Discover what the internet is saying about AVI-8.
Yay or nay?
Upgraded Reviews scanned the web to find out what real users are saying about AVI-8.
See the highlights below and decide for yourself!
Table of contents
- ✅ Pros
- ❌ Cons
- ⚖️ Summaries
- 💸 Top Discount
✅ Pros
“Options of leather strap, cordura strap or paratrooper strap are available.”
“On the wrist, the Hawker Harrier II Ace of Spades is a delight.”
“This piece is very comfortable and really doesn’t wobble around when fitted.”
“It has an excellent dial.”
“The backstory and theme of AVI-8 is just that: an original vision to craft a watch that is functional, authentic, and doesn’t break the bank.”
“The dial does offer good legibility as a whole, and is very well refined and designed.”
“The Harrier 2 houses a Japanese automatic movement, precise and reliable during my time with it.”
“The crowns, bezels, chapter rings and more all have amazing little details; you are wearing a rugged, original, well thought out watch on your wrist.”
“Adding to the fun, the lume lasts a good several hours into the night.”
“The touches are both subtle and purposeful and mostly not too tenuous.”
“AVI-8 Spitfire is a surprisingly satisfying watch to wear.”
“The dial is really good.”
“316L stainless steel has been used for the casing and it is a good shout.”
“They have great quality watches.”
“If you a looking for a pilot watch and want to keep in under $500 this is an affordable option to consider.”
“It is water resistant up to 50m.”
“AVI-8 have done a great job at producing a very wearable watch that actually looks pretty cool.”
“The graining on the Spitfire itself was too rough for my liking and I would have preferred a nicely stamped case back with the same image.”
“The stainless steel case is brushed very nicely with no visible imperfections.”
“The stainless steel case of the AVI-8 Spitfire Smith Automatic is sculpted to evoke the elliptical form of the Spitfire plane.”
“Japanese quartz automatic movement of this watch is highly accurate at timekeeping.”
“The colour scheme of the white and brown does go well together and gives the watch a cool feeling.”
“The price point on the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Battle of Britain is a pretty decent value in my book.”
“There are four different dial variations of the Spitfire Smith Automatic.”
“It has a dial that won’t bore you.”
“This model comes in the standard small AVI-8 canvas box with a booklet, tag, and polishing cloth.”
“The crown functions well and doesn’t have any wobble as with many budget friendly watches.”
“The datewheel is black which is also nice to see.”
“For me, it doesn’t look too cluttered or overbearing, in fact far from it.”
“The Centenary is sized at 43mm, which by default makes it a pretty noticeable addition to the wrist.”
“They offer affordable unique timepieces.”
“Despite its 44mm size, the Harrier 2 wears comfortably, thanks to its downturned lugs—a big watch that doesn’t overwhelm the wrist.”
“This piece is guaranteed to give you satisfaction.”
“The notched case-back provides an adequate 50m of water resistance.”
“With a water resistance of 50m, this watch is designed for life above the waves, aligning with its aviation theme.”
“The inner rotating bezel is very easy to use.”
“I have found that the straps are very high quality on Avi-8 watches.”
“What stands out most with all AVI-8 watches (besides their trademark aircraft theme) is what the overall package represents and the value you’re getting for your money.”
“The little presentation box the Spitfire arrived in is actually one of the nicer boxes I’ve seen of this type.”
“The stainless steel case, grey IP coating, and sapphire crystal attest to the watch’s quality construction.”
“They offer classic Aviation watches.”
“It has great legibility in all conditions.”
“It sits comfortably on my wrist (16cm).”
“I really really like the look off the mixed markers between the standard numerals and Nav B style minutes.”
“Big dial with bold numerals make it easy to use in low light conditions or poor visibility.”
“The design looks spectacular behind a lens, where the lighting can be dialed-in to emphasize the palette and really make the watch pop.”
“The markers are generously coated in Swiss luminescent material, which glows a bright bluish-green in dark environments.”
“The caseback is nicely designed with deep engraving of all detailing, which again shows high quality.”
“Besides the solid looks, the Engineer Flyboy added a pleasant surprise: a Seiko NH35 inside.”
“It also like the dark date window.”
“It has affordable price point as compared to other high-end brands.”
“The general finishing of the case is flawless, the brushed being uniformed and the polished being spotless and so reflective you could use it as a mirror.”
“It is wonderful to wear.”
“There are four models to choose from.”
“AVI-8 Spitfire’s housing is crisp, clean, deliberate, and rather impressive for the price point.”
“The index on the Hawker Hurricane Kent Automatic is good.”
“Both the strap and buckle are good quality.”
“The combination of grey, back, white, and light blue (on some of the numerals, water-resistance text, and seconds hand) work quite well.”
“Even at different angles, the glare is very minimal.”
