Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2vsAVI-8 Hawker Hunter Avon Chronograph

The Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2 is widely praised for its balanced design, excellent legibility, and strong GADA (go-anywhere, do-anything) capabilities, featuring 300m water resistance and a scratch-resistant coating. Reviewers note its comfortable 40mm case size and good lume, though one source describes it as good but not great. The movement is a Sellita SW200 adjusted by the brand, with accuracy reported around ±8 seconds per day. The pre-order price is $650, with a standard price of $850. On balance, reviewers find the Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2 to be a compelling option due to its functional design and robust specifications.

Owners widely report the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter's unique handless design with rotating discs is not easily legible but can be learned, and the 45mm case wears comfortably. One owner praises the leather strap and clasp as incredibly soft, while another flags the case, crown, and crystal fitment as lacking and feeling cheap, noting the mineral glass crystal will scratch easily. The Miyota automatic movement is considered trustworthy, though the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter is sometimes seen as having a design similar to other brands. On balance, owners appreciate the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter for its unique time-telling mechanism and comfortable wearability, despite some concerns about case finishing and crystal durability.