There are few contemporary watchmakers that create as impressive and affordable pilot watches as AVI-8. The aviation-inspired label seeks to tell the stories of both man and machine, honouring the aircrafts and the airmen who dedicated themselves to bringing the iconic planes to life.
With functionality at its core, AVI-8 creates watches that are reliably sturdy and utterly wearable. A fusion of considered design and meticulous attention to detail results in timepieces that are guaranteed to stand the test of time. The watches rely on premium Japanese quartz chronograph or automatic movements, resulting in a perfectly balanced series of hands, circular discs and registers all precisely weighted to offer clear information in an instant, never compromising on time-reading functionality. Durability is enhanced with stainless steel casing and sapphire or mineral lenses with anti-reflective coating. Straps are premium leather or solid stainless steel.
Each of the five AVI-8 styles pays tribute to a different aircraft – from the bestselling Spitfire that honours the famed World War 2-era fighter, following its elegantly elliptical form and echoing the clear-cut legibility of the gauges and readouts of the aircraft on the dial, to the Hawker Hunter, which nods to one of Britain's most triumphant exports with its cockpit-inspired multi-layered dial. The Hawker Hurricane is a classic aviation-inspired chronograph that exudes elegance, the P-51 Mustang is a wearable tribute to the exploits of American fighter ace and commander, Colonel Don Blakeslee and the Hawker Harrier fuses traditional pilot style with a more modern feel.
One of the biggest drawcards to AVI-8 is the brand's relatively affordable price points. Prices range from £165 to £365, but thanks to top notch construction and timeless aesthetics, you can be guaranteed premium quality and a timepiece that you'll cherish for years, no matter what style you opt for.
