TOP 3 Pilot Wristwatch Brands to Add to Your Collection

The bold and mobile lifestyle of an airfield captain inspires our imagination. Perhaps we might be excited by the lifestyle characterized by flying thousands of feet above sea level. Pilot watches were first invented in 1904 by aviation pioneer Alberto Santos du Mont. Today, the world’s leading luxury watch brands not only serve as reliable companions in the air but also adorn their wrists with watches inspired by aviation. 

However, choosing a pilot’s watch is not an easy task as there are so many models available. You have to consider its functionality and complexity, your specific budget, and, of course, the aesthetics you like. If you want to own one of these timepieces, you will have to choose from one of the many models that are available in the market today. You must check out all the features of the wristwatches you like so that you will be able to make an informed decision when buying one. To get the best choice for your money, here are some brands to buy from 

1. Bell & Ross

Bell & Ross watches are known worldwide as an authority in timepieces. Since its establishment in 1992 Bell & Ross has focused on innovating precision timepieces made for professional use. The company’s mission is to design and manufacture precision timepieces that are masterpieces of art and distinction. One of its popular models of pilot’s watches is the BR01 characterized by a large square case. 

Bell & Ross is most associated with this style and has built a strong collection around it. One of them contains a natural diving watch in a square case, reminiscent of a pilot’s watch. It is also very well made, thought out to the smallest detail, and of high quality. Quality extends to all branded products produced by the company. It is hard to believe that Bell & Ross’s innovative concept will only turn 16 years old in 2021. The brand currently competes with other companies that have been around for decades. 

The company uses many technologies used in the manufacturing of precision military specifications watches which provides for an exacting and reliable timing system. Bell & Ross watches manufacture military specifications, pilots watches, aviation watches, and precision watches that stand out for their toughness and durability.

2. Cartier 

Cartier is one of the world’s leading luxury watch brands. The Cartier Santos is considered to be the first pilot’s watch. Louis Cartier designed the watch for the famous pilot Alberto Santos Dumont, who was a personal friend of the designer. He struggled to access his watch and this led Louis Cartier to come up with a simple yet innovative idea for attaching a watch to a bracelet. 

The Santos strives for readability. The hour and minute hands use Nova Super-Lumi technology for maximum readability at night. Using a Cartier watch, Dumont set a personal flight record in 1906 and reached an altitude of 220 meters in 21 seconds. This is easy by today’s standards, but it was an important moment in the history of aviation. 

Cartier manufactures a wide variety of functional watches and accessories. These watches are designed in a traditionalist style but also feature cutting-edge technology. Cartier timepieces are also highly sophisticated, with many of their models featuring a combination of function and form that make them incredibly attractive timepieces. 

3. Rolex 

When looking for a wristwatch, whether for yourself or someone you care about, take into account the quality of the brand name. Over the decade, Rolex has been a name synonymous with quality. Their impressive line offers many choices in timepieces, including military, sports, and commercial versions. As one of the most popular and respected names in luxury watchmaking, Rolex produces a wide range of styles, each with its own unique story to tell. 

The first Rolex GMT-Master, released in 1955, was originally designed for use by professional pilots on long-haul flights around the world and displays the time in two different time zones at the same time. But nowadays the Rolex Pilots Watch is intended not only for pilots but also for fans of international air travel. This particular model has a sleek and elegant look with a stainless steel case and bracelet. 

With caliber 3075, this master GMT watch can predict the exact time at 28,800 vibrations per hour. When the crown is pulled out, the secondhand stops and the time can be fine-tuned. 

As the brand name continues to grow, Rolex is considered the ultimate in watch durability and precision, as it has proven to withstand extreme environmental elements and difficult conditions. For this reason, Rolex has expanded into other areas, including sports watches, dive watches, and tactical watches. 

Conclusion 

Pilots need the most precise equipment to keep them safe. In the cockpit, accuracy and reliability are always important, as well as calculating speed, planning a landing, measuring fuel reserves, and overcoming different time zones. This is why many of the most famous and respected watch brands keep this in mind while manufacturing pilot watches. 

In recent years, the consumer market for these high-quality professional watches has grown. Whether admiring the design or enjoying the symbol of international adventure and travel, pilot watches are becoming popular and more brands are producing more innovative models by the day.