Aviator Nation: Pilot Watches that are Pure Jet Setters
The history of the widely-popular Pilot Watch dates way back to the year 1904 when a Brazilian aviator by the name of Alberto Santos-Dumont asked his friend Louis Cartier for a wristwatch that would be easier to “navigate” than the fashionable pocket watch of the time during his long flights. Cartier went to work and aptly named the new and trendy timepiece “Santos,” after the aviator himself.
What was created has now become one of Cartier’s most iconic pieces and has since shaped the face and legacy of watches throughout history. Earlier this year, the famous jewelry brand came out with the Santos-Dumont watch line to honor the pilot who changed the face (literally) of wristwatches. Over the course of time, the Pilot Watch has evolved with newer technology and more interactive elements, to help pilots (and astronauts) take on longer flights and further missions.
Today’s timepieces, first inspired by a Brazilian aviator, are watches that both Alberto Santos-Dumont and Louis Cartier would be in awe of. And they are worn by more than just those in flight. Today they are more a fashion piece with both form and function, worn on the wrists of both men and women alike. I’ve found some first-class pieces to share with you. So here are the pilot watches on my radar right now.
Rolex recently released the newest version of its Sky-Dweller. The watch features a waterproof Oyster Perpetual bracelet, dual timezone-simultaneous displays, a magnifying lens, and more.
The Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph by Audemars Piguet is waterproof and features a trademark“Méga Tapisserie” dial.
IWC Schaffhausen’s Pilot’s Watch Chronograph comes in a Stainless Steel case with a calfskin strap.
The Montblanc 1858 Automatic 24H is inspired by military watches from the 1920s and 1930s. This newer version is made with the explorer in mind.
The ALT1-P2 JET pilot’s watch by Bremont is based on the original ALT1-P pilot’s watch the London watch company first made and features Bremont’s iconic “51 lume.”
The Garmin D2 Delta S Pilot Watch is packed with amenities ranging from GPS, NEXRAD weather radars, flight logging, fitness tracking, and more. The watch is available in different band options.
Whatever style of timepiece you might favor, watches are an integral part of everyone’s jewelry collection. It’s inspiring to learn the backstory of how some of these showpieces were created.
About The Author
Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.
