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Pilot watches are some of the best timepieces around. Not only are they ideal for airmen, but everyone else can benefit from their stylish appearance as well. The reason that so many people love pilot watches is that they’re comfortable, stylish, and they have a few features that regular watches seem to lack. For example, many of them have multiple compasses and timezones.
After considering all the best pilot watches through numerous blog posts and customer reviews, we’ve come up with a list. We wanted to make sure that it included tough materials, such as stainless steel, unique features like a rotating bezel, and other details that made them all stand out from the rest. Whether you’re looking for a Swiss automatic, Japanese, or any other type of watch, we’ve got you covered.
When you’re ready to find the right pilot watch for you, head on down below to view our list.
View The Best Pilot Watches Below
1. Citizen JY8078-01L Promaster Skyhawk A-T
Citizen has all sorts of top-notch timepieces to choose from. The Citizen Men’s Promaster Skyhawk A-T is a fantastic example of their hard work and dedication. It’s about as detailed as it gets, compared to other watches. This watch currently comes in blue and silver-tone, as well as a separate silver-tone with a shiny black finish.
Finding the right aviation watch might be a struggle, but as you’ll see, Citizen has a few options on the list. This one, in particular, has radio controller monitors, a 24-hour clock as well as a 12-hour clock, and fuel indicators. You can even set a start and end destination in the watch’s programming.
Pilots could use this watch anywhere in the world for accurate time-telling and navigation assistance. The leather strap is comfortable, so don’t worry about it rubbing around and causing irritation. On a side note, the water resistance rating allows you to use it down to 660 feet, well above most competitors.
Pros:
+ Comes in three colors, all of which have bold black lettering
+ Includes a compass
+ Allows you to set start and end locations
Why We Like It – We like this pilot watch because it’s made with heavy-duty materials and there are all sorts of useful functions on it.
2. IWC Pilot’s Chronograph Edition Le Petit Prince IW377714
Next up on the list is the IWC Men’s Pilot’s Chronograph Le Petit Prince Watch. This watch is one of the simplest designed pilot watches that we could find. It doesn’t flash around, but you can dress it up or down with any wardrobe set. From the brown leather band to the bold blue face, this watch is incredible to look at.
Important information, such as the day, date, time, and a few additional features are shown across the display. The stainless steel bezel protects it from damage, as does the tough, smudge-free glass. The large Arabic numerals across the watch make it easy for you to view the time whenever you need to as well.
This Swiss chronograph watch has a 44-hour power reserve. Combined with the luminescent hands, you’ll rarely have to worry about being on time. Whether you’re using this watch as a pilot or not, it has all sorts of features that make it a great find for anyone.
Pros:
+ Includes a stainless steel bezel
+ Optional brown leather strap
+ Comes with a 44-hour power reserve
+ Tons of functionality despite the simple appearance
+ Swiss automatic movement watch
Why We Like It – We like this Swiss watch because it looks amazing with any outfit, but it boasts tons of information to the wearer.
3. Breitling Transocean Unitime Pilot World Time Chronograph
It’s no secret that Breitling makes some of the best watches in almost any category. Their pilot watches are luxurious and seemingly last forever. The Breitling Transoceanic Unitime Men’s Watch comes with a black dial to show off all of the details right off the bat. You don’t have to squint to see any of the information, thankfully.
One of the first features that you’ll notice about this watch is the massive 46 mm diameter. It’s definitely one of the largest watches on the list. The brushed stainless steel case keeps your investment safe by protecting it from scratches, drops, and so on.
World timezones circulate the exterior part of the watch, showing you the time anywhere you want to go. It also has a traditional 12-hour watch, as well as a few additional timers and other features for you to try out.
Pros:
+ Wear it to see the timezones anywhere in the world
+ Precise 12-hour clock
+ Automatic movement
Why We Like It – We like this aviation watch because it looks fantastic and it has numerous timezones to make your life much easier.
