FLYBOY Centenary 1940s AV-4059-01

With the advent of World War 2 and rapid global militarization, it is no surprise that the 1940s edition of the Flyboy Centenary series from Avi-8 is an homage born from no-nonsense functional and utilitarian design synonymous with pilot watches of the time.

By the 1940s the watch had become an essential part of the soldiers, or the pilots own tool case of equipment. Precision and unambiguous legibility became crucially important in the design and manufacture of these watches. Such watches from the era remain iconic, and continue to be mined for inspiration by watch companies and designers alike for contemporary or re-edition issues.

Carved out of solid 316L Stainless steel with a scratch resistant sapphire lens the watch measures 42 in diameter. The crown is crafted in a grip worthy conical shape with the RAF roundel stamped on the top. The watch is powered by a 21-jewel customized Miyota 8218 self-winding automatic that features the unique signature Centenary rotor design visible from the exhibition see through caseback.

In dial design, the instrument like balance of hands to markers has been carefully considered to offer maximum utility and legibility. Eschewing hour markers, the minute markers, which would have offered more function and use to the user are clearly pronounced and applied with luminous coating for superior visibility in low light conditions.

Iconic hallmarks of pilot watch design such as the upright equilateral triangular index at 12 o’clock offers the user an instant reference point for quick read out of time as needed. A sans-serif font marking of minutes at 5 minute intervals is interrupted only by the standalone seconds hand gliding along its own subdial at the 5 o’clock position and date display at 3 o’clock.

The hands in a sword shape offer weight, balance and more importantly a clear cut view of the minute or hour being indicated as the hands lines triangulate to a precise point on the dial for a definitive read out of the time. Attaching the case to the wearer is an agile, hardwearing yet comfortable buffalo hide genuine leather strap hand stitched that slightly tapers.

MOVEMENT : Japan Automatic 2 Hands with Small Second and Date 
CASE MATERIAL : Stainless Steel
CASE DIAMETER (mm) : 42
CASE THICKNESS (mm) : 11
CASE SHAPE : Round
CASE COLOR : Stainless Steel
DIAL COLOR : Cream
DIAL MATERIAL: Sapphire Crystal 
BAND : Genuine Leather Strap
BAND COLOR : Dark Brown
BUCKLE : Strap Buckle
BAND WIDTH (mm) : 22
WATER RESISTANCE : 5 ATM
WATCH WEIGHT (g) : 100
WARRANTY : 2 years International