AVI-8 mark the 80th anniversary of 617 Squadron and Operation Chastise with the AV-4108 Dambuster
Time+Tide- The AVI-8 AV-4108 Dambuster pays tribute to the 80th anniversary of the Dambuster Raids of 1943.
- It’s a followup to their Dambuster chronograph which has nearly sold out.
- £17 from each sale will go directly to helping people through the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal.
It’s safe to say that AVI-8 as a brand are obsessed with aviation, all the way from history-making aircraft to arcade dogfighting games. Bring up the RAF in WWII, and anyone with just a little bit of knowledge will certainly bring up the Dambusters. Formed to destroy three key dams in the Ruhr valley, 617 Squadron had to fly just 18m above the water level to drop bombs which would skip across the water’s surface, avoiding the torpedo nets below and the Flak anti-aircraft guns above. Following in the footsteps of their successful Dambuster chronograph, the new AVI-8 AV-4108 Dambuster marks the 80th anniversary of the Operation Chastise raid. And, a portion of the sales will aim to help support veterans, personnel and family members through the Royal British Legion.
AVI-8 explains: “In remembrance of the historic 80th anniversary of Operation Chastise and the valiant 617 Squadron, known as the Dambusters, the Dambuster 80th Anniversary Royal British Legion Meca-quartz Limited Edition pays tribute to the daring and skillful operation undertaken by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. The mission, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, involved surgically striking three major dams in Germany, demonstrating unparalleled bravery and technical brilliance.”
The watch itself takes some design inspiration from the cockpit of the Avro Lancaster bombers used by 617 Squadron, with the alternating indices and numerals reflecting a flight instrument. Red paint was used on many of the important switches and components, and even though there are many variations of the AVI-8 AV-4108 Dambuster, red finds its way onto all of them. At 12 o’clock and on the seconds counterbalance, you can see the red poppy of the Royal British Legion acting as a symbol of remembrance. The subdial is a 24-hour indicator, which is a useful function in an aviation watch. Other details include the years 1943 and 2023 showcasing the 80-year progression, and a neat guilloché ring next to the minute track.
The case is a bulky one at 43mm, and the lugs protrude strongly out of the case – its oversized nature in line with the larger form pilot’s watches have taken historically. The oversized crown is a fun addition, harkening back to the early days of pilot’s watches as well. The stainless steel is all brushed to emphasise its rugged nature, however the watch is also available with various coatings to significantly stylise the look. The options are Onyx Black and Navy Blue with a natural steel finish, Midnight Blue in gold, Merlot Red in black, and Carbon Brown in bronze.
Powering the AVI-8 AV-4108 Dambuster is the Seiko VH60 mecha-quartz movement, providing a sweep-second analogue display with all the reliability and accuracy of quartz. It’s still not quite as smooth as an automatic movement, but for those who can’t stand a single-second tick, it’s a big improvement for a low price. The leather straps with contrast stitching also feature a poppy on the buckles, and the lug width is 22mm should you want to play around with other kinds of straps.
The AVI-8 AV-4108 Dambuster pricing and availability
The AVI-9 AV-4108 Dambuster is now available as a limited edition of 1,775 pieces. Price: US$255
| Brand | AVI-8 |
| Model | Dambuster 80th Anniversary Royal British Legion Meca-Quartz Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | AV-4108 |
| Case Dimensions | 43mm (D) x 14mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black, blue, red, brown |
| Strap | Colour-matched leather |
| Movement | Seiko VH60, mechaquartz |
| Power Reserve | 2 year battery life |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, 24-hour indicator |
| Availability | Limited to 1,775 pieces |
| Price | US$255 |