The last 10 years or so has seen the establishment of many smaller watch brands, offering an alternative to very expensive luxury timepieces or more reasonably priced mass-produced options.
AVI-8 (pronounced as ‘aviate’) is one of these new companies.
They offer something unique, as they design and make watches that are inspired by aviation.
The aviation influence is clear in every aspect of their brand, from the names of their watches to the dial design.
This approach will certainly appeal to a certain niche, but of course, the real test is whether their watches offer quality and value as well as an interesting back story.
We’ve taken a look at some of the models on offer within AVI-8’s range, to put their watches under scrutiny.
Read on for our reviews, as well as a little more information about their brand.
See Our Top AVI 8 Watches
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Best For Low Budgets
2AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watch
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Best For Higher Budgets
3AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II Matador Edition Watch
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Best Overall
4AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Retrograde Watch
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1. AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II Watch
- Japanese Quartz Chronograph with Date
- Round Stainless Steel Case with Serrated Bezel, 45mm
- 22mm Hand Stitched Brown Colour Genuine Leather Strap
- Multilayered Grey Dial With Domed Hardened Mineral Lens with Anti-Reflective Coating and Luminous Applied Indexes
- Named after the famed Rolls Royce-powered Avon turbojet engine that powered it, the Avon Chronograph is replete with design cues and inspiration was taken directly from the Hawker Hunter fighter jet.
Hawker Harrier Dual Retrograde Chronograph
- Aluminium Chronograph
- the case has been assembled with an anti-reflective sapphire coated mineral lens for durability and visibility. The face itself features a Japanese-made chronograph retrograde movement that has the day, date, seconds, minute, and 30m readout with its flawless hands and circular disks. On the back of the watch, it is a jet turbine carved case back which makes it a clear leitmotif of the 4056. Its bold overall design makes this perfect for any man to wear with any attire.
- 4.5cm(Case Diameter) x 1.2cm(Case Depth)
- Stainless Steel and Leather
- Complete in an AVi-8 presentation box.
Specifications
2. AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watch
- The Hawker Hurricane AV-4053 style is a clean, easy-to-read pilot’s watch
- With large visible hands, hour markers that are accented with 24hr format sub indexes, the dial echoes vintage instrumentation
- Japanese-quartz Movement
- Case Diameter: 43mm
- Not water resistant
Other AVI-8 Collections
- Hawker Hunter
- Flyboy Lafayette
- Lancaster Bomber
- Hawker Harrier Pegasus Edition
AVI-8
AVI-8 timepieces are inspired by both the men and the machines of some of the most significant periods in aviation history. Paying tribute to the iconic aircraft and the brave men who flew them, these timepieces are a reminder of the guts, determination and sheer will of those who pushed minds and muscle in the development of cutting edge aircraft whose role was critical to the very defense of a nation. Each timepiece is designed with the innovative spirit that permeates the world of aviation.
AV-4053 Collection
This unfussy, robust pilot stainless steel 3 hand date timepiece is easy to wear, providing pinpoint timing accuracy in all conditions. With large visible hands and hour markers that are accented with 24-hour format subindexes, the dial echoes vintage instrumentation found onboard the WW2 era Hawker Hurricane.
Hawker Hurricane
The Hurricane, produced by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force was a single-seater fighter aircraft that featured in the air battles of World War 2.
Sometimes overshadowed by the Spitfire, it was nonetheless the Hawker Hurricane which could truly claim to be the most acclaimed, most successful, most reliable aircraft to deliver Allied Victory in the air during WW2.
The unsung hero of the Battle of Britain – that most crucial of air victories for the Allies, the Hawker Hurricane delivered more enemy kills than any other aircraft combined.
Specifications
3. AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II Matador Edition Watch
- AVI-8’s first skeletonized dial to add a fashion statement to your wrist
- Features a Japanese-quartz chronograph with a 1/20 sec and date function
- Japanese-quartz Movement
- Case Diameter: 45mm
- Water-resistant to 50m (165ft: in general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
Specifications
4. AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Retrograde Watch
- Brown Leather strap
- Stainless-steel case, Black dial
- Japanese quartz movement
- Case diameter: 45mm
Hawker Hunter Retrograde Chronograph
The Retrograde Chronograph pays suitable tribute to the famed jet without being cluttered and fussy in its carefully considered design. The Retrograde edition seemingly brings the instrument panel and cockpit of the Hawker Hunter to the wrist of the wearer with a homage and representation that is still utterly practical and balanced as a timepiece.
- Genuine Leather strap
- Stainless steel case, Black dial
- Japanese Quartz movement
- Case diameter: 45mm
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 7.87 x 5.91 x 3.94 inches; 10.58 Ounces
- Item model number : AV-4052-02
- Department : Men’s
- Batteries : 1 Lithium-ion battery required.
