Our minds love to label things, classify objects and events, and determine whether something is a risk or not. As a result of millennia of evolution, this is still instinctive behavior that we subconsciously apply daily. The same applies to watches, not necessarily due to our inquisitive minds, but because of the technical specifications and features that watches are endowed with. We still like to distinguish dive watches from pilot watches or field watches. Based on this, we will look at six cool pilot watches introduced in 2021.
LIGHTEST - LONGINES SPIRIT TITANIUM
Longines has a long history in the field of aviation watches, a heritage that few other manufacturers can rival. It all began with the dawn of aviation, at a time when Longines had already established itself as an authoritative producer of precise chronometers. Of course, Charles Lindbergh is one of the most historical figures intertwined with Longines' history.
As an interpretation of classic pilot watches, the Longines Spirit collection pays tribute to this long and rich history. The collection includes models with time and date in various color schemes, as well as chronographs. The latest addition to the line is the lightweight Spirit Titanium model with a full titanium case and bracelet (or a black NATO strap). It remains true to the Spirit collection concept but combines a modern, technical case with a retro-style dial. And perhaps the most interesting part? It lacks a date indicator.
Quick facts - 40 mm or 42 mm diameter - titanium case - sapphire crystal - water resistance 100 m - anthracite dial with applied Arabic numerals - gold-plated hands - caliber L888.4 (ETA A31.L11), proprietary development - automatic winding - COSC certified - chronometer - power reserve 72 hours - full titanium bracelet or black nylon NATO strap, both with quick-release system - €2,550 on a nylon strap, €2,950 on a bracelet
For more information, please visit Longines.com
BOLDEST - BELL & ROSS BR 03-92 RED RADAR CERAMIC
Bell & Ross is well-known for creating a modern icon by releasing the BR 01 and BR 03 watches with square cases, directly inspired by flight instruments. Among the many available designs, this one stands out the most. Bell & Ross has experimented with the radar-like dial concept several times, and the BR 03-92 Red Radar Ceramic model is the latest in this line.
The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Red Radar Ceramic features a fully black ceramic case, differing from previous versions in black-coated stainless steel. The dial consists of two concentric discs: the outer one for hours and the inner one for minutes. The central red second hand mimics the scanning line of a real radar. The sapphire crystal with red tint gives the watch a mysterious blood-red hue.
Quick facts - 42 mm x 42 mm - square case with round dial, full black ceramic - water resistance 100 m - sapphire crystal with red coating - concentric hour and minute discs, central second hand - BR-CAL.302 (base Sellita SW300) - automatic winding - power reserve 42 hours - black rubber strap with PVD-coated buckle (ultra-durable fabric strap and tools included) - limited edition of 999 pieces - €3,900
For more information, please visit Bell&Ross.com
RESURRECTED - AIRAIN TYPE 20
Some of the most interesting and attractive historically-inspired watches we have recently encountered are the Airain Type 20 Chronograph watches. This faithful recreation of vintage Airain watches is crafted by the same team that revived Lebois & Co, and now they are doing the same with Airain. Enthusiast and entrepreneur Tom van Wijlick is the driving force behind the revival of both brands, once owned by the Dodane family.
The Airain Type 20 Chronograph watches meet the requirements set by the French Ministry of Defense in the 1950s when new chronograph watches were needed to equip the Air Force. This particular type of pilot chronograph became known as Type 20 watches for military use, and later Type XX for civilian use. In line with the original, the new Airain Type 20 watches feature a chronograph with a bidirectional bezel and a 12-hour scale.
Quick facts - 39.5 mm diameter x 10.85 mm height - stainless steel case - water resistance 50 m - domed hesalite crystal - bidirectional bezel with 12-hour scale - caliber AM1 by La Joux-Perret - manual winding chronograph with column wheel, flyback function - power reserve 60 hours - hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with 30-minute counter - €2,540 (black dial) or €2,600 (limited edition with brown dial)
For more information, please visit Airain.com
ICONIC - IWC BIG PILOT WATCH 43MM
When compiling a list of pilot watches, it would be foolish not to include IWC, given the brand's history. As creators of the iconic Big Pilot, they deserve all the praise for shaping the category they receive. Within the brand's portfolio, you have a wide range of choices between sizes, colors, complications, and materials. The most iconic is undoubtedly the Big Pilot model measuring 46.2 mm, but earlier this year, IWC decided to create a watch with Big Pilot DNA but in a slightly reduced size.
The IWC Big Pilot Watch 43mm is importantly much more wearable than its bigger brother. It still has a large, robust case with that signature diamond-shaped crown and a very clear and legible dial. However, it lacks the familiar 8-day power reserve indicator, which purists consider an essential element on the dial. Despite this note, the reduced size is more wrist-friendly and perhaps better suited for everyday wear.
Quick facts - 43 mm diameter x 13.6 mm height - stainless steel case with diamond-shaped crown - water resistance 100 m - sapphire crystal on both sides - protected against rapid air pressure changes - matte black or matte blue dial - IWC Calibre 8200, in-house - Pellaton automatic winding system - power reserve 60 hours - calfskin strap or stainless steel bracelet with quick-change system - from €8,850
For more information, please visit IWC.com
MOST AFFORDABLE - BANGALORE APOGEE
Bangalore Watch Company is a relatively new brand but with an interesting history. It all started with the Mach 1 Pilot’s Watch, followed by the Cover Drive - watches inspired by the sport of cricket, extremely popular in India. This year, the Indian watch brand introduced the Apogee watch in honor of the country's long-standing space exploration program.
Although technically space-inspired, they are still very much a practical flight tool. The Bangalore Watch Company Apogee watches, available in four color variants, are quite intriguing. With a helmet-shaped case popular in the 1970s, they look entirely different than other watches on this list. One crown is used to set the time and date, while the other rotates the 24-hour ring used for indicating a second time zone. The watches are equipped with a reliable automatic Sellita SW200 movement, and their price is under $1,000 USD.
Quick facts - 40 mm diameter x 11 mm height - grade 2 titanium with micro-finishing - water resistance 100 m - dual crown - second time zone via internal rotating ring - matte, smoky dials - blue, gray, or green, or meteorite dial (limited edition) - automatic Sellita SW200 movement - power reserve 38 hours - price from $925
For more information, please visit BangaloreWatchCo.in
UPDATED - FORTIS F-39 AND F-41 MIDNIGHT BLUE
Fortis is another brand known for its precise aviation instruments. First introduced in 1987, the Fortis Flieger watch collection has always been a reliable, sturdily constructed collection of pilot watches, enjoying great popularity among professional pilots and enthusiasts.
Last year, this long-standing and iconic collection was updated and transformed into the new Fortis F-39 and F-41 models. Initially presented in black, earlier this year, the collection was expanded with Midnight Blue models in 39 mm and 41 mm cases. The new models feature functionality, a sturdy case, a rotating bezel, and very readable dials with white and orange details. An interesting feature is the orange “Synchroline” decoration between 55 and 05 seconds, used by pilots for synchronization during formation flights.
Quick facts - 39 mm or 41 mm diameter - reworked stainless steel - bidirectional 12-hour GMT bezel - water resistance 200 m - vertically brushed blue dials - luminous white and orange details - sword-shaped hands - automatic Fortis UW-30 movement, base Selita SW200 - power reserve 38 hours - gray-blue leather strap or additional stainless steel bracelet - 1,950 CHF (both sizes), bracelet available for 450 CHF
For more information, please visit Fortis-Swiss.com