Best Pilot watches ??
eharding ?
Quote : >You are not nice, not nice at all.<
Actually, White Bear, he's the best "windup" merchant in the business......!! geddit ??
Anyway, Lucky, Uncle and I still like him !
Me, Stik ? Moi ??...... I'm not siding with anybody this morning !!
Quote : >You are not nice, not nice at all.<
Actually, White Bear, he's the best "windup" merchant in the business......!! geddit ??
Anyway, Lucky, Uncle and I still like him !
Me, Stik ? Moi ??...... I'm not siding with anybody this morning !!
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd like one of these - one of the clearest wrist stopwatches I have ever seen - but if I had to force land in some 3rd world country they would cut my arm off first and ask questions later... 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Warboys
Age: 55
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a £40 Pulsar RAF issue one (same watch as £230 Seiko) which has the same look 'n' feel as the cockpit instruments so your brain picks out the info easily. I used to have an IWC when I was in the RAF, that 'shouted' the time at you!
I also have a Vostock Amphibian.
Look on eBay, there are a whole range of MWC, IWC, Seiko, Poljot and US ones, I might get one of the German Air Force issue ones next, they are reasonably simple in design, but look well-engineered
I also have a Vostock Amphibian.
Look on eBay, there are a whole range of MWC, IWC, Seiko, Poljot and US ones, I might get one of the German Air Force issue ones next, they are reasonably simple in design, but look well-engineered
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New South Wales
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But since only 6% of PPLs are female, most of you won't be remotely interested, so feel free to ignore this post.
QDM
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ontario
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have owned a Citizen Skyhawk for the past 20 plus years and it has never let me down. Apart from buying new batteries and leather wrist bands every so often, it has been a great investment. I will buy another when I have to.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Surrey UK
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ladies Diamond Aviators Watch
For all the mere 6% woman PPL's out there I have found that Chanel do absolutely fabulous diamond aviators watch. Ask your favourite man to stick it in your stocking for Christmas !!!
A mere £98,000 but worth every penny for our safety in the sky.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Hellfire Corner
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just punch an extra hole in the strap of whatever you're having, please and spend the diamonds element on Avgas for my aeroplane....
Well, that's what I'd say if I was on the receiving end of such generosity.
Well, that's what I'd say if I was on the receiving end of such generosity.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AEP
Age: 80
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Breitling forever...
Soon to retire 747 captain here... and Breitling man...
xxx
Oh, I agree, initially, my first Breitling Navitimer (1966 or so) was a "status symbol" - My mother offered me that watch when I got my wings as pilot. But soon it became just a pilot tool. Stopwatch, of course, but I liked the slide rule to make conversions. I always kept it on GMT/Z time, anywhere I was. Never changed it to local time.
xxx
I kept it for a long time, replaced it in 1980 or so, by a "Cosmonaute", same as Navitimer, except the 24 hrs dial which I did prefer, having one day found myself in Bahrain, getting ready for a flight 12 hrs too early in the lobby of hotel for pickup, and the rest of the crew in the bar, laughing at me... So from then-on, got the Cosmonaute, I kept GMT-Z time on the 24 hrs dial. Converting to local is easy for me, just a habit anyway. UTC minus 3 here, or plus 2 there...
xxx
With nearly 20 years of service, that Cosmonaute got stolen in my hotel room... so I bought a new one, (1999 or so) - quite expensive by then - just about same, except little details, which is my current wristwatch. I remember that my wife always got upset at me, unable to read the time as I keep on being on UTC with a 24 hrs dial that most human would not be able to read.
xxx
At times, some people in the street stop me, and say "have you got the time?" - and with a smile, I show them the time (to their confusion). I guess they must be thinking my watch is stopped, or out of order. Who cares...?
xxx
Oh, I got other (less expensive watches) - the one I liked best was the "Seiko World Timer" digital, with time zones for around the world (except local time for Gander CYQX, as usual). I hate watches that show AM-PM - I insist on 24 hrs time, I learned to count "beyond 12" in school, like 13, 14, etc... That Seiko was extremely accurate (within 5 seconds over 30 days...?) and it died after some 20 years of service... been unable to find one full of dust in a store anywhere in the world...
xxx
Now, next year, I retire from flying, but I will keep my Cosmonaute and leave it on Z time, my old habit and tradition. Maybe I will buy a $20 imitation Rolex when I will be at the beach in Brazil, typing my stupid ideas on Pprune.
xxx
Everyone has a favorite watch... Mine is and has been Breitling, now by habit. I like the slide rule, mainly used for currency conversions when I go shopping in USA, Brazil or Europe. The chronograph function, I hardly ever use nowadays, except going to football games, when I hope that Argentina will beat Brazil's team... 1 to 0 - after 89 minutes.
xxx
Worst is, I have a "reverse time clock" on the wall that you need to read in a mirror. And I also keep it on UTC... it is a conversation piece when people visit my office and memorabilia.
