Does The Perfect Pilot Watch Exist? - Avi-8 Flyboy Engineer Automatic Review

[@BensWatchClub]

Use code 'BENJAMINARTHUR20' at checkout for a 20% discount when using this link: avi-8.co.uk/collections/all-watches?sca_ref=2679802.pL6GqqQbJF

[@grumpyoldben]

Cool 😎 just a note they’re not ‘targets’ on the crown and second hand ... they’re ‘roundels’ ... google RAF Roundel for reference.

[@BarnOwl61]

Hallo Ben, I vote Cool. I know it's a flieger, but it would even look better sub 40 mm.

[@Andrew-J316]

Normally I am not keen to pilots watches but this one is eye catching. Thanks for the review!

[@BensWatchClub]

Glad you liked it!

[@arnaudmeert1527]

Your video's are really comforting to watch during a storm. Keep up the good work!

[@Staggo_L]

Ice cold, Ben. That it's uncluttered gives the dial a pleasing aesthetic. I've been hankering for a flight watch.

[@eronavbj]

I was in the Air Force and the inter-service nickname we had was “Flyboy.” (That simply means other branches of the service could call us that without being offensive, e.g. Marines=Jarhead, Sailors=Swabby, Soldiers=Dogface, Coast Guard=Puddle Pirate). It’s a privilege we share due to our service. So I’m not offended. I would like the watch face a bit smaller though. It’s cool nonetheless.

[@RudiXeno]

Ben, you nailed it when you said "it all comes together on your wrist". I'm wearing my Edgar (black) colorway and it's a stone ice cold stunner. Really enjoyed your review.

[@shawn1928]

i've got that one too. awesome textured black dial, which looks slightly blue at certain angles. anyway love it

[@sc0ppez___501]

D.

[@ericwhitlow7364]

Absolutely love the textured face on the AVI8 dials.

[@sleepingsumo17]

Ben, great editing and videography. Did the fly boy justice!

[@FourIntoOne]

There's a lot to like about this one, apart from the name "Flyboy" emblazoned on the dial and case back. Its cheesy - and unnecessary. And it's a bit too big in diameter as well.

[@dimman77]

It not being centered in the gaps in the crosshairs is also super annoying.

[@nurburgringkid]

They should create a new sub-brand names instead of "Flyboy", perhaps "Spitfire" or "Lightning" as names would be awesome

[@kynandawson1260]

Okey

[@ХристоМартунковграфЛозенски]

@@nurburgringkid Or also "Hurricane", "Seafire", "Typhoon", "Hunter" for the British planes; "Stuka", "Schwalbe", "Hornisse" for the German ones; you could add in a "Fishbed", for instance (despite Aviator already having a MiG 21-inspired model) or a "Frogfoot"; or a "Raptor", "Falcon", "Tomcat" or "(Super) Hornet"; or a "Rafale", "Mirage", etc.

[@jaer.6540]

flight/pilot watches are supposed to be bigger, usually 42-46mm. This is on point with that

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

The dial on this gives me an Isograph feel. Very nice looking watch and looks like a good build overall!

[@ivanskinner2943]

How come they haven't mentioned what type of movement been used here?? I assume it's NH35 but what's wrong with having this listed? But anyway, I do love a small second hand they used in the predecessor, despite the fact it was Miyota 82...something.

[@ralphcall4322]

Simply, "Ice Cold". I love originality, and AV-8 does it well without being silly.

[@HonestWatchReviewsHWR]

I do quite like the look of this one, but it seems a little expensive I think... Perhaps I'm too use to buying from AliExpress now. But I have an Escapement Time Flieger Type-B with an NH35 and quality build and finishing, that only cost about £75.

[@JeeGee114]

San Martin A style " Blaue Stunde" is a steal. This AVI is not bad but there other pieces are horrible and I don't want them in my collection.

[@nintendokings]

@@JeeGee114 Avi8 and all the other Dartmouth brand watches are just fashion watches from China/HK (and, not only made, I mean the company is from there) with better specs than your western fashion watches.

