Skip to main content

Breitling’s newest watch is a modern tribute to Frecce Tricolori

Breitling honors the Italian Air Force with its new watch

Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 42 Frecce Tricolor
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 42 Frecce Tricolor Breitling / Breitling

The new Avenger B01 Chronograph watch celebrates the partnership between Breitling and Frecce Tricolori Air Force, just as the name hints. Made up of 13 jets, the Frecce Tricolori is an Italian Air Force unit—a subdivision of the main unit—specializing in different kinds of air stunts and air shows.

The two brands, Breitling and Frecce Tricolori, go way back to the 20th century. Back then, Breitling focused on different types of watches, including aviation chronographs. The first airforce-inspired watch was rolled out in 1983 with advanced components, such as the rouleaux bracelet and rotating bezel. It had Frecce Tricolori’s logo and colors.

Recommended Videos

The 2025 edition comes with various elements, which are inspired by the original watch model—a full-circle moment for the two brands. For starters, it has the primary colors of the Italian Air Force, like the original model from 1983. The dial stands out due to the green hue that accentuates other elements on the watch. At the 9 o’clock denotation, there’s a small logo similar to the one that was featured on the first Frecce Tricolori timepiece.

The original watch had a logo at 3 o’clock, but Breitling moved it to a new position. The brand still preserved the original design. It’s worth noting that this timepiece features three subdials at 3 o’clock, 9 o’clock, and 6 o’clock to enhance the functionality of the watch.

Each subdial is inspired by an altimeter. This new watch also comes with a black strap that blends smoothly with the green dial and complements the overall design.

The new watch costs $10,100.

Learn More

Nathan S.R
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nathan has devoted his life to collecting watches, studying horology, reviewing watches, and writing about timepieces. As a…
Topics
Oris Hölstein edition 2025: A timepiece redefining luxury
The Oris Hölstein 2025: Where Swiss craftsmanship meets modern elegance
Oris Hölstein Edition 2025 with illuminated green dial

Oris unveils its Hölstein Edition 2025, a masterpiece blending Swiss precision with avant-garde design. This year’s release is just 250 pieces, an exclusive offering celebrating the brand’s heritage while pushing horological boundaries. The 40mm stainless steel case features a sleek, polished finish, while the gradient green dial—inspired by the dense forests of Hölstein—captures light with mesmerizing depth.

Celebrating the marvel of movement

Read more
Tudor introduces Black Bay 54 in lagoon blue with refined aesthetic
Summer vibes: Tudor's black bay 54 lagoon blue transforms heritage dive watch aesthetic
Tudor black bay 54 lagoon

Tudor adds "Lagoon Blue" to the Black Bay 54 collection. This new model transforms the dive watch, which took ideas from old watches, into a refined timepiece that anyone can wear—it fits beach life and summer activities perfectly. The watch costs $4,350. While the new color keeps the 37mm size, it completely changes how the watch looks.
The Black Bay 54 "Lagoon Blue," reference M79000-0001, keeps the original’s 37mm diameter and 11.2mm thickness—ensuring the watch wears well on a wide range of wrist sizes. Tudor has changed up several parts of the design, creating a softer, more current look for their smallest dive watch.
The biggest change is on the rotating bezel. Instead of the old black anodized aluminum insert, there’s now a mirror-polished steel bezel. The steel features a sandblasted 60-minute timing scale, and this polished surface matches the updated hands and hour markers. These now have mirror-polished frames containing white Grade A Swiss Super-LumiNova, replacing the previous gold finish.
The pale blue dial, with its grainy texture, gives the model its "Lagoon Blue" name. This color joins a wave of recent watches using similar "Tiffany blue" tones across the industry. Tudor itself offered a similar shade on the Black Bay Chrono "Flamingo Blue" earlier in 2025. It’s clear the market wants this look, even if plenty of brands are offering it.
Tudor also changed how the watch connects to the wrist. The "Lagoon Blue" comes only on a five-link stainless steel bracelet with polished center links, which is different from the original BB54’s three-link rivet-style bracelet. That older bracelet was a nod to Tudor Submariners from the 1950s. The new five-link design highlights the watch’s modern direction and keeps Tudor’s T-fit clasp for easy adjustments.
The Caliber MT5400 automatic movement stays the same—it offers a 70-hour power reserve and COSC chronometer certification, along with Tudor’s own accuracy standards of -2/+4 seconds per day. While it doesn’t have the METAS Master Chronometer certification found on some new Tudor models, the movement is still perfectly suited to the watch’s purpose.
Tudor’s advertising highlights the "Lagoon Blue" as a watch for a gender-neutral beach lifestyle. It’s not aimed at collectors who chase vintage-inspired pieces—just like Tudor did with the Black Bay 58 Burgundy and solid gold models. This shows Tudor’s move away from strictly history-inspired watches, aiming for a broader, more current appeal.
The $4,350 price is a small increase over the black dial bracelet version, reflecting the more complex five-link bracelet and improved finishing details. Even so, the watch is still reasonably priced within Tudor’s dive watch range.

Read more
How microbrands are quietly revolutionizing the watch world
How microbrand watches are carving a niche in the luxury timepiece market
A row of four luxury watches.

For generations, Rolex, Cartier, and Breitling have been industry leaders in the luxury watch market, their dominance and legacies revered within and outside of the horological community. Over the last few decades, a slew of notable microbrand watches have recently risen in prominence, each offering premium craftsmanship and limited edition exclusivity that has earned high marks from experts and consumers alike. 

While these indie brands may not possess the heritage of the usual suspects in the luxury watch market, what they have done is create dynamic designs that have resonated with a dedicated fan base. We are currently in the midst of a microbrand revolution, and here, we break down how microbrands are quietly revolutionizing the watch world in their own singular way. In this deep dive, we explore the top microbrands making waves, their standout features, and whether they hold long-term value for collectors.

Read more