Top 10 Pilot Watches That Soar with Speed and Style

In the over-saturated category of ‘tool watches’, the Pilot’s watch category has always been one of the most popular variants, and for good reason. The functional nature of aviator watches makes them perfect for everyday life, thanks to their striking looks, excellent legibility, and robust construction.

This genre has long been a beloved theme for many brands, particularly those with a rich history in aviation-inspired watchmaking. Initially crafted for those who seek adventure in the skies, pilot watches have been redefined and reinterpreted to command attention and capture imagination like no other.

So, there's no doubt that there are plenty of very cool pilot watches on the market. But which are the best? Some come from brands with decades of aviation history, while others bring in a fresh perspective to the category. But what ties them together is their shared vision for function and clarity.

After a lot of mull over, we have curated our selection of the best pilot watches, which we believe will be a valuable companion for many years to come.  It’s a wonderful mix of speed and style!

10 Best Pilots Watches You Should Consider

1. Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified (Ref: 332.10.41.51.01.002)

Colourful, edgy and with a dial full of aviation-inspired elements, the Omega Speedmaster Pilot is a watch with a completely different style from what we generally see on a streamlined Moonwatch. It is also very different technically.

Designed as the civilian version of a watch made for US military pilots, this new cockpit-inspired Speedmaster chronograph incorporates modern features a pilot might need during flight. It offers the perfect blend of functionality, precision and style in flight.

Key characteristics:

• Features a 40.85mm stainless steel case with a brushed finish. The whole case and the case back are matte.
• The black dial has a grainy matte finish and features a rhodium-coloured outer ring and hour markers made of white Super-LumiNova blocks. There are two sub-dials with brushed bevels and opaline centres.
• At the 3 o’clock location, a 12-hour and 60-minute counter is reordered and designed to look like a ‘burn rate’ indicator. It features transferred white numerals and a triangular hand in matte orange.
• At 9 o’clock, there’s a small second display designed to resemble a sight or target indicator, featuring matte yellow hands and an artificial horizon in blue.
• Minute and hour hands PVD-coated matte black with blocks of white Super-LumiNova. The central chronograph hand has a varnished orange tip.
• The bezel is made of matte black aluminium and features a tachymeter scale with the famous “Dot Over Ninety” and “Diagonal to Seventy” printings, along with orange accents.
• Providing the power is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9900.

2. Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT ‘Zulu Time’ x Marine Nationale (Ref: M2542G257NU)

Initially developed with a French Navy specialist unit, the Pelagos FXD has now expanded to suit the needs of the Aéronautique Navale personnel (French Naval Aviation) with the addition of a function that allows the flight support personnel and aviators to track the ‘Zulu Time’ – in addition to the local time and third time zone. “Zulu” is the military designation for Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) and the standard reference time for all aviators.

The new Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT ‘Zulu Time’ x Marine Nationale is developed to ensure maximum reliability and accuracy in real-world conditions endured by the Aéronautique Navale personnel. It’s a very good-looking, solidly built watch with real-world usability. Additionally, the fact that it’s a proper military-specified watch, worn by members of the Aéronatique Navale Marine Nationale, adds to its appeal.

Key characteristics:

• A stout 42mm Grade 2 titanium case with a sober finish and a bi-directional titanium bezel featuring a matte black ceramic insert with a beige-coloured 24-hour scale.
• Matte black dial with hour markers painted in beige. Mix of applied indexes (square, rectangular and triangular) in Pelagos style with Super-LumiNova inserts. Features a snowflake handset, a date window at 3 o’clock, a lengthy GMT hand lacquered in orange, red accents for the model name (Pelagos GMT), and a slightly sloped minute track.
• Features a solid Grade 5 titanium case back adorned with the ‘Aéronautique Navale’ emblem. It pays tribute to the original military-issued Tudors of the 1970s and 1980s.
• Certified by a COSC Chronometer and a METAS Master Chronometer.
• Inside you’ll find the Calibre MT5652-U automatic ‘Flyer’ GMT movement.
• Fitted with a green textile single-pass strap with titanium hardware. Comes with an extra removable fabric keeper with the French Naval Aviation roundel.