[@NathanChisholm041]

@@nintendokings What a load of bullshit! Their fantastic well made that leave brands like Seiko in the dust with their shitty hardlex and braclets.

[@nintendokings]

@@NathanChisholm041 All Chinese watches beat Seiko when it comes to sheer specs, nothing special about that. They're still fashion watches, because they spend a lot on bs marketing, send out loads of their watches to KZbinrs, and act like they're a western brand when they're from China/HK. Nothing inherently wrong about fashion watches, some can be pretty good value. I have a couple. Just saying that's what they are. The majority of Dartmouth's catalogue throughout their brands is overpriced, even for western microbrand standards.

[@narrhavas]

I doubt it would sit well on my wrist as well, but i love that spotted dial. It's gorgeous, without affecting the legibility. I vote Cool.

[@Bruce-vq7ni]

I have that same haircut courtesy of Covid 19, my kid and some clippers.

[@OmerBonfil]

I'd say a most definite ice cold. I was not interested in avi-8 watches, but after watching the spitfire review and now this one, I'm starting to think my next watch would be an avi-8.

[@geoffread2707]

Nice looking watch. I don’t usually bother with pilot watches, but this is really attractive. I’d rate this as Ice Cold

[@Fantac0010]

Great review. You helped me to make a choice about buying. Thank you.

[@ashwinraggs4226]

The best pilot watch could be anything...today’s pilots don’t use any of these watches I guess. But the best Aviation inspired watch for the enthusiast is the Spitfire type 300. I don’t know why that watch hasn’t got the love it deserves. The dials, the depth, the case back, the specs, the price everything seems just perfect and that’s why I bought one ;) I’m my opinion the Spitfire type 300 deserves more praise for its design than the Flyboy. Looks like you’re getting carried away by your personal preference and wrist size my boy (Ben) 😝 Im with you in fighting “spaghetti scametti” but not this :)

[@RavenWindrunner]

Looks pretty dang awesome, when I got the email from AVI-8 about this one, I definitely thought it looked pretty good on paper. I also suffer from small wrists and I think I have capped my acceptable lug to lug at 48mm, which is a shame since so many pilot watches have a 50mm lug to lug. Even smaller diameter ones (39mm) tend to have 48+mm lugs.

[@laughingmole]

I've had one for 4 years now - great watch, very accurate and good lume. Understated design with an homage to IWC and not as blingy as many of AVI-8's watches.

[@nigelbagguley7410]

I put navy blue canvas strap from Barton Watch Bands on mine and it looks amazing.Though be careful removing the bracelet as the end links on mine were very sharp(razor sharp).

[@nickporter9264]

Cool. It bears a happy resemblance to my Cincinnatus Field Watch. I love the incorporation of the RAF roundel into the seconds hand and the crown.

[@timgore829]

That's my favorite AVI8 design. Looks great!

[@KoolKyurem25]

I love my Avi-8 Altimeter but it's a bit large on my 6.5" wrist. Not oversized but pushing it. I would love a 39mm Avi-8 automatic. I got a Seiko 5 SNK809 for that reason.

[@roie16]

Ben, what are your thoughts on the eza automatic sealander? Is it worth the price?

[@jiahuilai608]

This is a really good looking watch, everything is perfectly executed. Personally I prefer a simple sunburst dial, not a fan of textured at all. Regardless, I will rate it Ice Cold

[@LuciferMorningstar-eo9pn]

Ben may i ask whether there is a particular watch kit you'd recommend for repairing and learning about watches?

[@mrxcman9272]

I vote Cool. It seems like good a value and looks great, but its a smidge too big for my wrist.

[@dixonqwerty]

Target insignia? Isn't that the Royal Airforce logo or something along those lines? Used to be painted on Spitfires if I'm not mistaken.

[@multipl3]

It’s called a roundel. Beggars belief he didn’t research this before saying target insignia 🙄

[@BensWatchClub]

You're right it is technically a 'roundel', it just didn't flow quite as well in the script!

