Inspired by Flight: AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Men's Pilot Watches

The Hawker Hunter was a spectacularly successful transonic fighter aircraft produced by Hawker-Siddeley Aviation starting in 1953. Nearly 2000 Hunters were produced, and it served with 22 different Air Forces around the world including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore Sweden, Switzerland, India, Jordan, Lebanon,  Zimbabwe.  The Hunter started as a fighter aircraft and transitioned to a fighter-bomber role as it was supplanted by supersonic aircraft. 

A Privately-Owned Hawker Hunter flying in an airshow

In the watch world, this amazing aircraft is currently commemorated by AVI-8 watches. 

A Swiss Hawker Hunter on Museum Display

There are several versions of the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter watch so there are plenty of choices and decisions for collectors to make. But, don't get analysis paralysis because some of these are on sale for a limited time only! 

AVI-8 Hawker Hunter 45mm Retrograde Chronograph

This first version, the AVI-8 Model 4052, is a quartz chronograph with a cool instrument panel look. 

AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Retrograde Chronograph (Amazon photo)

It comes in 4 different color and strap combinations.  In grey and in green, this 45mm watch is currently 36% off! You can see the grey version, here on Amazon.

AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Atlas Automatic GMT watch

If you are looking for an automatic, AVI-8 offers a 44mm GMT watch with an awesome exhibition caseback offering a peek into the works. The watch is powered by a Japanese TMI NH34 movement.

AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Atlas Automatic GMT Watch (Amazon Photo)

Amazon has three variants of this watch.  But, right now, this watch is 29% off in green and a solid deal.  You can see this AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Atlas GMT Automatic here on Amazon!

AVI-8 Men's 44mm Pilots Watch -- Atlas Dual Time Chronograph

The final version of the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter watch is a 44mm quartz dual time model. There are nine variants of this model on Amazon and two of them (including this one) are 33% off for a price of just a bit over $200.

AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Atlas Dual Time Quartz Chronograph (Amazon.com photo)

You can see the AVI-8 Atlas Dual Time Chronograph here on Amazon.

Alternatives to the Television Infomercial Watch Brands

Unusual Watch Brands that Make for Unique Collections 

Since some watch brands are constantly being advertised via infomercial, some of the novelty and exclusivity of owning a fine timepiece has been diminished. Here are some unique alternatives to the watch brands constantly seen on TV shopping networks. 

[This article is reprinted from the now defunct Yahoo Contributors Network, but it is still relevant today!]

If you like watches, then you've undoubtedly watched some of the home shopping television shows dedicated to selling watches. Brands like Invicta, Sturhling Original, Android, and Renato have become household names by making it possible for middle class consumers to afford sophisticated timepieces with mechanical movements, European design features, and a combination of Asian and Swiss components. However, since these brands are constantly being advertised via infomercial, some of the novelty and exclusivity of owning a fine timepiece has been diminished.

Just as Rolex owners might be plagued by questions about the authenticity of their watches, the owner of a television brand watch might be questioned about the ubiquitous "easy pay" arrangements of the home shopping channels. Plus, it seems that almost everyone who is into watches has at least one Invicta now. As cool as these TV brand watches are, the human drive to be unique has some collectors looking to find watches that few others own. Since there are literally hundreds of watch brands, words like unique, exclusive, rare, and exotic are not necessarily synonymous with expensive. Here are some alternatives to the television watch brands:

AVI-8 Watches.

When a watch is going to be strapped to your wrist all day, it will catch your eye and capture moments of attention throughout your day. Inspired by the great Hawker aircraft of British aviation history, AVI-8 brand watches will capture your eyes and ignite daydreams. With collections like Hawker Hurricane, Hawker Hunter, Hawker Harrier II, Lancaster Bomber and Flyboy your imagination will soar with every glance at your wrist. Many of these aviation inspired watches have features inspired aircraft features like the bubble turrets of the famed Lancaster bomber. ($270 and up, avi-8.co.uk)

AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Chronograph

Diesel watches.

