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AVI-8 is a watch company that creates stunning timepieces that honor aviation, specifically pilots and aircraft.
In our AVI-8 Watches guide, we’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks of this niche watch brand.
Best For: Aviation themed timepieces
Rating: 4.8/5 ☆
AVI-8 Watches Review
Every AVI-8 collection is a clear nod to military aviation’s planes, people, and history. To delight and engage the wearer, each timepiece impressively brings to life the aircraft which inspired its creation.
There are five AVI-8 watch collections, each honoring a different aircraft’s distinct design and function. Aviation and history buffs will adore these timepieces because they are well-made, one-of-a-kind, and relatively inexpensive compared to similar timepieces.
Each watch ‘celebrates the best of both man and machine, infusing modern and vintage elements in the watches that sell offer everyday style yet rugged practicality’.
AVI-8
Where Are AVI-8 Watches Manufactured?
The AVI-8 website contains no specific information about the location where the watches are made.
However, some customers reported that their order was shipped from China, but we cannot confirm this.
Pros And Cons Of AVI-8 Watches
What We Like!
- Classic Aviation watches
- Affordable unique timepieces
- Great Quality watches
What We Don’t Like!
- Oversized for smaller wrists
AVI-8 Hawker Harrier Collection Review
The Hawker Harrier collection from AVI-8 is a tribute to the world-famous ground attack aircraft known for its short takeoff and landing capabilities.
The collection includes a range of affordable timepieces, including:
Hawker Harrier XV741 Blue Nylon Automatic
The Blue Nylon Automatic Watch is the final installment of AVI-8’s tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Tom Lecky-Thompson’s Harrier XV741. The aircraft won the transatlantic air race from London to New York in 1969 in a time of 6 hours and 11 minutes as part of operation Blue Nylon.
Because the watch draws inspiration from the Harrier XV741, each component of this striking watch is bold, clear, and reminiscent of the cockpit’s instruments and shape.
Blue Nylon Automatic Case
The 44mm stainless steel case features brushed, polished, and chamfered lugs. Furthermore the scratch-resistant sapphire lens features an anti-reflective coating on the case bezel.
Blue Nylon Automatic Dial
The dial is what makes this watch stand out; it’s one-of-a-kind and unusual. A rotating outline of the Harrier is outlined by a reference to 11.29 miles on the seconds display dial. (The Hawker Harrier reached 0.89 mach during the race, which equates to 11.29 miles).
The red-framed 24-hour sub-dial looks like the instruments and shape of the harrier cockpit, not to mention its incredibly striking.
Blue Nylon Automatic Movement
A precise and reliable Japanese Miyota 8 series self-winding mechanical automatic movement, powers the watch in conjunction with the user’s wrist motions.
Blue Nylon Automatic Strap
Finally, the leather and nylon strap is thick, durable, and comfortable, and the watch is water-resistant to 50 meters (5 ATM).
The AVI-8 XV741 Blue Nylon Automatic Watch is available in three striking colors: Admiral Blue Steel, Desert Sand, and Stealth Black, and costs $435.
The AVI-8 XV741 Watches received several reviews, all of which give it four or five stars.
Customers rave about how comfortable the watch is, how well it holds a charge, and how great it looks. Additionally reviews share it attracts attention, is quirky and has a rugged appearance with a hint of luxury.
AVi-8 Hawker Harrier Matador Chronograph
To pay homage to the legendary Hawker Harrier jet’s variants, the latest version of AVI-8’s Harrier chronograph family is inspired by the planes flown by the Spanish Navy and dubbed the “Matador.”
When in full timing mode, the Matador comes to life with the whirring of hands and wheels, creating a dynamic experience akin to that of a Harrier in full flight.
At first glance, the Matador appears to be a complicated jigsaw puzzle of gears and wheels meticulously layered on top of one another as a dynamically designed piece of aviation-inspired timing instrumentation.
Hawker Harrier Matador Chronograph Case
The robust case measures 44mm in diameter and features a carved case back that echoes the turbine blades of the Harrier’s Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine. A hardened mineral convex lens with an anti-reflective coating perfectly frames the mechanics beneath the case bezel.
Each case detail carefully reflects a consideration for the timepiece’s use and wear. The case is complete as a suitable shell from which the watch can perform fully, from the beveled chamfered edge bezel to the crown guard and piston-like pushers.
Hawker Harrier Matador Chronograph Dial
The dial is crowned by a “Grande Date” double aperture date display. Additionally, each digit’s frame is meticulously beveled and sits above an interlocking design of gears and wheels, revealing the inner mechanics of the movement.