[@BensWatchClub]

Plus, most people probably wouldn't know the terminology I suppose

[@multipl3]

Ben's Watch Club that’s why it’s nice to use the correct terms as it educates others 👍

[@geeber8136]

I got this on sale for 150. Total bargain. Its a strap monster too looking good on dark brown, tan, blue, grey and red leather. Not totally sold on the bracelet for a pilots watch although it is amazing. On my 7.5" it sits well, pulls off smart and casual.

[@Bigbrother4U2]

Definely ice cold...i purchaged this one just few minutes ago. Realy happy with your review

[@atlacatl7501]

Cool for sure. I wish it was slightly smaller though.

[@joserochacarrillo1566]

That "target" is the Roundel of the Royal Air Force.

[@onLYbyM]

Do they have a smaller size model?

[@askbob]

Hi Ben , Mrs and I love your channel. I have been watching you from the good ol days of when you use to review clothing etc.. Keep it up 🔥

[@crossley941]

Is that a Casio Edifice on Ben's wrist?

[@rankbadyin4147]

That looks like a very well designed package. Really like the bracelet. Good review

[@Scum8ag]

Hi Ben, long time fan, been with the channel since it's humble fashion watches-bashing era (doin' the lord's work). Therefore I can say that your vocal presentation has really improved. Not sure if you worked on it consciously but in any case you sound 100x better than a year ago mate!

[@BensWatchClub]

Thanks mate, yeah it's weird I was thinking about just that this morning after seeing one of my old videos 😂

[@karlroberts580]

Ice cold Ben. Cracking design with British features. Seems like a real quality product and with a discount code. What’s not to like?

[@Dave062YT]

They make a ton of great quartz models too .I own 4 the latest was only £89 from their website sale. it's a roundel btw not a target ,same as you would see on British planes .

[@ConsularCandidate]

Cool. I'd go for a Laco or a Smiths/Speedbird if I was looking for a flieger in this price bracket, but there's at least some value here.

[@ryanlarsen97]

Third definitely fits in cool. Nothing ice cold or uncool about it

[@kheldaur2107]

I'm debating between cool and ice cool. I really like the aesthetic of this watch. Shame it's a bit too big on diameter. A 40mm case would be something I'd really be interested in.

[@giabaotao7465]

Attemt 3: hey Ben! I’d suggest you take a look at a Japanese brand called Knot. They make some pretty clean looking watches and I’d be interested to see what you have to say about them!

[@zelphx]

I just went to their site... they are sweet looking watches (I need to look at more details), and have an awesome Japanese vibe! Thanks for the heads-up.

[@BigNorthumbrian]

Really? Hideous little fashion watches 🤮

[@giabaotao7465]

mutantmoments I personally own the chronograph version, I was reluctant at first since I thought it would be like any other fashion watch but I definitely feel like some work has gone into this watch. Sure, they’ve got some Nomos vibes but man are they good looking

[@watsondna]

Beautiful video of the bracelet nicely done.

[@petersmith8350]

It looks a well engineered watch and I like the pilot aeronautical theme I would defo buy one so i rate it as cool. Thanks for the review 👍

[@andrebalsa203]

It's a heavy chunk of steel with a Japanese NH35 movement and a sapphire glass. Not a bad watch and not overpriced at around 265€, but personally I couldn't carry this thing on my wrist for a full day, it's just too heavy and the oversize unprotected crown would dig in the back of my left hand all day long. Also it's quite probably made in China, and one can get a slimmer watch with the exact same Japanese movement and a sapphire glass for 1/3 the price on AliExpress.

[@beafrica]

Great video, unfortunately the watch is no where to be found, I have looked every where but they are all sold out. If you know where I can find one. I will be super grateful. Keep the great work.

[@Andrew.W75]

I'd rate this as cool, it's a well designed watch!

[@AnthonyLauder]

Is a "0" instead of a "12" common on flight watches? It certainly caught my attention.

[@eoghanmyers2330]

Not common, but I've seen it once or twice

[@ronin-elsukafa6688]

That's how you recognize an AVI-8

[@illyth63]

It's an AVI-8 signature, intended to evoke the 0 on the top of cockpit altimeters or other instruments.

