Pilot watches are designed to be read at a glance in many different conditions. Hence, they often feature large faces and bold numerals. Moreover, they have strong contrasts. In order to make the dials easy to read, they have contrasting colors. This makes them ideal for pilots. The best pilot watches are also waterproof.
Antoine de Saint Exupery
The Antoine de Saint Exupery pilot watch is a tribute to the French pilot and author who died during World War II. Saint Exupery became a commercial pilot in 1926 and flew from France to West Africa and Morocco. He then went to the United States. In the early 1930s, he wrote the novel Courrier Sud, which is about a pilot’s struggle against the elements. He also served in the Air Force, flying for the Free French in the Battle of the Atlantic. During the war, he was awarded the Military Cross for a dangerous reconnaissance flight over occupied France. The pilot was last seen alive in 1944, when his aircraft disappeared over the Mediterranean. After his death, Antoine de Saint Exupery became a legend, and his pilot watches continue to celebrate his life.
The Antoine de Saint Exupery pilot watch features an elegant and traditional look. Its distinctive case and streamlined movements make it suitable for pilots. It features an engraved relief of an aircraft, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. The aviator’s watch is limited to just 80 pieces.
IWC Schaffhausen
Since its founding in 1859, IWC Schaffhausen has built its reputation on practical and reliable complications. The company pioneered the use of ceramics and titanium in watch cases. The company’s commitment to the future of aviation and the watchmaking industry is evidenced by its investment in advanced technology. The company now employs 400 people to manufacture its watches in Schaffhausen.
Aside from manufacturing pilot’s watches, IWC Schaffhausen has developed its own instrument for pilots. The Top Gun Chronograph was developed specifically for the US Navy’s elite jet pilots, and is equipped with an in-house movement. In addition, it features a day-date display.
Hamilton
If you’ve always had a penchant for pilot watches, you may be interested in the Hamilton pilot watch. This large, bold style is crafted with an all-silver case. Its large dial has a brushed silver background and painted hour numbers. The numbers are raised and look vintage, which adds a unique and charming touch to this watch.
The bi-directional bezel of Hamilton Pilot Watches features logarithmic gradations, which interact with a fixed scale around the dial. This pilot watches feature allows the wearer to perform mathematical calculations while in flight. Calculations can include airspeed, distance, fuel consumption, rate of climb or descent, flight time, and more. This design is based on the principles of the E6B “Whiz Wheel” paper flight computer.
Fossil
Fossil’s pilot watches are known for their classic looks and clean lines. They are also known for their legibility and lack of flashy features. They feature big black hour markers and a brown leather strap that make them easy to read. Fossil’s design team comes up with thousands of new designs each year.
Fossil is a company that has been around for over 30 years. Its corporate headquarters are in Richardson, Texas. It has over 5,000 employees and operates stores in over 150 countries. The company was founded in 1984 by brothers Tom and Kosta Kartsotis. In 1987, it changed its name to Fossil Inc. After the success of its first pilot watches, the company decided to branch out into other areas. Fossil also began selling sunglasses and apparel.