Pilot Chronographs

Flight Instructor: IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 Issue of the WatchTime print magazine. Photos by IWC and Olaf Köster. IWC has been developing and building watches for pilots for 85 years. Originally inspired by cockpit instruments, these wristwatches are still regarded today as robust, precise, functional and reliable. And they have long since ceased to...

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Aug 7, 2024 by Martina Richter

It’s Time – WatchTime New York 2024 Tickets On Sale Now!

After an incredible show in 2023, WatchTime New York, the premier collector’s event in North America, is set to return to Manhattan from October 18th to 20th, 2024. WatchTime New York 2024 promises to be even more spectacular, with the show marking the 25th anniversary of WatchTime and bringing together the world’s finest watchmakers, timepieces,...

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Jun 20, 2024 by WatchTime

Four Sports Watches that are Great in Gold

This article is from the WatchTime Archives and was originally published in June 2022. While stainless steel is, for many, the preferred material for luxury sports watches, gold still has its fans. In fact, after a decade or two of pink gold being on the rise, it is now yellow gold that is making a...

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Jul 5, 2024 by Martin Green

New Pilot’s Watches from Hamilton, Stowa and Laco

The pilot’s watch is one of the most successful genres of all timepieces. It owes its popularity to its distinctive design and outstanding functionality. Its popular instrumental look is the result of more than a century of history as a technical aid on board of aircrafts. Although aviator watches have been improved and technically upgraded...

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Jun 21, 2024 by Sabine Zwettler

Sinn Spezialuhren Brings Back the Iconic Navigation Chronograph 903 St with New Features

Sinn Spezialuhren presents a new generation of its iconic Navigation Chronograph series. Equipped with a slide-rule bezel for calculations, it is available in three dial colors: black (903 St II), dark blue (903 St B E II) and light blue (903 St HB). The latter is a limited edition of 500 pieces, while the first...

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May 22, 2024 by Sabine Zwettler

Advanced Flight Instruments: IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Ceratanium

This article was originally published in the September/October 2022 Issue of the WatchTime print magazine. Over the years, IWC has become almost synonymous with pilot watches. The Swiss brand’s current squadron of horological aces is divided into a “Classic” segment (with the Heritage and Spitfire models), “Performance Materials” (with Top Gun, Pantone and various other special...

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Apr 17, 2024 by Roger Ruegger

Introducing the Tutima Glashütte Flieger Legacy T5 Chronograph

The new Flieger Legacy T5 Chronograph brings Tutima Glashütte’s modern expertise in titanium and its technical prowess in pilot watches dating back to the 1940s together into a new, distinctive chronograph. The grade 5 titanium chosen for this new pilot’s chronograph is approximately 40% lighter than steel, hypoallergenic, anti-magnetic, scratch-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and resistant to seawater...

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Mar 11, 2024 by Sabine Zwettler

Zenith Introduces Two New Pilot Boutique Editions with Blue Dials and Three Vintage Icon Pilot Models

At last year’s Watches and Wonders, Zenith presented its historically inspired Pilot model in a completely new design, with two executions, the Pilot Automatic and the Pilot Big Date Flyback. They were available in stainless steel and ceramic cases, with diameters of 40mm and 42.5mm respectively and distinguished by horizontal grooves on their black dials. This collection...

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Jan 16, 2024 by Sabine Zwettler

Showing at WatchTime New York 2023: Breguet Type XX

Founded in 1775, Breguet is a watchmaker renowned for its extensive heritage of fine craftsmanship, thoughtful innovation, and mechanical precision. The distinguished Swiss manufacturer has been at the forefront of horological excellence for centuries, and its timepieces have graced the wrists of legendary aviators, military personnel, and discerning collectors, alike. At WatchTime New York 2023,...

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Oct 1, 2023 by Caleb Anderson

A Legend Reborn: Meet the Limited Edition Hanhart 417 C Flyback

With the 417 C Flyback LE, Hanhart and Chronos — the German sister magazine of WatchTime — present a limited-edition model in steel and bronze. The favorite of Steve McQueen and former German Bundeswehr chronograph comes with a column-wheel chronograph, flyback function, and a manual-winding movement. The Hanhart 417 started its career as a tool...

