There are several different types of pilot watches so let’s take a look at some of them. The first are those issued or designed to be issued to actual pilots and their crews mainly from WWII through the Vietnam War. Some of these watchmakers include IWC, Benrus, and Longines. Most of these pilot watches were just basic 12/24 military timekeepers and did not feature the chronograph function. These watches are really not true pilot watches as a chronographic feature is really a necessity especially when flying a plane with only basic instrumentation.

Some of the current aviator watches on the market today such as those made by Blancpain, Breuget, Breitling, Longines and others do have an actual aviation heritage and utilize some basic design components in the dial, movement, or case that go back to the watches made specifically for aviators. Most still fall into the designer watch category and do not really function well as true pilot watches.

Now that we have covered a little of the history of aviator watches and talked about the pilot watches that are really not suitable for flying, let’s take a look at some of the watches that are actually chosen and used by pilots and others in the aviation industry.
Among these we will list vintage aviator watches and then current aviator watches.

Among the pilot watches considered to be vintage are the Longines Lindberg Hour Angle, named for Charles Lindberg, the Breitling Navitimer, Breitling Cosmonaute, and the Rolex GMT. The current versions of the Cosmonaute and the Rolex GMT are essentially the same as the vintage models. Some of the better makers of true aviation watches include Torgoen, Breitling, Omega, Citizen, and Seiko. Seiko is one of the most prolific of these watchmakers with a huge range of different models available.

Modern technology and increased instrumentation in aircraft has all but eliminated the need for a pilot to wear a watch but any good aviator will always have a good pilot’s watch as a backup.

If you are shopping for a man’s watch for yourself or for someone else, there are some things that should be considered. Taking time to think about some things before your purchase will be rewarding. There is nothing worse than investing in something that does not meet one’s needs or taste.

Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a man’s watch.

Size of The Face: Watches are made with different sized faces. Most watches for men are made with a larger than standard size face. This is important because a man’s watch with a standard size face may end up looking like a woman’s watch on a really big man.

Color of the Face and Strap: Depending on the personality and lifestyle of the person, a colorful watch may or may not be a good idea. Even though you can find this colorful trend in cheaper watches as well as more expensive watches, it is probably better to stick with the classic or traditional look.

Budget: Last but of course not least, how much are you willing to spend? Obviously the more you are willing to spend, the more options you will have. People have different ideas about what is expensive and what is not when it comes to watches. Some might think that $150 is expensive while others may think anything under $500 is cheap.

When buying a man’s watch for yourself or for someone else, considering the things mentioned above will help make your purchase worthwhile. However, if you are purchasing it for someone else as a gift, remember that this is an item that they will use often, and if the right choice is made, they may think of you favorably whenever they use it.