New micro-brand AVI-8 Spitfire

Friends, hello everyone, Stanislav, Feeltime.com.ua online store is with you and today we will have something new in the review, namely, the AVI-8 microbrand.  

Microbrand AVI-8

This micro-brand belongs to the same company that owns the Spinnaker brand, so I had the most positive expectations from the watch, since it is clear that these watches are assembled and designed by the same people who are responsible for the quality of the Spinnaker. And today I am more than satisfied with the quality of Spinnaker watches, and good customer reviews only confirm this.  

Then why did the company even need to make an additional branch in the form of the AVI-8 brand. The fact is that Spinnaker has chosen a certain niche of vintage diver's watches and is successfully developing in it, while AVI-8 is a brand that is completely dedicated to aviator style.  

Watch AVI-8 Spitfire

Our model is called Spitfire, and, like many watches, AVI-8, is dedicated to a particular brand of aircraft. In this case, it's a World War II fighter -   Supermarine Spitfire.  

Various modifications were used as a fighter, fighter-interceptor, high-altitude fighter, fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. A total of 20,351 Spitfires were built, including two-seat trainers. Some of the machines remained in service until the mid-1950s. Also, some of the machines were delivered to the USSR under Lend-Lease.

In fact, I would tell you more about the history of this aircraft, but we still have a channel about watches.

2 models on review

There will be 2 models on the review at once. One is metallic and the other is black. Plus, each model comes with a bonus genuine leather strap. In general, let's unpack and look.

Equipment

The outer part of the box absolutely clearly and clearly hints at the pilot affiliation of this model.  

For those who are familiar with the Spinnaker brand and know what their boxes look like, it will immediately become clear that the brands have one owner, since here the box is identical, only a slightly different color, stitched with thread and branded with the AVI-8 logo.

In general, the quality of the box is excellent. Simple, but high quality and visually pleasing.

In addition to watches and straps, there is an instruction with additional recommendations on how to shorten the bracelet. Please don't worry about it, find a normal workshop and let them remove the links for you under normal conditions. It's fast and not expensive.  

Material quality

The watch case and bracelet are made of 316l stainless steel. Here we have a satin finish with a mirror finish at the junction of the side and top surfaces. The quality of the finish is excellent. As I said, it is identical to the Spinnaker watch.  

The case itself is engraved in places to match the style of the aircraft, has a convenient “bulb” head and a dial for the aircraft dashboard.  

dials

The workmanship of the dial is top notch. It is very voluminous. The central part is slightly seated in depth, the hour markers are high, which creates several levels and good volume.

I like that the markings of hours and minutes alternate.

And of course, the second hand in a small dial is absolutely in the subject.  

The readability of the dials is perfect. Good contrast, very bright hands and hour markers, date on a black backing, so as not to distract your attention once again, and plentiful Swiss Super Luminova on the hands and hour markers.

The body of the black model has an IP coating. The quality of the finish is also excellent.  

Watch sizes

In terms of dimensions: diameter - 42 mm, from ear to ear - 50 mm, thickness - 14 mm (although the manufacturer indicates 13.6 mm), bracelet width - 22 mm at the case and 18 mm at the clasp.  

Weight - 157 grams.

Watch on my hand

The watch on my hand is 18 cm. They fit very well in circumference. The size is mine. Nothing superfluous sticks out anywhere, there are no gaps, and in general they feel very comfortable.

Bracelets and clasp

Excellent quality bracelets. They have a good geometry, a pleasant rustle and a level finish.

Clasps with double fixation. You know that I do not really like such fasteners due to the tongues that need to be pry off with a fingernail. On the other hand, it is cast, has additional adjustment and looks good. There are no issues in terms of reliability. In terms of convenience, yes.  

As mentioned above, each model comes with a genuine leather strap in a nice case. For the black model - a dark brown strap, for the silver - green.

With regards to the quality of the belts themselves, they are made quite nicely, but this is definitely not premium leather, although not cheap. Made soundly, and for this price of watches, thank you that there is such a complete set in general.  

Watch back

On the back of the watch, you can see that this is a self-winding mechanic, and the guys got confused and made their own custom rotor in the form of the same Spitfire. This is of course very nice.

Characteristics of the AVI-8 Spitfire

As for the mechanism, the caliber is not indicated on the official site, but judging by the location of the functions, I will assume that this is the caliber from the Japanese Citizen Miyota 8215. Yes, it is a little morally outdated, but functionally it fits very harmoniously with this watch.

In addition, the watch has a slightly domed, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, which works out perfectly, and water resistance of 50 meters. This is enough to wash your hands and not be afraid of rain, and more is not needed for a pilot's watch.

Results

Well, friends, I'm ready to sum up. Today, this watch in our store costs UAH 13,300 for the silver version and UAH 14,500 for the black version.  

I think that it’s enough to look at what popular brands are selling for this money in order to understand that the price is adequate cubed, because only a good micro-brand can offer such quality, equipment and characteristics for such relatively little money.

We are the official representative of the AVI-8 brand in Ukraine, so in our store you buy only the original with a 2-year warranty.

Don't forget to read the detailed news about watches on the Feeltime blog, and Stanislav was with you as always, see you soon. Bye.