What kind of watch do you wear?

[complexintentions]

As much as I want to be a pretentious hipster as the next guy, in both my present and previous employer the FOM stipulates that all flight crew and all cabin crew must wear a wristwatch on duty at all times.

Something about airlines having schedules or some such shit.

As such, hauling out the supercomputer for the mundane task of checking the time is not an option. Not to mention it's just lame. Trundling through some terminal having to pull out the zombie-maker when a quick glance at my wrist will do? That's like the guys who pack a massive multi-tool in case the hotel room doesn't have a bottle opener. You know who I'm talking about.

The g/f bought me a classic Tag Heuer years ago which I love - she won Girlfriend Of The Year that year, if I recall. It's a marine model not aviation because she liked the design better lol. And it's performed flawlessly. But after years of bashing it around I sent it away to Switzerland for a complete cleaning/refurbishing and had to get something to replace it during the downtime. Found a screaming deal on Amazon on a Garmin Fenix 3HR for $300, and now it's my favourite work watch. The stock rubber strap was too sporty, so found a guy who hand-makes leather bands for it, and downloaded a simple analog watch face for it. Most people don't even know it's a fitness tracking watch. Now I just keep the Tag for special occasions.

Best feature: automatically changes time zones to sync with whatever you have on your iToy. Second best feature: provides basic notifications like incoming SMS so when wandering around on layover, the phone can stay in a pocket unless I deem a message reply-worthy. Charge it every couple weeks versus daily for an A-Watch. Less than $500 CAD all-in.

[Tailwind W10]

I wear a Torgoen T25 series watch. Just a classic face with the addition of a 24 hour hand which I keep on Zulu time. I considered the fancy Casio with the E6B for a while, but not being able to see the tiny characters was a deal breaker for me.

https://torgoen.com/collections/t25

Gerry

[digits_]

As such, hauling out the supercomputer for the mundane task of checking the time is not an option. Not to mention it's just lame. Trundling through some terminal having to pull out the zombie-maker when a quick glance at my wrist will do?

You could of course also look at one of the gazillion screens in there that all show the current time

[co-joe]

From 4 day follies, Mexican Turf War;

The Capt. and I launch (loudly) into a conversation about SPWs (Stupid Pilot Watches, of which I’ve owned more than a few.) Acres of dial. Multi-function and fierce. Big gaudy rotating bezel computer for quickly calculating how many chicks will assume you have a tiny or no penis.
If you can accessorize one of these wrist gargoyles with a pair of Ray Ban Aviators, you are guaranteed not to get laid. Ever. This is the sterilization ensemble. Add a class ring and a permanently attached Bluetooth and viola! You are a full blown asshole. Literally a walking O-ring of pretentious fuckheaditude.
Somehow, amazingly, I get the impression that The Closer next to us is taking all this as a complement. He preens.

[PilotDAR]

I've learned through experience to buy a watch which has the functions which you need (as opposed to think will impress people), and which is easy to read - meaning good contrast of hands to face, and not too cluttered a face (see item one). I found that several mid range priced watches actually used exactly the same movement, despite being their own "name" in watches. So, for those, you're buying the watch case, as the movement is common to many watches, and happily very reliable for my experience.

If you have a few thousand too many dollars, spend them on training, or a new endorsement, rather than a name in watches, which really does not mean that much in terms of quality and function. If you've gotta buy expensive, so it lasts you for decades, for heaven's sake, buy one that's easy to read at a glance, particularly in low light, your eyesight won't always be as sharp as it is today....

[FICU]

I've learned through experience to buy a watch which has the functions which you need (as opposed to think will impress people), and which is easy to read - meaning good contrast of hands to face, and not too cluttered a face (see item one).

Nicely stated!

[CL-Skadoo!]

Best feature: automatically changes time zones to sync with whatever you have on your iToy. Second best feature: provides basic notifications like incoming SMS so when wandering around on layover, the phone can stay in a pocket unless I deem a message reply-worthy. Charge it every couple weeks versus daily for an A-Watch. Less than $500 CAD all-in.

I've got an 1963 Omega that really scratches an itch for me, but this would be a dynamite compliment. Thanks for sharing it.

[confusedalot]

citizen world timer.

