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9/2/2018 0 Comments

Avi-8 Centenary Flyboy 1960s and 1980s Watch Review

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Packaging

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Avi-8 have went ahead and released two new aviation themed watches, one being the “1960” , and the other being the “1980”. These watches are automatic, affordable, and decently designed in my
opinion. Each one of these watches pays tribute to an era of Aviation History as well.

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Avi-8 1960

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Case and Dial

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The 1960's case is rather similar or identical to the 1980's case. It is comprised of a very nicely brushed 316L Stainless Steel which came out superb for this price bracket in my eyes. The diameter comes in at 43MM with a case thickness of around 15MM. These dimensions definitely allow for some wrist presence if you have a smaller wrist. The small pull and push crown which is signed with the bullseye AVI8 logo allows 5 ATM or 50 meters of water resistance. With that being said, it is okay to wash your hands or perhaps even drop your watch in the pool, and you should be okay. Our lug measurement is pretty standard at 22MM and certainly does not seem out of place for this 43MM case. A nice thing that AVI8 did was utilize a screw down caseback with an exhibition window so we can get a glimpse of the movement at work. Heading to the dial, it is very 1960's themed, hence the name 1960s..Large numerals allow for easy legibility at a quick glance, as well as the silver brushed small seconds between 4 and 5:00. A slight black texture can be seen if you look close through the Sapphire crystal, but is not noticeable at first glance on this color iteration. There is some SuperLuminova on the indices and hands which is okay, not the greatest, but definitely good enough to read the time at night. Lastly, our quickset date is at 3:00, and it matches the dial color, which is a really nice touch and shows they put forth a bit more effort into designing this timepiece.
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Movement

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The movement shown through the screw down caseback is the trusty Miyota 8218 automatic Japanese movement. This movement is produced by Citizen and are usually quite accurate ( within +10 a day ) from my experiences. The movement also holds a power reserve of around 42 hours and contains 21 jewels. If you look closer, AVI8 has skeletonized the rotor, and added the logo at the center portion of the rotor which looks really cool, and adds some flavor to this movement. Standard striping is also located on the center bridge of the movement, which I always liked from the Miyota 8218's.

Strap

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The genuine leather tan strap is 22MM and tapers down a bit towards the end. It is the same type of strap used on most of their models, except the outer portion seems a bit softer on this model, and flexible. The standard AVI8 brushed signed buckle is sized proportionately to the strap which I found a joy. 
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Avi-8 1980

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Case and Dial

The AVI8 1980 represents a different bolder ERA of pilot watches and general style. The case itself is absolutely identical besides a 3MM thickness increase to 18MM compared to the 1960s, but the dial is WAY different. There is a lot going on with this blue textured dial - from the large applied 0 and 6 , to the sub seconds register which is quite neat as it is meant to resemble an instrument in an airplane. If you look a bit closer, they smoked out the top portion of the case so we can get a glimpse of the automatic movement through the front of the dial. Our date window stays the same as the 1960s with a black background and white numerals. The broad sword hands seem to pop a bit more over the blue, and are filled with SuperLuminova ( Lume Shot in Video ). Overall, it is a rather unique dial, and I do understand it won't be to every enthusiasts tastes, but I think it came out okay.
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Movement

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The movement being used on the 1980 is the same exact movement as the 1960, the miyota 8218. It features hand winding, no hacking, 21 jewels, 42 hour power reserve, and relative decent accuracy within 10 seconds a day on my two examples. I do like the font they implicated on the back of the case and feel it really flows with the whole theme they have going here.

Strap

 Now, this new blue Cordura strap is 22MM and tapers down to 20MM. It is rather soft to the touch but will need a couple wears to be fully broken in. On the backside we get a nice black genuine leather with embossing and branding as well. The buckle is standard, brushed and signed "AVI-8" neatly.
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Final Conclusion on Both Pieces

These two new Centenary Flyboy editions are certainly appealing to the eye, and my wallet at under $300 USD. They feature some unique design elements we do not see in any other brands on the market today, and I take that as a win. They do create their own designs and really plan out their releases accordingly. I did like the previous AVI8 1940's watch as well, which you can take a look at back in my archives. If you are looking for a aviation timepiece out of the normal Flieger style, I think you will be quite content with a new 1960s or 1980s watch. I will leave a special discount code which you can use below on any AVI8 timepiece to save 20 percent. Also the Pre-Order link will be posted below as well for a special discount on these two new models when they release. Thanks for taking the time to read and I hope you enjoyed!
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ROLEX HISTORY

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Rolex is a Swiss luxury watch brand that was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, England. The company originally began as Wilsdorf and Davis, but it was later renamed to Rolex in 1908.


The first Rolex watches were not manufactured in-house, but instead were made by other watchmakers and then branded with the Rolex name. However, Wilsdorf had a vision of creating a wristwatch that was both reliable and accurate, and he set out to develop his own movements.


In 1910, Rolex became the first wristwatch to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, which was a testament to the accuracy of the watch. Over the years, Rolex continued to innovate and develop new technologies and features, such as the first waterproof wristwatch in 1926, the first self-winding mechanism in 1931, and the first wristwatch with a date display in 1945.


Rolex has also been associated with several famous individuals, including explorers, athletes, and celebrities. For example, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wore Rolex watches when they became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Rolex has also been the official timekeeper of several sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.


Today, Rolex is one of the most recognized and respected luxury watch brands in the world, known for its quality, precision, and timeless style.

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OMEGA Watches History

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Omega is a Swiss luxury watch brand founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The brand initially operated under the name La Generale Watch Co. and produced pocket watches.


