HEMEL is back with another big collaboration, this time with the United States Air Force (USAF). Introducing the Hemel X USAF edition.

Introducing the Hemel X USAF

Hemel has announced a new partnership with the United States Air Force. The HFT20 mecaquartz chronograph has been Hemel’s flagship time piece since it hit the market in 2017 it forms the basis of this special USAF collaboration. This watch is a reinvention of the mid-century chronographs issued to military pilots.

The Special Edition Hemel x USAF HFT20 is offered in a choice of four case backs. The first form has at its centre an advanced pilot helmet flanked by two lightning bolts. The second version features a flying F22 Raptor in silhouette. The next variation of the case back declares the Air Force’s mission objectives in Air, Space and Cyberspace within the backdrop of a constellation of stars and interconnected points which also form the silhouette of a jet. The final form is the Air Force’s declaration of
its ethos by assembling words that describe the characteristics, spirit and culture shared by US Air Force personnel arranged in a square engraved into the steel of the case back.

A Special Edition Thunderbirds case back is due later this year. The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the US Air Force, and they tour the world performing precision aerial manoeuvres and tightly synchronized aerial formations rather like our own Red Arrows. The squadron’s name is taken from a powerful spirit in the form of a bird that appears in the history of several indigenous North American cultures.

As with all Hemel watches, the case employs short, downward curved lugs for greater comfort among more wrists. The flat sapphire crystal is anti-reflective coated and the signed crown is diamond-shaped for greater ease of operation with gloved hands. Both the dials and the diamond cut steel hands along with the bezel are embedded with Superluminova C3. The straps are all handcrafted from Italian leather. As these straps age, they soften and darken while conforming to the wrist in much the same way a pair of rigid denim jeans conforms to each individual. Finally, the watch has a ceramic inlay for the 120 click
uni-directional rotating bezel

Marvin Menke, Founder, Owner and Operator of Hemel, says: “I’ve always said that nothing has driven horological innovation more than military need which is why I’ve always had that theme at the core of everything that Hemel does. To have this exciting opportunity to
work with the greatest air power in the world is a truly unique honour.”

Buy a Hemel X USAF

Your can find out more at HEMELWATCHES.COM

By Mike Richmond

Mike spends what little spare time he has writing for WRUK; and what little money he makes building up his collection of timepieces.