AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon AV-4093 “Sheila” Review

The latest watch from AVI-8 is a collaboration with the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group. Is the AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon worth the money?

AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon AV-4093 “Sheila” Review

I’ve reviewed quite a few AVI-8 watches and found them to be a bit of a mixed bag. Unlike sister brand Spinnaker, who barely put a foot wrong, AVI-8 tends to focus on a lower end of the market, with quartz fashion watches coexisting with high quality watches like the Flyboy Centenary.

This watch is produced in collaboration with the Hawker Typhoon Preservation group, and when you buy it you can send off for a lapel badge and other goodies from the group. You can find out all about their work restoring a Hawker Typhoon named Sheila at their website https://hawkertyphoon.com.

The packaging is emblazoned with the group’s logo and looks great in yellow and blue. It’s the standard AVI-8 box which is perfect for its purpose and looks suitably special compared to the usual drab military colour scheme.

Case and Movement

The case is in a black PVD finish which didn’t seem to scratch easily – as can often be the case. As usual for AVI-8 the finishing is good but not exceptional – certainly appropriate for their place in the market. There are some nice touches – the anodised green chronograph pusher and the knurling on the crown being particular highlights.

The movement, though, is what lets the AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon down: it is a Japanese chronograph movement but, unlike a normal chronograph, the main sweep second hand on the dial constantly ticks. Activating the chronograph makes the 1/10 second dial spin round, and the elapsed minutes and 24-hour dial function normally – but I can’t easily measure the number of elapsed seconds because the dial at 6 O’clock is so tiny! This makes the watch difficult to use as a chronograph.

Dial and Hands

The dial on the AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon is exquisite – it has multiple layers, applied features and a sense of depth that has to be seen to be believed. The sub-dials all work – albeit they’re hard to read – that’s why Swiss automatic chronograph movements only count to 30 on their elapsed minutes dial.

The colour scheme is excellent, with great contrast between elements. This watch really stands out on the wrist. The hands are bold and legible – as long as the ambient light is just right. I found that in the sunlight the domed crystal could make the watch start to look very washed out due to reflections – as you can see in the photographs.

Strap and Buckle

I always praise AVI-8’s straps and this one is just as good as the rest I have reviewed. The colour matches the dial perfectly and the stitching is really nicely done.

The buckle – a standard tang – matches the watch’s PVD coating and works just fine.

AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon – Video Review

AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon – The WRUK Verdict

I really wanted to like the AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon. It’s supporting a great cause and – at first glance – it’s a good looking watch. The trouble is, it is not really functional as a chronograph because the elapsed seconds dial is too small, and that large ticking second-hand bothers me as a result. AVI-8 has plenty of other watches to choose from, including the excellent Flyboy Engineer, which I would pick ahead of this model.

If you want to support the Typhoon Preservation Group and can live with the watch’s flaws then you will be getting a great looking, well-built watch. Sadly, this one is just not for me.

Buy an AVI-8 Hawker Typhoon

You can buy this watch from AVI-8 Watches – Use our link and AVI-8 discount code WRUK for 20% off stocked non-discounted lines. Find out more about “Sheila” at https://avi-8.co.uk/pages/typhoon-sheila-teaser

For an even bigger discount, join the AVI-8 Watch Enthusiasts Facebook Group, which has an exclusive discount code for its members.

Win a Watch!

AVI-8 sent us this sample for free, so we are giving it away at: https://wristwatchreview.co.uk/giveaway

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