Guide to the 10 Best Pilot Watches: The Right Choice for You
Pilot watches are a bestseller for a reason. They’re the best timepiece to have when you need an accurate reading of your location, altitude and speed. The best pilot watches also provide information about what direction you’re heading in, which is crucial if you want to stay on course. If you’re looking for the best watch out there, then this guide will help!
This article discusses 10 of the best-selling pilot watches on the market right now — from brands like IWC and Omega — that have proven themselves as some of the most reliable options available.
Longines Avigation BigEye
The Longines BigEye watches are a line of aviation-inspired timepieces made for pilots and travelers. The strap is designed to be comfortable while wearing with a flight suit or other garments, the crystal has an anti-reflective coating so that it can withstand more abuse than regular crystals, and the face features Arabic numerals in black on white markers. This watch also features waterproofing up to 660 feet (200 meters) which make it perfect for recreational diving as well as everyday use.
It also includes an alarm to allow the pilot to be punctual even when they are under many stressors. The Longines Avigation BigEye Pilot line is available exclusively at authorized dealers including Macy’s, Amazon, Jomashop, and many others!
Dimension: Ø 41.00 mm
Movement Type: Automatic
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: Black
Price: $4000
IWC Automatic Spitfire
A watch is not just a timepiece but also a statement of your personality. IWC has been making watches for over 150 years and they know what it takes to make the perfect one. Inspired by Spitfire pilots, this watch is sure to be an icon that will last as long as their legacy does.
The Automatic Spitfire Pilot Watch features an all stainless steel case with water resistant up to 100 meters. The dial is made from black ceramic and its hands are luminescent which make it easy to read in darker environments. It comes with both analog and digital displays so you can choose your preference! It features a self winding movement, Swiss Made, and a 40 hour power reserve. This watch is for those who want to invest in an automatic watch without having to spend thousands of dollars. The brushed stainless steel case makes this watch look great with any outfit you wear from suits to casual clothes!
Dimension: Ø 39.00 mm
Movement Type: Automatic
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: Black dial with luminescence.
Price: $7100RRP
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46
A good watch is an investment. Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46, made by a Swiss luxury watch company, is the ultimate in quality and style. It features a stainless steel case with a black dial for easy visibility and its movement can be seen through the transparent back cover. The Navitimer has luminous hands that make it perfect for reading time in low light conditions.
It also features an alarm function, chronograph, date display, and tachymeter scale for measuring speed. The timepiece also contains a sapphire crystal that will keep it scratch-free and water resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet). This is not just your average pilot’s watch; it can be worn casually or formally to make any occasion more special.
Dimension: Ø 46.00 mm
Movement Type: Self-winding Mechanical
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: Black, Blue, 18K Red Gold, etc.
Price: $11,950
Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time
Patek Philippe is one of the most prestigious watchmakers in the world. Established in 1839, this Swiss company has since become synonymous with excellence and quality. The Calatrava Pilot Travel Time by Patek Philippe is a prime example of their dedication to craftsmanship and innovation.
This timepiece is made from 18K white gold and houses an automatic movement that can be viewed through sapphire crystal glass on both sides for easy reading regardless of your position. With its two time zones, it’s perfect for those who travel often or have family around the globe! It is one of the more recent models and has all the features you need to make sure your wristwatch can handle any situation you encounter during your travels — whether that be in an airplane, on horseback, or even scuba diving!
Dimension: Ø 42.00 mm
Movement Type: Mechanical self-winding.
Material: White gold, Sapphire-crystal case back.
Colour: Blue varnished with gold numerals and luminescent coating.
Price: AU$50–90k
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional is a watch that has been worn by NASA astronauts and watched over the years as they have traveled to space. It was originally designed in 1962 for use on NASA’s Mercury program, which paved the way for future space exploration missions.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional features scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, water resistant up to 100 meters, and a stainless steel case. This timepiece is also available with an 18K Sedna Gold bezel or 18K white gold bracelet, giving it a timeless elegance and style. This watch features an in-house movement with co-axial escapement, silicon hairspring and free sprung balance for improved accuracy. It is a great choice for someone who wants something durable to wear while they are busy with their day-to-day activities.