3. IWC Pilot’s Chronograph 41 Top Gun ‘Mojave Desert’ (Ref: IW389402)

IWC expands its Colours of Top Gun series with a new ‘Mojave Desert’ edition that pairs a distinct look with compact dimensions. Developed in collaboration with Pantone®, this ‘Mojave Desert’ edition takes cues from the rugged landscape around the US Navy’s China Lake testing site and the classic beige flight suits worn by the naval pilots.

We expect this sand-coloured timepiece to garner a lot of attention as it is one of the brand’s favourite ceramic colourways. To achieve the unique brown ceramic, IWC blends zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides in a precise mixing ratio. The striking monochromatic chronograph is the perfect symbiosis of a decorative object and a functional instrument.

Key characteristics:

• It features an ergonomic 41.9mm case made of sand-coloured ceramic, which is remarkably light and scratch-resistant. Ceramics are non-corrosive and offer greater strength and abrasion resistance compared to steel.
• Matte brown dial featuring subdued indices and Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova inserts. Lume and paint on the hands and indices are neatly coordinated with the case colour.
• The signature IWC vertical dial layout places the minute counter at 12 o’clock, the hour counter at 9 o’clock, and the seconds counter at 6 o’clock. It has a fine, circular-grained finish. The day-date window at 3 o’clock shows two discs with the same colour as the dial, and the day and date marked in beige.
• Beige rubber strap with a textile inlay, perfectly matching the ceramic case colour.
• Titanium case back engraved with the characteristic ‘TOP GUN’ engraving.
• Inside the case works the in-house manufactured 69380 Calibre movement, offering a 46-hour power reserve.

4. Rolex Air-King (Ref: 126900)

The Air-King is far from the popularity of the brand’s icons, but it is still a fascinating collection with roots firmly planted in the dress watch realm. The Rolex Air-King was introduced in 1945 to meet the needs of pilots in the British Royal Air Force during World War II. The watches exude a timeless appeal with their clean, simple design and are a testament to Rolex’s commitment to precision and reliability, qualities crucial for aviation.

The Air-King 126900 has been refined for better aesthetic appeal and readability. The modern Air-King draws inspiration from cockpit instruments, reflecting upon its aviation roots. It’s a well-built and reliable tool watch with a balanced aesthetic.

Key characteristics:

• 40mm stainless steel case with a smooth, thinner bezel. It comes with crown guards.
• Black lacquered dial with large 3-6-9 numerals in 18ct white gold treated with Chromalight for enhanced luminescence. There’s a minute track on the periphery, and the minute scale is marked with white Arabic numerals. There are signature Mercedes hands filled with Chromalight, and an inverted triangle at 12 o’clock also filled with Chromalight.
• Other elements on the dial include a yellow Coronet, a green Rolex logo with a white ‘Oyster perpetual’ mention, a vintage-looking Air-King logo, a white Chronometer indication, and a green lollipop seconds hand.
• Paired with a steel Oyster bracelet featuring an Oysterlock folding safety clasp with Easylink comfort extension link, allowing the bracelet to extend by about 5mm.
• Powered by the modern Calibre 3230, it offers an extended power reserve of 70 hours.

5. Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 (Ref: AB0121211B1X1)

The Breitling Navitimer is probably Breitling’s most iconic release and is definitely one of the most recognisable pilot watches ever made. Since its release in the 1950s, the Navitimer has been highly sought after by those who value both style and functionality. The unique slide rule bezel enables pilots to perform a variety of calculations mid-flight, related to speed, time, distance, and conversions, very quickly.

If there was an election for the most beautiful pilot’s watch, the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Ref. AB0121211B1X1 would win it. It exudes luxury and breaks away from the usually plain design of typical pilot chronographs – a true emblem of original design and technical mastery.

Key characteristics:

• Case crafted from high-quality stainless steel, measuring 43mm in diameter.
• Black dial with red seconds hand, 3 silver chronograph counters, and applied hour markers. There’s a small date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.
• Bidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel that ensures smooth handling of the aviation slide rule.
• The case back is engraved with a thermometer scale and units of degrees and Fahrenheit. Centre of the case back emblazoned with the winged B – Breitling’s famous logo.
• The Manufacture Breitling Calibre 01 movement confirms its excellent precision, reliability and performance. Once wound via the screw-down crown, the watch runs for 70 hours.
• Worn on a black calfskin leather strap with tang-type buckle. The upper side of the strap impresses with fine white stitching, while the underside is almost yellow and soft.

6. Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Chronograph (Ref: 5924G) 

When you think of pilot’s watches, you don’t really think of Patek Philippe initially. And while it’s true that the brand only gave most importance to this genre in 2015 through the introduction of Ref. 5524, every Patek Philippe pilot’s watch created since then has been nothing short of a breakthrough.

The Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Chronograph Ref. 5924G brings out the charismatic character of pilot watches and broadens its appeal. This Calatrava embraces the quintessential pilot complication by combining a Flyback chronograph and a Travel Time with a second time zone display. It’s a chronograph with a nomadic spirit.

Key characteristics:

• It is a luxury watch made of 18ct white gold, featuring a 42mm case with a thickness of 13.05mm. The crown and chronograph push-pieces, located at 2 o’clock (start/stop) and 4 o’clock (reset/flyback), add to the watch’s considerable appeal.
• It features a beautiful sunburst blue-grey dial with white gold numerals and a white luminescent coating. The local time hand in white gold is a blued, sword-style hand with a luminous coating, while the home time hand in white gold is a skeletonised, sword-style hand, finished in white varnish. 
• There’s a central seconds hand for the flyback chronograph, a 60-minute indicator at 6 o’clock, a date indicated by hand at 12 o’clock and day/night indications for the home/local time appropriately marked.
• Driving this Calatrava is the Calibre CH 28-520 C FUS. This movement is visible through the sapphire crystal case back with the central gold rotor engraved with the Patek Philippe Cross. The power reserve is 45 to 55 hours.
• It is worn on a grained navy blue calfskin strap with a white gold clevis prong buckle, which adds a greater ‘vintage’ experience to the watch.

7. Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” (Ref: 126710BLRO)

Say the word “Pepsi” to a watch enthusiast and listen to how they describe the iconic Rolex pilot’s watch with a bi-colour bezel. Yes, we’re talking about the Rolex GMT-Master and its legendary blue and red bezel, nicknamed the ‘Pepsi’ model, with reference number 126710BLRO.

The story dates back to the 1950s, when Pan Am approached Rolex to design a watch for its pilots, enabling them to track multiple time zones. The blue and red bezel allowed pilots to distinguish between day and night easily. Over the years, this iconic traveller’s watch has become a status symbol because of its exclusivity. It’s also one of the most sought-after Rolex watches in production.

Key characteristics:

• It features a 40mm corrosion-resistant Oystersteel case, offering an exceptional finish.
• Bidirectional blue and red ‘Pepsi’ 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert in ceramic bezel with moulded numerals and graduations.
• Black dial with broad hands and hour markers, featuring a Chromalight display. Along with the conventional hour, minute and seconds hands, there’s an arrow-tipped GMT hand which allows you to track a second time zone in addition to your local time. The dedicated 24-hour hand and the rotatable 24-hour bezel together help you achieve this.
• The GMT hand circles the dial once every 24 hours, unlike the standard hour hand, which completes a circle in 12 hours. Set the GMT hand to your home time (or any other time zone you want to track) against the 24-hour bezel. Then, using the standard minute and hour hands for your local time, you can easily read the time in both time zones simultaneously.
• Rolex-manufactured Calibre 3285 powers the watch, providing approximately 70 hours of power reserve.
• The model is available in both Oyster and Jubilee bracelet designs, crafted from Oystersteel.

8. Tudor Black Bay GMT (Ref: 79830RB)

While the Tudor Black Bay GMT may lack the heritage of the Rolex GMT-Master II, it certainly shares the common design DNA. It absolutely qualifies as a worthy pilot’s watch and is especially appealing to those seeking something more affordable than a Rolex. 

The Tudor Black Bay GMT Ref. 79830RB, featuring the attractive ‘Pepsi’ bezel, is a travel-ready timepiece offering true GMT functionality. Its strong value proposition, combined with an excellent design and GMT functionality, makes the Black Bay GMT a quintessential sports watch for the avid traveller.

