Watches

[Swass]

I know alot of pilots are watch junkies. I have several but my old favorite standby is my Tag Heuer Professional, followed closely by my wannabe James Bond Omega SeaMaster.

What watches do you wear/prefer?

 

[A Squared]

Bottom of the line Seiko I bought in a pawnshop 19 years ago. It's strapped on with a velcro diver's watchband. I've yet to encounter a cockpit timekeeping requirement that it's failed to fulfil. It gains about a second every couple of weeks. I hear Timexes work prety well too.

 

[NYRANGERS]

I know alot of pilots are watch junkies. I have several but my old favorite standby is my Tag Heuer Professional, followed closely by my wannabe James Bond Omega SeaMaster.

What watches do you wear/prefer?

Agreed, however I prefer the Omega to the Tag. I own an old Omega (was my fathers) and I bought a Tag for myself.

I even managed to talk a buddy (very careful with money) in to buying a Breitling (automatic). Nice watches, although all the watch purchasing is on hold durring the extended vacation.

NYR

 

[typhoonpilot]

The Citizen WR 100 is the hands down winner for pilots. It has the capability to display three time zones at once. I keep the small digital window on UTC, the large digital window on the zone I'm in, and the hands on my home time zone. It has the simplified E6B outer bezel but I don't really use it. It also includes a stopwatch and two alarms. Best of all it is light on the wrist unlike the Rolex and older TAGs. The price is right as well. I bought my current one in Spain a couple of years ago for $100.

The newer Citizen pilot watches are too big and heavy.

The Breitling Titanium is a nice looking watch and would be my second choice.

Typhoonpilot

 

[I.P. Freley]

If we're only talking PILOT watches...

The daily-wear watch is a Timex Expedition. Two time zones in the LCD section plus the dial, so a total of three. Perfect. Keep it for two years, and when the battery dies, throw it out and buy another. All for about 80 cents/month. I wouldn't personally get one of the Citizen Navihawks, primarily because it seems like every other guy I work with has one (usually a birthday present, it seems!).

Not partial to the Omega Seamaster series... Gimme a SPEEDmaster any day, esp. the "Moon Watch." Just wish it had a GMT function... The titanium Breitling Professional is a no-brainer, as is a Rolex Submariner GMT. TAGs are great as dress watches, but I think I'd stick with an Omega for work.

A couple you might not have thought of... Wenger Commando Chronograph (no GMT) and the Fortis Fliegler (with GMT), both Swiss and both very nice with a huge face that looks pretty sweet. Also, if you can find one, a Pacardt (German) is very nice

All of the above are great watches, but I think I will mostly stick to the Timex for bashing about the cockpit. I sure would hate to damage a two thousand dollar watch at work...

 

[U-I pilot]

Fossil does the trick for daily use for me. I survive on what I can afford until I can get a brietling I have long awaited purchasing....I guess that goes along with the planes I wanna buy

 

[Bill Mostellar]

1995 Breitling Aerospace - Titanium & Gold with a Black face

It's been dropped, run over (self induced), neglected, etc. yet keeps running and doesn't show a scratch.

It even got me into the Breitling Hospitality Tent at show center during the Nellis AFB 50th Anniversary Air Show.

I wish you success!

 

[WrightAvia]

haha that brings up a funny story...

This Yugoslavian dude I know, he owns a dropzone nearby. He always brags about how he bought his way into the country by paying an "American" girl to marry him...well anyway, I give him crap all the time about his "CITIZEN" watch.

I'm partial to Seiko's, since they were Navy issue back in the day at Harbor Clearance Unit TWO and I still have one that I been fond of for over 20 years.

 

[Swass]

" as is a Rolex Submariner GMT. TAGs are great as dress watches, but I think I'd stick with an Omega for work."


I am thinking of getting a Rolex Submariner 2 tone or a Sea Dweller. I already have a 18k president's day/date for business occasions but I think it looks goofy on me (I'm 29 and look like I'm 19). Since I don't work in aviation I don't need all the gadgets (although I like the look).
I do alot of scuba and travel, low profile watches don't attract attention like the Presidents bling, bling gold when I'm in "suspect" locales (Mexico etc.)

