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AVI-8

AVI-8
Is it because I am undecisive or am I just lucky that I like so many different styles of watches. Like any watch enthusiast, you will identify yourself as someone that does not need to go diving in order to wear a divers watch. I won’t necessarily wear a vintage style when I go to a 60’s themed party.
However, I might wear a Cuervo Y Sobrinos when I am chewing a cigar, but then again, its more about the mood then the event.
But I also enjoy being different, having something unusual or maybe because it just gives me something to talk about.
So here comes the AVI-8. I am wearing one of these watches for nearly 2 weeks (yes that doesn’t happen often, but that’s as long as it ever gets). People have asked me about it, they are all over Facebook and have some very cool designs.
Obviously AVI-8 is all about aviation. The designs are very WWI and WWII aviator style. As they say, the collection of timepieces seeks to honor both the aircraft and the untold story of the airmen who have dedicated themselves both in and out of the cockpit to bring these incredible machines to life.
Being quite a military and aircraft fan myself, I was happy that the Hawker got some well-deserved attention.
The Hawker besides constantly being updated is unique for the short runways or where landing is not the easiest. Basically, the rebel, the different one, the unique one. Just the way I like it.
The khaki numerals on the face and on the hands are nice to complete the military look, along with the matching strap. The stand-out is the reminder of the Altimeter cockpit dial which does not have a 12 but the 0.
I have seen plenty with the 24 instead of the 12, but the 0 is quite unique.
The Hawker Harrier II also has a day display which is quite neat. An indicator displays next to the current day while all days remain visible and the week starts with Monday. Though a cute feature, I would have preferred this to be on the left side of the face which is where you can often find the checklist on the instrument panel of the aircraft dials.
The back is nicely engraved with a nice picture of the Hawker II, you can find plenty of open backs at AVI-8, and Im usually a fan of the open back, but for the sake of the aircraft, I am quite happy with this.
But it wears very nicely, the genuine leather strap is very comfortable and the one I am wearing is quite thick and I like that the AVI-8 is deeply incrusted into the leather strap. Which also means that it will not fade or be illegible after wearing it for a while.
Buckle is simple but also has the AVI-8 on it and the casing along with the fact that its 50M is quite a shame. However, the movement is decent for this type of watch and fits the price nicely, Citizen has some excellent movements that are found in many similar watches. The retail is quite higher then what you can get it for, but that’s part of the fun of finding your watch.

Today’s watchista

Baselworld 2017

The rally rocked, the show was fun, the people were awesome and eyecandy (I mean the wrist accessories!!) were oh so tempting.

 So, I will Instagram some pictures now and slowly but slowly dedicate the right time to all my observations, meetings.

 Obviously, the release of the new version of the Rolex sky-dweller a huge hit (and price difference) and a huge focus on Patek Philippe as usual. But I met some awesome people off the beaten path.

 Some at brands that you may recognize, while others may be less known to ya’all but definitely have a story to tell and an inner passion that deserve the attention.

 I admit that I expected to see more people and some companies no longer attend, which are definitely missed.

 Unfortunately, time flies when you’re having fun and could not see everyone that I had hoped for.

 So ‘watch’ out for the upcoming posts and definitely follow us on Instagram @ watchista911 for the cool pictures of Baselworld17 and parts of our Premier Rally to the show and back.

 

Today’s watchista

The Avant-Premiere

My friend Jamal was co-producer of a children’s movie.  He told me a lot about it along the entire trail of filming which took a year (was supposed to be like a month) and I was genuinely excited for him.

It was his very first movie and Jamal being the nicest of guys and a perfectionist, I knew it would shlep and take forever till it’s ready.

Finally the day arrived and I see a PM from Jamal, please join me at the avant-premiere to my production.

Whooa, I was really excited. The movie is about a girl from Turkish origin living in Belgium and is able to save a child trapped in a fairy tale. Ok that was the VERY short version and I just gave away the happy ending, sorry.

The movie was all filmed in Antwerp with many local Belgian actors/actresses and in Flemish ( with a touch of Turkish and English). So I called my date, who told me she might be busy that evening , but finally called me back at work and I was really excited when she said :  “Daddy, I think I can make it , so Ill go with you, what should I wear and what time are we going?”

Did I mention my daughter is 13?  Anyway, you will look great sweetie, so happy you’re joining me; ill pick you up at 7pm.

Dark suit, pink shirt no tie and yep….here it comes –

eenie meeny miny mo which ‘montre’ will come along to the show?

And there it was my modern yet vintage Girard Perragaux. It was perfect. I love this watch because it fits any day and any type of event. The rubber band would fit the movies, the vintage and deep look it has will fit the type of event, of and the glow in the dark time will definitely be beneficial, don’t forget…it is a kids movie I’m going to be sitting thru.

But it also had a deeper meaning, yeah im that nuts. GP was the first watch make to have all facets made under one roof. From a-z all thru their in-house team, which also led them to eventually years later to become the first large commercially available wristwatch. So I guess it made me think of Jamal and his movie bringing different nationalities and languages into one production.

So there she is, accompanying me to the avant-premiere of Isra en het Magisch boek” under one arm and on the other wrist she lays perfectly right next to the VIP bracelet for the after-movie reception.

 

Daddy’s little girls ….

And they lived happily ever after,

The end.

 

 

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Baselworld

Baselworld

The clock is ticking. We are getting ready to cover this unmissable show for this multifaceted industry.

All the key players and best known brands at this global trendsetting show under one roof.

March 23rd  –  March 30th , 2017 will be a thrilling experience. The who is who will be seen and the ‘who is that?’ can be discovered.

Especially this year at the new Baselworld area called ‘Les Ateliers’ (Hall 1.2) with more independent watchmaking brands than ever.

I will be trekking off the beaten path with first of all the debut of the  Baselworld Rally. Leaving from the Antwerp luxury / Diamond capital of the world and driving to the BaselWorld fair. Together with our sponsors, we will be covering this drive with fun, vintage, old and young-timers.

The drive itself will be an experience and then while the drivers and passengers have fun and free time at the show, I have few surprisingly cool interviews lined up.

So, …. you can still sign up for the Baselworld Rally, join the drive or become a sponsor.

Your logo will be on the Anvers – Bale car decal and will be visible until we come back to Antwerp.

Hop along,