If you want to zig when everyone else is zagging, you can go big with a Diesel watch. Diesel is the king of big watches. The case diameter of a Diesel watch usually ranges from 58 to 65 millimeters. But, Flava-Flav alarm clock dimensions aside, Diesel watches are readable, sharp looking, timepieces with a variety of innovative case designs. These watches will be noticed. ($70 and up, DieselTimeFrames.com)

A Big Diesel Watch

Insignum watches.

German design and quality control meets with Asian sourcing and premium Japanese movements to bring a fine line of innovative premium watches to market at affordable price points. Styles range from traditional dive watches like the Insignum Subwave to bold designs like the Insignum Activa and Campus models. Unfortunately, Insignum watches has withdrawn from North America.  The watches are becoming rare in the United States as the company focuses on Europe. If you snatch one up while supplies last, it's unlikely that your neighbors will find one without traveling to Europe. This guarantees that you'll have a unique timepiece for many years to come.

My Insignum Dive Watch

Modify watches. 

In the eighties, Swatch watches came on the scene with all kinds of cool color combinations and unusual faces. At one point, they became the horological equivalent of beanie babies. Today, Modify watches has a similarly hip and affordable option for casual watch collectors. They make colorful watch bands and interchangeable watch face modules. Collectors can mix and match these fun watches to suit their mood and make a statement. You can even build your watch collection on-line to get the straps and faces that fit your sense of style. (Watch Faces from $20, Watch Straps from $10, modifywatches.com)

My Modify Watch

NFW watches. 

If you are looking for a square watch, but don't want a Bell & Ross imitator, NFW builds very tough, waterproof, watches in their own unique style. Even the round-faced watches from this small, uncompromising, watch company convey strength and quality. ($279 to $479, ZuluTimeZone. com)

Orient watches. 

 In a world full of Asian-sourced watches that intimate quasi-European origins, Orient watches proudly proclaims their Asian heritage. They have built a quality brand that delivers a wide variety of well-designed watches that can go toe-to-toe with long established names in the watch business. Orient also covers the full spectrum of fashion needs from the Diver to Dress watch. ($205 and up, orientwatchusa.com)

These are but a few of the different watch brands that you'll find with a little searching. When it comes to watch collecting, it is still very possible to follow your own road. You can find a unique watch that perfectly expresses your sense of style. When it comes to holiday gift giving, you can also find a watch that is unique, unusual, and shows that you spent a little time and thought in finding the perfect watch for the recipient.

A Glimpse at the AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber Watch

I recently caught a glimpse of the AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber watch at a local retailer.  Since I enjoy my AVI-8 Hurricane watch, I was curious to see some of their other models.  AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber Watches commemorate Britain's most famous World War II bomber. I like the way that the subdials are presented in a horizontal row across the bottom of the dial.  While some makers present instrument panel inspired watches, it looks like AVI-8 is providing an instrument panel on their watch!  The light brown band also gives the AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber watch a vintage look.

AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber Watch

The British Lancaster Bomber was a very capable aircraft.  With four engines and an undivided bomb bay, it was capable of delivering the largest bombs dropped during World War II.  With modifications, it could carry bombs of up to 22,000 pounds. 

Photo By Geoff Acton (Flickr: Lancaster Bomber Cowes) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

It can be recognized by the rather upright turret over the bombardier's bubble in the nose and by its twin tail configuration.  The dark paint came in handy as the British bombed at night during World War II.  The Americans bombed during the day.

By Geoff Acton (Flickr: Lancaster Bomber Cowes) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The AVI-8 Lancaster Bomber watch comes in two configurations.  The first provides the instrument panel configuration.  The second emulates the big bomber by providing a a bubble in the crystal over the date window.  The bubble is larger than the magnifier on a Rolex.  It's a pretty unique feature in the world of watches.  It's an innovative touch in a watch that draws inspiration from history.

[As of 2024, it looks like AVI-8 discontinued their Lancaster line of watches, but check out Amazon for the latest offerings.]

