Watches & Pencils #34 – Eza Airfighter
For the past few months I’ve had the pleasure to work on a new creative project, related to a Dutch brand: Eza watches. You might have heard of them. We’ve already reviewed the Sealander-model and we were at the launch event of the new Eza Airfighter watch (here). It was this watch and its particular looks and name that inspired me to create this illustration:
In this episode we will take a closer look at the model and review the most remarkable characteristics of the Eza Airfighter.
Size and Proportion
The first aspect I would like to discuss is the size. With its curved lugs, 41mm case diameter and 13mm of height this watch sits surprisingly comfortable on most wrists. Unlike many other pilot inspired watches it doesn’t feel like a massive chunk on your wrist. The Eza Airfighter isn’t suitable to be worn over the sleeve of your leather flight jacket, but it is rather a downsized and modernized execution. The lug to lug distance is 48mm and the slender curved lugs wrap nicely around the wrist. The front part of the case is brushed and gives it a toolwatch look. The sides have a shiny polished finish, which does create a nice contrast with the brushed parts of the case.
Reflections
As soon as you spend some time with the Eza Airfighter you will notice that most of the interesting parts are subtle. One of them is reflection. Particular design elements cause interesting reflections: For example the blued hands, which change from dark black to a bright blue tone based on light conditions. The other element is the sapphire crystal with engraved logo and name. Depending on the lighting those engravings drop a distinct shadow on the dial. This also enforces depth and adds a nice extra to the dial with its almost purely functional design.
Onion Crown
The crown is modest sized and operates very smooth. By pulling it out one click you can wind the movement by hand. When you pull it out another click you can adjust the time. The seconds stop to guarantee accuracy (hacking second). When we look to the side of the watch we spot a nice engraved logo.
Case Back
When we flip the watch over, we see that the case back is engraved with the movement: an automatic ETA-2824. A movement with 38-40 hours of power reserve. Besides other branding elements and some parameters every watch is engraved with a unique identification number. Although I find it a humorous wink to engrave the movement I personally would have preferred a sight onto the movement with an Eza-branded rotor. Ergo, a display case back.
Adjustment and Inspection: A Personal Touch
Every Eza Airfighter comes with a certificate to show the buyer that it has been adjusted to six different positions at Eza in the Netherlands. It is filled-in by hand and is a nice extra. Especially for a watch in the segment under 1000 Euros/Dollars.
Complete Package
The watch is packed in a cardboard box with the Eza logo. When you open the box, there is another glossy branded box in it. But it doesn’t stop there. In the box is a branded leather pouch with the Eza Airfighter in it, together with a cleaning cloth. The watch also comes with a NATO strap. Overall, both the leather and NATO strap feel comfortable and solid. I did chose to go for a more conventional black strap, but the watch can also be ordered with a more extravagant quilted leather strap.
Eza Airfighter: True To Its Inspiration
As said, a lot of parts are purely functional. In my opinion this is a modern pilots watch with subtle design parts, but true to the military pilots watches of the past. Which were 100% functional after all. This watch is a lot of bang for the buck and overall a comfortable, legible pilots watch with own characteristic details. A nice extra are the pouch, extra nato and certificate.
The Eza Airfighter has a retail price of €599.17 (excl. VAT) via eza-watches.com. Good to know: besides the leather strap there is also a combination with mesh bracelet available. Check out their website for all the options.
