Why We Love It

Firstly, this is not the re-edition that just . 

Now that we have that out of the way: When the 765 'AVI' was launched back in the 1950s, it was a 'simpler' aviators watch that was sold alongside the famous Navitimer model. These early 765s are distinguished from their by the bezels, and the much bolder use of lume in the 3 position register. Not unlike telephone dials, this special sub register uses luminescent indexes every three minutes to help pilots in their final plane check. Those checks were not to exceed 15 minutes and like so many great watch details, necessity heeded invention. 

In addition to the timeless design of this 41mm watch, its condition is the star of the show, and for all these reasons, we love it. 

The Story

We've discovered in our many conversations with like-minded enthusiasts that when it comes to timepieces from Breitling, they either have "it," or they don't.

With polarizing designs and complicated dial aesthetics, a vast majority of collectors don't know what to make of Breitling chronographs.  For the most part, we're right there along with them - hell, we don't know how to use the sliderule feature on the Navitimer 806 any better than you do - but we know it is one hell of a watch, and one that is intrinsic to the history of 20th Century aviation.  Fortunately for us, Breitling also manufactured a range of timepieces in the 1960s and 70s with far simpler designs that are easier to wrap our heads around.  Chronographs such as the Top Time, Superocean 2005, Datora and this beauty, a Reference 765 AVI, stand in stark contrast to their Navitimer/Cosmonaute brethren, and made us think twice before dismissing vintage Breitling as universally unwearable.