4. Citizen Stainless Steel Navihawk
Another great watch by Citizen is their Men’s Stainless Steel Navihawk Watch. It comes in an all-silver design from the strap to the bezel. Even the lettering and the print across the dial are all silver on a black surface. Outshining the previous entry in size, this watch is a massive 48 mm.
If you’re on the hunt for aviation watches with all of the details you need, there’s no way that you could go wrong with this one. The mineral crystal glass protects against scratches, glares, smudges, and other unwanted problems, so you don’t have to worry about them.
This watch also has multiple timezones, including the main areas that pilots tend to fly through. These include the USA, Japan, Europe, China, and more. All of the details are lit up thanks to the illuminated hands that charge from sunlight exposure.
Pros:
+ Comes with a water resistance rating of 660 feet
+ All silver and black design
+ Perfect aviator watch for numerous timezones
Why We Like It – We like this pilot watch because it has all sorts of detailed information so that you can wear it without having to look elsewhere to know various timezones, arrival times, and so on.
5. Timex Expedition Field Watch
Timex has a vast collection of timepieces that won’t break the bank. You also won’t have to sacrifice quality, which practically makes them a steal too many watch collectors. The Timex Men’s Expedition Field Chronograph Watch is a top contender on our list for those who don’t want to spend too much money to get a great watch.
The brown leather strap on this watch looks fantastic in contrast to the black bezel. It has bright tan stitching for an even more popping display. Although the appearance is great, many people think that the functionality is even better. Check the time and set multiple stopwatches all from your wrist.
If you choose to go with this aviation watch, you’ll be able to pick from quite a few colors. Some of these options include Tan & Black, Blackout & Red, Brown & Cream, and many other unique color combinations. It also uses Indiglo technology to illuminate the watch when you need to.
Pros:
+ Comes with a stylish leather band
+ Rugged, durable design
+ Budget-friendly price
Why We Like It – This watch is one the list because it has great functionality and a nice customized appearance.
6. Citizen Eco-Drive Titanium Perpetual Chrono Atomic
Citizen has a pilot watch that also doubles as a high-class, mid-range timepiece. The Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Titanium Watch is quite affordable in comparison to the rest of their selection. However, it still has just as many features for the most part. The 42 mm case is ideal for all wrist sizes, making it a top pick for everyone.
Much like most of the other entries on the list, this watch is an automatic movement timepiece. It also has a high water resistance rating of 200 m, which comes out to 660 feet. You can choose to set the time to either a 12-hour mode or a 24-hour mode and feel free to access the numerous timezones as well. They include NYC, DEN, LAX, and many more popular airports.
This watch even goes as far as illuminating the day of the week. It shows all seven days with the current day brightened up a bit thanks to the power reserve. It has a titanium link bracelet for maximum durability as well. The markers that spread across the watch give all sorts of details that all pilots need at some point.
Pros:
+ Great pilot watch with timezones and two-time modes
+ Precise timing anywhere in the world
+ Fantastic functionality with illuminated days and dates
Why We Like It – We like this pilot watch because it looks great with the black and silver combination, but the various features take it a step further.
7. Bulova Special Edition Lunar Pilot
Next, we have the Bulova Lunar Pilot Watch. This pilot watch is one of our favorites for many reasons. The 45 mm case is 13.5 mm thick, making it bulkier than most other watches that we’ve reviewed. The black strap looks great in contrast to the silver bezel as well. It also comes with a black nylon strap.
The rating on this watch allows it to withstand 50m of water pressure. Although it’s not ideal for deep diving and swimming, you can wash your hands and not worry about damaging it. Pushing in the crown on the right side of the watch will stop water from getting into it.
Designs are as important in a pilot watch as any other, which is where this model excels. The sapphire glass on the top layer prevents any scratches, while the stainless steel bezel protects against other damage. All in all, it has multiple clocks and stopwatches that are protected from all sides.
