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.]

Aviation-Inspired Watches with a Vintage Look

I really like the looks of the new vintage-style aviation watches.  They are simple, functional, easy to read, and classic.  In July 2025, you can get a Bell & Ross watch inspired by World War 1 aviation pioneers here at Bell & Ross on Amazon.

Whether you love Bell & Ross or Timex, you can find Classic Aviator watches with a vintage look.

[This post was updated with new links in July 2025]