Breitling Aviastar

Specifications
Model: Aviastar
Production Years:1996-1998
Movement: Breitling 13
Power Reserve:42 Hours
Water Resistance:30m
Bezel:Bidirectional
Crown:Push Down
Crystal:Mineral
Diameter:41.5mm
Thickness:16.4mm
Weight:85.4g
Bracelet: Navitimer
Lug Width:22mm
Watchwinder Direction:Clockwise
Reference Numbers:a13024

1990's AviastarThe Aviastar is a member of the Navitimer family and is the last of a line that began with the AVIs and Co-Pilots of the 1950s and 1960s. Aviastars were made for only a few years in the mid to late 90s and had virtually all been sold by about 2004. The Aviastar’s ancestors were modelled on designs for l'Armée de l'Air (the French air force) in the 1950s. The design was picked up by Breitling for several variations of a watch known first as the AVI and later renamed the Co-Pilot.

At the Basle watch show in 1995 a new Breitling model is shown, a prototype which has not yet been named but which will become the Aviastar.

And sadly 1998 is the last year the Aviastar appears in the catalogue although as late as 2003 some of the last examples are still being sold.

I think they are superb watches and although they were undervalued for some years, from 2006 onwards prices have risen steeply.The Aviastar has a Breitling calibre 13 movement (based on the Valjoux 7750 as used in many Breitlings with the sub-registers at the 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions). This movement has a reputation for robustness and is very accurate, some watches within 1 sec per day or better. This of course easily exceeds the requirements for COSC certification.

Here is a review from another owner of an Aviastar:

Positives:

1. It's a great watch IMHO! I just love the look of it. They are not common and the odds are if you buy one you will not see anyone else wearing one (unlike Chronomats and Navitimers).
2. The bi-directional bezel is useful for many timing situations in everyday life quite apart from any aviation use. Personally I find it more useful than the Navitimer slide-rule although both have their uses.
3. In 2004 I wrote: "These watches are IMHO undervalued and can occasionally be bought used for under $1000 and rarely cost more than say $1200-1400 for a pristine example with box and papers although prices are creeping up. If fitted with a Navitimer bracelet add say three hundred dollars to these prices. Likewise, if buying from a dealer add a similar amount." [Edit 2006: these were the prices two years ago - they are higher than this now!][Edit May 2007: they have now gone up even more and at least one has sold for $3000.]
4. Quick-set date – this is a very useful feature which the Aviastar shares with the Old Navitimer (identical version of the Valjoux 7750. The latest version of the Navitimer does not have this feature).

Negatives:
1. Like all Valjoux 7750 watches of any brand the Aviastar is a thick watch. At 16.4mm it is 2mm thicker than the contemporaneous Old Navitimer at 14.4mm. I find the thickness a little excessive.
2. The finish is shiny; I would prefer matt for a pilot's watch to avoid unwanted reflections in the cockpit.

Overall:My advice is: if you like the look of the Aviastar then find one and go for it! They are a great watch, relatively uncommon and can still be found used with a bit of searching for a reasonable price.

Post Script:In 2003 there was a poll on the WUS Breitling Forum asking for the most-favoured deleted model for Breitling to bring back. The Aviastar got more votes than any other watch!