“I love the embossed Flyboy icon; which features the classic 20th century fighter pilot imagery that the brand is known for.”
“It’s priced right, powered by an automatic movement, and protected with sapphire.”
“It’s well built.”
“The design and naming seems genuine and that’s nice to see.”
💸 Top Current Discount
❌ Cons
“The specific caliber isn’t stated.”
“Some watch dials seem a little too ‘busy’ and complex.”
“Movement specifics are not detailed.”
“The size will be too big for some.”
“Watch snobs will take issue with the low-spec movement.”
“I think the band and bracelet are the worst aspects of the watch.”
“Their watches are oversized for smaller wrists.”
“Legibility of the outer index is a bit poor as half of the numerals are hidden from the curvature.”
“Miyota 8-series can stutter with wrist movement.”
“The machining of the pin and tang was confusingly poor considering how excellent the case itself is.”
“50m water resistance may not suit all.”
“Miyota Series 8 movements are not the prettiest of calibres.”
“The supplied spring bars could be thicker.”
“The date text on the date wheel is too large for the window.”
“There is limited collection to choose from.”
“The lume is decent but not great as it fades rather quickly.”
“I would much prefer a screw down crown and a bit more water resistance even though this is a pilot style watch.”
“It is a shame that it doesn’t have a sapphire crystal.”
⚖️ Final Say
Read the summaries of what reviewers think about AVI-8 below.
“The starting price of the Hawker Hurricane Kent Automatic Sussex is £235/ $300/ €280. It is definitely reasonable priced and there are some features of the watch which matches the price tag. However we will shortlist the watch. While the colour accent goes well, there are some places where you need to squint and take time to understand where things are.”
“While the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Battle of Britain isn’t the perfect watch for me, it is really a solid pilot watch. If you a looking for a pilot watch and want to keep in under $500 this is an affordable option to consider. You really can’t go wrong with a good looking case and dial, sapphire crystal and a slightly customized automatic movement. Yes, adding a higher quality movement would make it even better, but that just probably wouldn’t be possible at the $430 price.”
“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.”
“If you are interested in a unique styled pilots watch which is well made, with a lovely leather strap and different movement then I would recommend the Avi-8 Hawker Harrier II 4004.”
“If someone said to me ‘military-themed aviation watch’, this Avi-8 is about what I would hope they were thinking of. With this watch, you get hints of the aeronautical theming without it dominating the overall aesthetic and you’re left with a watch that is very wearable as an everyday watch; whether you have an interest in flight or not. This strikes the balance even better than the previous watch I looked at, which was far from bad itself. It’s an interesting take on the classic Flieger design, which is certainly worth considering.”
“In conclusion, it can be said that Avi-8 timepieces are emerging as a strong brand in the watch market with positive reviews from customers, even though they haven’t been around for a long time.”
“The Flyboy Centenary 1960s is a real winner. It’s priced right, powered by an automatic movement, and protected with sapphire. The MSRP of around $375 does put it up against some entry-level Swiss automatics (such as the Hamilton Khaki Field), but in my opinion, the 1960s can play in the same playground.”
“The AVI-8 Harrier 2 is not just a pilot’s watch; it’s an aviation-inspired timepiece with a personality all its own. The dial, intricate and engaging, is the star of the show. If a watch dial can hold your interest and spark joy, that’s a victory—and the Harrier 2 does just that. Bravo to AVI-8 for crafting a watch that is both respectful of its roots and daring in its execution.”
“Overall, I really like the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Kent. Any minor misgivings are more than made up for by the low price, especially if you take advantage of the WRUK discount code.”
“If you’re searching for a gift for a young enthusiast or to introduce someone to this hobby, I think you should consider the Smith Automatic.”
“A tastefully designed tribute to the iconic Spitfire aircraft and its designer, Joseph Smith, the AVI-8 Spitfire Smith Automatic is a fitting choice for watch collectors and fans of aviation, alike.”
“In conclusion, it looks great, wears comfortably, and has more value than almost anything you can find for the $395 USD price point. If this watch was being offered by another brand with a Swiss movement, it would easily be a four figure timepiece. Bravo, AVI-8, this is our favorite piece of yours so far!”
“If you’re a fan of military history and looking for a solid pilot watch with some nice design touches, you could definitely do far worse than trying out AVI-8’s Spitfire.”
“I’ve been wearing the Flyboy for several weeks and it has performed superbly. It’s handled bumps and drops as well as an emergency, late night flat tire situation all without a hint of weakness. It looks good on the wrist and is more than a decent value. If it’s a modern pilot watch you’re after, you would be hard pressed to find a watch that offers more than the Engineer Flyboy at the going rate.”
“When I say the AVI-8 Spitfire is a surprisingly satisfying watch to wear, I am not saying it is on the same level as a Rolex Submariner. But within the context of its particular portion of the industry, it offers a lot.”