200 USD on the steel bracelet. Learn more at the Breitling website.
Necessary Information
>Brand: Breitling
>Model: Classic AVI Chronograph 42 Mosquito (reference Y233801A1B1A1 on the bracelet and reference Y233801A1B1X1 on the brown leather strap)
>Price: $5,900 – $6,200 USD
>Size: 42mm-wide, 14.76mm-thick, 48mm lug-to-lug distance
>When reviewer would personally wear it: Comfortable daily wear sports watch with colorful, vintage aviator timepiece vibe.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Anyone seeking a thoroughly modern and not terribly expensive luxury watch inspired by one of the most important pilot chronographs of the mid-20th century.
>Best characteristic of watch: Handsome overall design. Clearly legible dial. Comfortable to wear on the wrist and very legible. Feels like a good value.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Confusing number of models in the Classic AVI collection. Would be a better value if the watch came both with a steel bracelet and a leather strap.
