Rolex Men's Pilot Watch

6 Iconic Pilot Watches for Men You Need to Know About

Among the many types of watches for men that you can buy only a few offer practical uses and look good at the same time. If you can have both why not, right?

Pilot watches are the type of watches that can add a nice touch to your outfit though would rarely look out of place. It consistently provides a good mix of form and function. This article will present options if you are considering buying a watch which has a balance of these features.

Rolex GMT Master II

Rolex Men's Pilot Watch

The first luxury pilot watch on this list is perfect for those who constantly engage in intercontinental travel. If you want to easily check the time in another timezone then the Rolex GMT Master II is for you. Assisting with this is its 24-hour graduated bezel, which is rotatable and bidirectional.

Keeping it precise is its 3186 Calibre mechanical movement. It is self-winding and incorporates a GMT function.

The GMT Master II has different nicknames, depending on the color of the bezel. There is the Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Root Beer and Batman models. These variants are easily recognizable to Rolex enthusiasts. Any would be an excellent companion in your travels.

Rolex Air-King

Rolex Air King Pilot Watch

This next item symbolizes the golden age of aviation which was set around the 1930s. The Rolex Air-King has a very distinct black dial. It has similar lettering used for an earlier model released in the 1950s.

Navigational time readings can be performed through the use of its minute scale. This is combined with big hour numerals represented by the numbers 3, 6 and 9.

It runs on a Swiss chronometer 3131 Calibre mechanical movement which is protected by a magnetic shield. The 40 mm Oystersteel case is secured to your wrist with a flat three-piece link bracelet and folding Oysterclasp. Air-Kings have always had a stylish quality about them despite their modest design. This one is no exception.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII

IWC PILOT WATCH

The next timepiece was produced with more of the essentials in mind. There is nothing on it that is frivolous or out of place. Everything on the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII was made exactly as it should be.

It has luminescent markings on its black dial and is encased in 40 mm stainless steel. The movement is a self-winding, automatic 35111 Calibre. It is sheltered from magnetic fields through its soft-iron inner case.

The convex sapphire glass protecting its dial has anti-reflective properties on both its sides. Any displacement caused by a steep decline in air pressure is guarded against. The front glass remains secure and you can easily put on the Mark XVIII using its stainless steel bracelet.

Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special

Zenith Pilot Watch

This is one of those watches for men that gets better with age. Its bronze casing is specifically intended to form its own patina the more it is used. This gives every Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special a unique character.

Pilot watches tend to stand out. One thing you will immediately notice about this is its oversized crown. This is quite possibly a tribute to the years of early aviation. Back then, cockpits were unheated and pilots needed this feature to help them grip the crown through their thick gloves.

The Type 20 Extra Special is one of the larger models on this list. It is 45 mm in diameter and its brown oily Nubuck leather strap is secured with a titanium pin buckle clasp.

Hamilton Khaki Aviation Day Date Quartz

Hamilton Pilot Watch

No other brand creating watches for men evokes Americana like this company can. It is however refreshing to know that it incorporates Swiss precision fundamentals in every piece. This brand has a product line dedicated to aviation and has been involved in pilot watches since 1918.

The Hamilton Khaki Aviation watch benefits from such aspects.

This timepiece has the look and feel of how it was like to be an aviator in the early days of flying. Its 42 mm stainless steel case contains a white dial with minute markers on its outer rim. Lugs measuring 20 mm in width connects the piece to a brown, calf leather strap. The Khaki Aviation is perfect for any casual occasion.

Breitling Transocean Unitime Pilot Chronograph

Breitling Pilot Watch

If you would like to know which among the pilot watches currently in production has the most complications, this would most likely be one of them. The Breitling Transocean Unitime Pilot Chronograph stands out with its intricate design and multiple instruments. It could very well be the quintessential pilot’s watch.

The dial gives you the ability to tell time in 24 different time zones. You can make full use of this through its crown operated setting system. It conveniently indicates a preselected city as well.

This timepiece provides a lot of functionality. It is not surprising that it requires a 46 mm stainless steel case to hold all its features. Choose this watch if you are a big advocate of horology or if you simply appreciate how cool it would look on your wrist.