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Sep 15, 2023 by Jens Koch

Sinn Spezialuhren Adds Two 356 Klassik Flieger Models to Its Pilot’s Squad

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of its popular 356 Traditional Chronograph, Sinn Spezialuhren is expanding the collection with two new pilot’s chronographs with a bicompax layout. They take to the skies in a 38.5mm bead-blasted stainless steel case, which is shock-resistant, low pressure resistant and pressure-resistant to 100 meters. These brand-typical qualities are combined with two...

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Sep 6, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Sinn Spezialuhren Celebrates 25 Years of Classic Pilot Chronographs with Limited Edition

To mark the 25th anniversary of its esteemd 356 Pilot watch, Sinn Spezialuhren is launching a limited edition of this chronograph with a bicompax layout. Also known as the 356 FLIEGER Klassik Jubiläum, or one of the German watch brand’s most popular chronographs since its launch in 1998, the watch has an interesting story to...

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Sep 1, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Maiden Flight of Breguet’s New Type XX (with Live Photos)

It was about time: 2023 finally brings a new Type XX, and – on top of that – even an all-new chronograph calibre from Breguet. Issued in two versions, one military inspired, and the other drawing on the brand’s civilian models, these two indeed ‘eagerly awaited new additions to the current collection,’ to quote Breguet’s...

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Jun 6, 2023 by Roger Ruegger

Introducing the Breitling Ref. 765 AVI 1964 Re-Edition

In addition to the new 42mm version of the Classic AVI 42 released earlier this week, Breitling is launching a special limited edition ref. 765 AVI 1964 Re-Edition. This pilot’s watch collection was first introduced in 1953 as the ref. 765 AVI, also known as the “Co-Pilot,” and refined continuously throughout the ensuing years. It...

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Jun 2, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

On the Wings of History: Bremont Introduces the Vulcan Pilot’s Watch

The Avro Vulcan was a jet powered, tail-less, delta-wing, high altitude strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1956 until 1984. Heralded as a symbolic last defense against nuclear war, it is one of the most iconic aircrafts in the RAF’s history. British watchmaker Bremont now pays tribute to this symbol of...

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May 17, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Flying Colors: IWC Introduces Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP Gun “Oceana”

At this year’s Watches and Wonders, IWC Schaffhausen unveiled its first 41mm Pilot’s Chronographs in ceramic, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN “Oceana”. The newcomer features a case made of blue ceramic which was inspired by the color of the U.S. Navy’s working overalls and developed in collaboration with Pantone. It takes to the...

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May 5, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Watches and Wonders 2023: Patek Philippe Flies High With Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Chronograph

The Calatrava Pilot collection, designed in 2015 to re-create Patek Philippe’s pilot watches from the 1930s, now welcomes a chronograph function for the first time. The Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Chronograph (ref. 5924G-001) with a blue-gray sunburst dial and navy blue calfskin strap, and the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Chronograph (ref. 5924G-010) with a khaki...

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Mar 31, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

On the Upswing of History: Junghans Presents Meister Pilot Chronoscope

The new Meister Pilot Chronoscope follows the success of a pilot’s chronograph from Junghans that the German Bundeswehr equipped their pilots with in the 1950s. In the days before GPS positioning and autopilot, mechanical watches were indispensable for navigation. This instrument-like timepiece was powered by the very precise and reliable J88 caliber. With great attention...

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Mar 24, 2023 by Sabine Zwettler

Black & White: Laco Launches Two New Automatic Pilot’s Chronographs

German watch manufacturer Laco revives its classic Kiel model, named after the Hanseatic city, in two new color variants. With numerous sophisticated details and a design inspired by historic pilot watches, the two debut models are part of a new series of chronographs. For the reissue of the model, the challenge was to achieve a...

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Nov 9, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

Up, Up, And Away: Hamilton Flies High With New Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph

Reviving its prowess on the field of aviation watches and celebrating authentic vintage design, Hamilton launches the Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph. The faithful 40mm stainless steel model brings back the form and function of the chronographs the tradition brand with American roots produced for the British Royal Air Force pilots in the 1970s. Its...

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May 11, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler

IWC Soars with the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Woodland” at Watches & Wonders

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Woodland” is the first IWC watch featuring a case in a newly engineered, dark green ceramic. Highlighting the tool-watch aura of the debutante, this special hue is inspired by the flight suits and uniforms of TOP GUN pilots. IWC takes pride in this development because colored ceramics result...

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Apr 3, 2022 by Sabine Zwettler