Pilot's watches
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Chasing Dreams
I agree with Farrell, something clear and easy to read, features mean nothing, you rarely use them. My personal watch of choice:
I have a leather strap though. The design is based on the Luftwaffe, cannot ask for a more efficient design. All of the white on the watch is also luminous (except the date). Having the minutes on the outside means no real need of a stopwatch though you can't reset it, it's also automatic so no batteries, had mine for five years now the glass has no scratches or marks. Keeps pretty good time.
I have a leather strap though. The design is based on the Luftwaffe, cannot ask for a more efficient design. All of the white on the watch is also luminous (except the date). Having the minutes on the outside means no real need of a stopwatch though you can't reset it, it's also automatic so no batteries, had mine for five years now the glass has no scratches or marks. Keeps pretty good time.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 264
Likes: 148
From: SEA
Imho the IWC Mark 10/11/12/15 are beautiful pilot watches. Personally, I use a Poljot Aviator. Time keeping is just ok. But, the price is very reasonable for a stainless mechanical chronograph which has a second time zone as well. And if it breaks, so what.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: England
Vibrator
I like farrell's design and would like countdown timer with vibrating alarm. My wife gave me a Citizen Skyhawk as an engagement present. The whizz-wheel is great down the shops when you're hunting for the cheapest block of cheese: buying in bulk isn't always the budget option (I look forward to getting a job 
)
)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Godzone
Citizen Skyhawk for me in Titanium. Very nice - good luminecence, could do with a back light though. I use the whizz-wheel all the time when doing x-country flying. Have deleted time zones to UTC/Auz/NZ. Face is a bit exposed though, prone to scratching.
Also have a G-shock with analogue/digi and world time zones - again have deleted down to Auz/NZ/UTC. Lives in my car in case I forget my Citizen.
Also have a G-shock with analogue/digi and world time zones - again have deleted down to Auz/NZ/UTC. Lives in my car in case I forget my Citizen.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Hi guys,
Just want to share, i use Casio Pro Trek. It's affordable for me as a new trainee pilot.
It has :
1) Magnetic Compass
2) Barometer
3) Altimeter
The altimeter and barometer are reliable if you fly in unpressurerised aircraft, not for the compass. But, i dont use it for main instrument when flying, just for reference..
Just want to share, i use Casio Pro Trek. It's affordable for me as a new trainee pilot.
It has :
1) Magnetic Compass
2) Barometer
3) Altimeter
The altimeter and barometer are reliable if you fly in unpressurerised aircraft, not for the compass. But, i dont use it for main instrument when flying, just for reference..
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,913
Likes: 184
From: Duit On Mon Dei
I still have my old Citizen Sky hawk pilot watch from about 20 years ago. Nothing wrong with it except it didn't have a light.
Yes I used the circular slide rule a couple of times.
Since my wrist is a bit skinny I don't really like the mega chunky so called pilot watches (eg like my old one). I now use a Casio G-ms. It's pretty good really.
The features I like.
Solar powered face to recharge the battery.
Large clear hands.
Digital section for different time zones, alarms etc.
Metal bars to stop the glass from being scratched up.
Metal band.
Light. Although, the digital bit isn't lit. That's something I'd change.
Water resistant and tough.
It doesn't really look like a poser pilot's watch!
If it was made out of titanium it would be even cooler but probably three times the price!
Yes I used the circular slide rule a couple of times.
Since my wrist is a bit skinny I don't really like the mega chunky so called pilot watches (eg like my old one). I now use a Casio G-ms. It's pretty good really.
The features I like.
Solar powered face to recharge the battery.
Large clear hands.
Digital section for different time zones, alarms etc.
Metal bars to stop the glass from being scratched up.
Metal band.
Light. Although, the digital bit isn't lit. That's something I'd change.
Water resistant and tough.
It doesn't really look like a poser pilot's watch!
