In the market for an automatic watch to wear everyday in the cockpit. I currently serve in the US Navy as a jet pilot and would like to get something that will survive the remainder of my career while being used everyday in the jet. The goal would be to wear it for all my flights and have it as a keepsake after I retire. Any watch would need to be durable enough to survive incidental bumps in the small cockpit of the jet while maneuvering. A GMT hand would be preferred in order to track UTC time while doing flight planning. I have a fairly small wrist at 7 inches. I currently own a Seiko 5 GMT (SSK003) and like the fit. Budget is around $2-3K.
I have been looking around and have found some of Sinn’s watches including the 856/857 UTC to be interesting. The tegimented steel seems like it would hold up well to bumps against the canopy rails. Other options could be Laco’s new DIN 8330 watches, but they do not come on bracelets.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
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I don’t think you’d need to find anything particularly tough for your intended use - getting in and out of a cockpit would maybe give some dings but nothing you’d need any special treatment for. Any well made watch will survive, and I’m a strong believer in using your stuff so I find watches with dings and scratches from honest use much more interesting.
For GMT’s around the $1k mark I’d be looking at watches with the Miyota 9075 movement. The Traska Venturer GMT, Jack Mason Strat-O-Timer, and Lorier Hyperion would be great choices. You could probably also find a Longines Spirit Zulu Time in your budget too - they’re handsome watches.
If you like Sinn watches, have a look at Gunand:
https://www.guinand-uhren.de/watches.html
That’s the small boutique run by Helmut Sinn - former pilot and flight instructor - afterhe sold Sinn Spezialuhren. Turns out he didn’t want to retire and ran this small shop almost until he died at 102 years of age. It’s been run as a mom-and-pop shop today by a charming couple.
Great quality, many of Helmut Sinn’s original dsigns and great value because they don’t sink so much money into advertising.
I want to say for modern pilots, the Breitling EVO, but that might be out of your budget, and not mechanical. I’d consider it for the features though.
Besides that, maybe the Citizen Pro Master Skyhawk, also not an automatic, but with some useful features for a pilot.
If you really want a automatic with GMT, I think your instincts about the Sinn 856 are right.
The Citizen Pro Master is too busy for my tastes. The other “aviation” features are not really of use in a fast jet where you have very little time to be heads down looking at your wrist. In reality a wristwatch is quite redundant in flight due to GPS time being provided by onboard avionics.
Sinn UTC was exactly what I thought of. Perfect.
That was my thought. Just wanted to see if there were any other brands I may have overlooked during my research. The only thing about Sinn is they are only distributed online in the US. And I would have to jump into a $3k purchase hoping that it would fit.
The other choice would be a Speedmaster. I have mine on a Forstner strap for a classic look. Very comfortable and extremely adjustable
Just to give you some more options, Glycine Airman
I’m a big Sinn fan. But look at the on base PX. Sometimes you can get good Omegas at a reduced price. The no sales tax adds up when buying a 5 figure wristwatch.
While the Seamaster might not have a GMT hand. It’s pretty rugged as a dive watch. And more electromagnetic resistance than a Rolex Milgauss.
I wear a Bremont MBIIIin the jet. Meets all your needs, but is slightly outside your budget. Well worth it though, maybe save a little longer? Watch was actually tested by Martin Baker and certified to use with and survive ejections.
