Pilot watches are a special category. They are designed for maximum readability at a glance, but most sports watches also focus on clarity of perception.
Unlike dive watches, which justify their existence with every underwater venture, the likelihood of actually using pilot watches in an aircraft cockpit is extremely low, as most of us don't pilot a Spitfire on weekends. Nevertheless, the appeal of this category is evident. Pilot watches remain popular not because they are necessary, but because they look appropriate. They carry a certain status, a hint of purpose and intention, even if that purpose doesn't go beyond the wrist. This is where Farer steps in. With their second Pilot Collection series, the British independent brand fully unveils this appeal, presenting a collection that is perceived not as a tool of necessity, but rather as a tribute to the reasons we wanted such watches in the first place.
Design and Case of Farer Pilot Collection Series II
The new Pilot Collection Series II centers around an entirely new Grade 2 titanium case that combines classic elements with modern accents, creating a unique product in the pilot watch category. Typically, pilot watches are quite large, and this case has a diameter of 40 mm, which is sufficiently large by modern standards, but not excessively so. Meanwhile, the overall case thickness is only 10.9 mm, giving the piece elegance and comfort in wear.
The titanium middle case is meticulously bead-blasted, providing a tactile, modern matte surface. The fluted bezel with a coin edge has a polished finish and is paired with a large "onion" crown featuring a bronze embossed insert. The watch offers water resistance up to 100 meters, and the domed sapphire crystal with a five-layer anti-reflective coating makes the case highly functional for daily use. Three case finishes are available for the four dial variants: raw titanium, rich bronze PVD coating, and a gray-blue PVD coating, which perfectly match the dial colors.
Dials and Design Details
Farer's dials are always distinguished by their richness of detail and volume. The brand skillfully uses texture and relief to create shadows and depth, employing numerous applied indexes and accents. The new Pilot Collection Series II is no exception. The collection features four different dials, two of which differ only by the use of Eastern Arabic numerals; besides this, each dial includes recognizable elements of pilot watches, reimagined in Farer's signature style.
Hewlett
The Hewlett model is named after Hilda Beatrice Hewlett, the first British woman to receive a pilot's license. The variant is crafted in a raw titanium case, and the dial is a rich dark blue disc with a subtle texture and deeply engraved target at the center. Large applied Arabic numerals are made from Lumicast - a blend of ceramic and grade X2 Super-LumiNova. The dial is surrounded by a fully luminous minute ring.
Barnwell
The Barnwell model is named after brothers Frank and Harold Barnwell, creators of the first successful powered aircraft in Scotland in 1909. The design is inspired by original 1940s type B Flieger pilot watches, characterized by a large minute scale and a smaller inner hour layout, facilitating elapsed time measurement by minutes.
The dial is crafted in metallic bronze, which precisely matches the bronze PVD-coated case and contrasts with the blue minute markings and vivid orange rhombus-shaped hands. Upon closer inspection, the dial's surface has a faceted structure reminiscent of jet engine turbine blades. Large applied indices are used to create a three-dimensional effect.
Curtis
The Curtis dial, also available with Eastern Arabic numerals, is released in a limited edition of 100 pieces. The model is named after Eleanor Lettice Curtis - an English aviator, test engineer, race pilot, and athlete, one of the key figures in British aviation.
The dial is executed in gray-blue, matching the PVD-coated case. Its textured surface is divided into 12 sections, each slightly tilted, creating a play of light when the watch moves - an effect inspired by a rotating airplane propeller. Applied three-dimensional hour markers are arranged in a classic aviation layout: an arrow at "12" and bars at "3", "6", and "9", also made from Lumicast.
Movement and Technical Specifications
Reliability is ensured by the automatic Sellita SW300-1 movement with a 56-hour power reserve and a frequency of 4 Hz. Despite the movement being hidden behind a robust engraved case back, Farer chose the Elaboré version, which provides enhanced accuracy - from +/-7 to +/-20 seconds per day, measured in four positions. The movement is decorated with guilloché and equipped with Farer's signature rotor. Additionally, the movement has enhanced anti-magnetic protection, thanks to a soft iron Faraday cage embedded in the titanium case.
Price and Availability of Farer Pilot Collection Series II
The Farer Pilot Collection Series II is available for purchase directly from Farer in London.
- Price: £1,350 / $1,525 / €1,555
- Model: Hewlett, Barnwell, Curtis
- Case dimensions: 40 mm (diameter) × 10.9 mm (thickness) × 43 mm (lug-to-lug)
- Case material: Grade 2 titanium, raw or PVD-coated
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Crystal: domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Dials: gray-blue, bronze, textured blue
- Straps: suede or leather, colors blue, brown, or gray
- Movement: Sellita SW300-1, automatic
- Power reserve: 56 hours
- Functions: hours, minutes, seconds
- Features: Eastern Arabic numerals available in a limited edition of 100 pieces
This Farer Pilot Collection Series II represents a balanced blend of classic and modern technologies, emphasizing an expert approach to creating pilot watches with high functionality and expressive design.