Islander x Hemel Hawkeye 39mm Modern Flieger with Black Dial #ISL-203

Islander and Hemel have joined creative forces to bring to you the Hawkeye, a modern interpretation of the classical flieger watch. The creative mind behind Hemel, Marvin Menke, has made dials for Islander in the past, such as the DPA dials. But this was our first full-blown collaboration model.

Named after the plane produced by Grumman on Long Island, the Hawkeye will be your perfect daily companion. At just 39mm in diameter, it is ideal for those who find that standard 42mm fliegers are too large. The sector dial is done in matte black, mostly sterile, with the logos of both creators located cleverly at the dots next to the 12:00 triangle. The rehaut is printed with classic military time markers, but not busy at all. Small dial elements, such as larger 3/6/9 numerals come to life after staring at it for a while.

The caseback is solid screwdown, and bears the collaborators names. Inside is an NH38 movement that is a true no-date movement. It hand winds and hacks, and provides a 40 hour power reserve. A flat scratch-resistant sapphire crystal helps to protect the watch, and anti-glare coating on the inner surface keeps legibility at a maximum. A screwdown crown aids in the 100 meter water resistance.

When the lights go down, generous application of Super-LumiNova BGW9 lights the hands and indices in a cool-blue color. Speaking of blue, check out the blue hands! Classic flieger color and classic shape as well. Securing the Hawkeye to your wrist is a 20mm H-link bracelet, with negative endlinks that taper to 18mm at a 3 position micro-adjust clasp.

We asked Marvin to share some thoughts about the design:

My goal is always to add to the conversation of horology and in this case expand the idea of what a pilot watch could be. As a graphic designer, my entryway into collecting (and designing) is always via the dial. Nothing animates me more than building out the reader interface…building out the negative spaces for all the dial elements and unique details to coincide in. Hemel is most known for pilot watches and this newest design is my way of delivering the iconic style to even more collectors.

This project was very special to me because like my other collaborations with the US Air Force and Mathey Tissot, for example, I could yet again expand the idea of what a microbrand could be. With Marc I could team up with one of the more recognized and respected retailers among watch collector circles, Island Watch. I always defined Island Watch as the destination for great watches with great movements at great prices. This is the trifecta for the wallet friendly consumer - so to create watches with both our brand names on the dial is very fulfilling.

Watch collecting is about community and within Marc’s Island Watch community, or my own Facebook group, The League of Microbrands community, it’s collaborations like this that I think demonstrate what co-operation can achieve. If I could get one more person interested in mechanical watches through the power of community, then by all rights I would say “goal achieved”.