Good watches for flying?
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: UK
Ah, you'll be needing the optional Citizen magnifying glass that attaches to the other wrist. 
PS: If anyone owns a stainless watch that's getting a bit scruffy, I can recommend this process to restore it to its former glory:
TimeZone: Omega: Tutorial: Bracelet Refurbishment (Bond SMP, Pic intensive)
I did my old Seamaster like this, and it's come up like new again. Although as my watch wasn't badly scratched I didn't use the Dremel and polish first, and I used a coarse "Scotchbrite" pad rather than "Garryflex".
Scotchbrite restores the surface finish of brushed steel beautifully. Just be sure to only move the pad in the direction of the brushed "grain".
PS: If anyone owns a stainless watch that's getting a bit scruffy, I can recommend this process to restore it to its former glory:
TimeZone: Omega: Tutorial: Bracelet Refurbishment (Bond SMP, Pic intensive)
I did my old Seamaster like this, and it's come up like new again. Although as my watch wasn't badly scratched I didn't use the Dremel and polish first, and I used a coarse "Scotchbrite" pad rather than "Garryflex".
Scotchbrite restores the surface finish of brushed steel beautifully. Just be sure to only move the pad in the direction of the brushed "grain".
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Midlands, England
I have a lovely £10 Timex. Only looses / gains about two seconds every six months. Lovely piece of kit, everything else I need to know is on the cockpit panel in front of me.
I can't see why some guys get so excited about their watch. Perhaps I'm just getting old but all I need to know is the time accurately.
I can't see why some guys get so excited about their watch. Perhaps I'm just getting old but all I need to know is the time accurately.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: UK
Originally Posted by Coldair
I can't see why some guys get so excited about their watch.
I think of it as being like antiques. There's lots to learn about the technical aspects, and I'm always on the lookout for rare ones that I can snap up cheaply and sell for a profit. If you buy the right makes at the right prices then you never really lose when you re-sell them again anyway.
Rolex Submariners were well under £2,000 a few years back. They're £3,750 or so now. You could have bought one ten years ago new and still sold it for a profit today.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: UK
This is a very strange thread... How many pilots need a specific pilot's watch? Let's be honest... anything will do...
However, why have cotton when you can have silk? As an advert once said... And just because someone else wants to drive a beat up Yugo or wear cheap tat doesn't mean we all should!
(We're not in Communist Russia - thankfully!!)
I have to confess to be slightly perturbed by the level to which people judge on appearance in this industry. What else do people judge on? Background, skin colour, sex, perhaps? Surely if you're a good pilot and a decent chap or chapess is that not the benchmark? If a bloke wants to wear a nice watch, so be it, that's his or her business.
This reminds me of another thread were some chump accused OAA students of donning Captains bars when walking around Tescoes. This spurned all sorts of responses with all sorts of attacks on people for wearing Ray Bans, Breitlings, hair gel, wearing their uniform in public on the way home etc.
I'm just astounded at the number of people who are frightened to take a pride in themselves and their own achievements in this industry and indeed the UK at large...
Or indeed those who attack / ridicule other people to pull them down to their level. Oh! And god forbid anyone be successful or achieve things at a young age (See Young B777 First Officer thread.) ...
Only the underdog / loser (A level to which the majority can aspire to - as it is easily achievable.) gets accolades in our society...
Give it time and the chaps from Essex will be landing at Jade Goody International.
Well... when I've finished this fATPL lark I'll be dressed like Ace Rimmer / Third World Dictator... Because I will have earnt it and bugger what anyone else thinks!
Buy the most bling watch you can Okavango!
Could someone pass me a ladder? Need to climb off my soap box.
However, why have cotton when you can have silk? As an advert once said... And just because someone else wants to drive a beat up Yugo or wear cheap tat doesn't mean we all should!
(We're not in Communist Russia - thankfully!!) I have to confess to be slightly perturbed by the level to which people judge on appearance in this industry. What else do people judge on? Background, skin colour, sex, perhaps? Surely if you're a good pilot and a decent chap or chapess is that not the benchmark? If a bloke wants to wear a nice watch, so be it, that's his or her business.
This reminds me of another thread were some chump accused OAA students of donning Captains bars when walking around Tescoes. This spurned all sorts of responses with all sorts of attacks on people for wearing Ray Bans, Breitlings, hair gel, wearing their uniform in public on the way home etc.
I'm just astounded at the number of people who are frightened to take a pride in themselves and their own achievements in this industry and indeed the UK at large...
Or indeed those who attack / ridicule other people to pull them down to their level. Oh! And god forbid anyone be successful or achieve things at a young age (See Young B777 First Officer thread.) ...
Only the underdog / loser (A level to which the majority can aspire to - as it is easily achievable.) gets accolades in our society...
Give it time and the chaps from Essex will be landing at Jade Goody International.
Well... when I've finished this fATPL lark I'll be dressed like Ace Rimmer / Third World Dictator... Because I will have earnt it and bugger what anyone else thinks!
Buy the most bling watch you can Okavango!
Could someone pass me a ladder? Need to climb off my soap box.
Guest
Posts: n/a
At a recent birthday party:
F/O: Oh is that a fake Brietling?
Me: No it's a very real Accurist. It cost me about 20 times less and still tells me what the UTC is!
I'd rather save my money and spend it on beer. I don't care what the time is then!
F/O: Oh is that a fake Brietling?
Me: No it's a very real Accurist. It cost me about 20 times less and still tells me what the UTC is!
I'd rather save my money and spend it on beer. I don't care what the time is then!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: ...
I wouldn't go for a 'aviator' style large watch as its all a bit suspect image-wise whilst you go through your training. If you're not careful you'll find yourself in a pair of Ray-Ban classics toying with the leather flying jacket catalogue... Sometime it takes years to live this sort of thing down.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: UK
If nothing else this thread has shown some good banter...
Incidentally, the number of replies to this thread exceeds some of the serious questions / threads asked on here... But you guys are against 'bling' watches... yeah... right.
The number of recommendations on here and obscure models etc. has tickled me... but pilots really aren't into there watches, remember?
"Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast!"
Incidentally, the number of replies to this thread exceeds some of the serious questions / threads asked on here... But you guys are against 'bling' watches... yeah... right.
The number of recommendations on here and obscure models etc. has tickled me... but pilots really aren't into there watches, remember?
"Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast!"
Last edited by Poose; 15th April 2009 at 14:08.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 1
From: AEP
Pilot watches -
You kids have to learn from old retired pilots... (with Breitlings) -
xxx
Buy an analog watch. Just in case.
You see, ATC might tell you "traffic 10 o'clock...!" -
You might be forced to say "where is 10 o'clock, only have a digital watch...?"
xxx
Then there is that flight attendant with an imitation gold Rolex.
He bought it in HongKong for some US$ 14.oo.
And wore it one evening at the beach in Rio/Ipanema.
Got attacked by a few tugs, they stole it off his wrist.
Ambulance, hospital for a couple of hours... some bruises.
xxx
Happy contrails
xxx
Buy an analog watch. Just in case.
You see, ATC might tell you "traffic 10 o'clock...!" -
You might be forced to say "where is 10 o'clock, only have a digital watch...?"
xxx
Then there is that flight attendant with an imitation gold Rolex.
He bought it in HongKong for some US$ 14.oo.
And wore it one evening at the beach in Rio/Ipanema.
Got attacked by a few tugs, they stole it off his wrist.
Ambulance, hospital for a couple of hours... some bruises.
xxx
Happy contrails
