Contents
- These are the top 10 best pilot watches you should consider buying
- 1. Richard Mille RM 39-01 Aviation E6-B Flyback Chronograph – $157,000
- 2. IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon ‘Le Petit Prince’ Ref. IW504803 – $140,000
- 3. Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ref. 5524R-001 – $55,500
- 4. Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ref. 82035/000R-9359 – $40,400
- 5. Breguet Type XXI Chronograph – $14,700
- 6. Bremont MBI – $12,750
- 7. Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 – $9,300
- 8. Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Chronograph Bronze – $7,900
- 9. Tag Heuer Autavia – $4,500
- 10. Longines Heritage Avigation Type A-7 – $3,900
- FAQs
- Q: Are pilot watches only for pilots?
- Q: What features should I look for in a pilot watch?
- Q: Are automatic or quartz movements better for pilot watches?
- Conclusion
These are the top 10 best pilot watches you should consider buying
As aviation enthusiasts, we know that a pilot watch is not just a timekeeping accessory; it’s a symbol of the adventurous spirit and precision that defines aviation. Whether you are a professional pilot or a passionate aviation enthusiast, finding the perfect pilot watch is crucial to complement your journey. In this comprehensive guide, we present the top 10 pilot watches available in the market, carefully selected based on quality, functionality, and style.
| Richard Mille RM 39-01 Aviation E6-B Flyback Chronograph | $157,000 |
| IWC Big Pilots’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon ‘Le Petit Prince’ Ref. IW504803 | $140,000 |
| Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ref. 5524R-001 | $55,500 |
| Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ref. 82035/000R-9359 | $40,400 |
| Breguet Type XXI Chronograph | $14,700 |
| Bremont MBI | $12,750 |
| Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 | $9,300 |
| Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Chronograph Bronze | $7,900 |
| Tag Heuer Autavia | $4,500 |
| Longines Heritage Avigation Type A-7 | $3,900 |
1. Richard Mille RM 39-01 Aviation E6-B Flyback Chronograph – $157,000
Richard Mille, as they’re known for creating some of the world’s wonders in the horology world has got among the best pilot watches in the industry. The RM 39-01 is their modern marvel that offers a stunning design with incredible functionality with the company’s high-end reliable mechanical movement. The watch comes with a high-built titanium case and a skeletonized dial that offers UTC function and a flyback chronograph with a date and month display offering more functionality and accuracy. This Richard Mille RM 39-01 Flyback Chronograph sells for around $157,000 in the grey market.
2. IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon ‘Le Petit Prince’ Ref. IW504803 – $140,000
IWC is among the industry leaders in making some of the best pilot watches in the industry. The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon ‘Le Petit Prince’ Ref. IW504803 offers a magnificent design with its brushed and polished gold case and a premium leather strap and comes with a large gold crown. It features a gorgeous sunburst blue dial that offers gold hands and Arabic hour markers with applied indexes and presents a perpetual calendar with day, date, week, and month, with a precise tourbillon movement. The Le Petit Prince Edition from IWC is a limited watch worth over $140k in the secondary market.
3. Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ref. 5524R-001 – $55,500
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time may be your best choice if you’re looking for the best pilot watches to buy. The watch offers a stunning appeal with its 18k rose gold case and comes with a comfortable leather strap. It features a gradient dial with rose gold Arabic numbers and gold hands with dual-time functionality and a date display. The watch runs on a reliable movement and is worth around $55,500 in the grey market.
4. Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ref. 82035/000R-9359 – $40,400
Next comes the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ref. 82035/000R-9359 in our list of the best pilot watches to buy. The Historiques collection from Vacheron Constantin is among the most iconic and popular watch lineups. The Historique Ref. 82035/000R offers a gorgeous 18k rose gold case and comes with a brown alligator leather strap. It features a stunning silver dial with a tilted dial to offer a convenient view while flying. The dial offers black Arabic numerals and hands and offers applied black indexes with small seconds hands at 3 o’clock.
