Since 1884, Swiss watch marque Breitling has crafted fine timepieces, many of them to function alongside aeronautical endeavours. Take its 1962 Navitimer Cosmonaute: made for astronaut Scott Carpenter's Aurora 7 mission, the watch featured a 24-hour dial so Carpenter could tell night from day while orbiting Earth.

Equally as impressive is Breitling's Emergency. Fitted with a device which can emit a 121.5 MHz distress frequency, it saved the lives of two British explorers after their helicopter crashed off Antarctica in 2003. Breitling's latest offering is the Avenger Hurricane Military.

Limited to 1,000 pieces, the jet-black 50mm watch is constructed from Breitlight, an ultra-sturdy, lightweight material three times lighter than titanium (and five times lighter than steel). Anti-magnetic, anti-allergenic, super scratch-resistant and waterproof to 100m, the watch features a chronograph movement that displays 24-hour time. It's also COSC-certified, the highest mark of precision excellence.

50mm Breitlight Avenger Hurricane Military on military rubber strap, £7,875;