The Top Ten Pilot Watches

<p>Ready for take-off? Authentic <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/pilot-watches/">pilot watches</a> are still quite a rarity. Here’s our Top 10.</p>
<h3>1. The most popular: Rolex GMT-Master II</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163840" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-Rolex.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Rolex GMT Master II Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>Does this legendary traveler need any further introduction? Launched in 1955, the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master was the official watch of Pan American World Airways, more commonly known as Pan Am – at that time the largest intercontinental airline in the US. There have been ongoing improvements to the GMT-Master, delivering ever better technical performance. In 1982, Rolex introduced a new caliber, allowing the hours hand to be adjusted separately from the 24-hour and minutes hands: the <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/rolex/rolex-gmt-master-ii/">GMT-Master II</a>. Now powered by the Cal. 3285, it has become an icon, in particular thanks to its two-tone ‘Pepsi’ dial.</p>
<h3>2. The most extravagant: Richard Mille 62-01</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163839" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-Richard-Mille.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Richard Mille Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>The brand has recently unveiled its second achievement in partnership with Airbus Corporate Jets. In what you might call a vibrant tribute to air travel, the new <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/richard-mille/">RM</a> 62-01 includes a vibrating alarm. The ‘Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm,’ to give it its full name, features a silent alarm. The mechanism consists in a rotor that revolves at very high speed on its own central axis at up to 90 revolutions per second (5,400 rpm). This extremely fast rotation generates vibration that can be felt on the wrist. A little extravagance that will cost you CHF 1.3 million.</p>
<h3>3. The most iconic: Breitling Navitimer</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163834" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-Breitling.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Breitling Navitimer Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/breitling/breitling-navitimer/">Navitimer</a> is an inescapable icon of aviation watchmaking; it has successfully adapted to various technical developments over the years, thereby establishing itself as one of the most reliable mechanical chronographs, complete with its acclaimed bezel and large, stainless steel case. The name belies its vocation, being a contraction of the words ‘Navigation’ and ‘Timer’. It was first launched in 1952; aided by the slide rule associated with its Venus 176 chronograph, and by the Valjoux 72 movement, it has become a legend.</p>
<h3>4. The coolest: Zenith Pilot Type 20</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163841" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-Zentih.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Zenith Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>The Le Locle-based manufacture was one of the first to make the original aesthetic appearance of pilot watches fashionable once again, with broad cathedral hands and a very vintage look in an oversized case, corresponding to the standards of the days when pocket movements were first shifted onto the wrist. That said, it’s the brand’s more recent <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/zenith/zenith-pilot/">Zenith</a> Type 20 Extra Special, with a dial resembling an aluminum fuselage, that’s become established as the most creative of present-day pilot watches.</p>
<h3>5. The most historic: Cartier Santos</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163835" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-Cartier.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Cartier Santos Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>The Santos in <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/cartier/cartier-santos/">Cartier Santos</a> refers to Santos Dumont, the pilot, encapsulating the involvement of Louis Cartier in the design of his aviator friend’s watch back in 1904, at a time when only pocket watches existed. It’s a visionary creation, with a crazy aesthetic appearance due to its broad, square dial, Roman numerals, and visible screws. The perfect accessory for flying with elegance and style!</p>
<h3> 6. The most readable: IWC Big Pilot</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163836" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-IWC.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="IWC Big Pilot Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>If you have a whole collection called <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/iwc/iwc-pilot-s-watches/">Pilot Watches</a>, it’s difficult to go wrong. From the three-hand Big Pilot to the Quantième Perpétuel via 1940 vintage revivals, IWC offers a wide range of pilot watches to suit all styles, built on 150 years’ worth of expertise. The Big Pilot is a timeless watch that’s perfectly readable thanks to its sober, no-nonsense appearance.</p>
<h3> 7. The most famous: Breguet Type XXI</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163833" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-Breguet.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Breguet Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>As well as its pilot watches, the <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/breguet/">Breguet</a> family has been historically involved in aviation through the construction of some of the most famous aircraft of the early 20th century, including the Type I, Deux Ponts, and Breguet 14. When you buy a Breguet Type XXI, you’re not simply wearing an aviator watch; you’re carrying a piece of aviation history on your wrist.</p>
<h3>8. The most affordable: Longines Spirit</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163837" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-Longines.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Longines Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>Can you really take delight in a pilot watch without breaking the bank? The answer is yes, with <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/longines/">Longines</a>. Longines accompanied female aviation legend Amelia Earhart back in the 1920s, followed later by Howard Hughes and Elinor Smith. The Longines Spirit collection pays tribute to them all.</p>
<h3>9. The most elegant: Patek Philippe Calatrava</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163846" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Patek-Philippe.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="Patek Philippe Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p>Patek Philippe is not best-known for its pilot watches, but it does offer some fine specimens. One such piece is the <a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/patek-philippe/patek-philippe-calatrava/">Calatrava</a> Pilot Travel Time 7234, featuring a dual time band, broad, luminous hands, and a decidedly 1930s spirit. A masterpiece – and one of the very rare pilot watches to measure only 37.5 millimetres.</p>
<h3>10. The rarest: H. Moser & Cie</h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163838" src="https://watchbox-blog.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-02-2021-Top-10-Pilots-Moser.jpg?max-w=1024&q=50&auto=format,compress&usm=10&usmrad=3" alt="H. Moser Pilot's Watch" width="1200" height="800" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/h--moser-cie/">H. Moser & Cie’s</a> aviation pedigree is as near to non-existent as makes no difference. That hasn’t stopped fine watchmaking’s most off-the-wall brand from riffing on the category with its rip-roaring Heritage Tourbillon Funky Blue Steel, probably the only aviation-themed watch to be made fully in-house – and feature a tourbillon. A tourbillon-free version is also available…</p>

Breguet Breitling Cartier IWC Longines Patek Philippe Richard Mille Rolex Zenith H. Moser & Cie.

Written By

Olivier Müller

Olivier Müller is a professional luxury journalist and consultant. He divides his time between Geneva and Paris, covering especially horology-related topics for a dozen or so magazines and specialist websites in Europe. He is also a regular speaker at various events. In 2008, Olivier Müller set up Delos Communications to manage the writing side of his business, spanning many different countries. Delos Communications also provides consultancy services for luxury communication, helping brands as they define and implement their strategy in terms of positioning, messages and audience.

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