Watches for the Love of Flight

Today, I'm doing some research for an upcoming article that I'm writing about a World War 2 fighter plane.  Naturally, I'm wearing my AVI-8 Men's AV-4011-05 Hawker Hurricane Analog Japanese-Quartz Brown Watch. Of course, mine is green.  But, the AVI-8 is always a watch that always inspires me when to read more and write more about aircraft.

I like the AVI-8 line of watches and I like that they are inspired by real aircraft like the Hawker Hurricane.  I wish that they would do a watch inspired by the Gloster Gladiator:  Great Britain's Last Biplane Fighter.  

Gloster Gladiator:  photo by Kogo GFDL license wikimedia commons

If you like biplanes and heroes, perhaps the AVI-8 Flyboy Automatic would be a good commemoration of that fading era of flight!  It's simple, elegant, and mechanical!

The AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watch - A Celebration of Vintage Valor!

On December 7th, we remember one of the most devastating surprise attacks in U.S. history:  the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor.  It is natural that our thoughts turn to the greatest generation and World War II. 

I recently received a watch that commemorates one of the great fighter planes of that war.  It is a Hawker Hurricane watch courtesy of a new watch brand from the United Kingdom--AVI-8.   The Hawker Hurricane was the main fighter plane of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in World War II.  While the Hurricane is  known as a European fighter, the watch still reminds me of the World War II era.

The AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watch

I really like the clever use of the RAF insignia as a subdial in the chronograph.  I also like the way the watch captures the colors of the original aircraft.  The green shows very brightly with a camera flash.  In regular daylight, it is very dark.  However, you can certainly see the resemblance in colors in this photograph of a restored Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 shown below.

Hawker Hurricane Mk 1

I think that the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane watch that captures the spirit of the venerable World War II fighter plane very effectively. 

AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Chronograph Watch

One cool thing about these AVI-8 watches is that they do not cost an arm and a leg.  In fact, the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane watch is  reasonably priced here on Amazon.com.

A Hawker Hurricane in Action Somewhere in Asia!

I'll bet that the Hawker Hurricane series sells quickly.

[As of 2024, the Hawker Hurricane watch is a still a great seller.  I recently refreshed this watch with a new watch strap and battery.  It's still flying on my wrist.]

Alternatives to the Television Watch Brands

Happy Thanksgiving!  By now you are probably finishing your turkey and getting ready for Christmas shopping.

If you are shopping for a watch this Holiday Season, it is easy to succumb to the lure of the television shopping networks and their non-stop infomercials about watches.  They are often fun to watch and you can find some truly great deals.  However, everyone knows about them.  Every watch collector has an Invicta or two or three.

Sometimes, it is more fun to give a truly unusual watch from a brand that is not so commonplace.  If you want to leave some of the more common brands behind, my newest article lays out a few alternatives to the TV watch brands:


Alternatives to the Television Infomercial Watch Brands

One very cool watch brand is AVI-8.  They make watches inspired by aviation history.  This is the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane.  Inspired by the fighter planes that saved the United Kingdom from Hitler's Luftwaffe, this Hurricane watch captures the colors of the original aircraft.  It features a aircraft silhouette on the front and a line drawing of the famed fighter on the back.  The complete AVI-8 line of watches has just been brought to Amazon.com where they are priced very reasonably with many priced under $100.

AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Watch

Watches can't be more different in personality than AVI-8 and Modify.  This alternative watch takes you from the stiff upper lip of the indomitable British pilots to the relentless techno beats of Atlanta night clubs.  Modify watches have interchangeable faces and straps.  You can mix and match until you perfectly match your wardrobe.  They bring a young, fresh, vibe to the world of horology!

A Modify Watch

From the night clubs of America it's another big leap to the precise designs of Germany's Insignum brand.  As American supplies dwindle, the Insignum mix of German design and Asian sourcing is sure to become rare.  Insignums like this Insignum Campus are still available at ZuluTimeZone.com.

Insignum Campus

Finally, if you demand uncompromising performance from your watch, you might want to check out NFW watches at ZuluTimeZone.com.



Sample watches provided courtesy of AVI-8, Modify, and ZuluTimeZone.com