Discussion
I'll probably get flamed for posting this, but here goes.
I saw AVI-8 watches mentioned in a car mag recently (think it might have been the Top Gear comic) and thought they looked pretty cool. There are dozens of models on their website and they look good, but they don't seem to be available in stores so I can't check out the quality. Now I know that they're pretty cheap (generally £200-300) compared to many watches that are discussed here, but does anyone have any experience of them especially in terms of quality, durability etc. I haven't found any threads on here that mention them, so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
I saw AVI-8 watches mentioned in a car mag recently (think it might have been the Top Gear comic) and thought they looked pretty cool. There are dozens of models on their website and they look good, but they don't seem to be available in stores so I can't check out the quality. Now I know that they're pretty cheap (generally £200-300) compared to many watches that are discussed here, but does anyone have any experience of them especially in terms of quality, durability etc. I haven't found any threads on here that mention them, so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Attention to detail looks strong on their website: a description of "Japanese quartz accuracy" next to a picture of a watch with display back and Miyota auto movement. They all look like the usual generic cheap 'pilot' watches from the likes of Junkers etc. For £400+ I'll give it a miss.
https://www.torgoen.com/watches/mens-collections.h...
I think Torgoen have this price point sewn up ?
Haven't seen one in the metal, mind but seem to be half a step away from the fashion brigade.
I think Torgoen have this price point sewn up ?
Haven't seen one in the metal, mind but seem to be half a step away from the fashion brigade.
speedtwelve said:
For similar (£400) money have a look at Steinhart, Hamilton or Christopher Ward new, or a used Longines etc.
+1 and check out the Orient Star range too 
because all of these are good quality watches.A little search brought me to this thread. So, I know the majority of people on here will regard them as cheap tat, but they have some very, very nice looking watches for someone that just wants a daily beater they aren't too fussed about.
Given that they are Japanese quartz movements I can't see them being too unreliable either?
For example:
Given that they are Japanese quartz movements I can't see them being too unreliable either?
For example:
Holy thread resurrection batman!
Just bought myself an AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Automatic. very nicely presented with a nice box and spare Nato strap, OK it's a Miyota movement but hey, can't go wrong for £250.
Compares well with my Christopher Ward Uhr copy, which was much more expensive.
Can't beat it at that price...looks ace
Just bought myself an AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Automatic. very nicely presented with a nice box and spare Nato strap, OK it's a Miyota movement but hey, can't go wrong for £250.
Compares well with my Christopher Ward Uhr copy, which was much more expensive.
Can't beat it at that price...looks ace
Keep seeing links to AVI-8 and I love the look of the "Hawker Hunter" ones. I just sold a load of cold war aircraft instruments on eBay so am tempted.
Old thread I know, I'm not into watches just like the look, question is worth the money ? Comes in at around £165 with current discount.
Old thread I know, I'm not into watches just like the look, question is worth the money ? Comes in at around £165 with current discount.
Barchettaman said:
Look, it’s a fashion quartz watch for £165.
If you like it, buy it.
It won’t retain any value.
It will probably keep excellent time.
Your mates might notice and admire it down the pub. They might not.
This is a fair summary of many AVI-8 and probably loads more fashion/gimmick micro brands.If you like it, buy it.
It won’t retain any value.
It will probably keep excellent time.
Your mates might notice and admire it down the pub. They might not.
They aren’t any better than a £20-30 quartz analogue watch from Casio. In fact, the build quality, water resistance etc will likely be slightly worse than a £25 analogue Casio.
There isn’t anything wrong with stuff like AVI-8 as long as you understand you are just paying the money for the looks and styling. It’s just a bit of fun. A novelty watch.
It’s more interesting than a lot of watches though.
Holy thread necromancy Batman!
I did eventually buy one of these about 5 years ago - the very pretty looking Hawker Harrier II Day/Date like so:
.
Twas about £90 from Argos. It lasted 4 months before it began losing serious amounts of time (like 30 mins a day), if you jiggled or jarred your hand whilst wearing it (ie shaking something, or using a hammer) it was even worse.
I took it to a "watch hospital" type shop and it turned out to need a whole new mechanism, being a cheapy non-serviceable quartz item. This I was loath to do because of the chance of it happening again, and I couldn't even swap in a better quality one due to the need to match the 7 day date mechanism.
As a result it has languished in its box in a cupboard for years, I keep meaning to sell it for spares or repair.
Whilst the newer efforts with what appears to be a self winding automatic mechanism certainly catch my eye, I'm not sure I'd chance the reliability again - and now I have a both a Citizen chronograph and an automatic Werenbach I'd have no real place any more for one in terms of unique looks or chrono function.
I did eventually buy one of these about 5 years ago - the very pretty looking Hawker Harrier II Day/Date like so:
. Twas about £90 from Argos. It lasted 4 months before it began losing serious amounts of time (like 30 mins a day), if you jiggled or jarred your hand whilst wearing it (ie shaking something, or using a hammer) it was even worse.
I took it to a "watch hospital" type shop and it turned out to need a whole new mechanism, being a cheapy non-serviceable quartz item. This I was loath to do because of the chance of it happening again, and I couldn't even swap in a better quality one due to the need to match the 7 day date mechanism.
As a result it has languished in its box in a cupboard for years, I keep meaning to sell it for spares or repair.
Whilst the newer efforts with what appears to be a self winding automatic mechanism certainly catch my eye, I'm not sure I'd chance the reliability again - and now I have a both a Citizen chronograph and an automatic Werenbach I'd have no real place any more for one in terms of unique looks or chrono function.
Barchettaman said:
Look, it’s a fashion quartz watch for £165.
If you like it, buy it.
It won’t retain any value.
It will probably keep excellent time.
Your mates might notice and admire it down the pub. They might not.
Thanks, that's pretty much what I was thinking, appreciate the info.If you like it, buy it.
It won’t retain any value.
It will probably keep excellent time.
Your mates might notice and admire it down the pub. They might not.
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