There doesn't seem to come an end to the popularity of pilot watches. The original pilot watches were made by famous watch manufacturers IWC, Lange & Söhne, Laco, Wempe and Stowa. IWC, Laco and Stowa still produce pilot watches, but all come with a spicy price tag.


German watch company Archimede has a wide collection of watches, that include an impressive line up of pilot watches at an affordable price. Starting at a relative small size of 36mm, Archimede Pilot watches are also suitable for men with small wrist or woman who want to wear a tough looking watch for a change.

Archimede Pilot watches range from the aforementioned 36mm to 45mm for their Pilot XL models. All models are available with an ETA2824 mechanical automatic movement. However, as you know, the original pilot watches were only available with a handwound movement of course. Archimede therefore introduced the Pilot XLH (Handaufzug/Handwound) model, only available in 45mm. This particular model uses the proven ETA (former Unitas) 6498 movement that we also know from the Panerai Luminor Base and Marina models.

The sizes from 36mm up to 42mm are available in different case materials, such as titanium and PVD coated cases, leather straps or metal bracelets. The 45mm XL (XLA for automatic and XLH for the handwound movement) is only available in stainless steel.

On top of that, Archimede can also provide the Pilot XLH with ETA 6498 movement with a so-called 'Top'-finish. This means that the movement has a higher grade of finish from the ETA factory: Decorated with Geneva stripes and blued screws!

As for the prices, Archimede succeeded in using a friendly price for a tough mechanical wrist watch in my opinion. Therefore, the price/quality ratio is superb. If you are looking for a friendly priced mechanical wrist watch or a pilot watch in particular, look no further.

Prices start at 325,- Euro and most pilot watches range between the entry price and 395,- Euro. The PVD models are a bit pricier, 445,- Euro that is. The most expensive model is the Pilot XLH with the ETA 6498 with Top-finish, 665,- Euro. The regular XLH model is priced at 395,- Euro.

The Pilot watches come with a transparent display back. To have a regular stainless steel case back, add 25,- Euro to the price of the watch. A folding clasp instead of a buckle is available for 40,- Euro.

My personal favourite would be the 42mm Pilot H version, this model comes close to the original pilot watches due to the absence of a brand name on the dial and the lack of a date window. The price of this model is 365,- Euro.

Have a look at Archimede Uhren yourself, website available in German and English language.

Thinking of getting a pilot's watch? Consider the Bremont watches from the United Kingdom. Bremont is a relatively new watch brand from the U.K. by brothers Nick and Giles English. Both are professional aviators who have a passion for wrist watches.

Their latest watches are a joint venture between Bremont and Martin-Baker. Who? Martin-Baker, the world's longest established and most experienced manufacturer of ejection seats. For over 60 years, Martin-Baker has saved over 7,283 aircrew lives in more than 93 Air Forces.

The Bremont MB1 watch (the MB2 will follow later on) has to go through the following tests by Martin-Baker:

1. Catapult phase 12 - 15G

2. Rocket motor 12 - 15G

3. Drogue Stability 30G (600kt sled test)

4. Parachute deployment 15G


Furthermore, this watch will only be available to those who have ejected a Martin-Baker seat. Your ejection number will be engraved in the caseback of the MB1 watch. At first I thought this probably had something to do with the English sense of humour (which I like), but Bremont is dead serious about this. Luckily for the people who have some form of common sense, the MB2 will be available for the less brave buyers as well.

Bremont uses Soprod/ETA movements and have them chronometer certified (COSC = Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometeres). Bremont refers to their movements as BE-xx. These movements are assembled and tested in the watchfactory in Bienne / Switzerland. Unlike the other Bremont watches, the Martin-Baker models will be further assembled in the United Kingdom, making it a 'Made in Great Britain' pilot's watch.

The MB1 and MB2 watch both will feature the same caliber BE-36A movement, as written before, chronometer certified. The Trip-Tick case design is, like in the other Bremont watches, also used for these new models. The sapphire crystal is applied with 9 layers of anti-reflective coating as untreated crystals can allow light to reflect back, which has - in most cases - a negative effect on the legibility of the dial.

And the size? 43mm. In my opinion a very decent / acceptable size for a pilot's watch, especially when compared to the vintage looking pilot's watches that a few companies seem to produce these days. However, it is still a bit larger than its obvious competitors, like the IWC Mark XVI, which has a diameter of 39mm.

These watches are delivered on either a leather strap or the so-called NATO canvas strap. The Bremont MB1 watch will become available early November 2009 and has a £2,900 pricetag. Oh, and an ejection in a Martin-Baker ejectionseat.


Details on the price and availability of the MB2 are not yet available.