 

[katanabob]

I have a non-GMT Fortis Fliegler. People always ask me if I have poor near vision. (It's readable from across the room) Tritium markings are a great thing, too.
Complaints against my Citizen Navihawk- unable to read at night (no lighting, and the numbers aren't tritium. They glow for all of 5 minutes) and the %*@_) band. Maybe I am just hard on watches, but I snapped band pins at least a dozen times before the final break did the watch in.
As much as I'd love to buy a Seamaster GMT, regional airline pay is not conducive to obtaining such luxuries.

 

[jetblue320]

The Breitling B-1 is an awesome timepiece. Mine has not lost or gained a second since the day I bought it almost 3 years ago. It is a bit pricey at $2550 retail, but a timepiece certainly made to last a lifetime. It has many features, including 2 alarms that actually will wake you up! It's basically a beefed up version of the Aerospace with a litttle busier face.
I have received countless complements on this watch. I have 8 other Breitlings in my collection bt the B-1 is my work horse on a daily basis when I am flying. The blue face matches well also with JB's uniforms too.

 

[Mr. Cole]

I have the Breitling B2 with the stainless bracelet and the blue face. The digital B1 is nice as well, but I love the "soul" that the mechanical mechanism imparts. My next watch will be either an Old Navitimer or a Breitling Chronomat. Most likely it will be the Navitimer. One thing about the B2 and the B1, you will never forget that it's on your arm, especially when you first start wearing it. I can appreciate some versions of the Tag, but that's all everyone wore in b-school so I could never bring myself to buy one. I would wear an Omega, but I'm certainly a Breitling guy.

Before the Breitling I had a Fossil that served me well for a few years, including duty as a dive watch.

Dave

 

[AV1ATRX]

It's funny somebody else has been contemplating the same thing. I want a dorky pilot's watch - the E6B bezel and all - but they don't make any for women! All of the ones I've looked at are way too big. My Timex (the one that used to be in Sporty's) is dying. It doesn't do anything but tell time now. And I'm not going to make enough money any time soon to buy a Navihawk or a Tag. Has anybody else seen a women's sized pilot watch? I must confess, it's got to have zulu time somewhere because I am so slow at figuring out what it is....

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I second the Breitling Titanium...
rock solid watch that takes a beating well and still looks great.

but if you dont care what you wear, a timex keeps just as good time for a few grand less....

 

[KATL8R26L]

watch

I use a rolex explorer at the present time.

How ever i did look at the Breitlings this past weekend The B-1 is nice with black face, man when that is on your wrist you know it's there.

They had another one just under that one that was not so large, it seem to fit better, i think they called it the Titanium modle and it was priced a little better.

Other than going to mayors where can you find these???, i have checked out the web site also.

 

[KATL8R26L]

watch

Also checked their Hercules modle, that is one that if you got into a fight you beat the attacker with it , it is one heave watch................................ man they are nice , but more flight time need first.

 

[I.P. Freley]

Heck yeah, the Hercules weighs in at almost half a pound... And that's WITHOUT THE STRAP OR BRACELET!!

Just don't drop it on your toe!!

 

[Jungle Prop]

If your looking at a Rolex, you cant go wrong with the stainless steel submariner. Its a timeless design and its durable as hell. No Rolex keeps good time, pretty lousy actually. The stainless is good for everyday wearing plus its works with a suit or something dressier. My ultimate someday purchase is Rolex Daytona in stainless, pretty hard to find. Tag is also a pretty good choice, the new Link chrono is pretty cool.

 

[A1FlyBoy]

Breitling titanium emergency black face.... gota love the watch, safety features and true compas dial on the face....

 

[hhab]

I get good comments about my watch all the time: Lorus Mickey Mouse watch. ( True! )

 

[I.P. Freley]

Yes, but they PAY HER to like them.