5. Breguet Type XXI Chronograph – $14,700
Breguet makes luxury timepieces for almost every type of watch buyer offering prestige and incredible craftsmanship together. The Type XXI Chronograph offers a brushed stainless steel case with a comfortable leather strap. It features a grey dial that comes with a rhodium-coated counter and hands, the watch offers small seconds dial with a day-date dial and a power reserve indicator at 9, 6, and 3 o’clock. The XXI Chronograph runs on a reliable automatic movement and sells for around $14,700 in the grey market.
6. Bremont MBI – $12,750
Bremont is another watchmaker known for its distinct-looking watches that are a good option for buyers looking for the best pilot watches to buy. The watch offers a polished stainless steel case and comes with a black leather strap with yellow stitching. It features a black dial with applied white indexes and markers and offers white Arabic numerals with monochrome hands with a day-date window at 3 o’clock. This limited edition watch is worth around $14,700 in the grey market.
The Breitling Chronograph B01 Navitimer can be a good alternative for buyers looking for the best pilot watches to buy. The watch offers a high-grade stainless steel case and offers steel pushers, and a steel crown, and comes with a black alligator leather strap. It features a gorgeous ice-blue dial that houses the automatic chronograph movement and offers steel markers and hands with black subdials. The Navitimer is among the best tools built especially for Pilots, it retails for $9,400.
8. Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Chronograph Bronze – $7,900
Zenith is another watchmaker known for their variety of watches, one of which is the Pilot Type 20 Extra Special. The watch offers great value for buyers looking for the best pilot watches to buy. The watch offers a gorgeous bronze case and comes with a blue leather strap. It features a blue dial with white Arabic numerals, offers bronze hands with rhodium coating, and comes with chronograph movement. The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Chronograph Bronze runs on a reliable movement and offers great functionality, the watch sells for $7,900.
9. Tag Heuer Autavia – $4,500
Next comes the Tag Heuer Autavia in our list of the best pilot watches to buy. The Autavia offers a high-grade brushed and polished stainless steel case and comes with a steel bracelet. It features a blue and a black dial and offers both a black and blue bezel with a sapphire crystal on top. The dial offers white applied indexes and Arabic numerals and comes with white hands and an orange seconds hand with a date display at 6 o’clock. The Autavia retails for $4,500.
10. Longines Heritage Avigation Type A-7 – $3,900
Longines is yet another watchmaker known for its precise timepieces in the entry-level luxury watch segment. The Longines Heritage Avigation Type A-7 is among the best pilot watches to buy if you want good luxury and incredible functionality. The watch offers a brushed and polished steel case and comes with a leather strap. It features a tilted black dial and offers rhodium-coated markers and hands with small seconds and a minute dial and houses a date display at 6 o’clock. The Heritage Avigation Type A-7 retails for $3,900.
FAQs
Q: Are pilot watches only for pilots?
A: Pilot watches are specially designed for aviation professionals due to their aviation-specific features. However, their functionality and classic aesthetics have made them popular among watch enthusiasts and collectors, even if they are not pilots themselves.
Q: What features should I look for in a pilot watch?
A: When selecting a pilot watch, consider features such as large, legible dials, reliable movement, slide rule bezels for calculations, and luminous hands and markers for easy readability in low-light conditions.
Q: Are automatic or quartz movements better for pilot watches?
A: Both automatic and quartz movements have their advantages. Automatic movements are known for their craftsmanship and require no battery, relying on wrist movement to power the watch. On the other hand, quartz movements offer precise timekeeping and low maintenance, making them reliable choices for pilots.
Conclusion
Investing in a high-quality pilot watch not only enhances your aviation experience but also becomes a cherished companion for a lifetime. Whether you seek a classic, iconic timepiece or a contemporary masterpiece, the top 10 pilot watches listed here offer a diverse range of options to suit every aviation enthusiast’s taste and preference. So, explore these top picks, embrace the spirit of aviation, and embark on a journey of precision and style with the perfect pilot watch on your wrist.