The watch brand AVI-8 isn't just inspired by aviation - the minds behind the company are driven by a passion for all things aeronautical, from planes to people, and most importantly, history. Each line in the brand's catalog is named after a historically significant aircraft: Spitfire, Hawker Harrier, Hawker Hunter, Hawker Hurricane, and the indomitable P-51 Mustang. In its latest model, the P-51 Mustang Hitchcock Automatic, the brand pays homage to a truly remarkable man who played a crucial role in the creation of the P-51 Mustang, Tommy Hitchcock Jr.
Hitchcock's biography, born at the dawn of the 20th century, reads like fiction. An athlete and school president, Hitchcock dropped out of school to join the Lafayette Flying Corps in France during World War I, where he was shot down, captured by the Germans, and then escaped by jumping off a train, traveling over 100 miles through enemy lines to safety in Switzerland.
He then studied at Harvard and Oxford, after which he led the USA polo team to victory at the 1921 International Polo Cup (and received numerous other awards in the sport). All of this was a prelude to his work on the P-51 Mustang during his service as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Sadly, he died in 1944 in the very plane he helped develop. Oh, and if Hitchcock seems a bit familiar, F. Scott Fitzgerald based the character Tom Buchanan in the novel The Great Gatsby on him. What a life!
No matter how impressive Hitchcock's life was, let's not forget the legacy of the P-51 Mustang, an aircraft easily called one of the most iconic planes ever flown by the U.S. Air Force. These fighters escorted bombers on raids over Germany during World War II and reportedly shot down about 5,000 enemy aircraft. To say they earned their place in aviation history would be a gross understatement.
Honoring this fighter's legacy, AVI-8 developed a line of watches dedicated to the P-51 Mustang. Like the other models in the P-51 Mustang line, the Hitchcock Automatic features the same case and design language. The 43mm case is equipped with a crown reminiscent of the P-51's engine exhaust pipes. As a result, the case and crown design is not only attractive and comfortable but also highly functional, protecting the crown from accidental impacts. Smooth lines continue in the mid-case and lugs - sleek and elegant, yet undoubtedly aggressive.
The dial of the P-51 Mustang Hitchcock Automatic consists of multiple layers, colors, and textures inspired by the iconic aircraft. The font resembles instrument panels, and the dial's textures and design are directly taken from the cockpit and fuselage of the P-51 Mustang. Despite the complexity of the dial's design, the P-51 Mustang Automatic, as is appropriate for pilots, offers exceptional readability. The P-51 Mustang Hitchcock Automatic is available in four color options (Meadow Brook, Cooperstown, Greentree, and Sands Point), inspired by the various polo clubs Hitchcock represented throughout his outstanding sports career.
The P-51 Mustang Hitchcock Automatic is equipped with the time-tested Seiko NH35 automatic movement, visible beneath the case back. The crystal bears the inscription "Ten Goal Tommy," a nickname given to Hitchcock due to his 10-goal handicap in polo.
A magnificent genuine leather strap with a soft lining, created in the likeness of P-51 Mustang seats, completes the package. Each color option is accompanied by a strap that complements the tones of the dial and case.
In line with the brand's commitment to accessibility, the AVI-8 P-51 Mustang Hitchcock Automatic can already be purchased for $330 ($350 for the Sands Point model with a black case). To learn more about AVI-8 watches and the P-51 Mustang Hitchcock Automatic model, visit the brand's website.