In 1894, Omega revolutionized the watch industry with the introduction of the 19-ligne Omega Calibre, which was more accurate and reliable than any other watch movement of the time. This innovation earned Omega numerous awards and accolades, and the brand quickly became known for its precision and quality.


In 1903, Omega was chosen as the official timekeeper for the Gordon Bennett Cup, an international balloon race. This marked the beginning of Omega's long-standing relationship with sports timing and its reputation as a reliable and accurate timekeeper.


In 1932, Omega became the first brand to be awarded the Olympic Cross of Merit for its outstanding contribution to sports timing at the Olympic Games. Since then, Omega has been the official timekeeper for numerous Olympic Games, and its timekeeping technology has continued to evolve and improve.


In the 1950s and 1960s, Omega's watches were worn by famous explorers and adventurers, including Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay during their ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, and Jacques Cousteau during his underwater expeditions.


In the 1960s, Omega introduced the Speedmaster, a chronograph watch that was originally designed for motorsports but became famous as the first watch worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. The Speedmaster has since become one of Omega's most iconic and sought-after models.


Today, Omega continues to innovate and produce high-quality watches, including the Seamaster, Constellation, and De Ville collections. The brand also continues to be the official timekeeper for numerous sporting events, including the Olympic Games and the America's Cup.

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BREITLING Watches History

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Breitling is a Swiss luxury watch brand that was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in the town of Saint-Imier in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. Initially, the company specialized in producing chronographs and other precision timepieces for scientific and industrial purposes.


In 1915, Breitling introduced the first wrist-worn chronograph with a separate pusher to control the start, stop, and reset functions, which made it easier to use than previous models. This innovation helped establish Breitling as a leading maker of chronographs and other precision timepieces.


During the 1930s and 1940s, Breitling continued to innovate with the introduction of the first chronograph with a second independent pusher, which allowed for the recording of multiple elapsed times. The company also developed the Huit Aviation Department, which produced wristwatches for pilots and other aviation professionals.


In the 1950s, Breitling introduced the Navitimer, a wristwatch with a built-in slide rule that allowed pilots to perform complex calculations in-flight. The Navitimer became an instant classic and remains one of Breitling's most popular models to this day.


In the 1960s, Breitling continued to produce innovative timepieces, including the Chrono-Matic, which was the first automatic chronograph movement with a micro-rotor. The company also introduced the Emergency, a wristwatch with a built-in distress beacon that could be activated in case of an emergency.


In the years since, Breitling has continued to produce innovative and high-quality timepieces for a variety of applications, including aviation, diving, and sports. The company has also maintained a strong commitment to precision and accuracy, with many of its watches featuring COSC-certified movements. Today, Breitling is recognized as one of the world's leading luxury watch brands, with a reputation for innovation, quality, and style.

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Longines

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Longines is a Swiss luxury watch company that was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz in the town of Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The company has a long and prestigious history in the world of watchmaking, and has been responsible for many innovations and milestones in the industry.


In the early days, Longines primarily produced pocket watches, and quickly gained a reputation for precision and accuracy. By the end of the 19th century, Longines had become one of the leading watchmakers in the world. In 1912, the company introduced the first chronograph wristwatch, which was quickly adopted by the military and aviation communities.


In the 1920s and 1930s, Longines continued to innovate with the introduction of the world's first quartz clock and the first wristwatch with an automatic winding mechanism. During World War II, Longines produced wristwatches for the British Royal Air Force, and continued to produce military watches for several decades afterwards.


In the post-war years, Longines became known for its elegant and sophisticated watches, particularly its "Conquest" line of watches. In the 1950s and 1960s, Longines was a favorite of celebrities and politicians, and its watches were frequently seen on the wrists of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, and other famous figures.


In recent years, Longines has continued to produce high-quality watches that combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology. The company is particularly known for its sport watches, including its "HydroConquest" line of diving watches and its "Conquest Classic" line of chronographs.


Today, Longines is owned by the Swatch Group, and remains a leading brand in the luxury watch industry. Its watches are prized for their precision, reliability, and timeless style.

Tissot

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Tissot is a Swiss watch brand that was founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile Tissot in the town of Le Locle, Switzerland. The company has a long and rich history in the world of watchmaking, and has been responsible for many innovations and milestones in the industry.


In the early days, Tissot primarily produced pocket watches, and quickly gained a reputation for quality and precision. By the end of the 19th century, Tissot was one of the largest watchmakers in Switzerland, and was exporting its watches to countries around the world.


In the early 20th century, Tissot continued to innovate with the introduction of the first non-magnetic wristwatch, the first dual time-zone watch, and the first watch with a plastic case. During World War II, Tissot produced watches for the Allied forces, and continued to produce military watches for several decades afterwards.


In the post-war years, Tissot became known for its elegant and sophisticated watches, particularly its "Tissot Visodate" line of watches, which featured a date function and a distinctive "T" logo on the dial. In the 1970s, Tissot was one of the first Swiss watch brands to introduce quartz watches, which quickly became popular due to their accuracy and affordability.


In recent years, Tissot has continued to produce high-quality watches that combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology. The company is particularly known for its sport watches, including its "T-Touch" line of watches, which feature touch-screen technology and a range of functions such as altimeter, compass, and thermometer.


Today, Tissot is part of the Swatch Group, and remains a leading brand in the watch industry. Its watches are prized for their quality, durability, and stylish design, and are worn by watch enthusiasts and collectors around the world.

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The main component of a mechanical movement is the mainspring, a spring that gradually unwinds and transmits energy. A mechanical watch will keep accurate time despite requiring winding up if it's manual. ... Inside an automatic watch sits a small weighted rotor that has to oscillate in order to wind the mainspring.

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