I'll get around to a full length review on affordable pilot watches...but
for now let me show you some pics of 1.
Steinhart/Debaufre unbranded 44mm Automatic Pilot Watch.
There are only a handful of sources for affordable & quality pilot watches...This particular watch can be had for around $550 or less,
depending if there is a sale.
Why did I choose this particular one?
Well...many of the traditional pilots are waaaayyyy too big for my wrist (since they were suppose to be worn over flight jackets)...
I can't pull off a Fiddy...and no way can I pull off 48mm Pilots...
I already have an IWC 3717 to satiate my 42mm desires...so I looked for something between there and the big sizes (48 - 52mm).
Since I can pull off 44mm PAMS, it was natural for me to look for a 44mm version.
Another requirement of mine was to have the center seconds....Since most of my watches are 6497 based, I already have the manual wound thing down...and really wanted a center seconds.
You can get a manual wound center seconds...but that particular movement is very very expensive and takes the watch out of the 'affordable' category....So typically you have to settle for a watch made from ETA 2824 (affordable)
Location: In the back of my building in Jersey City overlooking the Hudson River:
Props used: Trash can for the off the wrist shots!
Strap: Big Pilot style...custom made my Jacob (Spanish strap maker)
for now let me show you some pics of 1.
Steinhart/Debaufre unbranded 44mm Automatic Pilot Watch.
There are only a handful of sources for affordable & quality pilot watches...This particular watch can be had for around $550 or less,
depending if there is a sale.
Why did I choose this particular one?
Well...many of the traditional pilots are waaaayyyy too big for my wrist (since they were suppose to be worn over flight jackets)...
I can't pull off a Fiddy...and no way can I pull off 48mm Pilots...
I already have an IWC 3717 to satiate my 42mm desires...so I looked for something between there and the big sizes (48 - 52mm).
Since I can pull off 44mm PAMS, it was natural for me to look for a 44mm version.
Another requirement of mine was to have the center seconds....Since most of my watches are 6497 based, I already have the manual wound thing down...and really wanted a center seconds.
You can get a manual wound center seconds...but that particular movement is very very expensive and takes the watch out of the 'affordable' category....So typically you have to settle for a watch made from ETA 2824 (affordable)
Location: In the back of my building in Jersey City overlooking the Hudson River:
Props used: Trash can for the off the wrist shots!
Strap: Big Pilot style...custom made my Jacob (Spanish strap maker)