- Date First Available : October 25, 2019
- Manufacturer : AVI-8
- ASIN : B07CT82HT9
- Country of Origin : China
Specifications
5. AVI-8 Aviator Watch
- Comfortable leather strap
- 4.5cm(Case Diameter) x 1.2cm(Case Depth)
- Stainless Steel and Leather
About this item
- Comfortable leather strap
- houses a Japanese retrograde split time chronograph that sits under the flawless dial. This flawless watch brings the instrument panel and cockpit of the Hawker Hunter to the wrist, making it perfect for any stylish gentleman to wear as it will make you stand out from the crowd. With outlined skeletonized hands offer clarity and visibility of all the subdials on the multi-layered dial. This watch is clean and unfussy, letting you see everything in all its gorgeous glory.
- 4.5cm(Case Diameter) x 1.2cm(Case Depth)
- Stainless Steel and Leather
Product Description
The AVI-8 Men’s Hawker Hunter Watch – Tan/White is a very popular item that is sure to meet your shopping requirements. Highly recommended AVI-8 watches make great gifts. Buy the AVI-8 Men’s Hawker Hunter Watch – Tan/White now.
Specifications
Pros
- If this product is sold by Amazon, please review the manufacturer’s website for warranty information. If this product is sold by another party, please contact the seller directly for warranty information for this product. You may also be able to find warranty information on the manufacturer’s website.
6. AVI-8 Hawker HAVI-8 Flyboy AV-4075 Edgar Watchurricane Watch
Specifications
AVI-8 Watch Buying Guide
AVI-8 Brand
You could easily think that AVI-8 has a long history, as the watches in its collections take design inspiration from aviation history.
However, compared with some of the long-established watchmakers in the marketplace, AVI-8 is a comparative newcomer.
AVI-8 is presented as if it’s a British company and it does have some links to the United Kingdom, but it is actually owned by Dartmouth Brands, based in Hong Kong.
It produces timepieces in China, which means it is able to offer quality design at competitive prices.
Movement
A watch movement is quite simply what makes the watch run.
There are two main types; mechanical and quartz.
Watches with mechanical movements tend to be more expensive, as they require a complex series of parts, precisely engineered to work together.
A mechanical movement has a spring that is wound to create and store energy. That energy is transferred through gears and springs to power the watch. Mechanical movements are often favoured by enthusiasts for their craftsmanship and engineering.
A Quartz movement is battery powered and has far fewer moving parts, making them cheaper and easier to produce.
Quartz movements have the advantage of being very reliable and need minimal maintenance, aside from changing the battery when necessary.
The battery sends a current through a quartz crystal, hence the name, and this makes the crystal create vibrations which in turn drive the motor to make the hands move.
Design
The unique approach of AVI-8 is to take design inspiration from aviation history.
This influence is seen not only in their own brand name but in every aspect, from the names of collections such as Hawker Hunter or Spitfire to the laser cut images of jets on the back of some of their watches.
You’ll find design features such as dials that mimic cockpit instrumentation and straps in military-inspired colourways such as khaki.
The exact features differ in each collection, depending on the aircraft inspiration is taken from.
Uses
AVI-8 watches are a great option if you’re looking for a timepiece for day-to-day wear.
Depending on your choice of style and materials, designs can be rugged or more dressy.
Although some of the watches are sporty in appearance, they don’t generally have any features of a sports watch such as a stopwatch.
Materials
Perhaps in keeping with their aviation inspiration, AVI-8 typically produces watch cases in stainless steel.
These can be in coloured finishes or left as silver-toned.
Stainless steel is an ideal choice for watches as it is tough, doesn’t corrode, and very rarely causes skin irritation.
Many, in fact, most, AVI-8 watches have a leather strap.
It’s not only the appearance of leather that makes it a favourite for watches, it’s also a durable and comfortable material to wear.
Pricing Range
AVI-8 watches offer good value for attractive designs in good quality materials.
Their timepieces range from around US$100 to around US$500 at the top end, depending on the design and materials you opt for.
Our Verdict
You don’t have to be an aviation enthusiast to appreciate the pieces in AVI-8’s range, the good quality and eye for design can appeal to all tastes.
At the lower-priced end of AVI-8’s offer, our Best Entry Level choice is the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane. It’s an elegant and simple design, with some nods to aviation.
Our Top of the Range choice is the AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II Matador Edition, with a skeletonised dial, chronograph and date display.
Of all the timepieces we reviewed, our Best Overall is the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Retrograde.
It’s a striking watch that manages to be both eye-catching and classic. The tan leather strap offsets the large, squared-off stainless steel case and although there are three subdials, the face is clean and easy to read.
