Pilot wrist watch, is it a good thing or BS

[PanEuropean]

I've been flying professionally since the 1980s. I have a very simple watch that just tells the time, it shows hours, minutes, and seconds using conventional hands.

I can't recall ever having to use it in the aircraft for anything other than answering the question "what time is it", however, if this watch ever dies, I think I might get a watch that has the capability of displaying both UTC and local time. Not because I need to know what UTC is when I am in the plane, but because it would save me the work of having to add and subtract hours from local time to figure out what UTC is when I am on the ground, reviewing METARs and TAFs and filing flight plans.

I did a ferry flight a few months ago that took me across 12 time zones - I could never keep track of what the UTC offset was, it changed every day as I flew east!

But, so far as all those other functions go (E6B capabilities, etc.) - honestly, I can't remember when I last used the actual E6B computer that I bought when I started my private pilot course in the 1970s! I still keep it in my shirt pocket when I fly the plane (it's a little round Jeppesen one), but I don't think I have taken it out and used it in the plane once during the last 20 years.

Michael

[ahramin]

On the topic of time, you can set your watches through this web site

http://www.time.gov/

Or use this app

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/emerald- ... 84375?mt=8

[Doc]

ahramin, what are you racing and where? Chap up here just bought a scow. Guess it goes like a scalded cat!

[ahramin]

I was in YYZ so I went down to the National Yacht Club and found a fairly competitive and very friendly bunch of J22 racers. My first fresh water sail. We had 15 knots of wind so a good evening.

Normally I'm at VARC this time of year.

http://www.varc.bc.ca/

[Doc]

J22's are fun...and affordable....for a boat! LOL!
I actually sailed one over to Bimini from West Palm and back....great fun!

[Castorero]

Dear me...

Get three guys in the same room at the same time and the dreaded Hypertestosteronemia Cerebralis starts to set in

I haven't worn a watch since I lost my second Movado thirty some years ago. I cant seem to keep the critter in the corral long enough to start missing it on the wrist.

I am rarely late and often early, and unless you are flying a very basic machine that has a tendency to quaff fuel like a proverbial Emerald Islander, who really needs a watch ?

Flying is all about freedom, no? Breaking the Surly Bonds and all that... So, free yourself ... slowly open the side window and let that anvil on your wrist take flight

['79K20driver]

If you fly floats, then don't get an expensive watch, (or use anything really expensive for that matter). The water's depths seem to attract expensive things

[Rowdy]

Just another game of my cock is bigger than your cock isnt it?

There is no need for anything other than a basic timepiece thats easy to read and is lit for night use (assuming you fly at night).

Take that money and put it towards an ANR headset. Save those poor ears!!

[Doc]

Just another game of my cock is bigger than your cock isnt it?

There is no need for anything other than a basic timepiece thats easy to read and is lit for night use (assuming you fly at night).

Take that money and put it towards an ANR headset. Save those poor ears!!

Speak UP lad!

[Rowdy]

WHAT!?!?

[Beefitarian]

FOUR THIRTY!!

[niss]

Dear me...

Get three guys in the same room at the same time and the dreaded Hypertestosteronemia Cerebralis starts to set in

I haven't worn a watch since I lost my second Movado thirty some years ago. I cant seem to keep the critter in the corral long enough to start missing it on the wrist.

I am rarely late and often early, and unless you are flying a very basic machine that has a tendency to quaff fuel like a proverbial Emerald Islander, who really needs a watch ?

Flying is all about freedom, no? Breaking the Surly Bonds and all that... So, free yourself ... slowly open the side window and let that anvil on your wrist take flight

Anyone else read that with an english accent?

[iflyforpie]

Anyone else read that with an english accent?

Yes...

[Radiohead]

I like my pilot watch, like a lot of the other ones posted here the digital portion (obscured by the hand here) can be changed to show you the date in numbers or letters (in this case Sunday) and the clock can display any of the world's time zones, including GMT just by cycling through them. I set my analog hands to local time and have the watch display GMT digitally. Plus it lights up as well as a timex.

The best thing about it is how solid it's built and how cheap it is ($40 or less).

The one in this photo has seen much better days than mine, quite a few scratches now

[Beefitarian]

I think he means one of these. http://www.prlog.org/11401986-review-of ... watch.html

Or maybe the "Blue Angels" one. I have an old Seiko, it has a 4th dial for the date instead of the little widow with a number in it, I guess it was too complicated.

[YVRDroider]

bell-and-ross-vintage-original-vintage-heritage-watch-ss2010-2.png (269.24 KiB) Viewed 1648 times

http://www.bellross.com/ca/en

A Bell & Ross, the last watch you'll ever need. Start stocking up on KD now.

BROSSORANGEPVD-01.jpg (39.24 KiB) Viewed 1648 times

[square]

Sure, One could buy this

Instead of this


But what is exactly the point ?

Quality of life my man. It is what we strive for isn't it?

