I wear a Polar CS300 heart rate monitor watch with a cycling computer built in. I love cycling and running when not flying around the world. Great for lay- overs.
Helps keep track of how much or how little exercise I have done, tells me what heart rate zone I am in even tells me to back off if I am going to hard. I love the thing cost me $300.00 Australian.

What do the jewels do in the movement?

I quite like quite a few of them watches on that site thanks for posting it.

The 'Jewels' mentioned in the movement are tiny, tiny synthetic rubies and are used as bearings between some of the moving parts.

[ELGIN] Why Watches Have Jewels

Generally speaking, manufacturers like to point out how many 'Jewels' the movement has as a sign of the build quality. In reality it doesn't tell you very much, but it sounds good!

I like the idea of the case of that "Submarine" one having a 'Display back' as well, ie: the back case has a glass too so that you can see the movement working. :cool:

PS: I notice some of those watches on that site have what's described as an ETA Movement:

eta

Just in case you were wondering, the Swiss firm of ETA is probably the biggest manufacturer of automatic movements in the world and supplies its products to Omega amongst others. many current Omega models use ETA movements with just a few cosmetic modifications.
Some of those watches look like a cheap way to get hold of a top grade Swiss automatic!

As long as it shows me which day it is, saves me getting up early on a saturday thinking i'm going to beat the traffic :bored:

Citizen Skyhawk AT Blue Angels
 

Hi everyone.

I've been looking at the Citizen Skyhawk AT Blue Angels watch, and I'm just wondering if anyone has this and can comment on its general quality, actual appearance etc? It's a bit pricey at £400, but I'm willing to pay a bit more for some style rather than getting a simple digital or what not.

Thanks.

Sod it have just ordered one of them rocket jobs the display back tipped it.

And I must say although this topic has the potential for the children to start spouting ****e about what they don't have a clue about. It has been very pleasant to watch a thread not only to learn about a subject which I didn't really have a clue about. But also not have to skip read the whole thing trying to work out who is living on planet zanussi.

edited to add The citizen watches I own (2 of) have all been high quality the eco drive is well worth the extra money. You are talking 40-100 quid for a battery change depending if you get it pressure tested or not. My current diving eco drive it has a depth gauge built in, has been going strong for 15 years now proberly done about 500 dives which would have been 4-5 bat changes on the none eco. Bought it for 450 quid, bat change by Citizen is 120quid, none eco was 350 quid. Thought I had knackarded it when i took it to 70 meters but didn't. Been through 3 straps at 30 quid each including new pins.

That particular watch you like is way to cluttered for me but its your money, I would pay the extra for the eco drive option if you do decide to go for it.

Citizen Skyhawk
 

I got this watch as an engagement present back in 2005. Originally, I wanted the non-BlueAngels one because I thought the brushed steel look was better, and I'm not a member of the Blue Angels, but I also wanted the lightness of titanium. The Blue Angels was the only titanium one so I compromised (function over form) and have not been disappointed.
The rotating bezel is much easier to use with the little yellow triangles on, especially if it becomes a bit stiff (sand or dirt can obstruct the movement, but a good clean sorts it out). The numbers on the bezel are white on blue, thus easier to read. The only things I use the computer for, though, are working out the fuel consumption on my bike and comparing prices at the supermarket :ok: I must have saved myself a couple of quid over the years :D
The watch has drawn a couple of nice comments, it gives one an excuse to talk about maths or flying (as if you need another :yuk: ), the glass must be specially hardened as it is virtually unscratched, the clasp is very secure, but £400 can buy a lot of :cool: watches.

Cool! :cool:

That's the one I would have ordered too. With the extra GMT hand. I've never actually seen one in the metal, but they look good quality and the site doesn't sell junk by the looks of things, so I'm sure it'll be fine. Let us know what you think when it arrives.

Official VOSTOK-EUROPE website

Apparently that model you've ordered was voted "Watch of the Year 2008" in the "Below 500 Euros" category by readers of a watch enthusiast magazine. Can't be bad then.

On the subject of servicing, that price for Citizen does sound expensive. My Omega has a battery change every 2 years as a precaution (Although the original lasted almost five!) and I get it done by Wempe (Official Omega service centre and dealer) when I'm in Germany.
A battery and a seal change/test costs 15 Euros. carried out while I have a wander around the shops for a few hours.

For a major service I can send it back to Omega in Bond St. It takes 3 months, costs £150 but includes the following (Some steps are omitted for quartz models, obviously):

These are the main steps of a complete maintenance service:
1 Open the case, remove the dial and the movement

2 Disassemble the case (crystal, pushers, crown, tube, bezel etc.)

3 Restore the case and bracelet as nearly as possible to their original state; repair if necessary

4 Wash the case and bracelet

5 Re-assemble the case using new parts (crystal, pushers, crown, tube, gaskets etc.)

6 Remove the dial from the movement and the hands

7 Disassemble the movement into its individual components

8 Check whether the watch parts function correctly, check for rust or wear

9 Replace any faulty watch parts

10 Wash the disassembled movement in a cleaning machine with specific baths

11 Check the cleanliness
12 Assemble and lubricate the movement in accordance with the instructions (Technical Guide)

13 Adjust the movement in accordance with Omega's quality criteria

14 Fit the dial and the hands

15 Final adjustment of the movement in accordance with working directives

16 Close the case and check the water-resistance

17 Set the correct time on the watch, check the cleanliness and the functioning of the assembled watch

18 Check the precision of the rate after 24 hours. If the rate is not satisfactory, the watch is returned to the watchmaker for the necessary corrections.

