Zach Brass
Of all the sports watch categories, if diver watches are the most popular, pilot watches are probably the second most popular. For such a specialized classification, pilot watches are much less uniform in design than diver watches. There are chronographs, models with or without slide rule bezels, simpler Flieger styles, and even GMTs and world timers that move between time zones. Ultimately, a pilot watch needs to be sturdy and easy to read, if not large. So, without further ado, here are the five best pilot watches, listed from least expensive to most expensive. I have made an effort to choose ones under $1,000, $3,000, $5,000, and $10,000, with only one over $10,000.
Bulova Luna Pilot
A very meaningful yet very affordable watch, the Bulova Lunar Pilot is an excellent pilot watch choice for those looking to start a watch collection or simply add another interesting design to their rotation. The designs range from 43.5mm to 45mm in diameter, but all of the watches share the same heritage as the Omega Speedmaster in being descendants of the original 70s watch famously worn on the Moon during the Apollo 15 mission. In fact, during this mission, NASA’s fourth Moon landing, the crystal of David Scott’s NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster fell off while he was exploring. Luckily, he also brought along his personal Bulova chronograph model ref. 88510/01, the watch that inspired the Lunar Pilot. This was extremely fortunate considering how important a chronograph timer was to his mission.
Prices for the modern Bulova Lunar Pilot start at just $556, although Scott’s personal Bulova, unsurprisingly, sold for $1.6 million in 2015. But the modern Lunar Pilot has the advantage of being powered by Bulova’s high-precision quartz 262 kHz movement, which is guaranteed to be accurate to within a few seconds per year. But before any quartz enthusiasts start complaining, the movement’s incredibly high rate of movement results in a watch that, despite being quartz-driven, has a sweeping hand rather than a deadbeat. Price: From $556 (NATO)
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day Date Auto
If it’s good enough to be worn by Cooper, the fictional pilot played by Matthew McConaughey in the movie Interstellar, then surely the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day Date Auto is the best pilot’s watch ever? All kidding aside, this watch is well worth the price. It has a sturdy 100m water resistant stainless steel case, a large, easy to read black dial with day and date complications, and an 80-hour automatic caliber. The case is 42mm in diameter, but is quite slender at 11.85mm thick, and is compact enough to fit most wrists at 48mm lug-to-lug. Price: $1,045 (with bracelet)
Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT
Current Rolex GMT-Master II watches are nearly impossible to find at retail, while the OG GMT-Master “Pussy Galore” sells for high prices at auctions. To get the best idea of the cosmopolitan pilot’s GMT watch of the ’50s, look no further than the recently launched Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT. A long-held wish come true at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024, Tudor’s crown-guard-less ’50s-inspired GMT has been given a much-needed diet to slim down its diameter and, more importantly, its thickness. It also features a T-fit on-the-fly micro-adjust clasp and a gold-toned coke bezel to further satisfy our cravings. Pair all this with a 70-hour automatic caliber and 200-meter water resistance… it’s awesome. Price: $4,600 USD (with bracelet)
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Copper
It would be a crime not to include the Navitimer in our best pilot watches buying guide. It is one of the many models that have made Breitling the premier watchmaker in the eyes of pilots. Although an icon of the classic pilot watch, my personal Navitimer choice is the recent B01 Chronograph 43 Copper. Copper, or salmon as it is ultimately associated with its color, treads the line between vintage and modern in that it is not a dial tone born in modern times, but it is a contemporary trend. Add in the color-contrasting black chronograph counters and a hint of panda, and you have a Navi that looks all the right way. Price: USD 9,550
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Mojave Desert
Rounding out my picks for the best pilot watches is the IWC Pilot’s Chronograph 41 Top Gun Mojave Desert, a familiar favorite of ours here at Marcus Flak. At its core, this model is IWC’s most accessible pilot’s chronograph, with dimensions (41.9mm (thickness) x 15.5mm (depth) x 50.8mm (length)), and maintains the brand’s hallmarks, such as a large, easy-to-read dial and chronograph counters at the 12th, 9th, and 6th minutes. This allows plenty of space to comfortably place both the IWC Schaffhausen brand and the day-and-date complication at the third minute. This more compact pilot’s chronograph features the brand’s fan-favorite Mojave Desert ceramic color for the first time in a case size smaller than 42mm. What I really applaud about IWC is how they managed to incorporate playful, striking, and unusual colors into the design without compromising the legibility of the dial. It’s colorful, but it’s also highly practical and fully functional as a pilot’s watch. Summary: In my opinion, you won’t find a similar (high quality) watch from any other brand. Price: $11,700 USD