[SuperchargedRS]

Quality of life my man. It is what we strive for isn't it?

For me or you maybe, however most pilots prefer this






To this



Personally I enjoyed the time I debated what Swiss watch, color marble for my floor, type of leather for my jacket and all those other little big decisions I have had to make. You know a watch (as a tool) is important, as I said, however it also something people like to researched and pay far too much money for, because it makes them happy.

It appears some take great offense when this watch subject comes up, the whole "its like toilet paper" or "just buy one who cares". No, a watch isn't a life altering decision, it's a fun whimsical decision and those are the decisions I PREFER to make, because when you find yourself thinking about those type of decisions it lets you know you probably made the right BIG decisions, allowing you to spend a little time making the little decisions (if that makes sense).

[CID]

I'm not a pilot so for what it's worth....

I agree that in general, if an airline pilot walks by passengers on the way to the bridge and he's not wearing a watch he looks a little incomplete. He may be just as professional as the next guy but appearances are everything when you work in a public service position. And...it would definitely make me wonder how he expects to show up on time at the gate for his flights.

As far as having a practical purpose, I think survival is one consideration but it really depends on what kind of flying you do. When your GPS fails and you're in the arctic, an astro compass, a watch and a celestial almanac can get you home. Not a likely scenario but isn't that the nature of emergencies? They're supposed to be unlikely.

We all know in the end that its not the watch that makes the pilot. It's the Raybans and the deep voice.

[cptn2016]

mine...it's not the Skyhawk or Blue Angels version.

[Gannet167]

As a purely utilitarian tool, you can't beat a Timex or a Casio - they're the value purchase - but you didn't need to come on an aviation forum to ask people where to get bang for your buck. The title of your thread is "Pilot wrist watch, is it a good thing or BS" I guess there's as many opinions on this as there are models of watches. I think it can be a very good thing but it really depends on what and how you fly, and how you would use the watch.

I have to have a watch, I need to know what time it is both for my personal awareness and out of professional necessity. I hate taking my cell out of my pocket to see the time, and for some reason it only updates itself to the local time zone sometimes - which means half the time I look at it overseas it's wrong and it's difficult to force it to the correct time. In some parts of the world it doesn't work so it's useless and left behind. I don't always find a clock where I am and often the time is wrong on them anyway. Asking people what time it is really says to me "I forgot my watch at home and my time appreciation awareness is bad." I agree, as a professional in any field, time is critically important and if you don't have your own time piece it makes the person look somewhat naked. As a student on summer vacation, backpacking around on free time like a beatnik, a watch may kill your buzz. But those whom time is critical, I feel that you need your very own reliable timepiece.

If you subscribe to the notion that you need a watch (presumably, since your asking which one) I would look for one that fits your needs. I have had watches with E6-B computers on them and I find them purely a gimmick. They're small, not particularly accurate, delicate and hard to use. If you fly in an environment where you use an E6-B, get a decent E6-B. It's novel, however, and does say "pilot." It's just that so many guys wear that Blue Angels version that it now lacks individuality (plus, none of those guys are Blue Angels pilots). If you want an E6-B, get something unique.

If you fly something big and fast, chances are all the nifty numbers you'll need come from the Perf page on the FMS and that watch wont be used for much other than a conversation piece. You'll also probably have 2 to 4 clocks in the cockpit anyway. If you fly something slow and simple, then adjusting for different time zones or mentally calculating UTC probably isn't much of an issue for you. Either way, I find having a second time zone on the watch to show zulu is very helpful and if nothing else, I'd look for this in a pilot watch. It's particularly useful when you travel through several time zones. Some places apply daylight savings, others dont, it can get very confusing at the end of a long crew day when you need to figure out something. The auto-radio updated time is ridiculous. Any decent quartz movement will be so accurate that you don't need this. The solar powered eco-drive is a great idea, as is the Seiko version.

As much as people may make fun of the "pilot" watch for its poser nature (often justifiably so) I think it can be done tastefully and can be an object of pride in appearance and one's profession. As was pointed out before, men don't get to wear much jewelry. So a classy, attractive watch can look quite good. It can bring an air of sophistication and refinement. James Bond wore the Omega Seamaster - he somehow wouldn't look right sporting a Timex in his suit. Or, as he's undressing some exotic babe, I just can't imagine the walmart grade "beep - beep" going off from his wrist.

Professionals often wear some sort of "bling" to give them identity and fit into their subculture. Doctors have the stethoscope, people with graduate degrees wear a ring from their university, engineers have an iron ring on their pinky finger. A watch designed for a pilot fits that bill somewhat. Don't wear it for it's pretentiousness, but rather because it works for you and you use its features.

[trey kule]

Nice post....

but here is the thing.. James Bond is a fictional character. The watch he wears, and so proudly displays is all about marketing to the James Bond wannabees.. Wear this watch and you will be James Bond...What was the name of it again?

