The pilot’s watch is one of the most successful genres of all timepieces. It owes its popularity to its distinctive design and outstanding functionality. Its popular instrumental look is the result of more than a century of history as a technical aid on board of aircrafts. Although aviator watches have been improved and technically upgraded over the decades, they continue to radiate the original spirit of adventure and bravery. And even though modern measuring instruments and GPS have long since taken over their former tasks, pilot’s watches still impress aficionados with their original features, such as optimal readability, robust construction and fine vintage design.
Hamilton Khaki Pilot Air-Glaciers
Hamilton has a long aviation heritage dating back to 1918, when the pioneering pilots of the day relied on the precision of its watches and navigation instruments. In 2022, the Swiss brand with American roots announced its partnership with Air-Glaciers, one of the most advanced helicopter rescue organizations in the world. Carrying out more than 3,000 missions a year in the Swiss Alps from six bases, the performance and precision of their equipment is paramount to the success of each mission.
In 2022, Hamilton announced its partnership with Air-Glaciers. Designed with direct input from their helicopter pilots, the Khaki Pilot Air-Glaciers takes to the skies in a lightweight 42mm titanium case with a blue dial.
The second hand is inspired by a helicopter rotor blade and stands out against the background. The Arabic numerals and indices and the skeletonized hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova for nighttime readability. The layout is inspired by historic pilot’s watches, where the important minute display was prominently displayed on the outside and the hour ring on the inside. A day of the week and date display are also integrated at 3 o’clock.
Water-resistant to 100 meters, the pilot’s watch is powered by Hamilton’s self-winding H-30 automatic movement with a Nivachron anti-magnetic balance spring and an 80-hour power reserve.
The special edition comes with an additional suede nubuck strap and exclusive packaging, the Ruck Case R40 by Pelican.
The Khaki Aviation Pilot – Air Glaciers Edition retails for $1,395.
To learn more, visit Hamilton, here.
Stowa Verus 40 Baumuster B
Stowa, a traditional watch manufacturer based in the German Gold City of Pforzheim, has been producing aviator watches for decades. Today it offers a wide range of pilot watches, including the Flieger Verus collection, available in diameters from 36mm to 43mm. The Flieger Verus 40 now welcomes the new Flieger Verus 40 Model B. Fans of the genre know what the B stands for, it denotes the historic “Baumuster B” layout, where the minute track is on the periphery and the hour track is on the inner circle, as opposed to “Baumuster A” which has a standard layout. Stowa introduced the “Baumuster B” around 1942.
This dial of the latest addition to the Flieger Verus squad is therefore characterized by the prominent outer minute track and the smaller inner hour circle. As is crucial for a pilot’s watch, it is clearly readable from all angles. Thanks to the long-lasting Superluminova BGW9 coating, which emits a light blue glow, nighttime readability is also guaranteed.
The case measures 40mm in diameter and has a modest thickness of 10.2mm. Water-resistant to 50 meters, its exhibition caseback reveals the mechanical movement ticking inside. Stowa offers the Flieger Verus 40 Model B with the Sellita SW200 automatic movement in the basic or top version and with the Sellita SW210 manual movement in the top version.
The watch is available with a black leather strap or a mesh strap, with prices starting from approximately $850 when converted to USD.
To learn more, visit Stowa, here.
Laco Kiel Sport
Laco, also based Pforzheim, draws back on a long history of aviation watches, too. In fact, the company, which celebrates its 100th anniversary next year, was also among the five manufacturers commissioned to produce “B-Uhren” watches for the pilots of the German Luftwaffe in the 1940s. In modern times, Laco takes to the skies with aviator watches that combine the charm of vintage with the latest technology at an attractive price point.
The new Kiel Sport chronograph is a good example of this product strategy. Measuring 43mm in diameter and water-resistant to 100 meters, the selfwinding chronograph based on the Sellita SW 00 has a dark sand-blasted stainless steel case with a unidirectional ceramic bezel and a big crown.
The matte black dial, covered by a sapphire crystal, has the functionality of a pilot’s watch, with prominent Arabic numerals, markers and the indispensable triangle at 12 o’clock coated with Superluminova C3. The blued hour and minute hands are also luminescent. This functionality is complemented by the day and date display at 3 o’clock. The Kiel Sport comes with a black calfskin strap.
Pricing is marked at $2,390.
To learn more, visit Laco, here.