[@pkn5607]

Wish it came in a 38mm case size. Looks great but too big for me

[@OmerBonfil]

@@ronin-elsukafa6688 or a Raketa watch, I think they were the first ones 😺

[@thebaldwatchcollector]

For the price of a Hugo Boss, Armani or other fashion brand you can get a solid Dartmouth Brand watch from Spinnaker, Avi8 and Dufa, all amazing value for money.

[@nintendokings]

Nah. Most watches from the entire Dartmouth Brand range are fashion watches. A whole lot of quartz watches for ~$130, and act like they're German or Scandinavian etc when they're just Chinese/HK (with a UK contact address lol) and made in China, with names like 'Fjord' to sound Scandi when there's literally nothing Scandi about them. Or using some generic western name like 'James McCabe'. Or calling their brand 'Dartmouth' just trying to sound fancy, copying the British university. And they have a big marketing budget and give out free watches to many KZbinrs. It's a brand started by some savvy Asian marketing entrepreneurs, acting like they're western. Sounds a lot like a fashion brand, doesn't it? The main difference is that some Dartmouth watches are okay value. Mainly because they are based in HK/China and can offer these good specs. DW is worse value but hey at least they actually have Scandinavian HQ and origins. You can get better value from other Asian brands for half the price of Dartmouth. But if you like the design, it ain't terrible.

[@therodentryresistance95]

They should have stick to 40mm and 48mm lug to lug to make it more of an universal wearing piece.

[@RudiXeno]

Let me put your mind at ease. I'm wearing mine right now and it wears smaller than its specs would suggest, owing to its female solid end links that allow the bracelet to drop directly down from the watch head. It wears more like a 47mm lug to lug.

[@blackburnheart]

My only question is: Should I buy it in green or blue?

[@racamon]

Yeah, I would rate this one as Cool. Just because Flyboy name and Avi-8 are kinda lame to have on the wrist. But, great value for the money!

[@tonicrpo377]

It looks like a cool watch for a daily use. Thanks for your review

[@davidteer80]

I have the same watch, but I took off the metal band and put on a brown leather strap

[@rava2107]

Sorry Ben but that's not a milled clasp it's definitely pressed look at the bends on the edges sharp on the interior angle but rounded on the outer angle, a sure fire way to tell if its pressed or milled.

[@BCallum]

I was impressed by this watch. It is very cool.

[@RavenWindrunner]

By the way, I'd rate this ice cold, seems really well executed with little to dislike (only things I can think of is the poor longevity of the lume)

[@1975Loeven]

I have the Sydney model. Love it, great value for the money.

[@TheWatchtowerWatchReviews]

It's a nice looking watch, was there anything in it you disliked?

[@russellharris5072]

Cool(ish),but I'll stick with my Steeldive pilot watch with the same movement sapphire crystal and 200 meters water resistance,of course I could use my Orient Wingman with no hacking or hand winding sadly discontinued...........................

[@chaosnyli]

Huge Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic vibes. Digging the texture dial but printed gradients bother me. For the price though, hard to argue.

[@whatthe6532]

Love it except the crown seems out of place with the font.

[@coldude2559]

Cool, it would go to ice cold if they offered an option for small wrists

[@bizbuildershawaii1719]

Can you review ZEPELLIN watches? I think they're absolutely handsome and made in Germany

[@pyzik200]

Love the hands.

[@neilurwin9670]

Brilliant Watch And Video All The Best Health To You.

[@potgieterl]

Cool, lots of value for the price.

[@TheJms212]

I would say cool. it looks amazing but looses a small amount of points with the extra complexity that comes with the dial

[@nicks8026]

The design is a dog’s breakfast mashup of influences. The name references WWI fliers. The hands and dial are German flieger circa WWII. Then there’s the RAF roundel on the seconds hand. The moment you begin to look at the influences and inspirations, you realize it’s all a bit of a mess. That being said, it might be Avi 8’s cleanest piece.

[@duncanhamilton5841]

AVI-8 should be shown to all design students as a lesson in knowing when to stop adding bits. All of them just have too much going on.

