As you may know, I was raised in the aviation and defense industry. I love aircraft and World War II history. When a new watch debuts with a design that reflects a vintage WWII aircraft, it’s a complete thrill for me.
New this spring, the Breitling Curtiss Warhawk is a unique collection of watches in the Navitimer 8 family. The Army green dial and accents of bright red reflect the shark style paint on many Curtiss P40 Warhawks. The homage to the aircraft on the case back also makes this timepiece a special commemorative watch. I consider this watch wearable history, and it’s available in 41MM and 43MM sizes - in both chronograph and three hand styles.
History of Curtiss Warhawk
I love a watch with a good story, and the Curtiss Warhawk checks all my boxes. The plane that inspired this watch, first flown in 1938, was widely used by the U.S. and British armed forces, and sold to other countries as a rugged and reliable yet cost-efficient fighter plane.
The Curtiss manufacturing plant in Buffalo, New York, produced these planes for just under $45,000.00 each. Compared with aircraft costs today, the P40 Warhawk was the Honda Civic of our aviation time. Used in the Middle East, North Africa and China, the Curtiss Warhawk’s best use was in the South Pacific war arena.
Although the German Luftwaffe planes could fly faster, the Curtiss P40 Warhawk was a good match for the Japanese fighters. After a rough start at Pearl Harbor with many grounded aircraft lost, the Warhawk planes for the U.S. Army and Navy played a major role in our South Pacific victory.
As we approach this summer and the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, I plan to watch the celebrations and commemorations of this special time. And the perfect timepiece to wear this June is the Breitling Curtiss Warhawk.
