Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2vsAVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Classic 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 find the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph visually appealing with its thin bezel, pusher style, and dial colors, noting it stands out from common black dial watches. Some owners report the chronograph buttons can stick a little, and the 44mm case wears large with a small, hard-to-read date window. One owner was disappointed to find a Chinese DG-3809-3D movement, which is undecorated, and noted AVI-8 is often seen as a "fashion" brand and overpriced at MSRP for a quartz watch, though discounted prices made it a good deal. On balance, owners consider the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph a keeper for its visual appeal and solid case construction when purchased at a discounted price.