Before diving into the watch itself, it’s worth taking a look at the people and the story behind VIIS. While many brands begin with a specification sheet or a market opportunity, VIIS began with something far more personal: a lifelong fascination with flight.
Since childhood, founder Josip Kožul was captivated by the idea of flying, seeing the world from above, becoming one with the sky, and experiencing a sense of freedom that only aviation can provide. His first flight in an old propeller plane left a lasting impression: the sound of the engines, the elegance of the aircraft, and that unique feeling of being completely present in the moment.
Life, however, had other plans. As a teenager, Josip had to let go of his dream of becoming a pilot due to motion sickness and eyesight limitations. But sometimes a closed door leads to another path. At 16, he met Leonie, who would become his partner in life and adventure. Together, they shared a passion for exploration, independence, and discovering new horizons.
That original dream of flight eventually found a new expression, not in the cockpit, but on the wrist.
VIIS was created with the idea of making pilot watches that represent the same values as aviation itself: precision, reliability, courage, and the desire to push boundaries. Inspired by historical aviation timepieces but interpreted through a modern lens, the brand aims to create watches for people who want to follow their own path.
The timing of the brand’s creation is also deeply personal. After building their careers, a major turning point came in 2024 when Josip and Leonie found out they were going to become parents. The desire to create something meaningful, something they could share with their daughter in the future, became the final push behind VIIS.
Even the name carries a personal connection. VIIS refers to the beautiful Croatian island of Vis, connecting the brand to Josip’s family roots.
Today, VIIS creates watches that go beyond simply telling the time. They’re designed as companions for people who enjoy exploring, travelling, and embracing new experiences.
The Flieger GMT 42 Levante reflects that philosophy well. It stays true to the classic pilot watch formula while adding modern features that make it genuinely useful in everyday life.
Before jumping into the watch itself, it’s worth mentioning that the Flieger GMT is genuinely Made in Germany.
While every model is conceived and designed by founders Leonie and Josip in Graz, Austria, the watches are manufactured, assembled, and inspected in Pforzheim, Germany, a city with a rich watchmaking heritage. The result is a timepiece that combines Austrian design with German craftsmanship, something that’s reflected in the quality and attention to detail throughout the watch.
Let’s see our hero
Presentation matters, even if it isn’t the reason you’re buying the watch. So I will start here.
The Flieger GMT arrives in a well-made presentation box that immediately gives a good first impression. It’s not extravagantly luxurious, nor does it feel like an afterthought. Instead, it strikes that sweet spot, it is clean, practical, and protective. The watch sits securely inside, making it feel like you’re opening a quality instrument rather than just another product.
Now let’s turn our attention to the watch itself. The Levante takes the traditional Flieger formula and gives it a fresh, modern twist.
Instead of the usual black pilot dial, VIIS chose a crisp white one for this version, inspired by the warm Mediterranean Levante wind. It completely changes the personality of the watch. It still feels unmistakably like a Flieger, with its clean Arabic numerals and the classic triangle at 12 o’clock providing instant orientation, but the white dial makes it feel lighter, fresher, and surprisingly versatile.
One detail I really like is the orange minute track. It injects just enough color into the otherwise monochromatic design, giving the dial a modern personality. Combined with the orange GMT hand, it makes the watch feel contemporary while still respecting its aviation roots.
The skeletonized hands are another thoughtful design choice. They feel light and refined, complementing the bright white dial without overpowering it, while still remaining easy to read at a glance.
Legibility is exactly what you’d expect from a proper pilot watch. Large numerals, generous amounts of Swiss Made Super-LumiNova BGW9, and excellent contrast mean reading the time is effortless during the day and equally impressive after dark.
Up front sits a double-domed sapphire crystal with an internal anti-reflective coating. Along with providing excellent scratch resistance, the AR coating does a great job of reducing reflections and keeping the dial easy to read in virtually any lighting conditions. Whether I was out in direct sunlight, walking through the forest beneath a canopy of trees, or simply going about my day indoors, legibility was consistently excellent. It’s one of those details you don’t always notice until you wear the watch, but it makes a real difference in everyday use.
The Flieger GMT measures 42mm across with a 49mm lug-to-lug length and an impressively slim 11.3mm case thickness before the crystal. Those numbers might sound large on paper, but the proportions work remarkably well.
The finishing deserves mention as well. Rather than leaving the case entirely brushed like many traditional Fliegers, VIIS mixes brushed surfaces with polished accents. The brushing reinforces its tool-watch credentials, while the polished chamfers catch the light just enough to elevate the overall appearance. It’s a subtle detail, but one that gives the watch a more premium feel on the wrist.
