Flyboy Eagle Squadron Bronze Automatic
The Eagle Squadrons were three fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) formed with volunteer pilots from the United States during the early days of World War II (prior to America’s entry into the war inDecember1941). By 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbour, the Americans had joined the war effort, and the three squadrons formed were transferred to the United States Air Force.
Nonetheless, the bravery, sacrifice by a small group of Americans has not been forgotten and is commemorated by The Eagle Squadrons Memorial located in Grosvenor Square opposite a statue of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The AVI-8 Flyboy Eagle Squadron Bronze Automatic Limited Edition pays tribute to the Eagle Squadron through a vintage pilot watch forged out of a classic silhouette. It is imagined with both history and technology, creating a time piece that is a perfectly wearable homage to this chapter in the heroism of military aviation.
A 39mm diameter case with a 22mm lug width sits comfortably on the wrist in a proportion true to the pilot watches worn during the war. A flat sapphire lens with anti-reflective coating offers a scratch-resistant clear window to the dial.
The dial itself offers legibility and clarity with the matt finish complemented by multiple layers of Swiss luminous painted on hour indexes. Blunt shape hands for the hour and minute display are also generously lumed for low-light visibility.
The Eagle Squadron is powered by a custom modified Seiko TMI NH35 self-winding automatic and is water-resistant to 50 meters.
The watch hugs the wrist with a vintage, horizontal hand-stitched leather strap but also comes packed with another supple yet sturdy genuine leather NATO strap.
Limited to 300 pieces, this uniquely elegant timepiece comes packed in a handsome canvas-covered field like box along with a brass plated plaque, extra strap and strap changing tool, making for a superb watch appealing to enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Bronze is mankind’s oldest alloy that is comprised of copper and tin, in addition to other metals such as aluminium, manganese, nickel and zinc. Bronze first appeared as early as 4000 BC and was used in both ancient jewellery and weaponry. The metal is renowned for its anti-magnetic qualities, and for having a substantially higher Vickers (hardness) rating compared to most metals, including steel.
Modern aerospace technology proposes bronze as a material of choice in applications such as the landing gear of an aircraft, owing to its heavy loading and resilience as a material. Bronze is also of course renowned for its use in medals to pay homage and respect to the heroism of those serving in different branches of the armed forces.
As these timepieces’ cases are bronze, it may develop a layer of oxidization over the surface of the case known as patina.
Patina is the result of the reaction of bronze with external agents such as air, moisture, heat and friction. It does not alter the properties of the material, but it is evidence of ageing, giving each piece its own unique personality and character. Acting as a skin, the green, brown and black hues that emerge act as a protective layer and as the surface of the metal becomes covered, it slows down any further oxidization of the metal