By Harlan Chapman-Green
You’re probably going crazy over Baselworld right now, so we’re gonna do you a favour and kick that whirlwind up a notch into a hurricane, thanks to the new Bruiting Avenger Hurricane watch. For a long time now Breitling has been making sports watches and pilots watches, if you wanted both rolled into one then Breitling’s got you covered there as well with their iconic Navitimer. The Avenger watches get Breitling’s superhero treatment when it comes to technologies and developments and this year’s release will be no exception to the fact.
First thing’s first is that the Avenger Hurricane is rated on their website as XXL, and I can say they weren’t lying or exaggerating the fact, the Breitling Avenger Hurricane is 50mm in diameter and has lateral reinforcements around the case to help keep everything solid and ticking. To keep those enormous dimensions in check, Breitling hasn’t carved it out of the largest block of steel they could find. The case is made of one of their own innovations, a high-tech polymer-based material called Breitlight, it’s 5.8 times lighter than stainless steel that’s commonly used in watchmaking, and an astounding 3.3 times lighter than titanium as well a being harder than both. This polymer has more advantages to it than that, it’s also incredibly resistant to corrosion, scratches as well as magnetism. It’s also thermally stable (helps the movement be more accurate in a high range of temperatures) and is also hypoallergenic (doesn’t allow for the transition of allergens).
Accompanying this high-tech case material is a high-tech movement. This calibre identifies itself as calibre B12, it’s an automatic self-winding mechanical movement developed entirely in-house by Breitling. It features a chronograph module and a 24-hour display, both are well known and highly used in the pilot’s industry. It’s also been COSC officially certified, yet another useful feature for the budding pilots out there. The highly lumed hands and numerals on the black dial and are covered by a thick sapphire crystal that’s been given anti-reflective coating on both sides.
The black on the watch is contrasted extremely well by the super bright yellow applied to the dial and the strap. The military rubber strap is bright yellow on the inside for comfort of the wearer, but has been given a tough military textile outer that’s been coloured in black. The case is watertight to 100m down, meaning it’s sealed for life whether it be on the land, the sea or in the air. It’s not called hurricane for anything.
The price will be $8,390 on sale.
For more info, please visit breitling.com
HARLAN CHAPMAN-GREEN – MANAGING EDITOR
A keen bass guitar player, Harlan enjoys all the perks modern watchmaking technologies the industry has to offer. Although you might catch him sampling Omegas or the “odd” Rolex, Harlan loves all things Haute Horology, with his three favourite brands being Breguet, A.Lange & Söhne and Vacheron Constantin. He hopes to study timekeeping more in depth someday and will never be able to thank his father enough for introducing him to the industry. You can follow him on Instagram Read his articles here