Key characteristics:

• The case is made of stainless steel with a mixed polished and satin finish. It measures 41mm with a case thickness of 14.6mm.
• It features a bidirectional, rotatable steel bezel with 48 notches and a 24-hour graduated, anodised aluminium disc in matte blue and burgundy. 
• The red indicates the ‘daylight’ hours while the blue is ‘nighttime’. The matte-finished aluminium takes us back to old-school GMT watches, while the silver printing makes it contemporary.
• The black dial is domed and features the signature ‘Snowflake’ hands, dot hour markers with longer rectangular markers at 6 and 9 o’clock, a small date display at 3 o’clock, balanced use of text and a striking red 24-hour GMT hand that matches the burgundy portion of the bezel and also points to the 24-hour scale on it.
• The Black Bay GMT features the in-house COSC-certified Calibre MT5652, which provides a 70-hour power reserve.
• It is paired with a stainless steel, riveted bracelet featuring a polished and satin finish. The wearability and quality of the Tudor bracelet is second to none.

9. IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Rodeo Drive Edition’ (Ref: IW503001)

Besides the pilot watch, IWC is next best known for its Perpetual Calendar complication, and this model—the “Rodeo Drive” edition — was released to commemorate IWC’s boutique address in Los Angeles. 

Inspired by the distinct Black-and-Blue colour scheme found on IWC’s time-only Big Pilot’s released in 2015 - the new IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Rodeo Drive Edition Ref: IW503001 is a highly desirable edition. It is one of the sportiest yet coolest perpetual calendar timepieces available, featuring a black ceramic case, a blue dial, and a perpetual calendar.

Key characteristics:

• Black ceramic matte case measuring 46.5mm. It is equipped with a non-coated metal crown, giving the watch a certain utilitarian character. The thickness of 15.5mm offers a hefty wrist presence.
• For the dial, IWC uses the signature sunburst metallic blue colour, which beautifully complements the matte black case. The hands and indexes are pure white with high legibility.
• Indications are spread all over the dial – date with a power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, the month at 6 o’clock, day of the week with a running seconds at 9 o’clock, year in four digits at 7 o’clock and a Perpetual Moon Phase for the southern and northern hemisphere at 12 o’clock.
• The double moon phase display represents the Earth’s satellite for viewers in both the southern and northern hemispheres and requires adjustment by one day after 577.5 years.
• Behind the closed titanium case back runs the IWC-manufactured Calibre 52615, which boasts a 7-day power reserve.
• The watch is paired with a textured black calfskin strap.

10. Cartier Santos (Ref: WSSA0018)

Every watch list has that one piece humbly sitting at the end, fully aware that it’s the very reason the entire genre exists. In this case, it’s the Cartier Santos – the undisputed ‘original’. When Brazilian aviator and a dear friend of Louis Cartier asked the later to design him a watch that could be easily used during flight, Cartier delivered the iconic Santos.

The Cartier Santos was not only the first men’s wristwatch but also the first pilot’s watch, debuting in 1904. Since then, it has been one of Cartier’s most iconic creations, revered worldwide for its rich heritage and timeless style. The Cartier Santos WSSA0018 is a modern interpretation of the classic, renowned for its sophistication and versatile design. 

Key characteristics:

• Classic stainless steel case measuring 39.8mm with a thickness of 9.38mm.
• One of the most distinctive design features of the Santos is the bezel, which features exposed screws, offering an industrial look.
• Silvered opaline dial featuring steel blued sword-shaped hands, bold Roman numeral hour markers and a minute track on the inside of the hour markers. The minute hand, however, extends beyond the minute track.
• Powered by automatic winding Calibre 1847 MC providing 40 hours of power reserve.
• Stainless steel bracelet with ‘SmartLink’ adjustment system. There are screws found on every bracelet link. It comes with a second bracelet in calfskin, featuring an interchangeable steel folding buckle.

Final Words

There you have it – the top 10 pilot watches, perfect for both the cockpit and the ground.  

Pilot watches remain a unique category where utility, style, and heritage converge. The models on this list perform their intended function without fuss while making a strong statement. Beyond their strong aviation roots, the watches are built to withstand everyday challenges, making them just as at home on a weekend hike, in a boardroom, or at a formal dinner.

Whether you’re drawn to a model loaded with modern features or prefer vintage-inspired simplicity, the versatility of these timepieces proves why pilot watches continue to be a solid choice among collectors, adventurers and enthusiasts alike.

Our advice: Take off in style! Choose the watch that speaks to your idea of adventure and travel.