Watches, Stories, and Gear: A Cold War Spy Watch, the Making of Fight Club 20 Years Later, and More

“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a weekly roundup of some of our favorite watch content, great stories from around the web, and cool gear that we’ve got our eye on. This week’s installment is brought to you by AVI-8 watches and their Hawker Hurricane Chronograph Bulman Edition.

The Bulman Edition is named in honor of Captain Paul Ward Spencer Bulman, better known as George Bulman, the chief test pilot for the Hawker Aircraft. Bulman flew for the Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force) and was awarded the Military Cross and the Air Force Cross for his bravery and service to the country. Following his retirement from active service, Bulman became a test pilot for and director of the Hawker Aircraft Company. He worked closely with the company’s chief designer, Sir Sidney Camm, and had tested many of Camm’s prototypes, including the Hawker Hurricane.

The Hawker Hurricane Chronograph Bulman Edition measures 45mm in diameter with a bead blasted matte finish to the case. The dial features instrumentation-like chronograph sub-dials at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions with a raised, debossed tone-on-tone roundel at the 9 o’clock position. Arabic and baton shaped hour markers frame the watch with cutaway detailing and a luminous under-dial giving clarity and legibility in all lighting conditions. Classically shaped Fleiger hands are also lumed. Water resistant to 5ATM, the Bulman Edition is powered by a precision Japanese Seiko TMI module chronograph movement. Lastly, the watch is fitted with a vintage hand-stitched leather strap.

The Hawker Hurricane Chronograph Bulman Edition is available in three color variations, including two steel case models with either black or blue dial, and a black PVD case with matching black dial. The Bulman Edition is priced at GBP165 for the steel models and GBP180 for the PVD model (approx. $218 USD and $238 USD). To learn more and purchase one today, head to AVI-8’s online store.

Baselworld 2019 Coverage

Baselworld 2019 has come and gone, but there’s still plenty to discuss. Be sure to stay up to date with our ongoing coverage of some of the more interesting watches to come out of this year’s fair.

Stay tuned here

Worn & Wound – For Your Eyes Only: The Secret Microphone Wristwatch Worn by Cold War Spies

Blake Rong takes us back to the late ‘70s and tells a fascinating story of Cold War spycraft, a blown mission, and a secret microphone watch that was part of every spy’s kit. This is a Worn & Wound classic, and if you haven’t read it yet, then put this one on your to-do list.

Read it here

The Ringer – The First Rule of Making ‘Fight Club’: Talk About ‘Fight Club

1999 was a huge year for cinema, and Fight Club was a particular standout — one that to this day has major staying power. Pulling an excerpt from Brian Raftery’s new book, The Ringer tells the story of how the iconic flick, an unlikely and risky venture at the time for everyone involved, came together.

Read it here

Kotaku – The Dreams Of A Man Asleep For Three Weeks

In 2018, Mike Fahey was rushed to the hospital for life-saving surgery. Due to a series of complications, he didn’t regain full consciousness for nearly three weeks. Heavily sedated, Mike experienced a continuous cycle of dreams — dreams that he couldn’t wake from. This isn’t something you hear about too often, and it’s definitely worth a read.

Read it here

East Dane – Veja V-12 B Mesh Sneakers

Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion founded Veja shoes in 2005. The sneakers are made from organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon rainforest, and other environmentally-friendly materials. The styling is classic, borrowing from tennis sneakers, and extremely versatile, and perfect just in time for spring.

$140 – shop here

Huckberry – Type 2 Trucker Jacket in Cone Mills Denim

Flint and Tinder sourced the last batch of denim from the recently shuttered Cone Mills plant, and they decided to make something really special with it. Inspired by Type 2 jackets from the ‘50s, the Type 2 Trucker Jacket features pleats, large front pockets, and a classic silhouette. This one is cut and sewn in Lose Angeles, and it will only look better with wear.

$248 – shop here