If it was made out of titanium it would be even cooler but probably three times the price!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Canadian Shield
Citizen Eco-Drive Sky Hawk is the best of many tried over the years.
However, most of my instructors used cheap digital watches - with the biggest possible numerals.
What the hell do they know anyway?!
However, most of my instructors used cheap digital watches - with the biggest possible numerals.
What the hell do they know anyway?!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,174
Likes: 7
From: UK
I wear a HK700 Ellesse for day to day use but as an offshore pilot one has to jump in and out of the cockpit quite frequently and the strap kept getting bent. I now use a Breitling for flying and it works a dream.
It has the black analogue face with white hands so it easy to see in all weather conditions. There are two seperate digital readouts so you have the normal stopwatch/elasped time plus 24/12 day/date and alarms. It is a Bentley Special, it says so on the back.
BENTLEY
MOTORS
Special Edition
Certified Chronometer
100M/330FT
Manufactured in switchinternet
By BRIETLING
It has a rotating bezel and as I am paid in US$ and my expenses are in Sterling it is invaluable to work out how much of a pay rise/drop I am receiving.
I have had it about 8 months and it is accurate to with 2secs /month which is probably as good as the GPS if it wasn't corrected.
The strap bending problem is solved as it has quick release pins and it isn't affected by dropping 8ft to the helideck.
The after sales service is excellent. The dealer who sold it to me has replaced four strap pins so far AT NO COST WHATSOEVER.
The only problem I have had with it was that the second hand setting button pinged off somewhere but it has an excellent cost effective manual overide, toothpicks are about 5p/1000.
Knocked him down from RMB400 to 260, about 17 quid.
It has the black analogue face with white hands so it easy to see in all weather conditions. There are two seperate digital readouts so you have the normal stopwatch/elasped time plus 24/12 day/date and alarms. It is a Bentley Special, it says so on the back.
BENTLEY
MOTORS
Special Edition
Certified Chronometer
100M/330FT
Manufactured in switchinternet
By BRIETLING
It has a rotating bezel and as I am paid in US$ and my expenses are in Sterling it is invaluable to work out how much of a pay rise/drop I am receiving.
I have had it about 8 months and it is accurate to with 2secs /month which is probably as good as the GPS if it wasn't corrected.
The strap bending problem is solved as it has quick release pins and it isn't affected by dropping 8ft to the helideck.
The after sales service is excellent. The dealer who sold it to me has replaced four strap pins so far AT NO COST WHATSOEVER.
The only problem I have had with it was that the second hand setting button pinged off somewhere but it has an excellent cost effective manual overide, toothpicks are about 5p/1000.
Knocked him down from RMB400 to 260, about 17 quid.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
From: It wasn't me, I wasn't there, wrong country ;-)
Best watch
B Navitimer, but that was when we needed a mini spin wheel. Wasn,t a posser piece, it was a work/planning piece, smaller than a big spin wheel. Why have a watch which distracts from the process of flying, spin wheels are cheaper and make good frizbees in the pub/garden, or KMIA ramp!!!!! A watch is for telling the time I thought?
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Midlands
The definitive pilot's watch.
Hello A340x. Just caught this thread while looking for the definitive pilot's watch myself.
My favorite is my H3 Commanders' watch by Traser. It has a clear, no nonsense face like Jimmy Macintosh's watch and fantastic visibility at night due to the tritium powered lights on the hands and hours. The rotating bezel gives me time airborne (when I remember to set it) and the date is always useful. The glass is sapphire crystal so no scratches in 5 years and the thing is waterproof down to 300m. The accuracy is phenomenal - less than 5 seconds error per month - which is all down to its swiss quartz movement. Not as stylish as a Breitling but still looks good with either a flying suit or evening wear. Best of all, you can buy five of them for the same price as a Breit.
Why am I looking for the definitive watch then? I would like an alarm on it, a second time zone, the day of the week, a chronograph and a slightly bigger face. There - that is my perfect pilot's watch.
