Men's Chronograph with a Cause: Limited Edition AVI-8 Watch Supports Veterans

Working together with Help for Heroes, AVI-8 has launched a limited 500 piece release of their popular Hawker Hurricane Chronograph. The Japanese Quartz driven timepiece takes elements from the standard model, but is smartened up to be potentially more versatile to be worn daily.

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A cause to support Veterans

Help for Heroes is a charity that provides service to Veterans of the British Armed Forces, providing physical, psychological, welfare and financial support to those with injuries and illnesses as a result of their service. Anyone who buys one of these watches can do so knowing that at least 5% of every sale of the limited edition watch will be used to support the charity.

A Hero's watch face

The watch face itself comes highlighted with Help for Heroes' symbolic color scheme of navy blue, red and light blue, representing the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. The design elements are a subtle way of showing solidarity in supporting the cause, while looking good at the same time.

The Hawker Hurricane Chronograph Help for Heroes Edition contains three subdials, with the stopwatch's seconds subdial at the 12 o'clock position, minutes at the 9 o'clock position, and a 24-hour hour dial at the 3 o'clock position. The first two subdials are what makes this watch a chronograph, but the 24-hour dial is the first of its kind that I have seen. It's interesting as most watches with a date display have the common problem while adjusting the time, where you're not sure if you're in the AM or PM. This subdial makes sure you never make the wrong adjustment to the hour and accidentally push the date forward.

What AVI-8 describes as an 'inverse-panda' look, the mostly matte-black watch face is accentuated with a silvery-white chapter ring, subdials and brushed metallic hands. The elegant white and black contrast sprinkled with the tri-color motif gives this special edition Hawker Hurricane a licence to be dressed both up and down.

Stainless steel hardware and mineral glass

Continuing the elegant matte-black theme of the watchface, the stainless steel watch case and solid bracelet are all in a brushed metallic black PVD finish. The PVD coating provides better wearability than plain stainless steel cases, and the dark ebony aesthetics make it both serious and versatile.

The crown of the limited edition Hawker Hurricane was also designed deliberately to provide a subtle and tasteful nod to the British Hurricanes of WW2. The knurled crown has a polished black finish - contrasting it with the rest of the brushed metal look, and also marked with a debossed roundel on its side.

Though the Hawker Hurricane Chronograph Help for Heroes Edition is a sub-$300 watch, AVI-8 definitely did not skimp out on the hardware on this watch, using high quality build as well as paying attention to every detail.

Watch box for supporters of Heros

AVI-8 tops off its new limited edition watch with an impressive gift box that can be used as a watch case, and also includes dedicated space for the included leather strap (which ingeniously utilizes the tri-color theme in its stitches), a strap-changing multi-tool, and all the paperwork that comes with the watch. The canvas case is so well built that it fits to be proudly displayed in a wardrobe or in a cabinet, and will make your watch a beautiful centerpiece even when it's not worn.

Final Verdict

Being the watchmaker that builds unique aviation inspired timepieces, AVI-8's partnership with a charity that supports veterans is a match made in heaven. The design decisions made on the Hawker Hurricane Chronograph Help for Heroes Edition is far from a cheap sponsorship, but instead a thoughtful incorporation of the charity's motif. The amazing attention paid to its details makes it much more than a generic merch, but instead a unique timepiece that is both versatile and meaningful to wear for all watch lovers.

David is a tech enthusiast/writer who is often on the move and is on a mission to explore ways to make his overhaul flights more enjoyable. This is a contribution to an ongoing IBTimes review series on gadgets for Business Travellers.