Spinnaker has earned a reputation as a high-quality watchmaker focused on the nautically-inclined: divers, sailors & other seafaring folks (frankly, a notoriously finicky crowd). With admirable sponsorships like world record-holding free divers & sailing teams competing in the World Match Series, along with the unquestionable quality of their timepieces, it’s no wonder Spinnaker has a growing fanbase.

The team at AVI-8 is not new to making some of the best, durable, function-able, and comfortable men’s watches. built on the inspiration and design originating from the collaboration between pilots and engineers who served in air forces around the world, these watches tell more than time: they tell a story. Every collection is an explicit homage to the planes, people and history of military aviation. We tried out their Lafayette Bleu to see how this watch stands the test of time- and helps to tell it.