On 22nd March 1941, the US Department of War activated the 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first all-Black aviation unit that came to be known as the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. On the 85th anniversary of that year, pilot’s watch specialists Avi-8 are paying tribute to those heroes with the release of the Avi-8 P-51 Mustang Patriot Automatic Tuskegee Airmen 85th Anniversary Limited Edition. A bold pilot’s tool watch in the unit’s signature colours.
Starting with the case, it measures 43mm in diameter with a pronounced crown guard that gives it a very broad profile on the wrist. Certainly big, but not out of character for a pilot’s watch where sizes tend to be on the larger side in order to provide wider dials and therefore improved legibility. Which is vital for pilots who need to take precise timings at only a glance.
That’s also where the characteristically oversize Arabic numerals come into play, though some of them have been altered in favour of a dash of colour and fun for the anniversary special edition. The numerals for 01 and 02 o’clock have been replaced with markers for 05 and 10 minutes to provide a short mission timer and allow space for the Tuskegee Airmen inscription. Similarly, the numeral for 08 has been replaced with 85 and coloured red in celebration of the 85th anniversary. Those red and yellow accents riffing on the signature colours of the Tuskegee Airmen.
The dial also features small technical elements such as open-heart apertures that reveal glimpses of the watch’s inner workings. That includes screws, a ruby and the date dial drive wheel – all of which give the technical appearance of an aircraft’s cockpit and are primarily shown for that technical aesthetic rather than being the most impressive parts of the movement such as the balance. While you’re inspecting the dial closely you’ll also notice that multiple finishes are used with the quadrant towards 04 and 05 featuring vertical brushing while the rest has a leather grain texture.
Powering the watch is the Miyota 8215 automatic with 42-hour power reserve. It’s visible through the exhibition caseback where you can admire its commemorative rotor with Tuskegee Airmen markings. A fitting tribute. The watch is also a limited edition of just 400 pieces at a price of $350 (approx. £255), making it nice and accessible, especially for a mechanical timepiece with distinctive elements like this.
Price and Specs:
More details at AVI-8.
