Breitling, founded in Saint-Imier in 1884, pioneered the modern chronograph. Léon Breitling created the first independent chronograph pusher (1915) and the first separate reset pusher (1934) — innovations that define every chronograph made today. The Navitimer (1952) became the official watch of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Available below retail on the secondary market at 24% discount, this model offers exceptional value for buyers willing to purchase pre-owned. This pricing makes it one of the better value propositions in the pilot watch category.
The WVS Value Score of 69/100 reflects the balance between this watch's specifications, brand positioning, and market dynamics. While not the highest-scoring watch in its category, it may offer advantages in other areas such as design, availability, or raw specification value.
The annual cost of ownership comes to $369 per year — roughly the cost of a gym membership. This factors in depreciation, periodic servicing, and insurance, and represents good value for a watch of this caliber.
Understanding the true cost of owning a luxury watch requires looking beyond the purchase price. Our cost-of-ownership model calculates the annual net expense of keeping the Breitling Avenger A32397101B1X1 on your wrist, factoring in three key components.
First, depreciation: based on historical pricing data for this reference and similar Breitling models, we estimate annual value change at 6%. This depreciation rate is typical for this price segment and brand positioning. Second, servicing: Breitling recommends periodic maintenance to ensure accuracy and water resistance. We amortize the estimated service cost across the recommended interval, arriving at $80 per year. Third, insurance: at approximately 1.5% of market value, annual insurance costs $58 to protect against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
Combining these factors yields a net annual cost of $369. That's roughly $1.01 per day — less than a daily cup of coffee.
Estimated market price trend based on aggregated public listing data. Prices reflect average asking prices for complete sets in excellent condition. Updated monthly.
Our proprietary score rates every luxury watch on a 0-100 scale across five dimensions. Scores above 85 indicate exceptional value retention and market positioning. The formula is transparent and weight-based.
When considering the Breitling Avenger A32397101B1X1, it helps to understand how it compares to alternatives in the pilot watch category. The highest-scoring alternative is the Rolex Explorer with a Value Score of 89/100, slightly above the A32397101B1X1's 69/100. The comparison table below provides a detailed side-by-side analysis of all key metrics.
| Watch | Market Price | Size | WR | Own/Yr | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breitling Avenger A32397101B1X1 | $3,200–$4,500 | 44mm | 300m | $369/yr | 69 |
| Rolex Explorer 124270 | $8,500–$11,000 | 36mm | 100m | $100/yr | 89 |
| Rolex Air-King 126900 | $8,000–$11,000 | 40mm | 100m | $99/yr | 88 |
| Cartier Santos WSSA0018 | $6,000–$7,800 | 39.8mm | 100m | $598/yr | 76 |
| Cartier Santos WSSA0029 | $6,500–$8,200 | 39.8mm | 100m | $631/yr | 76 |
| IWC Pilot IW328201 | $4,000–$5,200 | 41mm | 100m | $425/yr | 70 |
Pilot watches trace their lineage to early aviation instrument watches. Modern pilot watches emphasize legibility, with large dials, prominent numerals, and high-contrast hands. Many feature additional functions relevant to navigation such as GMT/dual time zones, slide rule bezels, and countdown timers.
Pilot watch priorities include dial legibility (large indices, high-contrast color schemes), case size appropriate for the aesthetic (42mm+ is traditional), anti-magnetic protection, and sapphire crystal. For frequent travelers, a GMT or world time complication adds genuine utility.
Pilot watches skew casual to smart-casual. Their larger case sizes and tool-watch aesthetic make them natural partners for leather jackets, casual shirts, and travel outfits. They may feel oversized in a formal business context unless in a dressier interpretation.
Breitling watches are readily available with significant discounts. Grey market prices run 25-40% below retail, and even ADs may negotiate 10-15% off. The brand's aggressive pricing on the secondary market makes pre-owned Breitling watches exceptional value — you get a genuine manufacture chronograph for the price of many quartz watches.
Breitling manufactures in-house chronograph movements (B01 family) alongside outsourced calibres. The B01 is a column-wheel, vertically-coupled chronograph with 70-hour power reserve — a technically excellent movement. All Breitling movements are COSC-certified. The Breitling 01 is arguably one of the best chronograph movements available under $10,000.
Breitling recommends servicing every 4-6 years. Service costs are $500-$900 for the B01 chronograph, less for simpler models. Breitling offers a 5-year warranty on new watches, providing reasonable protection for the initial ownership period.
Breitling watches depreciate 35-55% from retail, making them a buyer's market on the pre-owned side. The Navitimer retains value best due to its iconic status. The brand's recent efforts under Georges Kern to reposition as a modern luxury brand may improve resale trajectory over time.
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Every current reference ranked by Value Score. Click any model for full analysis.
| Ref | Variant | Retail | Score | Own/Yr | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A32397101B1X1 | Auto 44 Steel/Black ◂ | $5,050 | 69 | $369/yr | $3,200–$4,500 |
Value Score 69/100 · $369/year to own · 94% retention