Continuing with the practical side of the case, the screw-down crown provides security, helping the watch achieve its 100m water resistance. It threads smoothly and operates as expected. If I had one small criticism, though, it would be the size of the crown. While it’s perfectly functional, I occasionally found it a little difficult to grip mostly when unscrewing not during setting the time. A slightly larger crown would improve ergonomics and, in my opinion, better suit the watch’s tool-watch character.
True GMT
Inside beats the Miyota 9075, arguably one of the most important movements released for affordable GMT watches in recent years.
Running at 28,800 vibrations per hour with 24 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, hacking seconds, hand winding, and Citizen’s Parashock shock protection, it’s a movement that has quickly earned an excellent reputation.
The real highlight is the Traveller GMT functionality. Unlike a caller GMT, the local hour hand jumps independently while the GMT hand continues tracking your home time. That makes adjusting to a new destination incredibly simple.
As someone whose family regularly travels to Vietnam to visit relatives, that’s more than just a neat specification. Landing after a long flight and being able to change the local time in seconds while still keeping track of home is exactly how a GMT should work.
Flip the watch over and you’re greeted by a sapphire display caseback that lets you enjoy the movement in action. I always appreciate when brands show off a mechanical movement rather than hiding it behind a solid caseback, it reminds you there’s real engineering working away beneath the dial.
That said, this is also an area where VIIS could have taken the experience even further. A custom rotor with the brand’s own design would have been a nice touch, adding another unique element to an already thoughtfully executed package.
Wearability
Starting with the strap, this version of the Flieger GMT Levante comes fitted with the Granit Black calf leather strap. It’s not the softest leather strap I have ever worn, but I also wouldn’t describe it as stiff or uncomfortable. Out of the box, it has a bit more structure to it, which actually suits the character of the watch, and after a short break-in period it starts to conform nicely to the wrist.
On my 17cm wrist, the combination works surprisingly well. The strap sits comfortably, and despite the 42mm case size, the watch doesn’t feel overwhelming. The relatively slim 11.3mm thickness also helps it slide easily under a sleeve and keeps the overall wearing experience balanced.
That said, the 49mm lug-to-lug measurement is getting close to the upper limit of what I can comfortably wear. My personal sweet spot is usually around 51mm maximum, so the Levante is right there at the edge. Thanks to the downward angle of the lugs and the light 83g weight, it still wears comfortably, but I would say this is probably the largest size I would recommend for wrists around my size.
Still, I’d love to see VIIS expand the range with a slightly smaller 39mm version. I think those proportions would make an already excellent Flieger GMT even more versatile and appealing to a wider audience, especially those with smaller wrists.
Final thoughts
The VIIS Flieger GMT Levante surprised me.
I expected another competent Flieger that followed the familiar pilot watch formula. Instead, I found a watch that feels genuinely different while still respecting the heritage that inspired it.
The white dial immediately gives the Levante its own identity. It’s clean, fresh, and incredibly legible, while the orange minute track adds just the right amount of warmth and personality without distracting from its purpose. It’s one of my favorite design details and helps the watch stand out in a crowded field of Flieger watches.
The Traveller GMT movement is another standout feature. For anyone who actually travels across time zones—as I do when visiting family in Vietnam—the independently adjustable local hour hand makes a real difference in day-to-day use.
Combined with solid German manufacturing, thoughtful finishing, 100m of water resistance, and a reliable Miyota 9075 movement, the Levante is a well-rounded package that’s easy to recommend. It’s comfortable on the wrist, practical enough for everyday wear, and equally at home whether I’m travelling, heading into the city, or spending the day chasing after my daughter.
Of course, no watch is perfect. I’d welcome a slightly larger crown to make winding and setting the watch a little easier, and a custom rotor visible through the exhibition caseback would add an extra touch of personality. These are relatively small refinements, though, and they don’t take away from what is already a very well-executed debut.
Overall, VIIS didn’t try to reinvent the pilot watch, they simply refined it for modern life. And that’s exactly what makes the Flieger GMT Levante such an enjoyable watch to wear.
For a debut model from a young brand, it’s a remarkably confident and well-executed release. If this is the standard VIIS is setting from the very beginning, I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing where they go next.
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Specifications:
- Case Material: 316L stainless steel
- Case Diameter: 42 mm, lug to lug 49mm
- Case Thickness: 11.3 mm
- Crystal: Double-domed sapphire with internal anti-reflective coating
- Movement: Miyota 9075 Automatic (True Traveller GMT)
- Shock Protection: Citizen Parashock
- Crown: Screw-down, fluted
- Dial: White pilot dial with Arabic numerals, orange minute track, date display, BGW9 Super-LumiNova®
- Water Resistance: 100 m / 10 ATM
- Strap: Granit Black calf leather
- Price: 649 Euro
Link to the watches:
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