Pros:
+ Comes with two interchangeable straps
+ Bulky watch face
+ Water-resistant down to 50 meters
Why We Like It – We like this watch because it’s an ideal choice for pilots who want multiple appearances from a single information-packed timepiece.
8. AVI-8 AV-4053 Hawker Hurricane Altimeter Edition
If you’re searching for a budget-friendly pilot watch, then the AVI-8 Men’s Hawker Hurricane Altimeter Watch is a solid choice. It features orange and white numbers for easy distinction, so you don’t have to confuse the time. It also has two broad hands to make visibility even better.
This is one of the best watches on the list because it’s cheap, comfortable, and it tells only the necessary details. You can view the date and time with a quick look at the bold numbers. The face is black to contrast with the aforementioned white numbers, but it also comes in a few other colors.
You can choose from Green, Blue, White & Brown, and quite a few others. In any sense, the soft band is perfect to wear with any outfit. The display comes out to 43mm, which is plenty enough to see everything. The markers all over this watch are ideal for quick viewing.
Pros:
+ Comes with a stainless steel bezel
+ Include white and black markers and numbers
+ Fantastic pilot watch for the price
Why We Like It – We like this watch because it’s rugged and budget-friendly. If you don’t want too much information clouding the display, this is your new go-to pilot watch.
9. Seiko SNA411 Flight Alarm Chronograph
Last but not least on the list is the Seiko Men’s SNA411 Flight Watch. Seiko has some of the best timepieces on the market, which is why this watch is on the list! It comes with a stainless steel bracelet to wrap around your wrist. The links are all removable, allowing you to adjust it to whatever size you need to.
The black display shows the day, date, time, several timezones, fuel info, and more. There are also several measurements to use in various situations. Most of the lettering is white, making it an easy contrast to see. It also has illuminated hands for further visibility assistance.
If you’re looking to use it in water, it has a rating of 200 meters. All in all, this allows you to go swimming and join in on several other water sports without having to remove your watch. You can also enjoy the detailed markers, the speed gauge, and the crystal glass that makes this watch one of the best for any pilot.
Pros:
+ Great pilot watch for swimming, navigation, and style
+ Comes with a decent water resistance rating
+ Uses a rotating bezel
Why We Like It – We like this watch because any pilot could take advantage of the numerous detailed bits of information. Combined with the top-notch appearance, it’s one of the best pilot watches that money can buy.
Pilot Watch Buyer’s Guide
In this section, you’re going to learn all about the best pilot watches and why you should consider buying one. You don’t have to be a pilot to appreciate the intricate, detailed design of these stunning timepieces. If you have any questions before making your final pick, check out the FAQ below!
What is a Pilot Watch?
A pilot watch is any watch that has all the information a pilot could need. Though they’ve drifted away from the traditional meaning of a pilot watch, modern renditions feature useful information such as speed, various timezones, and even compasses.
Do Pilots Wear Pilot Watches?
While it’s not necessarily a requirement, almost all pilots wear a pilot watch. This is because they have almost everything they need to know right on their wrist! With such quick access to timezones and destinations, they can get on with the hard work ahead without stressing.
Why Do Some Pilot Watches Have a Triangle?
Before watches were illuminated, a pilot needed to find a way to separate 12 o’clock from the rest of the time. The triangle gave them a starting point to tell the time, even when it was dark outside.
Who Made the First Pilot Watch?
Alberto Santos-Dumont requested to have a timepiece that he could have to use while he was keeping both hands on the flight controls all the way back in 1906. The Cartier Santos was the first pilot watch ever made, and it came out of Europe.
Expert Tip
If you don’t have multiple timezones on your watch, don’t forget to change the time when you arrive at a different location.
Did You Know?
The first pilot watch was incredibly simple to avoid having too many details to distract the attention of a pilot. Over the years, they’ve added quite a bit of info to help guide the pilots.
