How to Choose a Pilot Watch: A Buying Guide from an Airline Captain

I've worn a watch on every flight I've flown, from Cessna Caravans in Indonesia to the Boeing 737 today. The flight deck has clocks everywhere, so nobody strictly needs a watch to fly. Yet most pilots still wear one, and the reasons tell you a lot about what makes a good pilot watch.

Whether you're buying for yourself or for a pilot in your life, here's what actually matters.

1. Can you read it at a glance?

Legibility is the whole point. Pilot watches came from early aviators who had to read the time quickly, in poor light, often with gloves on and both hands busy. That's why the classic pilot's watch has a high-contrast dial, large clear numerals and hands that are easy to tell apart.

Look for:

• A high-contrast dial, such as white numerals on black or navy

• Bold numerals rather than thin batons

• Hour and minute hands of clearly different lengths

• Luminous hands and markers you can read at night

A simple test: if you can't read it in a second in dim light, it's jewellery, not a pilot watch.

2. Automatic or quartz?

This is the question we're asked most at airshows. A quartz watch runs on a battery and is extremely accurate. An automatic winds itself from the movement of your wrist, needs no battery, and has a smooth sweeping seconds hand that a lot of people love.

Neither is better; they suit different people. We've explained the differences properly in our guide to automatic vs quartz pilot watches.

3. Do you need a chronograph or a GMT?

Beyond telling the time, two features are worth knowing about:

• Chronograph: a built-in stopwatch. Pilots use it to time holding patterns, approaches and navigation legs; everyone else uses it for parking, cooking and running. Our chronograph guide explains how to use one.

• GMT: a second hour hand that tracks another time zone. Ideal for crew and frequent travellers who want home time and local time, or UTC, on one dial.

If you just want the clearest possible dial, a simple three-hand watch is hard to beat.

4. Size: what will fit your wrist?

Most wrists suit a case between 38mm and 42mm. Diameter isn't the whole story, though. The distance from lug to lug matters just as much, because a watch whose lugs overhang your wrist will never sit comfortably.

If you're between sizes, go slightly smaller. A watch that fits looks better than one that dominates. For reference, our current watches are:

• AvGeek® Chronograph: 38mm

• Zulu Automatic: 39mm

• Altitude Automatic: 40mm

• Horizon Chronograph: 41mm

• Greenwich GMT and Aerobility: 42mm

5. Crystal and water resistance

The crystal is the glass over the dial. Sapphire is the most scratch-resistant option and stays clear for years. Sapphire-coated mineral glass is a good middle ground at a lower price.

Water resistance ratings confuse a lot of people. A 100m rating doesn't mean you can dive to 100 metres. It means the watch will happily handle rain, hand washing and swimming. One rule worth following: don't press a chronograph's pushers under water.

6. The strap

A strap changes a watch's whole character. Leather feels classic, a fabric or NATO strap is light and practical, a steel bracelet is the most hard-wearing, and silicone is perfect for the beach or the gym.

Check the lug width (the strap size) before buying spares. Ours are 18mm, 20mm or 22mm, and with a spring bar tool you can change one at home in a couple of minutes. Browse our replacement watch straps.

Which FLYER® watch suits whom?

• A first watch or a gift: the AvGeek® Chronograph (£199). Bright, bold and 38mm, with limited edition Panda dials.

• An automatic for every day: the Zulu Automatic (£279). 39mm, day-date and sapphire crystal, named after the time every pilot flies by.

• A classic pilot's watch: the Altitude Automatic (£299). 40mm, sapphire crystal and a high-contrast aviation dial on leather.

• A chronograph with presence: the Horizon Chronograph (£299). 41mm, tachymeter bezel, sapphire glass and a steel bracelet.

• Crew and travellers: the Greenwich GMT (£169), a Swiss Ronda GMT, while stocks last.

Every FLYER® watch comes with free worldwide delivery, a 2-year international warranty and 14-day returns. Our watches support flying scholarships through Helping Dreams Take Flight, helping people of all ages and backgrounds into the air.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a watch a pilot watch?

A pilot watch is designed to be read instantly: a clear, high-contrast dial, bold numerals, luminous hands and a case that's easy to use. Many add a chronograph or a second time zone.

What size pilot watch should I buy?

Most people are comfortable with 38mm to 42mm. If you have a slimmer wrist, or you're between sizes, choose the smaller option.

Do you have to be a pilot to wear one?

Not at all. Most of our customers aren't pilots. They're plane spotters, aviation fans and people who simply like a clear, honest watch.

Still not sure? Get in touch or come and try them on at one of our airshows and events. We're always happy to help.