These are the latest in a line of limited releases that are the result of a partnership between Breitling and the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, as the Red Arrows are formally known, which was born over 34 years ago. Throughout, the team has performed world-leading aerobatic displays while putting its trust in Breitling, which designs exclusive commissions for the RAF and other military squadrons.

No surprise, perhaps, given Breitling has been an aviation timekeeping pioneer since the 1930s, when Willy Breitling founded its Huit Aviation Department, dedicated to supporting military and civil aviation with pilot chronographs and other instruments, some of which ensured precise calculations pertaining to distance and fuel.

The Breitling Avenger 42 Red Arrows 60^th Anniversary Edition, limited to 360 pieces, takes inspiration from the colours of the Red Arrows insignia: its blue-and-black dial is adorned with red highlights, including the tip of the seconds hand. The team’s crest, designed in 1980 and featuring the word éclat (French for “brilliance”), is situated at 9 o’clock.

Its 42mm-diameter case, made from stainless steel, is water resistant to 300 metres and comes with the option of a three-row stainless-steel bracelet or a blue military leather strap with contrasting red stitching. The COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 17 automatic movement delivers up to 38 hours of power reserve. And new owners of the Avenger 42 may be glad to know that a percentage of the revenue generated by its sales will be donated to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, which supports past and present members of the RAF.

The brand has also unveiled the Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Red Arrows, which features a durable 44mm black ceramic case, titanium hardware, a COSC-certified movement featuring 70 hours of power, and a blue military leather strap with contrasting topstitching. In a fitting finishing touch, the dial is embellished with the squadron’s insignia and its “Diamond 9” formation at 9 o’clock.