AVI-8 Battle Of Britain 85th Anniversary

In the annals of military history, few conflicts carry the weight and significance of the Battle of Britain. Fought in the skies over the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940, it was a pivotal moment in World War II, a desperate defense that hinged on the courage of a few and the capabilities of their machines. Eighty-five years on, the watchmaker AVI-8, a brand deeply rooted in aviation heritage, is releasing a special commemorative collection to honor this historic event. The Battle of Britain 85th Anniversary Limited Edition Set pairs two chronographs, each inspired by the legendary aircraft that defined the conflict: the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire.



The philosophy of AVI-8 has always been to craft timepieces that serve as tangible connections to the stories of aviation. The brand's designers immerse themselves in the history of iconic aircraft, drawing inspiration not just from the aesthetics of the planes, but from the experiences of the pilots who flew them. This approach results in watches that are rich with detail and narrative, offering wearers a piece of history on their wrist. For the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, this design ethos is fully realized in a set that captures the distinct spirit of the two most important British fighters of the era.



To fully appreciate the design of these timepieces, one must understand the context in which their namesakes fought. After the fall of France in June 1940, Britain stood as the last bastion against Nazi Germany's westward expansion. The Luftwaffe's objective was clear: achieve air superiority to enable a full-scale invasion. The Royal Air Force (RAF) rose to meet this threat, pitting its pilots and its two premier fighters, the Hurricane and the Spitfire, against a numerically superior foe. The pilots, a diverse group from Britain and across the Commonwealth, would forever be immortalized as "The Few."



Among these heroes were men like Squadron Leader Douglas Bader, a pilot who flew Hurricanes with No. 242 Squadron despite having lost both legs in a pre-war accident. His unyielding determination and aggressive tactics became legendary, embodying the defiant spirit of the RAF. Then there were younger men like Pilot Officer Geoffrey Wellum, who at just 18 years old was thrust into the chaos of dogfights, later documenting the terrifying and exhilarating reality of aerial combat. These personal stories of bravery, sacrifice, and camaraderie form the soul of the Battle of Britain, and it is this very soul that AVI-8 aims to capture.



The commemorative release is presented as a single collector's bundle, limited to an exclusive run of just 150 sets worldwide. This deliberate scarcity underscores the special nature of the anniversary. The set contains two distinct chronographs: the Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph and the Spitfire Lock Chronograph. By packaging them together, AVI-8 tells a more complete story, acknowledging the critical and complementary roles both aircraft played. While the Spitfire often captures the public imagination, it was the rugged Hurricane that shouldered the bulk of the fighting, accounting for more enemy aircraft destroyed than all other defenses combined.



The Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph is a study in functional, robust design, mirroring the aircraft it honors. The watch is built around a 43mm stainless steel case with a gunmetal finish, giving it a tough, utilitarian appearance that resists reflections. The case measures 11mm in thickness with a 50mm lug-to-lug distance, providing a confident and modern presence on the wrist without being overly cumbersome. This timepiece is designed to be a reliable field instrument, a direct nod to the Hurricane's role as the workhorse of the RAF.



Its dial is rendered in a matte "Aero Blue," a color that evokes the skies over the English Channel. The layout is clear and legible, featuring three subdials for the chronograph functions. Large, printed Arabic numerals mark the hours, ensuring quick readability, a critical feature for any pilot-inspired watch. A distinctive touch is the date window at the 6 o'clock position, cleverly designed to resemble the iconic RAF roundel. The hands are simple and effective, with Japanese Super Luminous paint applied to the indices and hands, providing a bright green glow in low-light conditions for sustained visibility.



Powering the Hurricane model is a Japanese Quartz Chronograph movement. This choice emphasizes reliability, accuracy, and ease of use. A quartz movement is a practical engine, requiring minimal maintenance and offering "grab-and-go" convenience, perfect for a watch meant to evoke a dependable military tool. The entire package is protected by a mineral lens with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and is water-resistant to 5 ATM, making it resilient enough for daily wear.



Complementing the Hurricane is the Spitfire Lock Chronograph, a timepiece that reflects the perceived grace and technical sophistication of its namesake. The case is slightly smaller in diameter at 42mm but a millimeter thicker at 12mm, giving it subtly different proportions. It shares the same 50mm lug-to-lug measurement and gunmetal stainless steel construction, creating a cohesive visual link with its partner. The most notable external difference is the fixed outer bezel, which features a tachymeter scale for calculating speed, adding a layer of technical complexity to the design.



