For those looking for a beautiful watch which respectfully represents the history of the British Armed Forces, the AVI-8 AV-4102 Flyboy Chronograph would be a perfect choice.
This stunning timepiece has the precise engineering you’d expect from a military-inspired watch but also the beauty to make it a head turner. With the reasonable price on offer, it’s a worthwhile addition to any collection on a budget.
The chronograph watch is the result of a partnership between AVI-8 and the Royal British Legion, with £15 from every sale going to the charity. It’s a partnership that is instantly recognizable when you look at the dial of the watch.
Design Influence
Across its dial are rows of poppies which have become the iconic symbol of not only the Royal British Legion, but also the respect that we pay to our war dead. Outside of the dial is the bidirectional bezel which has a smooth and precise movement with its 60-minute scale.
You have the option for the dial to be either blue, black, green, or cream, with each color representing a location that was important for the historic war effort.
The black watch represents High Wycombe, Green for Marlborough Lines, and cream for Nairobi. The watch we’ve enjoyed examining is the blue version which represents Portsmouth. All four are stunning, and it’s hard to choose a favorite, but the blue face and strap really does catch the eye.
Talking about that strap, the watch comes with two of them, with one being leather and the other being nylon. I personally loved the elegance of the leather strap, but the nylon version is a great extra, enhanced by the beautiful poppy symbol on the metal strap loop.
The stunning dial is protected by a hardened mineral crystal which not only gives the watch an extra level of durability but also gives you clear precise visibility. That’s aided by an anti-reflective coating allowing you to easily see the face in any conditions.
What helps to make the Flyboy unique is that it was designed as if it was a military-issue watch. It can cope admirably in extreme conditions and has been made to be as legible as possible, even in low-visibility environments.
That’s helped by the luminosity it has in the dark. Not only are the hands and numerals illuminated, but so are the rows of poppies across the face of the watch, which is a beautiful touch.
It all adds up to a bespoke military timepiece that is full of elegant flashes of design. We’ve mentioned a lot of them, but there are other delights to find too, such as a poppy symbol on the crown and the chronograph pushers having the appearance of mini pistons.
Movement and Functions
But of course, this watch is a lot more than just nice design touches. It’s a relatively high-quality timepiece and has the quality you’d expect from a piece of engineering so closely associated with the British military,
The durable watch runs on a TMI VK series Meca-quartz chronograph movement and is encased in stainless steel with a 42mm diameter. It doesn’t have the exquisite movements and premium materials we’ve come to expect in a luxury watch, but that’s reflected in its more than fair price tag.
Its chronograph movement is also a nod to the military timepieces that were issued in the 1980s. Those watches from Seiko were the first with an analog quartz chronograph movement to be used for military equipment. It’s a movement that is shared with the AVI-8 Flyboy.
To box off some other specs, the case is 13mm thick, it’s water resistant to five atmospheres, and it weighs just 90 grams. You also get applied indexes with Swiss Newlite, which further showcases the quality of the watch.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to donate to a great charity, respect the Armed Forces, or just enjoy a beautiful watch on your wrist, there are many reasons to buy the AVI-8 Flyboy. With a mix of practicality and precision, you won’t regret adding this to your collection.
Personally, we loved both the charm and character of the watch. All the little added details could have felt overdone, but they all work together in perfect harmony, much like the combined Armed Forces that it represents.
AVI-8 has already helped to raise over £50,000 for the Royal British Legion, and with the sale of this watch, that is only set to continue.
The watch is in a limited edition, with less than 500 being made, so you may need to be quick to get your hands on one. The high-quality blue and red canvas box it arrives in also helps to make it the perfect gift for a loved one.
Overall, the AVI-8 Flyboy is a very impressive timepiece at its price point. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but there is also a special history behind it. Added to that, you get the extra benefit of supporting such an important charity.
For more information you can visit the official AVi-8 website here.
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