![]() Enabling the wearer to display the local time simultaneously with UTC, GMT, or Zulu time - the 43mm Bremont ‘Zulu’ ALT1-Z is utilized throughout both military and aviation circles. In fact, the watchmaker specializes in developing aviator instruments inspired by some of history’s most legendary aircraft. ![]() The upright triangular index at 12 o’clock, accompanied by two dots, is a B-Uhr-inspired element, borrowed from some of the manufacturer’s most famous pilot’s watches of the past.Ĭollaborating with ejection seat manufacturer, Martin Baker and forming connections with British-born car manufacturer, Jaguar are not the only achievements Bremont can lay claim to. A heavy-duty calfskin strap made by Santoni adds to the character of the Mark XVIII, and despite its simple dial design and an ETA-based caliber - the altimeter style date window at 3 o’clock keeps the watch feeling a touch sporty. The IWC Mark XVIII has a compact 40mm steel case that is easy to wear on the wrist every day. IWC fans will already be aware that the watchmaker partnered with Jaeger-LeCoultre during the 1940s and incorporated an anti-magnetic soft-iron inner cage into the Mk11 watch – a technology still used by the manufacturer today. ![]() Considered a sports watch by many, its sharp legibility broadly appeals to many a pilot watch collector. The evolution of the Mark series has a rich and storied history and has always centered around clarity, precision, and simplicity. Initially, it’s quite difficult to wrap your head around the fact that a specialist watch like the Mark XVIII can be considered a non-pilot’s favorite watch. Maybe they impress with their ability to keep up with the breakneck pace of changeable factors in the cockpit? Maybe they make us nostalgic? Or perhaps they just make us want to soar high above the clouds. Whether considered classics or latecomers to the game, these top ten pilot’s watches have made it to this Fratello list for a reason. It doesn’t matter if you’re gliding thousands of feet above sea level or if you prefer your feet firmly on solid ground – your wrist may gravitate towards a pilot’s watch for many reasons. And it’s no coincidence that their utilitarian aesthetics are among the many benefits of owning one. Large Arabic numeral hour tracks, prominent crowns, and lume-coated hands all tip their hat to the golden age of air travel. It just so happens that pilot’s watches had a remarkably distinct look that never lost their appeal over time. The industry required a legible, easy-to-grip, accessible, reliable, and comfortable tool. Watches for pilots were a much-needed thing. There was a time, however, when equipment in the cockpit couldn’t be taken for granted. In all honesty, a pilot’s watch is less about functionality these days and more about style. ![]() In the same vein, a pilot’s control panel is within arm’s reach of him when he needs to access critical air-bound calculations. Professional divers have access to a whole host of computerized equipment to help them navigate the big blue. If I said to you, “Men are strong and do all the hard work” would you agree? What about “Girls are not as good at sport as men”? Or “Men are messy and unclean”? We’d like to think stereotyping has no place in today’s society, right? So why, when we strike up a conversation with someone about watches, do we suddenly fall into a bad habit? “You’re wearing a pilot’s watch, so you must be a qualified pilot?” There’s one! If we think about it long enough, the statement feels about as substantial as saying “all divers need a dive watch”. ![]()
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