A watch tells time.. If you really want a watch that is going to last a lifetime get a Timex explorer...It has numbers..Plain onl numbers. Not little ticks.. And it lights up...It is the only other real feature I have seen that I felt useful on a watch other than a watch telling time.
If you wear it for twenty years, while your eyes gradually deteriorate, you will appreciate the wisdom of this ...

Anything else is jewelery. If you have the money, want to "look nice" (the emphasis is in no way indicating it is a gay thing), or want people to recognize you are in aviaition fine...But dont try and fool everybody by claiming you use the E6b function every day..

As the marketing people will tell you, it is all about branding. It is not just a watch...it is. (insert your particular rationale ).
It seems that to be cool now, you must always use a brand name. I bought a watch today...no way.. I bought an El Mundo, starscape 443 titatium backed crystal eco-friendly green time piece that has a calcualtor, E6B, 25 time zones, and a stopwatch on it, all of which I use every day. I am a pilot you know, a professional.. so do you think I am great, or what?

Professional mark? I dont see it on the professional pilots I work with.. I do see it on the twenty somethings new CPLs though.

And before anyone jumps on me about old guy rants, or mentions that they know me and I occassionally seem to not act as I have spoken here, there is a reason.

[CFR]

Nice post....

but here is the thing.. James Bond is a fictional character. The watch he wears, and so proudly displays is all about marketing to the James Bond wannabees.. Wear this watch and you will be James Bond...

A friend of mine once showed up with a James Bond watch, I think it was a promo for the first Daniel Craig movie. It had an interesting design and was after all a James Bond watch so I asked him "does it do anything?" After carefully looking around to make sure we weren't being overheard he dropped his voice to a whisper and said in a very conspiratorial tone "Yes ... It tells time!". Turns out everyone who saw him asked the same question so he had his reply down to an art!

I wear a simple Timex (I break expensive watches) and my iPhone in my shirt pocket when I fly, sometimes the iPad as well so multiple sources of time (and location) are available.

Jeff

[Gannet167]

Wear this watch and you will be James Bond...What was the name of it again?

It's called an Omega Seamaster, and among watch aficionados, it's widely considered to be a masterpiece. Just as airplane fans consider certain types of planes to be beautiful, cool, sexy, etc. even though they may never personally own or have any need for, say a Spitfire, we airplane nerds still watch and admire in amazement when we see one. The watch, unlike the airplane or a Porsche is affordable luxury - at least for some. I personally will likely never will own one. But I admire the beauty of the design and if someone who can afford one enjoys it, I can appreciate the quality and refinement in design. You may not appreciate this jewelry (which is all it is) but that's a personal choice. I'm sure you spend money on other items that I would see no value or utility in. To each his own.

If you really want a watch that is going to last a lifetime get a Timex explorer

I've had several Timex's break on me within a year of owning them. Not all were treated badly. Everything from hands falling off to straps snapping, rendering the whole watch unwearable. But, still, bang for your buck in pure utilitarian terms, these is still the best value.

Anything else is jewelery.

Jewelry, yep I think I said that. I agree. It also can look good.

But dont try and fool everybody by claiming you use the E6b function every day

I think I said that too. I agree.

As the marketing people will tell you, it is all about branding.

Actually, there's a whole lot more to marketing than this. The watch I wear is a virtually unknown brand and that's one of the main reasons that I like it - it's unique and few other people have one. I'm not part of a fad or trend. What I like and what I advocate is getting something that functionally works primarily, and hopefully looks good too. But posing with form over function is silly.

Professional mark? I dont see it on the professional pilots I work with.. I do see it on the twenty somethings new CPLs though.

How foolish of those people of that age group.

In any event, the original post asked about a decent watch and my advice is still buy something that works well for your needs. Zulu time is really quite functional for some people. If you like to wear something that looks nice, then there are some nice looking watches that have an aviation style. I just suggest not to focus on buying a "pilot" watch but to buy a good, useful watch (although, for a pilot that may well end up being a "pilot" watch - funny, since the designers probably had a pilot in mind) and to not flaunt it as bling bling. But if it's aesthetically pleasing, that's ok - and perhaps even desirable.

I have a suit in my closet that I wear from time to time - like at weddings. I think it looks good and I feel good wearing it. In terms of pure functionality, a pair of sweat pants and a dirty t-shirt would probably serve the purpose of covering my naked body. But, sometimes it's socially acceptable and encouraged to use a product that is beyond simply functional and in some way "nice" or "pleasant." Perhaps with a little pizzazz. Any watch can tell time, but it's a pleasure to wear one that also looks good. How valuable that is to you, is your choice.

Omega's sales are expected to reach over $3 Billion this year. They're clearly doing something right to have that much demand.

[5dayer]

I didnt read the other responses but make sure it has newfoundland time and backlit.I learned that the hard way.600$ pilot watch worse than a 35$ timex expedition