Hawker Harrier Matador Chronograph Movement
The re-engineered movement includes a disc display at 3 o’clock capable of a remarkable 1/20 of a second split time measurement. The Matador is a comprehensive timing device, with chronograph seconds and minute readouts. You can read the time by using legible luminous hands and facetted indexes.
Hawker Harrier Matador Chronograph Strap
Finally, when strapped to the wrist, the watch fits comfortably and snugly thanks to well-engineered lugs and a supple leather strap with military-inspired cross-stitching designed for easy wear and maintenance.
The Hawker Harrier Matador is available in Silver Ivory Steel, Desert Brown, Stealth Black, Marine Grey, Bronze Carbon, and Burnt Gold Brown. It costs $330 at retail.
With numerous five-star reviews for each Matador timepiece, this is undoubtedly a customer favorite.
The timepiece has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers. Reviewers agree that the luxury watch is perfect from the design to fill, and the attention to detail is superb. Furthermore, delivery was fast, and the overall purchase process was seamless.
There was one three-star review, in which the customer expressed his disappointment that the pictures did not accurately reflect the color of the watch he purchased.
AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Collection Review
The Hawker Hunter collection by AVI-8 pays homage to the feisty jet fighter. The jet not only broke the world air speed record in 1953, but it also became one of Britain’s most successful exports.
Hawker Hunter Retrograde Chronograph
AVI-8’s homage to the legendary Hawker Hunter jet is the Retrograde Chronograph. This piece is uncluttered nor is it fussy in its meticulous design.
The Retrograde edition appears to bring the Hawker Hunter’s instrument panel and cockpit to the wearer’s wrist with an homage and representation that is still utterly practical and balanced as a timepiece.
Hawker Hunter Retrograde Chronograph Case
A Japanese retrograde split time chronograph sits beneath the dial in a sturdy yet precisely finished marine-grade stainless steel case.
The angled-off squared shape echoes key pieces of the Hawker Hunter’s instrumentation, a nod to the famed military jet that first flew for the RAF in the early 1950s.
Hawker Hunter Retrograde Chronograph Dial
The dial is flawlessly in design, with its collection of indentations, tension rings, and subdial frames. Furthermore the dial features compliment the piston-like pushers that make this watch feel like a piece of military instrumentation.
Hawker Hunter Retrograde Chronograph Strap
The Hawker Hunter Retrograde Chronograph comfortably straps to the wrist with a hand-stitched vintage genuine leather strap. The watch is unquestionably an impressive, functional, and one-of-a-kind aviation-inspired timepiece.
The price of the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Retrograde Chronograph is $280. Additionally the watch is available in numerous eye-catching colors, including Blue Diamond, Sea Grey, Tactical Black, Deep Green Black, Charcoal Ember Brown, and Air Camo.
Customers agree that this watch is impressive, with five-star reviews emphasizing their appreciation for the unique design. Furthermore, reviewers share the timepiece is eye-catching, and the color scheme is perfect.
I absolutely love my AVI watch! No other watch company that I’ve seen encompasses all the design qualities and quality I desire in a watch. Such an amazing value for what you get. Absolute perfection in every way!
Five Star Review @AVI-8
Hawker Hunter Avon Automatic
The Avon Automatic, which captures both the beauty and wonder of the Hawker Hunter’s Avon engine, has a magnificent dial crafted with care, detail, and precision.
With a focus on performance and speed, the Avon Automatic timepiece pays homage to renowned aerobatic squadrons that flew Hunters with style and panache.
Hawker Hunter Avon Automatic Dial
Not only does the multi-layered see-through dial offer a comprehensive view into the movement, but it is also framed by a serrated dial ring. The dial takes design cues from the Hawker Hunter’s engine and cockpit.
The stunning dial features machined indexes and bold Flieger-style hands layered with Swiss lume for maximum legibility.
Hawker Hunter Avon Automatic Case
A domed sapphire lens with an anti-reflective coating tops the 44mm steel case. The bezel and crown feature a turbine-inspired pattern, echoing the Avon engine.
Hawker Hunter Avon Automatic Movement
The Avon is a superb piece of timing technology with an open-heart Japanese automatic movement and a power reserve of over 40 hours.
Hawker Hunter Avon Automatic Strap
An elegantly brushed H-link solid steel bracelet with deployant clasp expertly crafted for both style and comfort completes the timepiece.
The Hawker Hunter Avon Automatic timepiece by AVI-8 starts at $395. The watch comes in three different colors: black arrows, diables rouges, and blue diamonds.
The Avon Automatic, like the other AVI-8 watches, has received positive feedback from customers.