The Spitfire's dial is a "Pilot Blue," a shade that appears to have a slight sunray finish, giving it more dynamic light play compared to the Hurricane's matte surface. This dial is more intricate, featuring applied indices that add a sense of depth and refinement. The subdial layout is different, and vibrant yellow accents on the chronograph hands provide sharp, legible contrast. These layered details and more complex finishes are meant to channel the tactical agility and advanced design of the Supermarine Spitfire.



At the heart of the Spitfire watch is a Japanese Meca-Quartz Chronograph movement. This is a significant feature that will appeal to watch enthusiasts. A meca-quartz movement combines the accuracy of quartz timekeeping with a mechanical module for the chronograph. This means that when the chronograph pushers are activated, the seconds hand sweeps smoothly like a mechanical watch, and it snaps back to zero instantly upon reset. It offers the best of both worlds: the feel and feedback of a mechanical chronograph with the reliability of quartz.



The Spitfire model also features Swiss Newlite on its applied indices and hands. This luminous compound is known for its brightness and longevity, offering another subtle upgrade that distinguishes it from the Hurricane. Like its counterpart, it features an anti-reflection coated mineral lens and a water resistance of 5 ATM. The use of different movements and luminous materials for each watch is a deliberate choice, creating a distinct character for each piece while maintaining a shared design language.



Both watches are fitted with a handsome 22mm brown genuine leather strap. The strap features thick, cream-colored contrast stitching, lending it a classic, vintage feel reminiscent of old flight jackets. A particularly thoughtful detail is the small tricolor stitch near the lugs, subtly echoing the red, white, and blue of the RAF fin flash. This shared strap design is one of the key elements that unifies the set, ensuring that while each watch has its own personality, they are unmistakably a pair.



When viewed side-by-side, the two watches beautifully articulate the story of their namesakes. The Hurricane chronograph is direct, legible, and built for purpose. Its printed indices and standard quartz movement speak to its role as a resilient, mass-produced fighter that got the job done. The Spitfire chronograph, with its more complex dial, applied markers, tachymeter scale, and meca-quartz movement, feels more technical and refined, much like the high-performance interceptor it represents. Together, they form a balanced and complete tribute.



The presentation of the set is befitting of a limited-edition collector's item. Both timepieces are housed in a specially designed presentation box, branded with the "Battle of Britain 85th Anniversary" mark. This packaging elevates the experience beyond simply acquiring two watches; it frames them as historical artifacts, a curated tribute to a defining moment in history. The inclusion of official AVI-8 cards reinforces the authenticity and limited nature of the set.



This dual chronograph bundle is more than a simple commemoration; it is an invitation to connect with a legacy of courage. The design choices, from the gunmetal cases to the specific shades of blue on the dials and the luminous detailing, are all intended to honor the valor displayed in flight 85 years ago. It is a tribute not only to the iconic machines but to the fearless pilots who flew them, turning the tide of history from the confines of their cockpits.



For collectors of military and aviation-inspired timepieces, this set represents a unique opportunity. The AVI-8 Battle Of Britain 85th Anniversary Limited Edition Set will be launched on September 12, 2025. With only 150 sets available for the entire world, it is a truly exclusive offering. The entire collector's bundle, containing both the Hawker Hurricane and Spitfire chronographs, is priced at $395 USD, offering remarkable value for a limited-edition dual-watch set rich with historical significance and thoughtful design. This release is poised to vanish into history almost as quickly as the aircraft they honor soared through the skies.



Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph Battle of Britain 85th Limited Edition



Case: Stainless steel, 43mm diameter, 11mm thickness, 50mm lug-to-lug, pull-out crown, 5 ATM water resistance.

Movement: Japanese Quartz Chronograph.

Dial: Aero Blue with printed indices and Japan Super Luminous. Anti-reflection coated mineral lens.

Strap: 22mm brown genuine leather strap.

Price: $395 USD (for the two-watch set).

Reference Number: AV-4011-1G

Notes: Part of a collector's bundle limited to 150 sets worldwide, commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.





Spitfire Lock Chronograph Battle of Britain 85th Limited Edition



Case: Stainless steel, 42mm diameter, 12mm thickness, 50mm lug-to-lug, pull-out crown, 5 ATM water resistance.

Movement: Japanese Meca-Quartz Chronograph.

Dial: Pilot Blue with applied indices and Swiss Newlite. Anti-reflection coated mineral lens.

Strap: 22mm brown genuine leather strap.

Price: $395 USD (for the two-watch set).

Reference Number: AV-4089-0C

Notes: Features a meca-quartz movement, which provides the accuracy of quartz with the tactile feel of a mechanical chronograph.