Introduction
On January 15, Breitling Replica unveiled the new Avenger B01 Chronograph 42 Frecce Tricolori, previewed with a teaser on the official website. Almost simultaneously, Bell & Ross unveiled the BR-05 Chrono Patrouille de France, rekindling a virtual long-distance challenge between two famous aerobatic teams. The passion for models dedicated to military forces is well known, and some of them aren’t even available to the public. When (and if) they do arrive on the market, they do so with a significant markup.
In the case of the two prestigious aerobatic teams, we’re talking about limited-edition watches regularly released to appeal to a specific niche of enthusiasts. The two models share a chrono complication, but in truth, the two watches couldn’t be more different, despite the teams’ having crossed paths in the past.
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 42 Frecce Tricolori
Breitling’s association with aviation is centuries-old; its association with the P.A.N. (National Aerobatic Team) is more recent and holds special significance for Breitling as a company. In the early 1980s, the Frecce Tricolori Chronomat with a rouleaux bracelet relaunched the brand, starting with the then-thriving and exciting Italian market. The collaboration has never ceased, but under new ownership, it has been revived with the recent Chronomat and now with the Avenger.
The Avenger Chrono is the platform chosen for collaborations with aerobatic squadrons globally and was also chosen for this edition, along with ceramic, which debuts on a model dedicated to the Frecce Tricolori. Breitling opted for the 42 mm chronograph to take advantage of the lightness of ceramic.
The result is a product significantly lighter than a comparable steel chronograph—Avengers are historically large and heavy—that conceals its generous 15.5 mm thickness. As is standard practice, ceramic is paired with titanium for the caseback ring, crown, and pushers.
The dial features a unique green background with contrasting black chronograph counters, the Frecce Tricolori logo at 9 o’clock, and the colors of our flag on the 30-minute chronograph counter. This watch abandons the classicism of the latest-generation Chronomat, focusing on the technical look of a tool watch, complemented by a case water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters. The B01 caliber needs no introduction; it’s the renowned and robust in-house movement with a 70-hour power reserve, a column wheel, and a latest-generation skeletonized rotor.
Bell & Ross BR-05 Chrono Patrouille de France
As mentioned, the two patrols crossed paths in the past through their shared partnership with Breitling; unforgettable mechanical watches include the Chronomat Patrouille de France and, even before that, the Navitimer Patrouille de France.