19 In order to check the power reserve, allow the watch to run until it stops.

20 Fit the bracelet and carry out a final check before returning the watch to the consumer.

Just been looking at the new items on that site.

RLT Watches New Items

Now in my opinion you couldn't go wrong with this for flying for 28 pounds.

Its the pressure test which costs the money. Most of which I presume is insurance for if it leaks which is another good reason for an eco drive.

I love it when you order something then after a bit it turns out better than you realise. I have always liked Russian engineering my SLR camera is russian as well its not exactly stealthy (clickty clackerty clunk) taking a photo but it takes very good quality ones

A record must be broken!

The most useless post that has had the most replies :ok:

Been intersting though. But once again bias creeps in. There are no good female (pilot) watches in comparison to the bling blings that have been linked on this thread.

Can we have some female input please? Any gorgeous watches out there that will go with my mirrored-effect aviators? (sorry mad-jock :p)

Just the job is that. Lorus is now owned as a brand by Seiko too.

I like this one:

RLT Watches New Items

Don't the MOD issue Lorus now for general service watches? I remember a while ago all pilots were issued the Seiko MOD Chronograph.

http://home.earthlink.net/~nederick/SeikoChronoRevuVulcF.htm

There was a version with a yellow face that was issued to Vulcan crews to allow them to see it easier in the dark of the cockpit. They're worth fortunes now apparently.

Good watches for women? There are loads!

Most of them will have quartz movements. This is because of the generally smaller physical size of women's watches. It's not cost-effective to produce a scaled-down version of most auto movements, so they use quartz.
It's also apparently because women in the main tend to be less interested in all the intricate engineering on their wrist than men do.

How much do you want to spend? Omega Constellations are elegant and yet solid, or TAG Heuer do some more businesslike ones.
Seiko produce a good range too.

Skyhighbird :ok:

I don't have a problem with female FO's or Captain's for that matter looking like strippers. Just make sure you wear a coloured bra under your shirt.......

Better go and have a cold shower.

That site is worth having a good rummage around usually looking in shop windows there is maybe 1-2 out of hundred I would take a second look at. There is some very nice stuff on it for quite reasonable prices.

RLT Watches An Unofficial Pictorial History of* RLT Watch Co

He's made some interesting stuff! :ok:

How about one of these for a good flying watch for a woman?

RLT Watches RLT Watch Co.

Hmm. 35mm, so quite large by women's standards (About the size of the mid-size Omega or Rolex casing which is aimed at the Asian market. They make this because Asian men are generally smaller than their European or American counterparts, so a full-size Seamaster or Oyster for example looks a bit too big on them)
Assembled from top quality components by a craftsman. Swiss ETA movement, water resistant, etc. You're unlikely to see another one!

Not bad for £125. :hmm:

Well done, that's my sisters Christmas present sorted.

It says they can do specials as well, blue background with violet and red hands.

Right if any one dares suggest getting a pink one made there will be trouble :=

This is getting to be quite an expensive thread for you, isn't it mate? ;)

I really like his RLT5 model as a good practical flying watch. Especially with the date bubble he made to special order. I'd have the RAF grey NATO strap as well.
The only thing I'd rather have on there would be a sapphire crystal rather than a mineral one.
For those that don't know, a mineral glass is very hard to scratch, but one made from synthetic sapphire, although slightly more expensive, is virtually impossible to scratch as it's almost the same hardness as diamond. It's what's on my Omegas.

Rlt 5 Reviews - The Watch Forum

Do you pay for your flight training yourself?

All the CPL and IR flying will cost you an arm and a leg, so trust me, style is not what you should be worried about in the end of the day....unless of course you got nuff cash. :zzz:

Real aviators do not wear a (pff!) "watch" :yuk:




...although I admit my gnomon is not all that useful at night :uhoh:

I wanted a strong lightweight(titanium) watch with both anolgue and a digital display for a second time zone and i ended up with one of these.

Pr50 Titanium Seven t34.7.487.62 - Tissot Pr50 wrist watch

This watch is titanium and has a 988.333 movement.

This Breitling uses the same movement and also uses a titanium case

Breitling 2009 - BREITLING | INSTRUMENTS FOR PROFESSIONALS TM

The Tissot can be bought for £130, whereas the Breitling with same movement and metalic case costs £1940!!!!!!!!

Good buy! :ok:

That's what people fail to realize in this game. Many of the watches all have the same "guts". Nearly always ETA in the case of Swiss ones.

"Ah" some will say "But mine is a Chronometer movement, so surely that's better, right?"

Wrong. The word "Chronometer" on the dial merely tells you that your actual watch has been sent to the COSC ( COSC - Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres ) and has been subjected to, and passed, their tests for quality of build and accuracy.

The reason it's more expensive than one with the exact same movement without "Chronometer" on the dial is purely because of the fees charged to carry out the test.

Still, I guess it keeps the COSC guys in cuckoo clocks and Toblerones. ;)

for that money go for Omega Seamaster GMT if you want brand watch, or if you want chronograph Sinn 103sa, 356, 356UTC