Melissa Kong 19 February 2021

Breitling takes flight with its latest Avenger model.

Yes, we bet you’re thinking how the pandemic has essentially halted all travel plans for the foreseeable future so who needs a GMT watch now? Well, there are plenty of people who’ve never put on a wetsuit but own a dive watch. And when was the last time you really used your chronograph for its intended purpose?

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GMT watches will always have its draws, whether or not they’re used for travel. Then there are those who like the pilot’s watch aesthetic too, which is something Breitling is really good at, thanks to its illustrious heritage in aviation watches. In fact, Breitling didn’t just stop with the skies, it even went beyond into space when astronaut Scott Carpenter wore a Breitling Cosmonaute on his mission aboard the Aurora 7. How’s that for exceeding expectations?

Adhering firmly to its aviation roots, the Avenger is Breitling’s precise, shock-resistant and all-round high-performance tool watch with a strong pilot’s DNA. This year, it gets a very on-trend green dial, but with a khaki tone for an injection of military vibe. Paired with a lightweight DLC-coated titanium case and matching khaki-green leather strap treated to look like canvas, the Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition is a rugged machine indeed.

If you find the watch a little familiar, you’re not wrong. Aesthetically, it bears the same colour scheme as the Avenger Chronograph 45 Night Mission (below), with the same green hue and black DLC-coated titanium, which is de rigueur for all the ‘Night Mission’ models. But clearly, the engine is different, with the GMT version running on the Breitling Calibre 32 and the chronograph powered by the Breitling Calibre 13. It should be noted that Breitling prides itself on chronometer precision and all its watches are COSC-certified.

Breitling Avenger Chronograph 45 Night Mission from 2019

Built for both the casual wearer and the serious pilot, the watch—like all Avenger models—can be adjusted even while wearing gloves, courtesy of a notched crown and bezel. Its large numerals and indexes allow for greater legibility, bolstered by Super-LumiNova on all indexes and hands. Keeping visibility high is the convex double anti-reflective sapphire crystal, meaning you’ll always be able to read the time comfortably. And for that second time zone? It’s clearly indicated too, with a distinctive yellow hand.

While it’s impressive in the air, the Avenger is no pushover underwater either. The screw-locked crown with two gaskets helps give the watch its 300m water-resistance so you can safely take it swimming if you so wish (though we’d swap out the leather strap for a rubber one).

The Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition is part of a limited production, with just 2,000 pieces available worldwide. Although the watches aren’t individually numbered, the caseback is engraved with the words, ‘ONE OF 2000’. For those who prefer a cleaner dial on their military watch, the Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Night Mission Limited Edition is a good option. We also like the stenciled numbers that you get to see more of here, compared to the chronograph version. For practicality, the watch also wears light and comfy on your wrist thanks to the titanium case, yet retains a masculine touch with its build. Great for the adventurer, weekend warrior, and yes, even those hoping for faraway travels sometime soon.

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Melissa Kong

Ex Managing Editor

Like most people these days, Melissa tells the time with her phone. She considers serious timepieces works of art and thinks the perpetual calendar is the handiest complication to date (pun not intended). She's also a Grammar Nazi but promises not to judge if you can't tell the difference between "guilloche" and "guillotine".