History of Pilots watches

At BIG Watch Company, we love the 'Pilots' watch and think the traditional watch is very cool (The Big Pilots watch is cool!). They are simple, yet elegant, and have a fantastic history with their association in flying.

Until the mid 1930’s, pilots relied on either a pocket watch or a cockpit clock from companies like IWC, Breitling and Breguet. In 1936, IWC developed its first pilots watch, known as the Mark IX. The Mark IX, had a black face, luminescent hands/numerals, rotating bezel and an anti magnetic movement. After the Mark IX, came the Mark II, which had an 89 calibre hand wound movement that was both complex and precise. The Mark II, has today established itself a cult watch amongst collectors. Even today, IWC still produce the pilots watch in Mark XVI or Spitfire design at 39mm.

Laco Pilot B auto Miyota brown Price: £178.00

Back to 1940, IWC introduced the 52 S.C. Big Pilots watch which was designed to military spec. The Big Pilots Watch had an original pocket watch movement and large second hand - this piece was a whopping 55mm! The simple function was modeled on the cockpit of a Junker JU 52 cargo plane. Today, the IWC BPW is still large at 47mm and would be a fantastic watch to have in ones collection.

In 1936, Breitling supplied the British Royal air force with a chronograph watch. Then in 1952, the Navitimer became the official timepiece for the international Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

Breguet introduced their first wristwatch chronograph to the French Air force in 1954, the Type XX. Before this, Breguet had issued pilots with a pocket watch.

Today, there are many brands with a variation of shapes and forms with many price levels to suit, for example Graham. One of the positives to come out of the war is a continuation of a classic watch, the ‘Pilots’ watch – worth having in any collection.

The brand we chose for our Big Watch collection as a watch in traditional pilots form (based on the original) is Laco. Laco is a beautifully made German brand which is extremely well priced.

Kind regards

Rob