Many reviewers agree that the watch is fantastic. In addition to the overall quality of the watch, customers like the stunning details, the unusual appearance, and the weight of the watch.
Really happy with it. Very interesting watch, something a bit different. Movement is smooth and silent. The open heart is a great detail. Being able to see through the watch as well is cool. It’s a little hard to read in dim light, but I knew it was a dark face and featured watch when I ordered it. Everything seems solid and well put together. It’s not too heavy on the wrist for a large watch and wears really well.
Five Star Review @AVI-8
AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph Review
AVI-8’s Hawker Hurricane timepieces are a tribute to arguably the most iconic plane from the World War II era. Distinguished by its simplicity, the Chronograph is reminiscent of the design of its namesake.
The dial features clean, bold lines. Furthermore, the colors and graphics celebrate the Hawker Hurricane’s simple but stunning motif.
Without a doubt, this is a classic aviation-inspired chronograph.
A classic case shape and lines house detailed dials, colors, and graphics that honor the spirit and adventure of a bygone era.
The chronographs straightforward hour indexing, combine with bold hands, and detailed vintage-designed subdials to create a stylish timepiece that is elegant in design and precise in performance.
This timepiece pays homage to chivalry and performance by featuring a genuine hand-stitched leather strap that is dressy and casual.
The Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph has a starting price of $210. The watch is also available in dark earth, ivory grayscale, military green, and classic white.
AVI-8 has once again created a classic timepiece that customers adore.
This watch is a great buy, with over a hundred five-star reviews. Customer comments include the watch is not only one-of-a-kind, but it is also appealing, as well as comfortable on the wrist. Overall, customers thought the watch was well-made and elegant.
AVI-8 P-51 Mustang Collection Review
The P-51 Mustang was one of the USAF’s most recognizable aircraft. AVI-8 commemorates the long history of Anglo-American military cooperation with the P-51 Mustang timepiece.
Blakeslee Chronograph
The new P-51 Mustang is a wearable tribute to the exploits of American fighter ace and commander Colonel Don Blakeslee. The Colonel is one of the Allied forces’ greatest heroes during WWII.
P-51 Mustang Dial
The P-51 Mustang’s inner and outer details are the inspiration for the dial of the Blakeslee Chronograph. The dial is visually striking, carefully considered, and perfectly proportioned.
P-51 Mustang Case
A 43mm case flows and glides across the wrist with specific micro details that echo the machining and features of this iconic aircraft. The pushers, in particular, are designed to fit within the lines of the wings and fuselage.
P-51 Mustang Movement
The renowned Seiko VK series Meca Quartz movement powers the P-51 Mustang Blakeslee Chronograph. It combines the dependability and precision of quartz split time chronograph timing with the satisfying and nostalgic hand feel of high beat automatic movements. The result is a high-end timing instrument that looks and functions, unlike any other chronograph.
P-51 Mustang Strap
Once again, the attachment of the case to the wrist is a function of careful attention and observation of the inspirations drawn from the majestic Mustang and is available in your choice of a solid stainless steel H-link bracelet or padded genuine leather.
The Blakeslee Chronograph starts at $285 and comes in Brevet, Bronze Oak, Silver Oak, Legion, and Command Pilot finishes.
Customers are generally pleased with the Blakeslee Chronograph; reviews praise the attention to detail, the quality, and the excellent value for money.
AVI-8 Spitfire Type 300 Automatic Review
The Spitfire collection captures the Spitfire’s cutting-edge, stylish design and superior specification, making it one of the most famous aircraft ever flown. This AVI-8 collection includes a dependable and wearable assortment of field watches with distinct aviation design details.
The Spitfire Type 300 Automatic pays homage to the 1934 prototype Supermarine. AVI-8 is a one-of-a-kind take on a stylish timepiece inspired by one of the most famous aircraft ever flown.
The Type 300 is unquestionably a dependable, wearable field watch with obvious aviation design credentials.
Spitfire Type 300 Automatic Case
The 42mm case shape mimics the Spitfire’s elegantly elliptical shape. The crown alludes to the propeller and its hub.
Spitfire Type 300 Automatic Dial
Next, we come to the dial’s design. The dial pays homage to the clear legibility of the aircraft’s gauges and readouts, as well as the indexes, hands, and layout.
The outer ring of the dial slopes down to the lower dial’s main platform. Here you will find a second subdial site at the five o’clock position. This is paired with the date display window at the three o’clock position.
The hands are a unique shape for maximum legibility and readout precision. Further cockpit cues feature in the syringe-like handset, which resembles the Spitfire’s altimeter and airspeed indicators.
