It is not the first time that Longines brushes off some dust of its vintage-styled Charles Lindbergh chronograph model. First introduced in 1933 to mark its collaboration with the famous aviator, the Lindbergh’s Atlantic Voyage (L2.730.4.11.0) was re-issued several times with some minor tweaking to its vintage-style dial layout.
Pilot's
Archimede Pilot S 36mm Automatic (UA4919-A1.5D)
Archimede, a privately-owned German brand that primarily specializes in making homages to historic “aviators” of the WWII era, has finally issued a version of their signature series in a unisex case. Till now, the collection had only three sizes starting from “mere” 39 mm for the most compact Pilot M, 42 mm for the mid-size Pilot, and going all the way up to almost gigantic 45 mm for the Pilot XL. Now, the gadget is available as a lot more compact Pilot S (ref. UA4919-A1.5D) version that comes in a tiny 36-millimeter body suitable both for women and men of smaller stature.
Archimede Pilot XL Automatic
If you have a body (or at least wrists) of heroic proportions and are not willing to pay thousands of dollars for ridiculously overpriced timepieces like, say, IWC Doppel-Chronograph Top Gun, then you may want to check out the vintage-styled Archimede Pilot XL , which is both ruggedly-classy and, priced well below the €500 mark, surprisingly affordable.
Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 4 Hand-Wound “Aviator”
First unveiled at the Baselworld 2009 and going on sale at the beginning of October of the same year, the Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Mach 4 (ref. 241381) featured a “love it or hate it, we don’t care” layout of its huge dial, but had at least one advantage over competitors that you just could’t deny: it was powered by an almost legendary Unitas 6497 hand-wound movement known for its impressive power reserve, the decent ability for keeping good time, as well as that old-school charisma that more modern mechanisms simply don’t have.
Breitling Airwolf Raven Special Edition quartz chronograph
Originally introduced to the Professional line back in 2006, Breitling’s hi-tech Airwolf electronic chronograph with a digital-analog display is now available as the Airwolf Raven special-edition model.
Revue Thommen Airspeed Instrument RT1920
Revue Thommen has just presented the new Airspeed Instrument RT1920: a new member of its –ahem– controversial Bell & Ross BR 01-92-styled line of “aviators”. As you can see, the guys behind the –ahem– aspiring Swiss-based brand even preserved all four Arabic numerals from the series name, although, apparently for copyright reasons, put them in a slightly different order.
Breitling Navitimer 125th Anniversary Chronograph
The 2009 Breitling Navitimer 125th Anniversary successfully mixes the brand’s signature bold styling with the legendary slide-rule bezel in a surprisingly compact 43 mm stainless steel case. Although I find some of its design elements puzzling to say the least (I am talking mostly about the “unique” Air Racer bracelet that, to my eyes, looks here like a set of polished 22-inch light alloy rims on a 1946 Cadillac Series 62 coupe: they do the job, but make an awkward impression), with the bracelet replaced for something more adequate the gadget will be a crown jewel in any collection of pilot’s watches.
Hamilton Khaki X-Mach Pilot Automatic (ref. H766860)
The now Swiss-owned and former American-based brand is the one that is responsible for the world’s first electric wristwatch, as well as for the world’s first electronic watch Hamilton Pulsar. Now it is going to start selling its new Hamilton Khaki X-Mach Automatic (ref. H766860): the world’s first mechanical timepiece featuring a real Machmeter gauge!
Victorinox AirBoss Mach 6 Power Gauge “Aviator”
Featuring a cluttered dial and an oversized body, the Victorinox Swiss Army AirBoss Mach 6 Power Gauge doesn’t look like a practical choice. However, the exaggerated busyness of the exterior and the nice finish of its mechanical movement makes this “aviator” a nice fashion accessory for those who always dreamed about accomplishing a tour of duty on a real aircraft carrier.
Oris BC4 Flight Timer: ready for take-off?
The idea of creating a watch with a rotating internal bezel that could be operated by an external unit is not terribly new. However, it is this new Oris BC4 Flight Timer (Ref. 690 7615 41 54 LS) that the Swiss-based brand presented at Baselworld 2008 show that puts the whole concept on its head.
IWC Pilot Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN
Ever wanted to join the US Navy? IWC Schaffhausen now lets you fulfill at least a part of your dream. With its IWC Pilot Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN (Ref. IW379901) just about anyone (with a wallet heavy enough to afford to buy this kind of watch) can come closer to the exciting world of air to air dogfight missions.