Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXI

9 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T he new Avenger Bandit – the Spirit of Naval Aviation, unveiled by Breitling at Baselworld 2016 – will not tell you howmany steps you took today. Nor will it let you check your Facebook notifications to alert you to the fact you missed you sister-in-law’s birthday. You will not be connected; not in the digital sense at least. But you will be connected to a long line of expertise and redoubtable flair in creating some of the finest aviator watches in the world. With its 45mm titanium case, its slate grey stealth style, the military rubber strap and the high-performance mechanical movement, the new Avenger Bandit more forcefully than ever embodies daring feats and extreme missions. That doesn’t mean popping online to see if you have any Instagram likes for your latest ‘wristshot’ or an online dating match – it means this watch can take the excesses of real heat. This is a watch that will perform in action, or at least in extreme environments. A reliable, precise and authentic instrument for professionals, this timepiece is built to ensure you get the information you need in the cockpit, on the deck of an aircraft carrier, or in the heat of the moment. Constructed from a 45mm solid titanium case, the levity of which belies its sturdiness, this undeniably attractive timepiece in its various shades of grey is protected by lateral reinforcements and is satin-brushed for an anti-reflective, matte finish. The dial is highly legible and ice cool in grey with tone-on-tone counters accentuated by a finely snailed raised motif. The aviation-inspired stencil-type numerals boast a luminescent coating to guarantee perfect visibility, which is further enhanced by the thick, glareproofed sapphire crystal. The uni-directional ratcheted rotating bezel also has engraved stencil-type numerals and includes the classic Breitling signature feature of four rider tabs used to memorise key times. The screw-locked crown is safeguarded against mishap via a non-slip grip along with the chronograph pushers, thus ensuring optimal handling, even with gloves on. And if those hard to recall conversion tables don’t spring to mind as quickly as they ought, fear not: the caseback has a handy engraved conversion scale. At the heart of this militaristic beast is the Calibre Breitling 13, which has been officially chronometer certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). At 28,800 vibrations per hour, the watch features a high frequency to ensure precision. Functions include 1/4 of a second chronograph, 30 minute and 12-hour totalisers and a calendar. Waterproof to 300 metres and able to stand up to whatever punishment you can throw at it, this is going to be a big hit for Breitling.