Pilot Watches: History, Style, and Top Picks

Few watch categories carry the romance of the pilot's watch. Born from the cockpit, designed for survival, and refined over a century of aviation history.

A Brief History

The Origins (1900s–1930s)

The first pilot's watch is credited to Cartier — the Santos, created in 1904 for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont.

Flieger Watches (WWII Germany)

The German Luftwaffe commissioned navigation watches with strict specs: 55mm case, oversized crown, luminous numerals, triangle at 12 o'clock, and hacking seconds.

Type A vs Type B Dials

• Type A: Simple Arabic numerals 1–12 with triangle at 12
• Type B: Inner hour numerals, outer minute numerals 5–55

Key Features of a Pilot Watch

• Large case (40–46mm) for easy reading
• Oversized crown for gloved hands
• High-contrast dial
• Luminous numerals/hands
• Triangle at 12 o'clock
• Anti-magnetic protection

The Sterna Altimeter Pilot

Our Sterna Altimeter Pilot embodies the best of heritage design with modern engineering: 43mm case, cathedral hands, oversized luminous numerals, and a soft-iron inner cage for anti-magnetic protection. At £2,950, it represents serious value in the pilot watch category.

How to Style a Pilot Watch

Do: Leather jackets, denim, knitwear, brown leather or Bund straps.

Don't: Black tie, rubber straps, slim formal shirts.

Explore the Sterna Altimeter Pilot and our full luxury watch collection at Watchlove.