[@tobiasrottenbach1769]

A pretty cool modern Flieger.

[@cerberus3838]

This Avi-8 is ice cold. Great value. How the hell did the garbage MVMT from the previous video get so high on the cool wall?

[@TheWeardale1]

the caseback design reminds me of viz - billy the fish

[@mrbacchus6127]

Best avi8 yet.

[@adamoreilly6337]

Weird? Just thinking when would you drop a new video and here one is 👍

[@joelsantiago47]

I think it sits on your wrist just fine. 😀 I think for me it's cool

[@mstevens113]

It's a Roundel not target. Matches the red\white\blue roundels used as identifying markers on RAF aircraft (disclaimer: other colours are available in use by other inferior air forces 😉)

[@TheRausing1]

You always talk about how thin your wrists are but in this case I felt the watch actually looks very good and well placed on your wrist, from those wrist shots at least. Pilots watches are supposed to be big!

[@milanioom]

This is a cool watch for sure.

[@gabrielpraslin9576]

I'm surprised the MVMT didn't land on the garbage list. This one is ice cold, by the way.

[@ikybaiiki]

A Ingersoll next please

[@Catcrumbs]

I like the concept of a zero-indexed dial, but they ruined the execution by putting '24' where '12' should be.

[@chewchua]

Ice cool x2, Ben.

[@nintendokings]

Uncool. £191 is decent for the specs. But find the design a bit bland. It is a pilot-themed watch, but isn't really a flieger/pilot watch. The cross in the middle, the small 13, 14, 15..markers, the round seconds hand etc have no practical use for aviation, just make it look more pilot-ish. I get that pilots don't use watches anymore (for aviating), but they could at least pretend. When it comes to fliegers, I say get an homage of a flieger that was actually used, like the B-Uhr or A-Uhr. You can find some on AliExpress for ~£80 with the same specs. Not to mention Avi8 is just a Chinese/HK brand, made in China. Might as well just buy a legit Chinese watch that's not pretending to be western. These watches are fashion watches in my book.

[@nintendokings]

Actually, those Ali watches don't have nice metal bracelets. If you like the design and want a decent bracelet, £191 is actually good value.

[@JeeGee114]

@@nintendokings A Flieger needs a nice leather studded strap. A Bund strap or a nice green grey, black or green Nato.

[@davidoffrance]

Nice design indeed!

[@fahmi9]

The code doesn't work

[@jono8884]

Ice cold just based on quality materials and nice design.

[@ethand4784]

I'm a bit late but I'm here

[@ianbutler1983]

I like it, except for the printing. Flyboy? AVI-? That is all a bit cutesy for my. Maybe I am just an old fuddy duddy.....

[@nikolasapostalidis2953]

Allow me to get shot down in flames ........ fly boy, I take it that’s a light hearted joke , I don’t think I’ll be tempted because of That alone, bit like having a spinnaker watch with “captain pugwash” on it, other than that is a really clear face, smart for sure But why only 50m water resistant? - so for me, it misses the mark, so I have to put it in the uncool bucket....... ok now, fire away!

[@Michael-Hammerschmidt]

Hey Ben! If you're tired of "low quality Chinese garbage" it might be cool if you check out Sea-gull's relatively high quality Chinese watches. They're the oldest brand in China and, at one point, I believe they were the largest manufacturers of mechanical movements in the world by volume. I like the minimalist style of their 819.12.5038 model, which Sea-gull Canada informed me comes with a ST 2130 movement. A copy of the ETA 2824 which the "watch repair channel" gave a pretty positive review of. link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ_OoYibq8eIobs

[@noobfl]

this watch does nothing wrong. the avi8 theme is not on the nose like a lot other watches from avi8, the quality seems to be there. i think, this watch is cool on the edge to ice cold

[@BassMatriX]

Ice cold, no doubt.

[@andrei-cosmin.popa85]

Not my cup of tea, but I'd say it's ice cold, all things considered (build quality, looks, price)

[@modmod392]

Phist

[@kiwilonewolf]

Cool!