On a hot summer evening, from the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas, Breitling announced its latest additions to their Avenger collection. The new collection consists of three pieces, each dedicated to and in honor of a different aspect of the US Navy’s airborne capabilities. Specifically, the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and two highly specialized aircraft testing squadrons.

On hand were Breitling US brand president Thierry Prissert, who was join by US Navy aviators captain Jim DiMatteo, captain Ryan J. Bryla, and Ben William “Dover” Stone, whose combined experience in service as US Navy Aviators is measured in decades. The three pilots took the stage to discuss the critical role that watches still play in combat aviation to this day, as well as the incredible following that Breitling has cultivated over the years among US Navy pilots.

Breitling previously refreshed the Avenger series with a major revamp, announcing nearly a dozen new models within the collection. Emphasizing robust, muscular case and bezel designs, these new Avengers are evocative of the high flying military aircraft that inspire Breitling’s designers and their owners alike. A standout amongst the series were the Avenger Night Missions, which feature scratch-resistant ceramic cases with complementing carbon fiber or bright yellow dials.

Continuing in this vein, the three new additions pay tribute not only to the pilots of the US Navy, but also those who put their own lives on the line in the pursuit of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible through human flight: The Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30), known as The Bloodhounds, and the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31(VX-31), known as The Dust Devils.

Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission US Naval Academy

The first of the three is the Night Mission US Naval Academy Edition. Featuring deep, navy blue dial with yellow accents along the rehaut, handset, and subdials, the watch also bears the insignia of the US Naval Academy within the subdial at 9 o’clock. Along the exhibition caseback, which beautifully showcases the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 movement, is the engraving “US Naval Academy.”

Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission USN Bloodhounds

The second addition honors the USN Bloodhounds, featuring an anthracite dial with similar yellow accents. At 9 0’clock, the subdial shows the depiction of the Bloodhound’s unit patch – the 3 headed dog Cerberus of Greek mythology, who stood as guard at the gates of Hades. USN Bloodhounds are a Navy air testing and evaluation Squadron, based out of Point Mugu in California. The E-2D Hawkeye, F-14 Tomcat, and the C-130, are just a few of the aircraft which the squadron was responsible for flying since its founding in 1995.

Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Night Mission USN Dust Devils

Finally, the third addition honors the famous Dust Devils, with a black dial punctuated by deep red accents. Similarly to the other two models, the Dust Devils unit insignia is showcased at 9 o’clock with all its devilish charm. Headquartered at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, also in California, the Dust Devils are known for operating such aircraft as the F-18 Superhornet and the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, amongst many, many others.

Tech Specs

Movement: Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, COSC-Certified Automatic Chronograph Movement
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date Column wheel chronograph, 70 Hour Power Reserve
Case: 44mm black ceramic case, bidirectional bezel, screw-down titanium crown, titanium and sapphire exhibition caseback
Dial: Navy Blue dial with US Naval Academy insignia ( SB01474A1C1X1), Anthracite dial with USN Bloodhounds insignia (SB01472A1B1X1), Black dial with USN Dust Devils insignia (SB01473A1B1X1) Super-Luminova
Strap: Navy Blue, Black with yellow accents, or Black with red accents “military” leather straps with titanium folding pin buckle
Price: USD 10,200

Learn more on Breitling’s website here