It’s almost a year ago that we brought you news about the release of the Breitling Avenger Blackbird timepiece, and we honestly can’t believe that all of those months have run away with us so quickly. However, such a timeframe is still fairly limited when it comes to the lifespan of a luxury watch, yet the Avenger Blackbird has become established as a firm favourite with Breitling aficionados in that time. It’s doubtless a wise move, then, that Breitling have introduced another subtle variant of the Avenger Blackbird, this time targeted at buyers who’re looking for a slightly smaller wristwatch.
Last year’s Avenger Blackbird boasted a generous diameter of 48mm, but Breitling’s latest news confirms a new Blackbird with toned down dimensions of 44mm. That might not seem like all that much when you put it like that, but it’s actually a significant difference, and also poses some new obstacles. Reducing the size of an established wristwatch can risk making the appearance a little cramped or even compromise on legibility. However, it should go without saying that Breitling have avoided falling into such a trap, creating an all-new timepiece that balances power and functionality.
The excellent readability is ensured by a number of adroit style decisions upon the dial. The hour markers still conform to a pretty sizable pattern, and they’re also highlighted by luminescence to enable night-time visibility too. Select details are outlined in red too – including the date window and the tip of the seconds hand – so there’s never any danger of the ‘all black’ aesthetic becoming overbearing or impractical. That visual theme is a big part of the Blackbird’s appeal, though, with an increasing number of contemporary watches following these lines. You only have to look at Omega’s expanding Darkside of the Moon collection to see a recent manifestation of this very current trend.
Despite this, the Avenger Blackbird 44 retains its own indentify, with a distinctly ‘Breitling’ case and a titanium form that not only brings strength, but also a reduced weight. As is Breitling’s tendency, the complications are well worth recognising too. The automatic movement is chronometer certified, and the precise calculation of durations like flight times and the like is enabled by the ergonomically-minded rider tabs on the casing. Water resistant to a very commendable distance of 200 metres, this watch actually matches many so-called ‘diving’ wristwatches, so there’s not much it can’t withstand.
The team at Banks Lyon were big fans of the original Avenger Blackbird, and we’ll be bringing you more information about this forthcoming model as and when we receive it. However, don’t forget that you can still purchase the former Breitling Avenger Blackbird Titanium Watch right now, as it retails for £3,760, or for 36 monthly payments of £83.56 and a 20% deposit. We’re also pleased to have a Limited Edition Breitling Avenger Blacksteel Watch in stock. Priced at £5,200, it’s available for 36 monthly payments of £115.56 and a 20% deposit, and has a really unique flavour all of its own.
If you’re a lover of the Breitling Blackbird style, then a look at our Breitling Avenger page would also be well worth your time, as you’ll find that the extremely powerful appearance of the Avenger is present throughout the family. Our friendly team will be on hand to answer any questions about our Breitling watches too, so don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01524 38 48 58 if you have a query for us.
{star-snippet}