Today we are going to be reviewing something really, really exciting from AVI-8 watches. The last watch we reviewed from AVI-8 was the special edition 1980 Centenary watch, a truly special watch with a piece of history and a modern design. However, we think their latest release might be about to trump on the rest of the AVI-8 watches. The watch in question is the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon Special Edition.

AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon

The AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon is inspired from the iconic hunter aircraft and the name ‘Avon’ is from Rolls Royce powered Avon turbojet engine. The AV4064 design is inspired and heavily influenced from the Rolls Royce engine while the dial echoes the aesthetic from the cockpit of the Hawker Hunter aircraft.

The AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon only has 3 models and the model which we are going to review today is the AV4064-01.

Before we start the review, let’s find out about the features of the watch.

Case: 316L Stainless steel case with Black Iconic Plating

Case back: Stainless Steel Case Back

Lens: Mineral Lens

Case Diameter (MM): 45.0 mm

Dial: Coloured Layered Dial

Case Thickness (MM): 11.0mm

Indexes: Applied Indexes with Luminous

Hands: Bold Skeletonized “fleiger” Luminous Hands

Strap: Hand-stitched Genuine Leather Strap

Strap Width (MM): 22.0mm

Crown: Crown with Aluminium Ring Décor

Bezel: Slanted Serrated Fixed Case Bezel

Movement: OS10 – Miyota

First Impression

Simply stunning! Your eyes are quickly drawn to the dial and you will be fixated to it. There are a lot of things going on with the dial, but they all combine and create something very alluring. If you have seen AVI-8’s Hawker Hunter watches, the Avon is simple compare to the rest, but for us reviewing a Hawker Hunter for the first time, the dial itself is just very, very bold to say the least. Let’s hope we will have the same impression of the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon at the end of the review.

Dial

Let’s start with the main attraction of the watch. There are three subdials on the watch and each one brings a different style and touch to the dial. First you have the hour subdial on the right hand side near the 9 o’clock. The hour subdial is open and does not have any border. The markings on the hour subdial are different and also in different colour. They are quite similar to the designs used in previous AVI-8 Hawker Hunter watches. The next subdial is the second. It is located near the 6 o’clock and this one is very distinct in colour. The top half is in blue and the second in white. We like the different colour used on the dial as it jut makes it stand out from the rest of the dial as it is the only place the a white background is used. Near the 12 o’clock position, you have the minute subdial. It is neat and tidy in terms of design, but we think that it is just wedged between the date window and the hour subdial.

Another feature on the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon is the date window. It is the same date window we saw on the 1980 Centenary watch and we love its design. Even though a lot of numbers are visible from the date window, there is a little red arrow just to make sure you read the correct date.

Let’s talk about the index of the watch. We have silver bar as the main marking for the hours and they are large enough to distinguish them from the rest of the dial. The marking has also been lumed. You also have an index for the tachymeter. We are not sure if people are doing to use the Tachymeter as much, but in terms of design, the marking of the tachymeter adds to the aesthetics of the watch.

The hands of the watch is taken from the previous Hawker Hunter watch model. They are huge and also bold skeletonized “fleiger”. You will not miss them. We also love the hollow shape, so they do not cover the different features on the dial.

To finish off with the dial, you have a slanted serrated design around the circumference inside the dial. This is to reflect the design of the Rolls Royce Avon turbine engine rotor. It’s a simple design but very attractive.

Case

The diameter of the casing is 45mm and the width is 11mm. As you would expect the dial will take a lot of space on your wrist but we are actually a bit surprised about the width. It is slightly thin compare to the watches we’ve recently reviewed but this is to do with the Quartz movement.

The watch does have a bezel and the design is the same from the inner circumference of the dial. The slanted serrated design has carried on the bezel and is very noticeable. In terms of touch, they are a bit rough but we like that. Unfortunately, the bezel is fixed and does not rotate.

Now lets talk about the crown. This one is special. The design is magnificent and again reflects the design of the Rolls Royce Avon engine rotor. The crown is made from Aluminium with a ring décor. It is a new design and it suits this watch beautifully.

The glass of the watch is flat and made from mineral lens. In terms of reflection, it is minimal but it is barely noticeable under good lighting.

Movement

Inside the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon, you have a Japanese Miyota OS10 Quartz movement. As it is a quartz movement, the time accuracy is spot on. But we’d have love to see this watch with any automatic movement. Firstly it will add to the weight of the watch secondly it will also make the watch a little thicker. Finally, with the automatic movement, you’ll get to rotate this awesome crown.

Strap

The strap is made from genuine leather but it is hard. It will take some time to break into. In terms of comfort, it does wrap itself around the wrist well and is very comfortable. If you have a small wrist, that should not be an issue, as there are a lot of holes to help suit smaller wrists.

Buy, Shortlist or Avoid?

Buy! There is no other answer. This watch is simply stunning. From the amazing dial and even to the price. The watch retails for £190/ $242/ €213, you can also use NEWLABELS20 for 20% off. We have to say out of the three different models of the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon, the AV4061-01 has to be best from the rest. The use of the red, blue, white and black colours is stunning and the colour contrast is just stunning. The colour of the strap also make sure it’s not forgotten and lost.

Do visit https://avi-8.co.uk/collections/hawker-hunter to see the two other models.

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