Pilot Watches – Harbingers of Global Timepiece Trends

 

Longines L2.816.1.93.2 (2), luxury watch, navy blue dial, quintime, thequintime

Longines Heritage avigation bigeye L2.816.1.93.2 

Ever wondered why Pilot watches frequently grace the pages of renowned watch enthusiasts’ publications? What profound significance do they hold in the horological world?

The 19th century witnessed the birth of the first recorded wristwatch, the “Queen of Naples,” crafted by Abraham-Louis Breguet (progenitor of modern Breguet) for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810. Regrettably, this piece has been lost to history. For decades following its creation, wristwatches were primarily considered women’s jewelry, while European gentlemen favored the classic elegance of pocket watches.

Bức hoạ của Nữ hoàng Naples (Nguồn: Internet)

Painting depicting the Queen of Naples (Cre: Internet)

The dawn of the 20th century, coupled with aviation’s burgeoning growth, heralded the advent of pilot watches. As pocket watches proved impractical for aviators needing to measure flight durations, wristwatches made their inaugural foray into the male demographic, starting with pilots.

A fascinating tidbit: Luxury watchmakers’ investment in pilot watches stemmed from the aviators’ elevated social status. The film “Catch Me If You Can,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, illustrates this phenomenon, depicting how impersonating a pilot granted DiCaprio’s character unprecedented social prestige and admiration.

Leonardo DiCaprio trong bộ dáng Phi công hào nhoáng và được ngưỡng vọng trong xã hội Cre: "Đố anh bắt được em"

Leonardo DiCaprio in the role of a glamorous, idolized aviator
Cre: Catch me if you can”

The genesis of pilot watches dates back to 1897 when Alberto Santos-Dumont astounded the world with his inaugural hot air balloon flight. In 1900, he shared his timekeeping challenges during flights with his friend Louis Cartier, founder of the eponymous brand. This led to the creation of the first pilot’s wristwatch, the legendary Santos de Cartier.

Santos de Cartier Dumont (1916)

Santos de Cartier Dumont (1916)

Pilot watches boast distinctive features tailored to aviators’ needs: large, legible dials; luminous hands for low-light readability; chronographs for flight time calculations; and shock and water resistance for durability in extreme conditions.

Hình ảnh Pilot watch trên tay chàng phi công đời đầu (Nguồn : Internet)

Image of a Pilot watch on the wrist of a first-generation pilot (Cre: Internet)

Many prestigious watchmakers dedicate at least one collection to Pilot watches (e.g., IWC Schaffhausen’s Big Pilot’s Watch and Pilot’s Watch Chronograph; Zenith’s Pilot Type 20; TAG Heuer’s Autavia; Longines’ Heritage Avigation).

Price points for pilot watches vary widely, from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on brand, rarity, and specifications.

In Vietnam, where dress watches are the conventional choice for most occasions, opting for a Pilot watch can truly set one apart. A rare piece from Longines’ Heritage Avigation collection: the Longines Avigation BIGEYE TITANIUM L2.816.1.93.2.

Longines L2.816.1.93.2 (5), luxury watch, navy blue dial, quintime, thequintime

Longines Avigation BIGEYE TITANIUM L2.816.1.93.2

With its gradient dial of midnight black and petrol blue, this timepiece invites contemplation of the tranquil depths and the humble grace found in nature’s cycles.

Longines L2.816.1.93.2 (7), luxury watch, navy blue dial, quintime, thequintime

Longines Avigation BIGEYE TITANIUM L2.816.1.93.2

Below are some standout Pilot watches for your perusal and admiration.

Tag Heuer Autavia WBE5191.FC8276 Watch 42mm

Tag Heuer Autavia WBE5191.FC8276 Watch 42mm (Cre: Internet)

Zenith Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Ton-Up 11.2432.4069.21.C900 / V48607

Zenith Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Ton-Up 11.2432.4069.21.C900 / V48607 (Cre: Internet)

IW510301-Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 48mm

IW510301-Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 48mm (Cre: Internet)

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Meghan Nguyen

An English teacher with a deep passion for watches masterpieces, dedicated to creating a knowledgeable and cultured community of mechanical watch enthusiasts who share insights and foster mutual growth.