 

[Jet_Dreamer]

casio frogman. two times on face, local and .....

 

[mainah]

Chase Durer Squadron Commander

 

[bobbysamd]

One of my favorite topics! Even more than P-F-T!

I disagree strenuously with the comment above about Rolex accuracy. I have a Rolex GMT Master II which varies only one-half a second per day.

I wore an Omega for several years. I didn't think that it was all that great. In all fairness, the model I have was purchased in Europe and might have been a lesser-quality model - but I don't know that for sure.

There are a great many excellent watches available. Something to try to find out about a mechanical watch is the make of its basic movement. You would think that watch companies manufacture their own movements, but a great many companies purchase generic movements and install them in their own cases. Thus, in many situations, you are paying a lot for the name.

A great many chronographs use the Valjoux 7750 movement. Included are some of the Breitlings, but also several Chase-Durer, Limes, and Zeno models. Some of the Fortis, Bell & Ross (Sinn), and Rolex Tudor models use that movement. A widely-used movement for non-chrono watches is the ETA 2824. I know that the makes I mentioned are not as well-known as other watch brands, but they receive great reviews in watch magazines. I have personal experience with all three makes and will vouch for all three as being great values for the price. I own the pictured Zeno model, and believe it is a great alternative to the Breitling E6B model.

Do plenty of shopping. You can oftentimes find better deals on the internet than locally, along with saving money on sales taxes. I've purchased something like five watches on the internet and have had no problems. I would purchase a real high-end watch, such as a Rolex, IWC, Breitling, etc., only from a reputable dealer. I have seen Omegas at Costco and would have no problems purchasing from them (I saw a Chase-Durer model that I own on the referenced page that Costco sells for $300 less than I paid - and I paid less than retail for mine!).

I'd be delighted to entertain any PMs about watches. I'm no watch expert, but I have loved watches since I was a child and believe that I am somewhat knowledgable.

 

[Lear2460]

Women's Breitling's...

I am in search of a ladies Breitling..and am having no luck. I am looking for a watch like the mens, just not such a large wide dial....as my wrists are small....and suggestions to where I can look?

I have checked the hompage, ebay, and other watch sites. Do they even exist??

 

[aviatrix]

Re: Women's Breitling's...

Do they even exist??

Nope. I dont think there are any women's GMT watches out there. At least none that I've seen!

 

[ShawnC]

Wow Bobbysamd you sure know alot about watches. I just know that mine works (most of the time) and it has a UTC time zone programed in.

 

[bobbysamd]

Ladies' Chronos

I am in search of a ladies Breitling..and am having no luck. I am looking for a watch like the mens, just not such a large wide dial....as my wrists are small....and suggestions to where I can look?

I have checked the hompage, ebay, and other watch sites. Do they even exist??

I personally don't know if there is such a thing as ladies' Breitlings. However, for openers, you might check out Chase-Durer ladies' chronos. If I can think of more I'll add to this post.

If you go that route, do plenty of shopping. I think that you can do better elsewhere than buying the watch from the company store.

 

[Mr. Cole]

Ladies Breitlings

Lear,

Just go to www.breitling.com and you will see that they makes a broad assortment of women's watches. Even better, find a local dealer in your area and pick of a copy of the Chronolog, which is Breitling's catalog containing every watch they make in every possible style and color imaginable.

Dave

 

[Loafman]

Breitling Aerospace is by far the best watch I've ever owned. I set it to the FMS over a year ago and it still ticks off the seconds in unison with the satellite time. The timers and alarms are very audible and easy to set. Time zone changes are a snap as the watch has the capability to change hours without losing or gaining a second. I wear it every day and it still shows no scratches and does'nt set off the Magnetometer. The titanium makes it much lighter than a comparable watch. Don't pay full retail when you can get one on Ebay under $1000 US. Most newer models are certified chronometers, so check the back to make sure.

As for the ladies Breitlings, there are several in the catalog, notably a pink diamond-bezeled Callistino. They do not, however, have the same functionality as the men's watches.