PPRuNe Forums - Watches

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- - Watches (https://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/628560-watches.html)

This is my watch and I reckon it makes an awesome pilot watch:

https://www.citizenwatch-global.com/...16/20160317-4/

As a pilot, you’re required to have the current time to within 30 seconds. This watch determines its time from GPS, so it always displays the ACTUAL time, ie the time without the error of the time source you may have utilised; or errors you may have put in to the watch during synchronising.
Furthermore, it has an independent analogue display inset on its face that can display UTC.
Another awesome feature this watch has is that its an ‘eco-drive’. That’s one of the Citizen series of watches that are recharged by light.. so no inconvenient flat batteries.
Its a very large watch, so probably not the best if you don’t have large wrists.. or if you don’t like getting harassed by loads of sexy women you’ll be turning on with it. (Or men.. or whatever you’re into).
Despite it’s large size, it is made of titanium so it’s actually very light.. and very strong too.
Like most watches of its ilk, it has a circular calculator on the outside for conversions, but, although they look great they’re not really practical.
Just use the calculator on your phone.
Citizen advertise it for about $3000, but I actually picked mine up at Costco for $1600 and I’m sure you’ll be able to find it online at about that price point.

Don’t buy a Breitling.. but if you have the coin, I’d recommend an Omega Speedmaster Professional. For one of these watches, you’ll be paying about $6000. Although a gorgeous bit of hardware, in many ways it’s not as practical as the watch I’ve already raved about.. and if you scratch it during a pre-flight, it’ll ruin your day at the very least.
(Buy one of these watches to supplement your work watch when you’ve made it to the top, and you’ve put kids through school!)

I got a Casio CA-53W-1, 39 bucks, makes me look smarter than what I am.

To get back to basics, I have found over the years that when I fly IFR in GA and need to do that holding and approach stuff in a minimally equipped bug smasher that a sweep second hand is vital. Just see where the second hand is and then your minute is up when it looks the same. As for 1:15, not hard to add a few degrees. I don't do digital really well in these situations coz I have to read them and think.

In the jets they have timers at the push of a button and the autopilot works - too easy, who needs a watch?
I have used el cheapo Casio or similar analogue watches with velcro bands which can be attached to the control column for easy reading and setting. You forget to take it when you sign off - so what, it's only worth $25 or so.

I do have a really excellent dress watch but only wear that when I'm going out properly dressed up, not to work.

Have a steel Submariner as a daily watch but don't wear it flying. For flying, £30 Sekonda - larger face, easy to read hands & date. And carry a spare Sekonda in case battery goes (which it does about every 18 months).

I don't know why lots of pilots think they need a special watch. Sometimes I don't even wear a watch. I have my cellphone, and in the cockpit I use the clock.

It's ironic that pilots aren't generally the market for pilot watches. Also by the time you can afford the watch with the circular slide rule you have lost the visual ability to read it.

The iWatch seems to now be the ultimate watch. The Swiss must be very upset, first accurate Japanese watches, now computers on wrists, clockwork seems very old school now. I'm thinking of selling my analogue watches because I doubt I'll ever wear one again.

Having said all of that I like the watch the OP put up. Clear, easy to read, cheapish. Pretty much perfect especially if you are one of those people who doesn't do Apple.

Hey!

My working “tool” watch is a 2004 Breitling Aerospace.

Otherwise, when I’m not working;

Seiko 5 (SNK809)
Samsung Galaxy Active 2
Vostok Amphibia (Zissou)
Casio Protrek

Its not a bad idea to leave the flash watch behind in a slip port... take a drinking watch.

I found any math I needed to do in a cockpit was easy enough to do in my head or on a notepad. Very analog. The other thing I often use is a stop watch. And thirdly, the only thing I consistently stuff up is time zones. And for that, I can recommend a beautiful analog representation such as this: https://www.patek.com/en/collection/...ions/5930G-010 - if you have $70k or so to spare that is. :-)

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I can recommend a beautiful analog representation such as this: https://www.patek.com/en/collection/...ions/5930G-010 - if you have $70k or so to spare that is. :-)

Hopefully my company will give me one of those as a retirement gift. :ok:

"Its not a bad idea to leave the flash watch behind in a slip port... take a drinking watch."

Yep, agreed. The aerospace stays safely on the bedside table in the hotel.....

Oh, wait........

Hidden inside soiled underpants, deep within my suitcase. This theft will come at a human cost...

My free omega seamaster pro given to me by an ex employee, into pearls, after 10 years of service after 22 years of being employed by the one company. Still wear it daily 14 years later. 👍

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It's ironic that pilots aren't generally the market for pilot watches.

What percentage of diving watches do you think actually even go in the water let alone go down to any real depth ? :)

I wear a diver but don't dive (certainly not to 300m :)). But I do find it useful in that I know I don't have to worry about it being immersed in water and, being a diver, it is very robust. Also, I find I use the bezel quite a lot for timing things. So I'm no Jacques Cousteau, but do make use of the functions.

What good is a pilot watch without pilot shoes/socks/slacks/underpants? Pilot underpants have a special smaller genital area, also an elastic band to tuck your pilot shirt into. What happens if you loose a button on your pilot shirt? Can you buy pilot buttons?

How about the iPhone watch - the multi purpose millennial tool that does soo much more!! Haven't watches (pilot ones) become a fashion statement?

Any watch with Mickey Mouse hands

Rolex GMT Master or Explorer II. Both bullet proof, never need batteries and will pretty much hold their value for life. Expensive but it’s the last watch you’ll ever buy.

Defiantly get the Breitling, that way everyone will know you are a very important Pilot, making the kind of decisions ordinary people can't & far too busy to add 8hrs to UTC work out the time in Sydney.

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Originally Posted by stevieboy330 (Post 10656519)

far too busy to add 8hrs to UTC work out the time in Sydney.

Before buying any watch, one needs to know how to tell the time. :(