Jewellery & Watch News
Paying tribute to the miraculous world of aviation, AVI-8 watches celebrate the best of both man and machine by combining modern and vintage aesthetics that offer rugged practicality on land and in the cockpit. As well as honouring the cutting-edge machines that fly our skies, each AVI-8 watch praises the engineers, scientists, designers and pilots that first braved them. Just as they did, AVI-8 watches makes use of only the best materials and resources to provide top legibility, unbeatable precision and maximum reliability in the air.
Today, we will be taking a look at some of the latest AVI-8 watch collections in detail to help you find the perfect match for your wrist. All of these stunning pilot watches are available to order on the C W Sellors website here. You can also get in touch with our amazing team of luxury watch specialists on 01335 453453 or at sales@cwsellors.com – just remember to ask about our incredible interest free finance and free next day delivery options available!
AVI-8 Flyboy Watches
The term “Flyboy” was often used to describe a pilot belonging to the air force and ever since the turn of military aviation in WWI, the colloquial nickname has stuck as a reference to young men, who if they were boys on the ground were definitely not boys in the air! The bravery, swagger and confidence of these remarkable men are commemorated within each AVI-8 Flyboy watch with often youthful designs taking centre stage and high precision Japanese quartz movements at their core.
The AVI-8 Flyboy Lafayette is a favourite of ours as it tributes the 38 pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille who flew for France beginning in 1916 before the United States entered World War I. It’s design bookmarks the very pilot watches found on the wrists of aviators during this time with practical aesthetics for optimal legibility and functionality in the cockpit.
AVI-8 Hawker Harrier Watches
Inspired by the Harrier aircraft, the AVI-8 Hawker Harrier watch collection is characterised by the same functionality, visibility and ease of use as its air-bourne counterpart. The Harrier was a result of a vast range of refinements to ensure its progress in the air was optimum. Some of its key traits were its manoeuvrability, raised bubble cockpit for day and night operability, lighter composite fuselage and one-piece wing. The aircraft was also powered by the famed Rolls Royce Pegasus series of engines which now inspire a range of quartz movements within the collection.
The Hawker Harrier II watch collection similarly features bold and progressive aesthetics designed to commemorate the Harrier plane. Over sized hands and pushers ensure effortless use in the cockpit, even with thick pilots gloves on, while some of the extraordinary skeletonised designs come to life with a whirring of hands and wheels that create a dynamic experience not unlike that of a Harrier in full flight.
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AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Watches
Bringing to life the Hawker Hunter British jet-powered fighter aircraft that was developed by Hawker Aircraft for the Royal Air Force during the late 1940s and early 1950s, the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter is one of their most unique yet. The cushion-shaped cases pay tribute to contours and shapes of the famed jet while the unique and arguably cluttered dial designs portray its remarkable functionality.
We absolutely love the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon Multi-Function watch and its bold, complex dial forged out of true aviation design. Its octagonal case elevates its pure military aesthetic while the day and date fonts have been reprinted to pay homage to 1950s and 1960s typography found on Hawker Hunters of the time. The crown guard to right of the watch also references the front view of the Hunter’s intakes, while the roundel embalmed on the crown adds another element of interest for the wearer.
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AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watches
Possibly one of the brand’s most famous collections, the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane watch tributes one of the most iconic planes from the WWII era. The array of models found within the collection all follow suit with a simplicity that echoes the design of its namesake with clean dials, classic colouring and graphics and vintage-inspired leather straps.
The AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane chronographs are a fantastic example of the brand’s ability to combine modern technologies with historic inspirations. Their chronograph functions are commonly powered by renowned Japanese quartz movements while the straight forward hour indexing, bold hands, and detailed vintage designed subdials of the chronograph are all blended to create a timepiece that is elegant in design, precise in performance and stylish in its comment on the wearer.
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AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber Watches
As if lifted directly from the front panel of the storied Lancaster Bomber plane, the AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber watch collection once again tributes an iconic aircraft. The unique styling of the Arabic numerals continues to ensure optimal legibility as do the large luminous central hand, oversized date windows and railroad style minute marker rings which frame the elegant, vintage inspired dials.
Once again, the chronograph variants of the AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber have won over our hearts with an extraordinary styling we have never seen before. These unique timepieces feature a total of four subsidiary dials which take up the entirety of the dial and consist of a small seconds counter, 30 minutes counter, 24 hour function and a remarkable day indicator.
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AVI-8 P-51 Mustang Watches
The Mustang was one of the most successful fighters ever built for aerial combat, built by North American Aviation and fitted with Rolls-Royce’s famed Merlin engine. To celebrate its renowned craftsmanship, the AVI-8 P-51 Mustang watch collection attempts to bring it back to life with modern functionality and a rich design inspired by aviation history.
The typography used on the body of the aircraft has been incorporated into the numerals on the dial while other details include its engine exhaust replicated on the crown protector and the flight instruments have influenced the dial layout. AVI-8 P-51 Mustang watches are also some of our favourites for their straps, which are not only incredibly comfy for their thickness but remind us of the brand’s military vision.
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AVI-8 Spitfire Watches
Last but certainly not least is the AVI-8 Spitfire watch collection, a series of pilot watches inspired by the Supermarine Spitfire plane first developed in 1934. The aircraft would eventually become one of the most recognised and important aircrafts ever created, a pillar of the Royal Air Force and capturing the imagination of aviators around the world. To commemorate the legend, the AVI-8 watch collection has been designed to become a history lesson seen right on the wrist.
Found within many of the AVI-8 Spitfire watches, the winding rotor is cut into the shape of its namesake while the crown is a reference to the nose of the propeller and the case itself modelled after the aircraft’s shape. These subtle yet stunning references have made these timepieces huge hits with collectors while the automatic winding movements – only seen in a select few models – make them must-have for lovers of mechanical timepieces.
