Breitling salutes the Red Arrows with a new, limited-edition wristwatch

Formed more than a half-century ago, the Red Arrows - famed for the "Diamond Nine" manoeuvre - is the RAF's display flying team and is a body that represents the British armed forces in the UK and around the world, demonstrating the ultimate in speed, agility and precision Although each pilot has operational experience in Tornados, Typhoons or Harriers, most would agree that flying with the Red Arrows is the pinnacle of a fighter pilot's career Delighted to work with the best of the best, Breitling has only ever made a handful of Red Arrows timepieces available for the open market - and all in very limited numbers.

February 2020 sees the release of the Avenger Royal Air Force Red Arrows Limited Edition in a series of 220 pieces Red accents include the Dia­mond Nine at nine o'clock, an outer minute track and a "GMT" hand that shows time in a second zone via a red arrow As to why the Red Arrows and the Ministry of Defence choose to work with Breitling, Squadron Leader Pert says, "Any brand that we are associated with has to reflect our values.

We are very selective, and rightly so Our partners must be genuinely dedicated to precision and professionalism and not merely want to capitalise on the excellence we evoke We have visited the Breitling factory and met the watchmakers and there is a similar mindset.

In display flying, detail is everything and that is the same at Breitling." According to Gavin Murphy, MD of Breitling UK, "Their commitment to serve and to inspire day in day out is unbelievable Some of the pilots we knew before they join the Red Arrows as they come from RAF squadrons we work with, and many stay in touch long after they move on from the team We have made some real friends along the way and are so proud to know them". Source