Dimension: Ø 42.00 mm
Movement Type: Manual winding
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: Black, Gold (White/ Red)
Price: $9575
Bell & Ross BR V2–92 Steel Heritage Pilot Watch
Bell & Ross is a watch maker known for its aviation-inspired design. The BR V2–92 Steel Heritage Pilot Watch features a steel case, leather strap and quartz movement with date display. This version of the iconic Bell & Ross Military Watch boasts all of the hallmarks of this iconic style — timeless looks, high precision Swiss engineering and reliability that will last through generations to come.
This is a Swiss watch company that was established in 1993. They are one of the most popular luxury watches on the market with many famous celebrities wearing them, including Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig. The BR V2–92 Steel Heritage Pilot Watch has a stainless steel case and bracelet. It’s perfect for the man who wants to be able to wear something that will stand out in a crowd or make sure he looks sharp at his next meeting.
Dimension: Ø 41.00 mm
Movement Type: Automatic mechanical, BR-CAL.302.
Material: Satin-polished stainless steel.
Colour: Black. Sand Superluminova numerals and indices.
Price: $4700RRP
Zenith Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Rescue
The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Rescue is a rugged, stylish watch that has been designed for pilots. It features every function a pilot needs in their cockpit. The dials are oversized and easy to read because they are high contrast, and have luminescent hands so you can tell the time under any conditions.
It also features an automatic winding movement with date display window, chronograph subdial hands and Arabic numerals hour markers as well as luminous accents for night reading capability. This watch also comes with an alarm timer, chronograph (which measures intervals of time) and tachymeter (measures distance over time). If you’re looking for your next watch this one might be perfect!
Dimension: Ø 45.00 mm
Movement Type: Elite automatic movement.
Material: Brushed stainless steel.
Colour: Black
Price: $11,400RRP
Longines Type A-7 1935
The Type A-7 is one of the most sought after and difficult to find vintage watches. This watch was made for pilots in 1935, so it has a very unique look that sets it apart from other timepieces. The face features three hands (hour, minute, second) along with an outer ring which denotes hours every 5 minutes starting at 1:00 and going around clockwise until 12:00 pm.
The dial itself is black with white Arabic numerals and an arrow pointing north to allow you to know the direction you are heading when using this watch as a compass while flying without access to GPS or Google Maps. This is also the first pilot’s wristwatch that had a 24 hour display window on its dial, making it easier than ever for pilots to know what time it is in a different time zone.
Dimension: Ø 41.00 mm
Movement Type: Automatic
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: White lacquered polished
Price: $5200
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic
The Alpina Startimer Pilot is a watch that has been engineered to perform at the highest levels in virtually any environment, from aviation to mountaineering, and everything in between. The Startimer is the first Swiss-made timepiece that comes with a 24-hour display option as well as date window. It features a self-winding movement with an automatic rotor which never needs winding or manual adjustment for accuracy.
In addition, it also offers pilots various functionalities such as chronograph functions (stopwatch), alarm function, second time zone indicator, tachymeter scale on bezel and water resistance up to 20 bar (200 m). For those looking for an affordable but high quality watch that reflects their love for aviation, this is it!
Dimension: Ø 44.00 mm
Movement Type: Alpina AL-525 Automatic Caliber.
Material: Polished Titanium PVD Coated Stainless steel.
Colour: Black
Price: $1450RRP
Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono
The Hamilton Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono is a beautiful timepiece that combines an automatic chronograph movement with a stainless steel case and bracelet. The watch comes in three colorways: black, white and blue. It has date window at 3 o’clock on its face as well as luminous hands and hour markers for perfect readability even in low light conditions.
The Hamilton name has a long and respected history in watchmaking, dating back to 1892 when William J. Davis founded the company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This wristwatch features a Swiss-made chronometer movement as well as an innovative date display that takes up only two lines (one for day of month and one for date) which makes reading this timepiece easy.
Dimension: Ø 46.00 mm
Movement Type: H-31 Automatic chronograph
Material: Stainless steel
Colour: Black
Price: $4400
Conclusion
The 10 best pilot watches on this list should provide you with a good starting point to finding the perfect watch for your needs. Consider all of these factors before making your decision and remember that not every one will be right for everyone.
Remember, it’s important to consider what is most important in order to make sure you get the best value possible from any purchase. Hopefully our guide has helped you find an option worth considering when shopping for a new watch! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at SenseOrient or on our social media pages!