[jg24]

I've learned through experience to buy a watch which has the functions which you need (as opposed to think will impress people), and which is easy to read - meaning good contrast of hands to face, and not too cluttered a face (see item one). I found that several mid range priced watches actually used exactly the same movement, despite being their own "name" in watches. So, for those, you're buying the watch case, as the movement is common to many watches, and happily very reliable for my experience.

If you have a few thousand too many dollars, spend them on training, or a new endorsement, rather than a name in watches, which really does not mean that much in terms of quality and function. If you've gotta buy expensive, so it lasts you for decades, for heaven's sake, buy one that's easy to read at a glance, particularly in low light, your eyesight won't always be as sharp as it is today....

I have a cheap (<30$) Casio with both a digital and analog display on it. Backlit when needed, has 'dual time', so i can set the digital face to UTC when I fly. Does the job.... It may be a little small, but I have no issues reading it up until now.

[HansDietrich]

I love seeing these 22 year olds making 40K a year sporting a $1000 watch, while living in mom's basement. Too funny. The word "Maverick" comes to mind. I personally can't afford anything more than a $30 watch, one that I actually found in the lost and found box at my previous job and nobody claimed. I have daycare to pay for.

[dpm]

My choice is my late dad's old Timex analogue watch with a second hand. As a bonus, it doesn't make me look like I'm desperate to be recognised as a pilot at social events.

[Meatservo]

I wear this. It's a quartz, made by Mondaine in Switzerland from their affordable "MWatch" collection. It uses the top-of-the line Ronda movement with 13 jewels, which on a quartz watch just means it'll last longer and use less power, since the accuracy is down to the quartz module. (Anybody who talks about accuracy in expensive or cheap quartz watches doesn't know how they work.) Mondaine is a pretty classic Swiss brand.

The "lume" on the dial is very bright and lasts a long time after I turn off the APU, it has date and a stopwatch, sapphire crystal and it's light. It cost me about 250 bucks.

I agree with Complexintentions when it comes to wearing a watch.

2A458CB0-779B-478E-9A1E-1A504EC0CCB9.png (88.98 KiB) Viewed 2841 times

[Zaibatsu]

(Anybody who talks about accuracy in expensive or cheap quartz watches doesn't know how they work.)

Why are you whispering? I believe the only reference to the accuracy of quartz watches was in comparison to mechanical ones... where it’s an absolute smack down.

I’ve got a high frequency quartz watch that is more accurate than my cheap one.

[concorde88]

Citizen blue angel Edition. They're not expensive anymore. Great watch and the Ditial UTC display comes in handy.

[xchox]

1) As a previous owner of a real Breitling & a fake one... Always go with the fake one. Way over priced for what you get.
2) Rolex... A real quality time piece however due to the mainstream, you may come across as a douchebag unless you use just for men hair coloring once a month out of necessity.
3) Don't buy a smart watch. Just don't.
4) If you really want "Aviation" looks in that price range... Bell & Ross, Seiko Flight, Citizen Flight, Hamilton, etc
5) If you want a watch that will last you, up north, down south, in the ocean, in flight, hotel pool, banging the headboard off the hotel wall, losing an arm wrestle to some kid in East Timor; in your price range.... Seiko Monster & Casio G-Shock GA-1000
6) Citizen does make good watches... but remember... 98.73% of all Seneca College Pilots wear them.

But your best bet? Have a bunch. Here's a few of my "Aviation" watches. (I think this is what you mean by aviation) I got more "Aviation" watches, but these are in your price range.



I forgot about my Invicta. Mostly Chinese & Japanese movements in these bad boys, but I bought it for the watch body style. Pretty decent time keeping. Seiko Monster, and a ol'fashioned Watham pocket watch (before they got wal*martized) Why a pocket watch? @#$! your iPhone! That's why! haha





LASTLY: I strongly suggest you check out the forum at http://www.watchuseek.com

[xchox]

Also... Fortis. How could I forget about Fortis. Got one on my wedding day! A great solid watch however, price ranges are in your upper range and higher.

[xchox]

My daily flight go to however is front row right!

https://www.mertzios.gr/en/c/Men_s-5/ch ... Alarm-5059

[Hockaloogie]

Citizen blue angel Edition.

If Goose had one of these, he'd still be alive.

[CpnCrunch]

Is that a CDI in the watch on the left?

['97 Tercel]

Jeez, either you have 'Trump-hands' or that watch is HUGE