I’ve flown commercially for twenty years now, and currently wear a Speedmaster. It was bought for my fiftieth birthday on the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing, and it’s a great watch. But, and from an aviation point of view. The stopwatch isn’t the easiest to read, and missing the date as a captain who spends all day signing paperwork that needs the date is a pain in the arse. I fly at night so the date changes, and errors on techlogs are not looked upon with glee. The Fortis B42 day date was my previous watch, and it was nearly perfect. My long since sold Datejust was perfect.
Nothing beats your enthusiasm when you talk about your favourite watches. Like a kid on Christmas morning. It's contagious! My personal favorite is definitely the sea gull 1963. It's right down my alley and it has lots of heritage.
I don’t care if it’s a smidge over $1000 the Sinn 556 IB is the only watch I’m aiming for next year....Of course anything else I acquire is a bonus lol
SEIIIKOOO rules -of course! :D For me as a female and admirer of Amelia Earhart and Elly Beinhorn the 37mm SNK803 and SNK807 are my personal Flieger favourites - originally more military style watches, but a bit polished ;) and fitted with a leather strap they turn to wonderful type B flieger watches
Hey there, i wanted to thank you for introducing me to the hobby and the passion of watches. Back then i searched for a watch to celebrate my graduation from a technical school in germany and i came across your channel in the process. Your love for details and your explanation of technical stats and history of the brand is what made me a subscriber. The watch for my graduation should remind me of my achivements and should also be a symbole of my herritage, so i choosed a Junghans Max Bill Automatic. The Company is located near the village where my father grew up and it was and is a traditional german brand. Also the design is very understated which was important for me. The simple design is a great reminder of technical drawing things clear and functional based, since that is what i do in my job as a project engineer. Like i said, thank you for the inspiration and greetings to the community of watch enthusiasts, you have a new member.
@Will Harris Thanks Will, it is addictive indeed, one month later i bought a citizen diver, great and sturdy watch that i wear outside and when im working at home. I went to a college in England for three weeks through a Erasmus programm, there i learned alot about fashion and style, something i value alot nowadays. Did you own pilot watches? Great Britian has a long and glorious history in aviation. What watches do you own? Greetings from germany.
The Laco Aachen 42 with the black dial is my favourite at the moment.about to pull the trigger on one.lots of historical provenance and a proper pilots watch.its good value too for what you get.loved the vid. Good work fella.
The new Strela reissues are the best value pilot watches for me - commemorating the watch worn on the first ever spacewalk by Alexei Leonov in 1965, who sadly died today. It's a classy, well-proportioned 40mm bicompax column-wheel chronograph also made from the Venus 175 tooling, but is better looking than the Seagull, with domed sapphire crystal, superlumniova - even on the subdials of the CO40CYB2 model, so you can time in the dark(ness of space!), 100m water resistance and a display case back to see the wonderful movement in action. I'd love to see a video on this watch and its history TGV, in honor of Leonov and his pioneering achievement.
Great list, I think there's something for everybody's needs! The Stowa Flieger (Klassik 40 actually) just hits the spot exactly right for me. Front side time, time only, and nothing else. Back side some cool decorations to look at. Functionality. When driving at night, I switch off anything I don't need for driving to reduce unnecessary distractions. This watch just fits right in. (although the Sinn 556 might be slightly better readable at low light situations)
Late to the party, my fantastic fiancé has picked up a Flightmaster for my upcoming birthday. She kindly let me have a quick look at it, and resize the bracelet. I have to say that it is a fantastic looking piece, looking forward to having it on the wrist next week. Thanks TGV for such a brilliant channel, as always masses of information.
I've just bought my first wrist watch after almost 20 years without one and I'm starting to get sucked into this fascinating world. So I did some research on the watches I had as a teen and lo and behold my very first watch ever was the swatch Nicholson. So awesome to see this here.
Really nice video, thank you for all the info. I just recently discovered this channel and am now diving into the content. My first personal choice is Citizen Satelite Wave, black titanium 2016 model. As an airline pilot breaking into my 50s, i have all i need from that watch, and something to play with on those boring long flights (not so often though). My second choice is the Navihawk as mentioned in the video, and the third is a Hamilton. But over and above, for the sleek version of me, a classic Breitling and one rare Speedmaster are on top. My father bought a Speedmaster Mark back in 1970. It's a really heavy dude, but just fantastic with amazing histories, both as a private piece and official as a watch.
