Television presenter Jeremy Clarkson spotted wearing a Breitling

At the London premiere of Clarkson's Farm, Jeremy Clarkson arrived on the red carpet wearing the Breitling Avenger Hurricane XB0170E41I1W1 — a watch that, much like its owner, refuses to go unnoticed. The 50mm black case dominated his wrist, and the military-influenced aesthetic paired naturally with the event celebrating his unlikely reinvention as a Cotswolds farmer.

The Avenger Hurricane was first introduced in 2016 as a bold statement piece in Breitling's tool-watch lineage. The ref. XB0170E41I1W1 represents the 2021 iteration, retaining the signature 50mm Breitlight case — a composite material Breitling developed in-house that weighs just 40 grams for the entire case, dramatically reducing wrist fatigue despite the watch's imposing footprint. The black Military strap with a Volcano Black rubber lining continues the tactical theme. Powering the watch is the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber B12, a 24-hour display automatic movement based on the ETA 2836-2 platform, offering 42 hours of power reserve and military-grade legibility with its 24-hour dial layout that eliminates AM/PM ambiguity.

Among collectors, the Avenger Hurricane occupies a specific niche: it is not a grail watch in the traditional sense, but it commands genuine respect as an engineering exercise and a practical instrument. The Breitlight material remains rare across the industry, and Breitling's decision to use it on a civilian production piece rather than limit it to a concept study gives the Hurricane real distinction. Its sheer size has always divided opinion, but that polarisation is arguably part of the appeal.

Clarkson's affinity for large, purposeful watches is well documented. A man who has championed the Land Rover Defender, the Lamborghini Tractor, and now the realities of British farming, gravitating toward a 50mm composite-cased aviation chronograph feels entirely consistent. The Hurricane is not a dress watch — it is a declaration.

On the grey market, the Avenger Hurricane XB0170E41I1W1 trades modestly below retail, reflecting healthy supply and a collector base that appreciates rather than speculates on it. For buyers seeking a technically serious, visually assertive Breitling at a fair entry point, it remains one of the more honest propositions in the current catalogue.