Happy contrails
xxx
Oh, I agree, initially, my first Breitling Navitimer (1966 or so) was a "status symbol" - My mother offered me that watch when I got my wings as pilot. But soon it became just a pilot tool. Stopwatch, of course, but I liked the slide rule to make conversions. I always kept it on GMT/Z time, anywhere I was. Never changed it to local time.
xxx
I kept it for a long time, replaced it in 1980 or so, by a "Cosmonaute", same as Navitimer, except the 24 hrs dial which I did prefer, having one day found myself in Bahrain, getting ready for a flight 12 hrs too early in the lobby of hotel for pickup, and the rest of the crew in the bar, laughing at me... So from then-on, got the Cosmonaute, I kept GMT-Z time on the 24 hrs dial. Converting to local is easy for me, just a habit anyway. UTC minus 3 here, or plus 2 there...
xxx
With nearly 20 years of service, that Cosmonaute got stolen in my hotel room... so I bought a new one, (1999 or so) - quite expensive by then - just about same, except little details, which is my current wristwatch. I remember that my wife always got upset at me, unable to read the time as I keep on being on UTC with a 24 hrs dial that most human would not be able to read.
xxx
At times, some people in the street stop me, and say "have you got the time?" - and with a smile, I show them the time (to their confusion). I guess they must be thinking my watch is stopped, or out of order. Who cares...?
xxx
Oh, I got other (less expensive watches) - the one I liked best was the "Seiko World Timer" digital, with time zones for around the world (except local time for Gander CYQX, as usual). I hate watches that show AM-PM - I insist on 24 hrs time, I learned to count "beyond 12" in school, like 13, 14, etc... That Seiko was extremely accurate (within 5 seconds over 30 days...?) and it died after some 20 years of service... been unable to find one full of dust in a store anywhere in the world...
xxx
Now, next year, I retire from flying, but I will keep my Cosmonaute and leave it on Z time, my old habit and tradition. Maybe I will buy a $20 imitation Rolex when I will be at the beach in Brazil, typing my stupid ideas on Pprune.
xxx
Everyone has a favorite watch... Mine is and has been Breitling, now by habit. I like the slide rule, mainly used for currency conversions when I go shopping in USA, Brazil or Europe. The chronograph function, I hardly ever use nowadays, except going to football games, when I hope that Argentina will beat Brazil's team... 1 to 0 - after 89 minutes.
xxx
Worst is, I have a "reverse time clock" on the wall that you need to read in a mirror. And I also keep it on UTC... it is a conversation piece when people visit my office and memorabilia.
Happy contrails
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Age: 63
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had a variety over the years which include both Fortis, Omega and Breitling, I think the Breitling Aerospace suits me best - it has all the functions needed including UTC, stopwatch, day and date. The watch is battery powered and gives 3 years service at least before a change is required, being quartz powered its also very accurate. In addition its titanium and therefore not too heavy unlike some aviation chrongraphs, its also a fairly attractive timepiece that can be worn all the time, the only downside is the price £2000 new tax paid although I have seen them second hand for £600 - £700.
One mans meat etc -I will stick with my Aerospace which I have owned for 12 years
One mans meat etc -I will stick with my Aerospace which I have owned for 12 years
You've got to give it to Breitling - they've certainly got their marketing sorted out....
Moderator
But.. When I saw slagging about the use of a "pilots" watch as a means of presenting one's (self determined) station in aviation, I agreed. In my opinion "pilot" is a skill set, discipline, attitude toward safety, and maybe occupation. It is not an image, and cannot be communicated by wristwatch.
There are so many members here whose posts on meaningful topics are so worthwhile, I can't really get too enthusiastic about discussions about fads and styles here. Thus I do not take them seriously.
It's raining in northern Germany today, and I'm bored, so a bit of non-serious posting seems an appropriate way to waste a bit of time.
If it were not for the fact that I really appreciate a good wrist watch, I would not have even been here.
There are so many members here whose posts on meaningful topics are so worthwhile, I can't really get too enthusiastic about discussions about fads and styles here. Thus I do not take them seriously.
It's raining in northern Germany today, and I'm bored, so a bit of non-serious posting seems an appropriate way to waste a bit of time.
If it were not for the fact that I really appreciate a good wrist watch, I would not have even been here.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Am I right in noticing that the well known pilot shops sell a much smaller range of pilot watches nowadays?
Most of those on offer are useless for flying anyway because they have 60-minute stopwatches whose minute hands are barely readable.
Most of those on offer are useless for flying anyway because they have 60-minute stopwatches whose minute hands are barely readable.
Moderator
Yup - Readable! That's the key! No matter how many gadgets on the watch, they are useless if you cannot see them easily and quickly. The beautiful Swiss watch I chose for myself many years ago, though still a great watch, is no longer as readable as it needs to be in low light, for my older eyes.
Thus my choice to replace it with a much more practical black face white hands model, which has nothing to do with flying - it just tells me time!
Thus my choice to replace it with a much more practical black face white hands model, which has nothing to do with flying - it just tells me time!
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
one of the very few threads in the wannabies section having not been taken over by the children arguing over modular and integrated is this one here.
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...es-flying.html
This has also just reminded me I need to email and see when the watch I ordered is going to turn up.
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...es-flying.html
This has also just reminded me I need to email and see when the watch I ordered is going to turn up.
Last edited by mad_jock; 28th Mar 2009 at 20:06.