That was a very roundabout way of showing off your Flighty 🤣🤣 Another great video mate! I do like my Citizen NightHawk, I find the NaviHawk a bit too busy for my liking. The Citizen Avion AW1361-10H is cool as well.
Great video as usual TGV! Always love it when Laco gets some screen time. I just ordered the Venedig Erbstuck. Can’t wait to see what that patina looks like!
I came across a Chase Durer Pilot Commander XV for $80. I love this watch. Never was to into Pilot watches but I have to say I started to look more into them after having this watch.
@@theurbangentry this is without any doubt a true beauty... thanks for your answer. Your channel is just awesome!!!! Best regards from Austria, Clemens
Regarding the Swatch Nicholson. Nicholas Hayek hired Nicholson and some other celebrities to promote their watches in around 1986. The watch Nicholson promoted was the GB705, hence the Nicholson.
I know you were focusing on the price of the watch when it was brand new but I have seen a few Sinn 104s on the used market that are under $1000. Great video TGV!
Excellent list, and I did not know about the Stowa Verus. I do want a Stowa Flieger, and was leaning toward the A style dial anyway, so the Verus is an intriguing option. Thank you! A friend of mine enjoys his Citizen AW1360-12H Eco Drive, down on the lower end of Flieger style watches. I could be wrong, but I believe the bigger version of the SNK809 you were mentioning is the SNZG15 (42mm, perfect size for my wrist). It would be just a little better if it had the inner circle line on the dial, like the SNK809.
Just happened to be wearing my Glycine Airman with gradated blue dial and light blue leather band when watching this vid. Love it. No problem with corporate ownership by Invicta, but was in Invicta shop at WTC Westfield recently and they shouldn't merchandise Glycines with the Invictas. Chevy dealerships didn't sell Cadillacs.
I went on a quest to find my ultimate Flieger Type B with the following criteria: 42 mm, sterile dial, sapphire crystal, real blued hands, SS case back with proper engravings and preferably an ETA hand-wound movement. I found exactly that in the Dekla Type B and it's made in Germany. Price is $378 Euro (without VAT) or around $415 USD. I'd say it's become my main "go-to" piece for day in, day out wear due to it's legibility, ruggedness and overall versatility. I just love the thing...you should check them out. They've also since come out with 40 mm & 44 mm versions of all the variants.
Great list. Glad you included some curveballs. Love my Hamilton Khaki Aviation Auto (Interstellar) on the black strap. Since you mentioned the Murph - I think the Khaki Field Auto (which I also own) is a much better deal and design than the Murph. The two (Aviation and Field) are a great 1-2 combo for everyday wear and save me from wearing a diver as my everyday watch. Also, love the new punchier format.
I highly appreciate your channel, I was looking to get a watch and came across MVMT being promoted all over the place. That made me start looking for watch videos on youtube where I found your videos like the one about DW watches. After watching many of your videos I decided to spend my money by dipping my toes in the water with a SEIKO Presage watch instead.
I bought a Seiko Flightmaster SNAB69 (circa 2008) in 2012 off ebay for $24. The bezel and crystal looked like it had been dragged across a brick wall. Sent it to Seiko SCA, they replaced the bezel and crystal for $78. That watch started me down this watch-obsession rabbit-hole. **sigh**
Hi TGV, I really like your videos. The history and stories about the watches you include make them very captivating. I am saving to mark my 20yr anniversary with my wife. Any thoughts on his and her pairings?
Hi TGV - great review - good pilot watches don’t have to cost a fortune ! As an additional info ... Helmut Sinn served in the “Aufklärungsgruppe 22” (Reconnaissance Squadron 22) flying Heinkel He 111 and Dornier Do 17 - later he served as an flight instructor also flying the famous Junkers Ju 52 Transport aircraft Cheers!
Outstanding sir! Love your videos, you turned me into a full blown watch junkie. Flight watches I love my Oris Big Crown, Small Seconds, Pointer Day (got mine brand new for $775!) Thank you for my illness!
I bought a Hamilton ‘Cooper’ watch for my wife to give me for my 40th this year! Bought on the bracelet but wear it on a Hirsch brown strap to save the bracelet from all the metal edges in the flight deck! It’s my everyday flying watch. The day date is perfect as sometimes I don’t know what day it is due to our roster! Just starting my command course for captain next week and getting a Stowa to celebrate when I’m allowed on my own in 2 months time! 😁 Huzzah and Tally Bally Ho and thank you as always for your excellent reviews. They take away the unknown part of watch ownership and make it so much more exciting and relaxing! Love my cooper and love your videos. Thank you so much! Onwards and always upwards! Tally Bally Ho!
