7 Watches That Get Aviator Style Right

From Issue One of the Gear Patrol Magazine. Free shipping for new subscribers.

Just like a great pair of aviators or a worn leather jacket, the aviation watch feels charismatic, cocksure, cool. But it’s not just about aeronautical badassery. The best aviation watches are built to exacting standards and are particularly legible. And yet, a dash of iconic style never hurts, does it?

Citizen Satellite Wave World Time GPS F150

Movement: Eco-Drive F150
Diameter: 44mm

Citizen’s lauded eco-drive solar quartz movement now features satellite GPS timekeeping and a world time function for 27 cities (40 time zones).

Bell & Ross BR 03-92

Movement: ETA 2892
Diameter: 42mm

A classic Bell & Ross case design inspired by aircraft instruments and crafted from matte black ceramic; it also features photo-luminescent hands and a reliable movement from ETA.

Bremont Solo

Movement: BE-36AE
Diameter: 43mm

The simple, clean design on the Bremont Solo is inspired by classic pilot’s watches from the 1940s and is combined with a tough, scratch resistant DLC-treated case barrel.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111

Movement: Oris Calibre 111
Diameter: 44mm

Featuring Oris’s second in-house movement, the ProPilot is a hand-wound watch with an astonishing 10 day power reserve, a date window and a non-linear power reserve indicator.

OMEGA Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Solar Impulse

Movement: Omega Caliber 5619 (quartz)
Diameter: 45mm

A limited-edition multifunction quartz chronograph from Omega built in partnership with the Solar Impulse project, which is attempting to fly around the world powered only by solar energy.

Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 GMT

Movement: Zenith Caliber 693
Diameter: 48mm

A large and legible timepiece that harkens back to the early days of aviation, the Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef comes in at a whopping 48mm and features an oversized crown that can be used with a glove.

Rolex GMT-Master II

Movement: Rolex Calibre 3186
Diameter: 40mm

The original Rolex GMT-Master was designed in the 1950s with aviators in mind for their long-haul flights, and eventually became the official wristwatch of several airlines, including Pan American Airways.

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