A company called Fortis come close - but their prices are in the mid 'teens and I still have a mortgage.
My favorite is my H3 Commanders' watch by Traser. It has a clear, no nonsense face like Jimmy Macintosh's watch and fantastic visibility at night due to the tritium powered lights on the hands and hours. The rotating bezel gives me time airborne (when I remember to set it) and the date is always useful. The glass is sapphire crystal so no scratches in 5 years and the thing is waterproof down to 300m. The accuracy is phenomenal - less than 5 seconds error per month - which is all down to its swiss quartz movement. Not as stylish as a Breitling but still looks good with either a flying suit or evening wear. Best of all, you can buy five of them for the same price as a Breit.
Why am I looking for the definitive watch then? I would like an alarm on it, a second time zone, the day of the week, a chronograph and a slightly bigger face. There - that is my perfect pilot's watch.
A company called Fortis come close - but their prices are in the mid 'teens and I still have a mortgage.
Last edited by Dave Ishall; 14th September 2007 at 15:04.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: ENGLAND, BUT IN ASIA NOW
Currnetly have the Citizen ECO-skyhawk with titanium bracelet. Nice watch and sort of light. But i'm getting a new breitling Emergency watch, maybe just maybe... they could save your life one day when flying around...
Brian304
Brian304
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Many years in aviation and notwithstanding the Breitling bashers I've always enjoyed the brand. Can't see the sliderule very well anymore and never used it that much anyway but I always liked the tie to pilotage and piloting skills the different functions confer. The high tech B-1 is IMHO about as close as I could get to an ideal aviation usage wristwatch. Wish I had it to use forty years ago. LOL. 
Cheers,
Ron
Ron - sorry to have to hit your first post, but the pics are too large and I'm afraid too many! Please have a look at image posting guidelines at Reminder 4 on http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=251368. One pic 800x 600 if you would.
Cheers,
Ron
Ron - sorry to have to hit your first post, but the pics are too large and I'm afraid too many! Please have a look at image posting guidelines at Reminder 4 on http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=251368. One pic 800x 600 if you would.
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 1
From: is everything
An early IWC Spitfire would suit me fine. Black face, clear digits. Unfortunately, IWC jumped the shark and change things for the sake of having something new to sell.
I like my Dufeau, and I did like my Fortis until I actually had to try and get something repaired by them. c
nts. Complete waste of space, service-wise.
I like my Dufeau, and I did like my Fortis until I actually had to try and get something repaired by them. c
nts. Complete waste of space, service-wise.
Last edited by Bushfiva; 24th January 2008 at 23:35.
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Europa
Fortis
Actually Fortis were superb on the customer service front - yes had to send watch back to Germany but it was well over 10 years old and they did a superb job and charged minimal costs. Would have cost more through a UK watch repairer!
Hopefully they will have a good UK importer soon.
See:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthr...ghlight=Fortis
Hopefully they will have a good UK importer soon.
See:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthr...ghlight=Fortis
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, Arizona
Citizen Eco Drive Skyhawk
Citizen Eco Drive Skyhawk (Titanium) is a very nice watch. One does have to be careful not to scratch it.
Does anyone else find that the rotating computer sticks?
Sorree! Link to commercial site removed IAW PPrune rules.
Does anyone else find that the rotating computer sticks?
Sorree! Link to commercial site removed IAW PPrune rules.
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 589
From: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
Lutefisk989
My wife gave me a square box when we arrived at the hotel after our wedding - I opened it to find a Breitling B-1!
A wonderful watch for flying - analogue hour hand (local) and digital UTC background is great. Also home time as T2. It's good having the Alarm on T2 as you can set that for a specific time to call home.
Breitling B-1....gift from my Bride.
A wonderful watch for flying - analogue hour hand (local) and digital UTC background is great. Also home time as T2. It's good having the Alarm on T2 as you can set that for a specific time to call home.