Pilot Watches

During the early years of flight and aviation, pilots relied on one tool, in particular, to measure time, height and distance accurately: this was the pilot’s trusty watch.

Although modern computers and technology incorporated into a pilot’s dashboard were quick to do away with this once imperative tool, its legacy still lives on.

With both style and functionality, the aviation timepiece has secured its place in the world of watchmakers forever.

Since the pilot’s watch has gone through so many different transformations over the years, it can be hard to know where to start with the modern pieces we have at our fingertips today.

Whether it’s the traditional flight functionally you’re after, the overall look and style, or a balanced combination of everything, there will be an aviator watch for you on the market.

Let us take you through the best aviation and pilot watches there is and find the perfect wrist companion, for both the cockpit and everyday life.

Best Golf GPS Watches

Timex Intelligent Fly-Back Aviation Watch

AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II Watch

Garmin D2 Delta GPS Pilot Watch

Citizen Eco-Drive Skyhawk Aviators Watch

Hamilton Khaki X-Wind Aviation Watch

Victorinox Airboss Mach 9 Pilot Watch

Timex Intelligent Fly-Back Aviation Watch

Highlights

  • Adjustable straps.
  • A date window on the watch face.
  • Water-resistant up to 330 feet.
  • Light up watch dial.

Harking back to the days of traditional aviation watches, the Timex Intelligent Fly-Back Aviation watch combines the best of modern design with the look of a traditional 1930s or 40s watch.

With an adjustable leather strap and a solid steel watch face, the Timex Intelligent Fly-Back Aviation watch is both robust and slick.

The second time zone feature adds to the overall flying watch appeal, without the loss of fashionability.

Adding to the robustness of the watch is its ability to stay in use up to 330 feet of water.

This shows it can be worn in a variety of different weather conditions, not only in the pilot seat.

Specifications

Material:Steel
Size:43 mm x 12 mm
Movement:Quartz
Case Diameter:43 mm
Watch Strap:Leather
Battery Life:1-2 years

Specifications

Pros

  • Intelligent Quartz Fly-Back Chronograph Movement.
  • 2nd-time zone watch face.
  • Sturdy design.
  • Interchangeable strap.

Cons

  • Lower price means a lower quality of materials.

Best Pilot Aviation Watch Buying Guide

What Is a Pilot Watch?

A Pilot Aviation Watch, as the name suggests, is a watch designed and manufactured to be worn by pilots. During the early days of flight, especially military flight, accurate and detailed flight paths were hard to maintain, a pilot’s watch was in fact the first ‘onboard flight computer’ and enabled pilots to keep to a mathematically correct course. Born from this military and aviation necessity, the pilot’s watch transferred with ease into something more of a fashion item and the entire pilot watch look continued to sell and be desired. There are many features that define a pilot and aviation watch, both from a practical point of view and an aesthetic one. These notable features include a large and legible face, dial, and hands, which originally enabled pilots to tell the time quickly and easily in bad weather or during night flights. Pilot watches also tend to have a luminosity quality, again, enabling them to be seen in all sorts of conditions. Another common feature is an oversized winding crown- a throwback from when pilots wore gloves and would need larger crowns enabling them to turn them without taking off their gloves. Pilots watches are also usually identified by their dual time or GMT function, ensuring pilots are covered when crossing time zones.

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