It's no secret that watchmaking has a deep, meaningful history with both the art of flying and the Armed Forces. After all, many of the classic pilot's watches of the modern day can trace their roots back to their original use by aircraft pilots and those who served in the army and RAF, and AVI-8 is a brand that puts that front and centre when it comes to its watches' aesthetics.
Now, the British brand is building on that heritage with a new collaboration. The limited-edition AV-4073-RBL – otherwise known as the Spitfire Type 300 Automatic Royal British Legion – not only features a dial design inspired by a pilot's view from the cockpit of a Spitfire, but also features a poppy emblem at 6 o'clock and on its crown, celebrating the history of the Royal British Legion in its 100th year of operation. Only 500 have been released, with £25 from each sale going directly to the Royal British Legion as it marks a century of supporting the Armed Forces.
The distinctive dial of the Avi-8 Spitfire Type 300 references the pilot's view from the cockpit, with this limited-edition run emblazoned with a poppy at 6 o'clock
Elsewhere, the dial balances minute and hour numerals alongside a seconds subdial, with a date window at 3 o'clock which, alongside its classic steel bracelet, results in a sporty and casual tool watch with a pilot's watch aesthetic, and one that wears its inspiration very much on its sleeve.
