Which watch do you wear?
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
DNA tests of bone material proved it was in fact Fossett's remains. That in addition to the aircraft numbering and his drivers license.
What a shame to go like that after all the cliff hangers he has been involved with. I am sure Gann would have an explanation for it.....something about "Fate"!
Bert Baby,
I have heard you called a lot of things....but never a helicopter pilot!
What a shame to go like that after all the cliff hangers he has been involved with. I am sure Gann would have an explanation for it.....something about "Fate"!
Bert Baby,
I have heard you called a lot of things....but never a helicopter pilot!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Just three steps from the sunrise
I have a Breitling Navitimer that I use for flying and a Tag Golf for when I play golf. For social gatherings I have a Ebel.
Have been looking at the Skagen watches but then I started to fly helicopters.
Have been looking at the Skagen watches but then I started to fly helicopters.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 3
From: Philadelphia PA
I was given a Sector ADV 4500 by the brothers who invented the original DragonFly light helicopter, after doing a pilot review for it in Rotor and Wing many years ago.
Very nice watch, and I was quite humbled by the gesture. As I was looking at the watch on the way home I couldn't quite figure it out, so got out the instruction book. What looked like stop watch function stems were in fact for setting date and day of the week. There was in fact no stopwatch function, which was a tiny bit of a let down. But there was a fourth hand on the main dial, and it took me a while to figure it out (takes everyone I show it to a while to figure it out, so I don't feel bad). The fourth hand was for 'week of the year'.
I immediately thought - I know the Dragonfly isn't the fastest helicopter in the world, but it's not that slow!
Very nice watch, and I was quite humbled by the gesture. As I was looking at the watch on the way home I couldn't quite figure it out, so got out the instruction book. What looked like stop watch function stems were in fact for setting date and day of the week. There was in fact no stopwatch function, which was a tiny bit of a let down. But there was a fourth hand on the main dial, and it took me a while to figure it out (takes everyone I show it to a while to figure it out, so I don't feel bad). The fourth hand was for 'week of the year'.
I immediately thought - I know the Dragonfly isn't the fastest helicopter in the world, but it's not that slow!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Maders UK
Rolex
All this talk of cheap watches - such bad news.
A watch is the only thing you wear 24/7 - it says so much about who you are.
I bought a nearly new Rolex datejust oyster perpetual (classic no frills much fake-copied Rolex) from a friend who needed some cash fast about 20 years ago. I paid £1000 and got all the certificates etc...
At the time it was pretty bling, but over the years has become an understated design classic and I am no longer self conscious about wearing it.
I reckon I would have bought a cheap watch about once a year (at their average attrition rate), so if I'd spent £50 (on some seiko or timex wannabe watch) per annum I would have broken-even right about now.
I like the look of the Breitlings but they weren't as freely available back then and they have not achieved the same classic status yet.
I bought Mrs SB a new lady Rolex 8 years ago, she loves wearing it and has never looked at watches again.
As for the ones with all the extra displays, aerials and whizz wheels (!) that's really for pilots who want non-pilots to know they are pilots!
SB
A watch is the only thing you wear 24/7 - it says so much about who you are.
I bought a nearly new Rolex datejust oyster perpetual (classic no frills much fake-copied Rolex) from a friend who needed some cash fast about 20 years ago. I paid £1000 and got all the certificates etc...
At the time it was pretty bling, but over the years has become an understated design classic and I am no longer self conscious about wearing it.
I reckon I would have bought a cheap watch about once a year (at their average attrition rate), so if I'd spent £50 (on some seiko or timex wannabe watch) per annum I would have broken-even right about now.
I like the look of the Breitlings but they weren't as freely available back then and they have not achieved the same classic status yet.
I bought Mrs SB a new lady Rolex 8 years ago, she loves wearing it and has never looked at watches again.
As for the ones with all the extra displays, aerials and whizz wheels (!) that's really for pilots who want non-pilots to know they are pilots!
SB
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
As my charisma and magnetism seems to bugger up quartz watches in about a week of constant wear, I am limited to mechanical watches which gives me a choice of Rolex, Oris and antique watches. However, finding watch repairers with the required skills to overhaul these watches is becoming harder.
For flying, I wear my late father's watch; a plain, 17 jewel man's watch. However, on my wrist it looks big enough to be a pilot's watch and I can tell the time without my reading glasses on!!
Cheers
Whirls
For flying, I wear my late father's watch; a plain, 17 jewel man's watch. However, on my wrist it looks big enough to be a pilot's watch and I can tell the time without my reading glasses on!!
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Center of the Universe
In the interest of injecting a bit more controversy into this forum, I will assert that a watch says a great deal about its wearer (beyond the anatomical attributes sometime associated with large "pilot's" watches), much as the choice of automobile says a great deal about it owner. What does your watch (watches) say about you?
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 1,083
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Having flown for a living since 1977, I need a watch that tells the time. Don't need anything to advertise to the world that I'm a pilot. Having said that, I seldom tell people what I do, in any event, unless asked.
The date to hand is useful, but my phone can tell me that if I'm not sure when filling in the tech log first thing in the morning. Once I'm in the cockpit I look at the aircraft clock.
The date to hand is useful, but my phone can tell me that if I'm not sure when filling in the tech log first thing in the morning. Once I'm in the cockpit I look at the aircraft clock.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Center of the Universe
I never wear one. Don't even own a working one.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,127
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From: Yellow Brick Road
About 4 years ago I bought a cheap copycat Breitling from a market stall in China as a joke with friends.
It's an automatic. The stall owner told me not to expect much working life in it - actually he said 4 months and that's about it.
Now, 4 years later, it's still ticking ... I use it as a backup in case my quartz watch runs out of battery !
It's an automatic. The stall owner told me not to expect much working life in it - actually he said 4 months and that's about it.
Now, 4 years later, it's still ticking ... I use it as a backup in case my quartz watch runs out of battery !
[/IMG]
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 223
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From: On the Rump of Pendle Hill GB
Every day wear always been a Rotary, stainless clear dial able to read when doing work type things( now about 26yrs old), for formal times and taking out my Lady wife Mrs Vfr we both have Raymond Weil, matching styles but smaller for Mrs Vfr, very simple, clear dial and looks nice, both purchased duty free in Cyprus and never seem to let any of the minutes disappear. what more do you need from a watch!!
Peter R-B
Vfr
Peter R-B
Vfr
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 186
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From: US
VfrpilotPB/2
"clear dial and looks nice" - same thing, mine doesn't even have the date (as if folks can't keep track of that!), but it'll last a lifetime, if not mine and my kids both, or more...we like that family heirloom thing.
One gets what one pays for. I've almost always regretted going cheap as in the long haul the constant fixing or updating to another new watch,(read cars, appliances, etc. as well) costs the same, is more annoying, and inspires less confidence in reliability through whatever life cycle is applicable.
Essentially watches don't make the person, the person makes the watch what it is.
WIII
"clear dial and looks nice" - same thing, mine doesn't even have the date (as if folks can't keep track of that!), but it'll last a lifetime, if not mine and my kids both, or more...we like that family heirloom thing.
One gets what one pays for. I've almost always regretted going cheap as in the long haul the constant fixing or updating to another new watch,(read cars, appliances, etc. as well) costs the same, is more annoying, and inspires less confidence in reliability through whatever life cycle is applicable.
Essentially watches don't make the person, the person makes the watch what it is.
WIII