Breitling, the renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker recognized for its precision-made chronometers, has crafted a special tribute to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, also known as the legendary Red Arrows. The Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Stainless Steel (A323951A1C1A1) Limited Edition timepiece pays homage to this world-renowned aerobatic display team. It boasts a sturdy stainless-steel case and bracelet, a striking blue dial with the iconic 9 red arrows, and an automatic movement that comes with a GMT function.
Bold, robust and shock-resistant, this timepiece perfectly embodies the Red Arrows' excellence and daring spirit.
Intricacy and Aesthetics: The Design Journey
This watch draws inspiration from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, also known as the Red Arrows. A bold and robust stainless-steel case is paired with a uni-directional rotating bezel and a screw locked crown to enhance its shock resistance. The blue dial features the iconic 9 red arrows along with a date window and a 24-hour scale, which allows for the GMT function.
You can pair this watch with a stainless-steel bracelet or a blue military leather strap. The automatic movement of the watch provides a power reserve of 42 hours and a water resistance of 300 meters. The masculine and patriotic overall aesthetics of the watch make it perfect for individuals who appreciate precision, performance, and style.
The limited edition of 220 pieces certainly makes it a rare and collectible item.
The Nuts and Bolts: Understanding Build and Material
This watch boasts an impeccable design with a polished and brushed stainless steel case and bracelet for a refined aesthetic. Measuring at 45mm in diameter, the case has a unidirectional rotating bezel made of the same high-quality material with a special grip-pattern that ensures ease of use even when wearing gloves. The blue luminescent dial showcases index hour markers and hands, making it easy to read in low lit areas.
The date window is found at 3 o'clock and the GMT second time zone feature enables you to keep track of another time zone, making it super convenient when travelling. This self-winding automatic movement watch has a power reserve of 42 hours and water resistance of up to 300 meters or 1000 feet – perfect for diving or water activities. It also comes with a screw-locked crown and solid case back for added durability and shock resistance.
Its high-performance and reliability are reflected in the quality of the materials and build. This versatile and functional timepiece can be worn for various occasions while offering both sophistication and elegance.
Synchronized to Seconds: Accuracy Unveiled
Let’s explore the automatic movement, also referred to as a self-winding movement. This innovative technology means that the natural motion of your wrist generates enough energy to wind the mainspring, the watch's power source. This makes automatic movements incredibly convenient and easy to take care of, as you don't need to wind them every day or replace batteries.
While they may not be as accurate as quartz movements, they are certainly more accurate than mechanical movements. The precision of an automatic movement relies on various factors, such as the quality of the movement, how often you wear the watch, and environmental conditions. Typically, an automatic movement has an average accuracy of +/- 15 seconds per day, while top-of-the-line models can achieve a remarkable +/- 5 seconds per day or better.
Some exciting additional features of automatic movements are hacking and hand-winding capabilities. Hacking refers to the second hand stopping once you pull out the crown, making it simple to set the exact time. Hand-winding means that you can manually wind the watch by turning the crown, which comes in handy when your timepiece hasn't been worn and has run out of power.
While not all automatic movements have these features, they are highly sought after by watch enthusiasts.
Time Multiplied: Exploring Functions & Complications
This particular timepiece boasts a GMT function that's incredibly useful for anyone who wants to keep tabs on two different time zones. The 24-hour scale located on the bezel and the red-tipped dial hand make it a breeze to track the time while on the go. The screw-locked crown makes adjusting the GMT function easy as pie.
A date display at 3 o'clock shows the current date in a sleek white window that can also be changed using the crown. As far as other features go, it's a no-frills watch focusing primarily on accuracy and legibility. The blue dial provides additional visibility in low-light situations thanks to the luminous hands and markers; while the scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal makes for a lasting accessory.
Only 220 pieces exist, making this limited edition watch a true collector's item. The nine red arrows emblem located at 9 o'clock on the dial and the Red Arrows logo on the caseback are just a few of the features that pay tribute to the excellence and precision of the world-renowned Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.
Crafted for Comfort: A Wearability Analysis
The level of comfort and wearability offered by this timepiece is truly exceptional. Its stainless steel bracelet is adjustable and features a folding clasp that ensures it stays securely fastened to your wrist. Unlike other watches, this bracelet is completely smooth and won't chafe or irritate your skin.
Additionally, the watch itself is incredibly well-balanced, with a moderate weight of just 194 grams. At 45 mm, the case is the perfect size for most wrists, striking a balance between being large enough to easily read the time, yet not so bulky as to hinder flexibility or weigh you down. The watch's sapphire crystal is both scratch-resistant and anti-reflective, so no matter what lighting conditions you're in, you'll always be able to easily tell time without any glare.
Even more impressively, the watch has a water resistance rating of up to 300 meters, meaning it's impervious to splashes, rain, and even swimming or diving. If you're someone who prizes both comfort and durability, this timepiece is an excellent choice.
Quantifying Quality: Price & Value in Perspective
Although this watch is not inexpensive, it offers exceptional value for its price. Typically retailing at around $4,000, this timepiece is comparable to other high-end watches in its category that possess similar features and quality. For example, the Rolex GMT-Master II retails for around $9,000, while the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT Worldtimer costs around $8,000.
Crafted from durable stainless steel, this timepiece boasts a striking blue dial with luminous hands and markers, a bidirectional rotating bezel, and a sapphire crystal. With its self-winding automatic movement equipped with a second time zone function and date display, this watch is a reliable travel companion for individuals, including adventurers and professionals, needing to stay on top of multiple time zones. Moreover, its water-resistant feature adds to its versatility and practicality, even submerged up to 300 meters.
Its 42-hour power reserve makes it an ideal choice for extended journeys without a need to frequently reset the watch. This timepiece is a limited edition piece with only 220 available worldwide, adding to its exclusivity and collectability. For those in the market for a high-quality and functional timepiece that delivers in any situation, this watch is worth a closer look.
From Both Sides: Weighing the Pros & Cons
Benefits and Drawbacks On one hand, the timepiece boasts a limited edition series of only 220 pieces, making it a highly coveted item for collectors who value exclusivity. The GMT function is an excellent feature, allowing the wearer to keep tabs on two different time zones. In tribute to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the watch dons a bold blue dial designed with 9 striking red arrows.
The sturdy 45mm stainless-steel case and uni-directional rotating bezel give it a robust and shock-resistant build. Moreover, the watch is equipped with a screw-locked crown and has a water resistance rating of 300 meters / 1000 feet, adding to the watch's durability and performance. On the other hand, the watch may not suit the preferences of individuals with smaller wrists, thanks to its large and heavy build.
Its expensive price tag of $3,600 may also be prohibitive for some buyers. Furthermore, the timepiece comes with a solid caseback, which does not provide a view of the watch's movement or the engraved Red Arrows emblem.
The Final Chime: Summarizing the Review
In conclusion, the Avenger Automatic GMT 45 Stainless Steel (A323951A1C1A1) Red Arrows watch is a truly remarkable timepiece that pays tribute to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. Boasting a vivid blue dial adorned with the iconic Red Arrows logo, a GMT function, and an impressive water resistance of 300 meters, this watch is a limited edition, adding to its value and collectability. However, with a price tag of approximately $3,600 and measuring in at 45mm with a weighty stainless steel strap, it may not appeal to everyone's preference in terms of cost and sizing.
For those seeking an exceptional, functional, and novel piece that commemorates the Red Arrows, this watch may be just what you're looking for. If, on the other hand, you desire something more understated, practical, or affordable, you'll likely find better options elsewhere.