Breitling Aviator 8

Aviator 8 is a collection of Breitling pilot's watches with a clean dial, large Arabic numerals and a rotating bezel with a triangular marker. The cases are steel, with satin-brushed surfaces and polished bevels. Before it was renamed, the collection was called Navitimer 8, so both names can be found.

Models within the collection differ in their functions. On the Automatic 41 and Navitimer 8, the date sits in an aperture at 6 o'clock. The Automatic Day & Date 41 adds the day of the week, spelled out in full in an arched aperture at 12 o'clock. The Chronograph 43 and B01 Chronograph 43 are chronographs with different calibres. The B35 43 shows world time: a disc with the names of 24 cities runs around the edge of the dial, and closer to the centre a 24-hour scale divides the day into day and night.

In a category of their own are versions honouring aircraft. The Curtiss Warhawk is dedicated to the American P-40 fighter: it has a matt green dial, and some versions come on a matching green textile strap. The Mosquito refers to the de Havilland Mosquito, with a black dial, silver chronograph counters and a brown leather strap.

All the watches in the collection covered here are men's models.