Breitling Genève, "AVI- Co-Pilot," Ref. 765. Fine, antimagnetic, water-resistant, stainless steel Aviator's wristwatch with round button chronograph and registers.
Case: Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back, graduated silver bezel, lapidated lugs.
Dial: Black with luminous baton indexes and Arabic 12, subsidiary sunk guilloche dials for the seconds, the 15-minute register with luminous blocks at 3 minute intervals and 12-hour registers. Luminous white hands.
Movement: Cal. 178, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight- line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring.
Ref: 765
Size: 41mm and Thickness: 14mm
Circa: 1960s
More about Breitling:
Introduced in 1954, the Breitling AVI Co-Pilot first generation had a digital minute counter instead of the "classic" 15 minute counter subdial. This unusual minute counter was soon replaced by the more common fifteen minute counter seen in other watches specifically the Type 20 from Breguet, Vixa and Auricoste which were based on a requirements established by the French Armée de l'Air.
The AVI co-pilot was often a procurement watch, used by military pilots whose governments did not issue a watch. Starting in the late 19860's the AVI line experienced a few different variations for specific purposes such as Yachting but also cosmetic changes and was fitted with a Black bezel and silver subdials for better contrast. It was famously worn by Raquel Welch in the Movie Fathom and the brand use that notoriety in a subsequent advertising campaign .
This example is an early version of the second generation the AVI 765 with a steel rotating bezel and all black dial. A great classic military Chronograph look for a fraction the price of a Breguet Type 20.
