Watch for Pilots - what function U ever use?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Citizen Eco-Drive SkyHawk
In flight, I don't use it much at all! However, it does have some invaluable functions.
I bought it for the multiple time zones..very useful to be able to switch from one to another without having to reset the base GMT.
Multiple alarms are also useful. Can work as a sort of snooze alarm function.
Countdown timer is great for setting the start of sailing races, or timing eggs.
I like the fact that it is solar-powered...should in theory last for ever, and very useful indeed if stuck on desert island for a few years.
Occasionally use the slide rule 'rotating bezel' for approximations, but the calculator in the cockpit works much better!
I miss having a light.
cl12pv2s
In flight, I don't use it much at all! However, it does have some invaluable functions.
I bought it for the multiple time zones..very useful to be able to switch from one to another without having to reset the base GMT.
Multiple alarms are also useful. Can work as a sort of snooze alarm function.
Countdown timer is great for setting the start of sailing races, or timing eggs.
I like the fact that it is solar-powered...should in theory last for ever, and very useful indeed if stuck on desert island for a few years.
Occasionally use the slide rule 'rotating bezel' for approximations, but the calculator in the cockpit works much better!
I miss having a light.
cl12pv2s
.....
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: uk
Damm thing on my wrist that gets in the way and annoys me but regulations say I have to have a serviceable timepeice in the cockpit and so just in case the panal fitted one has a spring failure I wear a watch. Do I look at it.... hardly ever, but I do when it's getting close to 'home' time, mustn't be late or it's hell at home. Oh I have used it for filling in the tech log but I could equally have used a sun dial because the super modern electronic gadget on the instrument panal gives all the answers.
During my army days a watch could be used to navigate with as long as the sun was shining, really useful.
Gizmos on a watch are like the gizmos on a mobile phone, lovely to have but who uses them other than the small minority. Gadgets, gadgets are an obsession and we love them really. That's why Breitling makes them.
During my army days a watch could be used to navigate with as long as the sun was shining, really useful.
Gizmos on a watch are like the gizmos on a mobile phone, lovely to have but who uses them other than the small minority. Gadgets, gadgets are an obsession and we love them really. That's why Breitling makes them.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
SAS:
Never got hooked on Geritol. As you know, scotch works better than other non-prescription medications. G-Man prefers Crown Royal, possible reference to Izzy, but I haven't been able to determne who is Rose's Mia Noi.
Looking for the boat. Check PM.
Chas
Never got hooked on Geritol. As you know, scotch works better than other non-prescription medications. G-Man prefers Crown Royal, possible reference to Izzy, but I haven't been able to determne who is Rose's Mia Noi.
Looking for the boat. Check PM.
Chas
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 83
From: Gold Coast, Australia
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 0
From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
"Turned 30 in May. Looses about 15 seconds a month. Not too bad."
Just remember a couple of things .
1. If you ever need repair, and although its expensive send it to Rolex only.
2. If it loses time OK, if it looses Women even better.
Just remember a couple of things .
1. If you ever need repair, and although its expensive send it to Rolex only.
2. If it loses time OK, if it looses Women even better.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 74
From: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Hmmm - I just use something basic (Certina DS Pilot):
http://www.watcharama.com/ce001.htm
The ability to see the darn thing in the dark should not be understimated. Used to use the seiko military one, but I still needed a torch.
For some reason I've never needed a stopwatch or an E6B (and who needs a tachymeter anway?). I would find the day of the week slightly useful as well, but I have no plans to change this one, although they have versions with stopwatches.
Phil
http://www.watcharama.com/ce001.htm
The ability to see the darn thing in the dark should not be understimated. Used to use the seiko military one, but I still needed a torch.
For some reason I've never needed a stopwatch or an E6B (and who needs a tachymeter anway?). I would find the day of the week slightly useful as well, but I have no plans to change this one, although they have versions with stopwatches.
Phil
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 83
From: Gold Coast, Australia
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: stateside
Although dive watches are great, since they have a simple count-down bezel and are pretty robust, id have to say an alarm is the most important thing if your doing bush work to wake you up in the morning or remind you of the next flight etc.
The rest of the typical magazine-ad giant watch with slide rule functions is for people who like dressing up as pilots and thinking watches attract women in bars (as some numb-nut recently posted).
Rolex watches are OK but they lose time and are made for wankers who believe 007 exists and wears the same watch they do.
The rest of the typical magazine-ad giant watch with slide rule functions is for people who like dressing up as pilots and thinking watches attract women in bars (as some numb-nut recently posted).
Rolex watches are OK but they lose time and are made for wankers who believe 007 exists and wears the same watch they do.
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Rolex watches are OK but they lose time and are made for wankers who believe 007 exists and wears the same watch they do.
Cheers
Whirls
I'll get me coat......
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 537
Likes: 22
From: Gold Coast, Australia.
Evening all,
I have a Breitling B1, it looks good, not too big, don't really use the slide rule and the numbers are probably too small to read in flight anyway. So why did I buy it when I could have bought a cheap one that would have done basically everything I use the Breitling for? Because I wanted a nice watch, plain and simple. Oh, and of course for those NVG ops that we all do the light is NVG compatible!
Hey Whirls,
May I ask why you can't wear a watch with Quartz movement?
Cheers,
CH
I have a Breitling B1, it looks good, not too big, don't really use the slide rule and the numbers are probably too small to read in flight anyway. So why did I buy it when I could have bought a cheap one that would have done basically everything I use the Breitling for? Because I wanted a nice watch, plain and simple. Oh, and of course for those NVG ops that we all do the light is NVG compatible!
Hey Whirls,
May I ask why you can't wear a watch with Quartz movement?
Cheers,
CH
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 0
From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
" lose time and are made for wankers who believe 007 exists "
Dont spoil it, I saw him the other night . Also see Elvis regularly, but Hey, its Vegas.
Anyway, Casio has all the bells and whistles.
Dont spoil it, I saw him the other night . Also see Elvis regularly, but Hey, its Vegas.
Anyway, Casio has all the bells and whistles.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Well, I suppose in Oz that's how you find north. It must be disorienting to spend your life upside down. 
If you have a Rolex, the minute hand is always on 12, isn't it?
John, if you get a nice Ariel engine, you don't need a stopwatch. Just land run the after landing and engine shutdown checklists, and your 30 seconds are up, and you shut down.
Whirls, why would one not be able to wear a watch with a quartz movement? A personality too electric? I've never heard of that particular affliction.
If you have a Rolex, the minute hand is always on 12, isn't it?
John, if you get a nice Ariel engine, you don't need a stopwatch. Just land run the after landing and engine shutdown checklists, and your 30 seconds are up, and you shut down.
Whirls, why would one not be able to wear a watch with a quartz movement? A personality too electric? I've never heard of that particular affliction.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Perthsire
digital pilot watch from AST
I have just started using a digital watch with a dedicated pilot/avaition function. its easy to use and keeps a log note of the last 99 flights duration, start and stop time and total flight time. Also does up to 20 nav legs within each flight with ave speed function. Great fun and easy to use! Nice light that stays on for 10 secs. found it here
http://www.astopwatch.co.uk/products...ionwatches.asp
http://www.astopwatch.co.uk/products...ionwatches.asp