What is a pilot watch? What are the outstanding features?

Along with the development of human civilization, watches with separate features were born, not only stopping at square, round, … simple watch designs. One of them must be the pilot watch, so what is a pilot watch? What are the characteristics of this watch? Read the article below to get the answer!

What is a pilot watch?

Pilot’s watch is a watch with a unique design and function for the aviation or military field . This type of watch can determine time , calculate distance , flight time , locate coordinates based on hour angle, …

However, up to now, pilot watches still do not have a certain standard set with the manufacturer. Only Germany established a standard called TeStaF – Technischer Standard Fliegeruhren in 2012 for testing German pilot watches.

But most aviator watches will have the following common features that will be covered in the next section of this article.

Features of Pilot’s Watch

Big size

Pilot’s watch movements are more functional, so this type of watch usually has a larger dial diameter of 42mm . Usually, this apparatus is also nested with an iron cage inside the case to increase impact resistance, as well as resist magnetic fields from the cockpit panel.

In addition, pilot watches often have large faces to show the numerals on the dial more clearly , and the wearer can easily track the time as well as the indicators and update information more quickly.

Support reading time in the dark by luminous

This is a must-have for every pilot’s watch. These watches are often used LED lights or some luminescent materials such as phosphorescent , tritium to help the wearer read the time in the dark without any difficulty.

Good shock resistance, good magnetic field resistance

Pilot’s watch must operate stably and efficiently even under strong magnetic field conditions. This is due to the fact that the aircraft cockpit often has a lot of magnetic fields that conventional watches cannot withstand and work correctly.

In addition, the pilot’s watches are also very resistant to shocks because when the aircraft takes off, changes direction and lands, it creates a lot of G-Force acceleration.

Operation is always accurate and stable

For the pilot’s job, the right timing is very important to control the cockpit accurately and appropriately, so the wristwatches must always run on time and stably , without deviation.

Battery, electronic, light-powered or smartwatch watches all offer excellent accuracy. As for automatic mechanical watches, it is imperative that they at least achieve chronometer accuracy.

Some other supporting functions

Hour Angle Orientation Function: The Hour Angle function allows pilots to easily determine the hour angle with the time zone display on the dial and bezel, making it much easier to calculate the hour angle. Pilots can confidently locate themselves even while flying over the water for miles.

Chronograph function : This is a common function on sports watches. In aviation, the Chronograph function helps pilots to accurately measure the time of each flight and the speed of the aircraft.

Slide Rule : The Slide Rule slider is located on the benzel border of the watch, helping pilots quickly calculate multiplication, division, and square root calculations .

Dual Time Displays : Pilots’ watches will usually have an additional GMT hand, or have a World Time bezel, or a small bezel showing Dual-Timer, so that pilots can just updated the time in the second time zone with the current time .

Above is an article that introduces what is a pilot’s watch and its characteristics. What do you think of these interesting pilot watches? Leave a comment below!