The indexes and hands are lavishly layered with high-grade Swiss lume for precise readability in low light conditions. As a result, the dial jumps from the cockpit to the wrist, delivering a timepiece that is clearly and undeniably functional.
Spitfire Type 300 Automatic Movement
Type 300 is powered by a custom-modified Japanese-made, 21-jewel movement based on the dependable Miyota 8 series. The custom-designed rotor spins to generate a power source that delivers a beautifully honest battery-free experience using only the kinetic power of the wearer’s wrist.
The rotor, movement, and inner symphony of gears and wheels are a delight to behold as they work in harmony to power the watch and can be easily viewed through the exhibition see-through case back.
Spitfire Type 300 Automatic Case
A gracefully brushed solid stainless steel bracelet with solid deployant clasp tapers from 22mm at the lugs to 18mm, securely holding the case to the wrist.
Last, but not least, each watch comes with an additional premium grade genuine leather strap, allowing you to quickly and easily change your look.
The Spitfire Type 300 Automatic is priced at $395 and is available in four distinct colors: gunmetal grey, midnight chrome, olive green, and Oxford blue.
In a nutshell, this watch is another customer favorite. They not only adore the beautiful watch, but they also lavish praise on the customer service team.
AVI-8 Watches Reviews From Other Sources
As part of our AVI-8 Watch review, we looked at other review sites to see what customers thought of the brand across different platforms.
We started our investigation with Trustpilot. On this site, the watch brand received mixed reviews with only 28% of customers giving the company five stars. It should be noted that there were only seven reviews.
Customers were primarily dissatisfied with the poor customer service they received, but some found the quality of the watches to be unacceptable.
Next to Amazon, where we found a mixed bag of reviews.
The majority of AVI-8 watches received positive feedback, but a few received only three stars. For example, the Men’s Hawker Hurricane Dark Earth Watch received 12 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on average.
This watch, like the AVI-8 website, received a lot of positive feedback, with many people praising how unique and stylish it is.
The negative reviews we found expressed dissatisfaction with the watch’s quality, especially given its price.
The Hawker Harrier Matador is one of the watches that did not fare as well when compared to the AVI-8 site. This watch received six reviews, with a rating of 3.7 stars.
The @AVI8Watches Facebook page has over 73k followers and is a great place to learn about new designs and stay up to date on AVI-8 news. Similarly, the avi_8 Instagram page has 171k followers and is an excellent source of watch inspiration.
Where Can You Buy AVI-8 Watches?
AVI-8 timepieces are available online at avi-8.com or through their Amazon store.
AVI-8 Watches Promotions and Discounts
We checked for promotion codes and savings during our review of AVI-8 watches but were unable to locate any for this brand at the time of publication. To stay informed of current promotions, visit the AVI-8 website.
About AVI-8 Watches
Dartmouth Brands, which owns AVI-8, created the company in 2012. The idea for the company came from a collaboration between former Air Force pilots and engineers.
Contact AVI-8 Watches
If you require any more information, or if you need to contact AVI-8 Watches directly, you can contact their support team:
- Email: info@avi-8.com
- Check out their FAQ page
AVI-8 Watches Frequently Asked Questions
Does AVI-8 Watches Have a Return Policy?
AVI-8 wants you to be confident in your purchase and completely satisfied with it.
If you are dissatisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 30 days of delivery, provided that the timepiece is in the following condition:
- Unworn
- In its original and resalable condition, including any tamper-evident label.
- In the original packaging that accompanied the purchase.
The company is not responsible for items lost during return shipping and is not responsible for return shipping costs unless you received an incorrect or defective product.
The brand will refund you less a US$30 restocking fee.
AVI-8 Watches Shipping Policy
AVI-8 offers free shipping worldwide, except for a few countries listed on their website.
All orders are shipped from one of their warehouses in the United States or Hong Kong, depending on the availability of stock. Orders are shipped via Express Mail and are typically delivered within three to five business days but may take up to seven business days.
AVI-8 Warranty
All AVI-8 timepieces include a 24-month warranty against manufacturing defects. The warranty period begins on the date of purchase.
AVI-8 Watch Review conclusion:
To summarise our AVI-8 review, we discovered that the watch brand has a sizable fan base that adores and enjoys aviation-themed watches.
The design of the AVI-8 watches has been carefully considered. Each watch is one-of-a-kind and inspired by a specific aircraft, but with a modern twist.
Overall, customer reviews emphasize that the watches feel great, are of high quality, and keep accurate time. These watches would make an excellent gift at a reasonable price.
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