Accepting this gives us some freedom in analyzing modern watches inspired by historical design. When it comes to appreciating original historical references, we are not always celebrating the specifics of the design, but rather the era of the fake Rolex watch. Take the Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona, for example. The dial is poorly readable, and the build quality of the vintage model is passable at best compared to the current model. However, since it set sales records, it is probably the most mentioned vintage fake watch. King of Cool” made this watch. Very often, we buy the story rather than the watch. That’s not a bad thing, because very often the story around the watch is far more interesting than the watch itself. 
That’s what makes the new replica Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1953 reissue such an interesting edition. Even without the backstory of the 1950s, it’s a damn good watch. It doesn’t use history as a crutch to drive the watch, nor does it use modernity as an excuse to cut corners when reinterpreting the design. In theory, this watch is the closest Breitling could get to the original 1953 model while producing a commercially viable model.
It is important to understand that the Breitling of today is completely different from the Breitling of the past. The company has not had a continuous history since 1884, a history that was abruptly interrupted in 1979 when the brand died out due to the quartz crisis. The brand’s president, Willy Breitling himself, died in the same year. 1982 saw Ernest Schneider relaunch the company with a slightly different angle, as indicated by the range of designs now known as “neo-retro”.
Almost every watch is a reinterpretation of a previous design. This is how the brand is defined by its unique design language, using the same cues over and over again. Breitling calls this watch the Re-Edition, which I think is a logical and astute way of naming it. I’ve had these two replica watches together for quite some time, and if the ’53 model was NOS and hadn’t aged in any way, I would have a hard time separating them. Even the difference in weight between the watches is indistinguishable.
The watch is powered by the Breitling caliber B09. Like the original, it is a hand-wound column-wheel movement. Winding the watch brought a smile to my face. The crown is incredibly communicative and you can feel every click of the ratchet as it advances. However, you can’t see the ratchet turning because the watch has a solid case back. This is a good thing.
Talk to Breitling collectors and they will surely tell you how the “old” Breitling is vastly superior to the “new” Breitling. Frankly, I would wholeheartedly agree before wearing the AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-edition. I don’t feel the need to baby it as much as the old model.
