ReviewWings Of Fury: Presenting The Breitling Aviator 8 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk Series

Before we rush into the nitty-gritties of this incredible timepiece, it’s imperative that you’re acquainted with the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk first, an aircraft that has quite the fascinating story. This single-engine American aircraft first took to the skies in 1938, with World War II just around the corner.

Now, one must remember that the P-40 wasn’t the most powerful fighter in the arsenal of the US Army Air Corps (USAAC), nor was it the most agile or the deadliest. There were a number of fighter planes that could outperform the P-40. But the Warhawk was less expensive, easier to build and maintain, and most importantly, its production numbers were high—a necessity for the Allied forces during World War II—making it a crucial piece of the war-winning puzzle.

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was a legendary single-engine American aircraft that first took to the skies in 1938

A Collision Of Two Worlds

It was only fitting that the brand closest to the world of aviation, Breitling, paid tribute to this iconic fighter plane. And they have done this magnificently with the release of the new Aviator 8 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk watches.

The Breitling Aviator 8 Curtiss Warhawk collection comprises two chronographs and a three-hand model that pay homage to the aviation legend

All sporting a distinctly retro military and rugged look, these timepieces feature matte green dials with red and white accents, fashioned with olive canvas straps. The inspiration for the palette has been taken directly from the aforementioned reliable olive green fighter planes, each of which sported a shark face decal on the nose. The simplest watch of the three is also the smallest in the mix, with a case size of 41mm, while the other two are sized at 43mm. All three watches have printed images of the warplane, with its ‘Flying Tigers’ shark imagery, and the historical Curtiss logo on their casebacks.

Durability, functionality and resilience were the need of the hour in the troubled times surrounding World War II, and this series presents these features with aplomb.

All three watches have printed images of the warplane, with its ‘Flying Tigers’ shark imagery, and the historical Curtiss logo on their casebacks

₹3,86,000

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The model that is powered by the famed in-house B01 automatic movement offers an impressive power reserve of 70 hours

₹5,66,800

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Perfect Precision

The series includes two chronographs—one powered by the famed in-house B01 movement, while the other uses the ETA 7750-based Breitling calibre 13—and a simple three-hand model that runs on the Breitling 17 calibre. All of them are self-winding COSC-certified chronometer movements, reminding us that accurate timekeeping is paramount to the brand, across all its models.

The simple three-hand model looks understated and is perfect for those looking for an affordable watch with a restrained aesthetic

₹3,86,000

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This 43mm version houses the Breitling 13 calibre, which gives it a power reserve of approximately 48 hours

₹5,11,500

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The 43mm Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph looks handsome with its matte-finish military green dial, military green strap and contrasting silver sub-dials

₹5,11,500

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01

Both, Breitling and Curtiss-Wright, had a crucial role to play during World War II. The watchmaker’s aviation heritage is very important to the brand, and that is evident from its timepieces as well. The Aviator 8 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk serves as the perfect choice for enthusiasts who would truly appreciate a piece of aviation and wartime history.