Hello old chap!!! Wonderful to hear from you, I hope you this finds you and your family well. Your wife has the best taste, what a fantastic gift. Good luck on the command course, I am sure you will ace it. Thank you my friend, O&U indeed! Best regards, TGV
Realise you can't include everything but here are a couple of honourable mentions. Gekota (UK microbrand) pilot A and B dials ETA 2824-2 movement 40mm 379 English Pounds, also CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE BLACK TYPE B DIAL PILOT WATCH WITH COMPASS MARKINGS #BM7390-22X from Long Island simpler and more of a pilot ethos. Which I think some of your choices don't adhere to and are way to busy and have too much going on.
Sinn, Laco, Stowa and .... Damasko! Their basic models like the DS30 go for just 1k. I would go for the DA38 for a couple hundred more. Great list and review! Well done old boy.
First of all I want to say you have an amazing channel and ive quite enjoyed watching your videos as I start my journey in finding the best watch for me. Id be interested on your thoughts on the verk/instrumt brands. The minimalist style really appeals to me, but I know you kinda have said to avoid fashion watches (DW etc) due to the low value for money. Is this the case for the Verk/instrumt? Thanks again!
Great video, love the Hamilton watch, I'm thinking of buying myself one, but on the other hand, I'm falling for the Seiko SARB033, where can I get a spare strap for it? Thanks so much for your dedication and for making me love horology.
Something to note about the newer Flightmasters... the screw down mechanism on the side buttons is pretty shady. both of mine locked up within a month of having it and I know a few others who have had this problem too. If you have an older model, stick with it.
You guys should check out the Laco Augsburg pilot's watch. It's similar to their Aachen model but it looks better to me. I'm saving to get me one of those. It will be my first fluger watch and a nice piece to augment my modest collection. After that a chronograph and then who knows......Maybe I'll hit the lottery and upgrade my collection of 200-500$ watches with some vintage Rolex pieces plus a Patek or Lange.. Oh dreams, dreams...
Hamilton has been releasing new pilot watches recently. They released the W10 with the elegant funky case with original size. it costs $845 but You get boxed mineral(or sapphire? I saw one person reported their new W10 is sapphire despite it was said to be mineral). These watches were made for the RAF in the 1971-1972, Then CWC took over during the quartz crisis. The price is not the best but it certainly is an amazing watch. The best thing about this watch is they take many things into consideration: The size is 1:1 to the original. Grain dial SUPER GOOD AR COATING H-50 movement which was based of a movement that was based of the original movement. This watch is a super versatile watch. Whether its for dressy occasion or casual, it works either way. There's also a new chronograph quartz, it was a military release for the RAF too. It was announced last week. I am still waiting for the reviews of these watches.
I have the Interstellar Watch. I love the Hamilton Brand. I also have a Red Arrows Navi Hawk also excellent watch. I must add the flighty. Can you do a Citizen top 10 please.
Hey can anybody tell me please I'm honestly totally in love with the look of the Seiko SNK but 38mm watches don't get my wrist that well. What ist the 42mm Version of that Watch called or are there Any similar looking ones:)
I've been looking for a Type B auto with a blue face. I'm looking to pick up the Islander ISL-17 when they some back in stock. It seems like a great deal for the money.
Nice list. Only thing I would mention is that if you're going Stowa, you could still get the Flieger Klassic (40mm) for less than a grand. In that case, I think it would be worth the extra ~$200.
I have been following your Chanel for over a year. have a collection of 12 watches now. The Glycine airman and seiko flighty are in the collection. Thank you for introducing me to horological. Keep up the good work sir.
TGV did you get my note about an introduction I was trying to make to you with a CEO of Watch company that will be visiting NYC this month? I hope you are well.
Thank you, great idea, PAtek, the Hamilton I reviewed before, along with the Universal Geneve would be top of the list! Great idea btw, check the archives ;-) Best regards, TGV
Absolutely LOVE my Seiko SNA411 Flightmaster, one of the VERY best watch values I have seen. I love that I can hand this timepiece down to my son in 20 years with elevated value.
I like what Hamilton did with their hands, e.g. the inner part of the hours hand has loom and lines up with the hours circle while the hours hand as a whole has normal hours' hand length, hollow in the outer circle. Similarly, the minutes hand is hollow in the inner circle...
