Etihad Airways may have parted ways with its first Airbus A380, but parts of the iconic jet are still flying – just on people's wrists.
UAE watchmaker AIM unveiled a limited watch series built from actual components salvaged from the airline's first A380, which was scrapped after being retired from service. The new series, called the "ALPHA (A380) AUH Edition," is limited to exactly 380 units – matching the aircraft's model number. Each watch contains material sourced from the jet registered as A6-APA, which was not only Etihad's first A380 but also the 150th aircraft of that type ever delivered by Airbus.
According to the company, the watches were designed in the UAE and assembled in Switzerland, featuring a Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement. Each watch is priced at $3,250, with the first units expected to ship as early as June 2026.
Beyond their collector value, AIM incorporated design elements drawn from aviation. The crown was inspired by the A380's engine, the second hand echoes aviation-standard warning stripes, and the watch itself features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a Super-LumiNova coating for low-light readability.
For years, Etihad's A380 was considered one of the most prestigious flagship aircraft in the skies, renowned for its private suites and extraordinary first-class cabins. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, led many airlines to scale back operations of their massive double-decker jets, with some sent to the scrapyard.
Now, at least in this case, a piece of the iconic aircraft has been given new life – in a much smaller form, but no less luxurious.
