Pilots watch

[Asterix]

Looking to add a pilots watch to the collection.

IWC are looking good as are Glashutte Orginal (been hugely impressed with my PML and true manufacture)

Sinn could be on the radar but I can't get them in Dubai.

Any others I'm overlooking? Must have date.

[Rgee]

These look nice.

http://www.archimede-watches.com/EN/Pilot.htm

[Apache]

bit cheap for you perhaps but very nice

http://www.wernersflyingwatches.com/ranges.asp?Ran...

[Asterix]

Apache said:

bit cheap for you perhaps but very nice

http://www.wernersflyingwatches.com/ranges.asp?Ran...

Not bad but I couldn't be doing with a quartz movement.

The Achimede use an ETA movement and look ok as well.

Saying that, the IWC uses an ETA base movement and then heavily revises it. Perhaps this is why I'm leaning towards the GO as it's all in house and I love the oversized date.

Edited by Asterix on Tuesday 30th December 10:12

[CommanderJameson]

[BigWithey]

Oris?

[Slagathore]

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/watch.asp?productid=5...

Fortis do some nice ones!

There are a few more if you go back and look at all their watches!

[andy tims]

Rather depends on what you want to spend.

IWC & Glashutte Orginal are obviously great watches.

Stowa, Fortis, Archimede, Sinn, Steinhart, Damasko, Hamilton all make pilot style watches that are all fantastic value, but use bought in movements. If this is not an issue, the choice is huge.

[Asterix]

andy tims said:

Rather depends on what you want to spend.

IWC & Glashutte Orginal are obviously great watches.

Stowa, Fortis, Archimede, Sinn, Steinhart, Damasko, Hamilton all make pilot style watches that are all fantastic value, but use bought in movements. If this is not an issue, the choice is huge.

I want something that is pretty rugged as well. Do the others you've listed stack up?

[andy tims]

Sinn & Damasko are VERY tough watches. The ONLY problem with Damasko is actually getting hold of them - very rare, but they do come up for sale pre-owned (usually mint condition) on the forums such as TZ-UK.

[Apache]

never heard of em, nice looking watch though

[lowdrag]

I've had my Spitfire chrono for a year now and it has not been off my wrist whether it be in the shower, swimming or whatever. Doesn't miss a beat (but then at the price it shouldn't) and it gets a few comments from people who admire it's quiet style. I looked at the watch you show but it is 2mm smaller than the chrono and didn't look quite right. I think though that for value for money I'd probably go for a Sinn instead now though, no matter how much I still like the IWC. You cab have several watches for the same money.

[A S P]

BigWithey said:

Oris?

Mine's an old variation

[tobybmw535i]

fortis watches are good and alot of pilots have these.

Edited by tobybmw535i on Wednesday 31st December 12:08

[andy tims]

Apache said:

never heard of em, nice looking watch though

Nice pair - Stupidly sold my 757 earlier this year I'm after a DC67 (to go with the DA37 & DC56) but wouldn't turn my nose up at a 66 like yours - very nice.

[Papoo]

Asterix said:

andy tims said:

Rather depends on what you want to spend.

IWC & Glashutte Orginal are obviously great watches.

Stowa, Fortis, Archimede, Sinn, Steinhart, Damasko, Hamilton all make pilot style watches that are all fantastic value, but use bought in movements. If this is not an issue, the choice is huge.

I want something that is pretty rugged as well. Do the others you've listed stack up?

I'd say so. Money aside, I'd be all over that Glashutte Original. I think it's beautiful. Interestingly, I believe G.O, IWC and Stowa are three of the 4 companies which actually made this style of Flieger piece for the Luftwaffe during the war. So, you can't question heritage, or the 'right' to replicate this style of watch.

The IWC, I think is beautiful, too. However, I find IWC to be all about their name. Don't get me wrong, I know they make great watches, have great heritage, etc. I just believe that whatever the style IWC you look at, be it Flieger, marine-chronometer or anything else, there are equally as good, completely in-house options, which are probably cheaper, too. And most likely German.

For value, the Stowa watches are hard to beat. Very well built, reliable, wonderfully revised Unitas 6497 in it, and good service. All for not much money.

Can't pass too much comment on the rest, other than Sinn, which again, are quite brilliant. VERY rugged, and also pretty good value..

HTH

[Seb d]

At the GO factory I saw an original pilot's watch from the war - must have been about 60 or 70mm!!

[CommanderJameson]

Zeno do some huge pilot's watches.

This puppy is 55mm:

[Papoo]

Seb d said:

At the GO factory I saw an original pilot's watch from the war - must have been about 60 or 70mm!!

That's not a watch, that's a clock! Still, only about 1/4 the size of your typical Bell & Ross 'aviator-themed' piece!

[CommanderJameson]

Papoo said:

Seb d said:

At the GO factory I saw an original pilot's watch from the war - must have been about 60 or 70mm!!

That's not a watch, that's a clock! Still, only about 1/4 the size of your typical Bell & Ross 'aviator-themed' piece!

At risk of dragging the topic away from pilot's watches and onto very big watches indeed, B&R have nothing - nothing - on U Boat for sheer "that's a clock, that is"-ness:

Edited by CommanderJameson on Wednesday 31st December 18:00