Words: Charlie Thomas
Although designed to help pilots during mid-flight, aviation watches are some of the most stylish timepieces on the planet. There’s something about their functional design, which is both intrinsically appealing and unwaveringly masculine, and for this, we love them. Here are five of the best.
BREITLING NAVITIMER, , Perhaps the most famous of all aviation watches, the Breitling Navitimer is as stylish as it is practical. In this combination, the black dial is perfectly contrasted by the white sub-dials, allowing for incredible legibility under even the most strenuous of circumstances. It can of course perform a wide range of airborne calculations though, should you find yourself in a sticky situation.
Breitling Navitimer, £5,760 from Watches of Switzerland
ROLEX GMT-MASTER II, , The GMT-Master II celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, cementing its place among Rolex’s finest pieces. Engineered for international airline pilots, it features a 24-hour rotating bezel and a separate 24-hour hand, allowing the wearer to tell the time in three different time-zones.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, £POA from Rolex
IWC BIG PILOT, , A legendary watch among the IWC family, the Big Pilot has been in production for a staggering 70 years, making it one of the longest running watches from the famed Swiss brand. Housed inside is one of their most impressive movements – the biggest ever for IWC; the 51111-calibre movement effortlessly builds up a 7-day power reserve and the unique design of the case protects the watch against magnetic fields.
IWC Big Pilot, £POA from IWC
BREMONT ALT1-WT WORLD TIMER,
This Bremont timepiece channels the blue trend that has been dominating the world of watches as of late. It’s been designed with absolute functionality however, and allows pilots and travellers to read multiple time zones, using both the unique bezel and extra 24-hour hand.
Bremont Alt1-WT World Timer, £4,195 from Watches of Switzerland
OMEGA SPEEDMASTER PROFESSIONAL, , The Omega Speedmaster Professional takes the moniker of ‘aviation watch’ to new heights. The first watch to land on the moon, it helped define Omega as a brand and has firmly placed them on the map as innovators and leaders in their field.
Omega Speedmaster Professional, £3,420 from Watches of Switzerland
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