Pilot’s Watches and 7 Masterpiece Models

Pilot’s Watches” have become a major genre among mechanical watches. Some are attracted by the distinctive design and historical background and say, “I own all Pilot’s Watches! or “I only have divers’ watches and dress watches, so next time… In any case, there are many men who are passionate about Pilot’s Watches. In this issue, we will introduce their charms and recommended masterpieces. image:jackroad

What is a Pilot’s Watch?

As the name suggests, a “pilot’s watch” is a watch developed for pilots. It is one of the instruments used to safely fly an aircraft, and is characterized by its excellent performance and mechanical appearance. Along with the ” diver’s watch,” which has functions suitable for diving, it is one of the most important genres of wristwatches. While divers’ watches are clearly defined by “ISO (International Organization for Standardization)” and “JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards),” no detailed standards have been set for pilot’s watches to date, so while they share some general features such as a highly airtight case and anti-reflective coating on the windshield, While they share the same general features, such as a high-tightness case and anti-reflective coating on the windshield, various models have been developed, reflecting their individuality in the details. It can be said that this is a unique genre whose definition has changed depending on the interpretation and the times.

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Recently, a new standard for pilot’s watches in Germany, DIN 8330, was published in the German Industrial Standards in 2016, based on a technical standard for pilot’s watches called TESTAF, which was created in 2012 at the initiative of the German watch manufacturer Sinn . The pilot’s watch, which until now has not been clearly defined as such, has been undergoing changes in recent years and is attracting attention, including what kind of standard will take root in the future.

The History of Pilot’s Watches

Pilot’s Watches have evolved along with the history of aviation. If we were to define a pilot’s watch as “a timepiece worn by an aircraft pilot,” then the pocket watch worn by Orville, the brother of the Wright brothers who made the first powered flight, could be considered the first pilot’s watch in history. At the time, wristwatches were considered to be worn by women, and men would take their pocket watches out of their pockets to check the time, but it was difficult for a pilot to make such a troublesome movement during a flight, and he had to hold the controls with a large watch strapped to his thigh. In the midst of this situation, the aristocrat and aviator Rubert Santos Dumont asked his friend Louis Cartier to create a watch that would allow him to easily check the time while in flight. The result was the ” Santos,” the first pilot’s watch ever made as a wristwatch. Soon after the Santos was born, World War I broke out, and the demand for pilot’s watches increased in line with the development of aviation.

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Pilot’s Watch Appeal (1) ” Unparalleled Visibility

High visibility is essential for pilots to be able to instantly check the time and other information. In order to make it easy to check the time in sunlight or darkness, many watches have an oversized hour mark at 12 o’clock and Arabic indexes that make it easy to recognize the time. In addition, the hands and indices are as thick as possible and reflect details such as anti-reflective coating as well as luminescent paint.

The appeal of a pilot’s watch➁ “is the functionality, robustness, and durability that only a watch that supports flight can provide.

Pilot’s watches, which could lead to a serious accident if they malfunction, are highly robust and durable, which is another appealing feature. Equipped with various technologies to withstand sudden changes in temperature and pressure, shaking, gravity, and shocks, watches are useful not only in flight situations but also in daily use. The rotating bezel and rotating slide rule, which are ring-shaped parts around the windshield (glass), can replace instruments in the unlikely event that the cockpit instruments malfunction, and other functions unique to pilot’s watches are also provided.

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Attraction of the Pilot’s Watch (3) “Large crown for easy operation

When pilot’s watches were developed, gloves were worn to protect against the cold and to protect the hands, and they were designed to be easy to operate even without bare hands. One of the most common features is the large “crown. It is grooved to prevent it from slipping and conical in shape to improve finger hooking.