pilot watches

The new IWC Top Gun watch will withstand the extreme strain that pilots experience in supersonic jets

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@IWC Schaffhausen

A timepiece is still an essential piece of a pilot’s gear. This new Chronograph from IWC will withstand the brutality of a fighter jet.

IWC Schaffhausen complements its TOP GUN range of Pilot’s Watches with the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “SFTI”.

IWC Pilot’s watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition in black Ceramic and Ceratanium is limited to 1500 pieces. It is made with extraordinarily robust materials to withstand the extreme strain that pilots experience in the cockpit of supersonic jets like the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

The new watch from IWC takes inspiration from the “Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor” watch, which was created in 2018 in honor of the US Naval Aviation Community and is available only for TOPGUN graduates. Thanks to the combination of a black ceramic case with a Ceratanium case back and pushers, the sporty chronograph boasts a tactical, matte black design code. IWC is the only watchmaker to hold the license for the Top Gun name from the US Navy.

@IWC Schaffhausen

The first all-black model on a military green strap.

“From the day I started at IWC–October 2006, so 14 years ago–I was absolutely determined that we wanted to be a proper part of the Naval Aviation community and build a working relationship with those pilots who are the most qualified pilots in the world with the most flight experience on a day to day basis,” explained IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr.

Ticking away inside the sturdy case is the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre. The robust chronograph movement in classic column-wheel design ensures precise timekeeping and the measurement of stopwatch times of up to 12 hours. Another function is a date and weekday display. The sporty timepiece is fitted with a green textile strap.

The Best Jerky Tactical Christmas Stocking from Manly Man Company ; photo: @manlymanco.com

Victory belongs to the most persevering. A watch made for triumph is best paired with a man bouquet, the perfect  flowers for men from our favorite gift company. With manly gifts like Beef Jerky Flowers, Bacon Roses, Manly Gift Boxes, and Meat Card you can win any occasion… not just holidays.

The TOP GUN line has been part of IWC’s Pilot’s Watch collection since 2007. In just over a decade, TOP GUN references have become a symbol of modern flight and “the need for speed”. Watch enthusiast Justin Hast and IWC Museum Curator Dr. David Seyffer take us on a high-altitude cruise through the history of the TOP GUN watch line in IWC youtube’s latest installment of “Time Flies”. Discover this adventurous journey and all technical details of the chosen timepieces presented with IWC’s two watch enthusiasts.

@IWC Schaffhausen
@IWC Schaffhausen

D2 Charlie watch will equip the United States Air Force pilots who fly one of the most iconic aircraft in the history of aviation

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Garmin has been selected by the United States Air Force to equip the men and women who fly the Lockheed U-2, one of the most iconic aircraft in the history of aviation. The D2 Charlie aviator watchwill be an integral and functional part of the U-2 pilot’s toolkit.

The U-2 is a versatile, ultra-high altitude reconnaissance aircraft that is used for intelligence gathering, research and communication purposes. The United States Air Force is expected to take delivery of over 100 D2 Charlie aviator watches for the specialized pilot group that flies the Lockheed U-2 aircraft.

Garmin D2 Charlie aviator watch
Garmin D2 Charlie aviator watch; images: www.garmin.com/en-US/

With a service ceiling of 70,000 feet, Garmin D2 Charlie will provide unique benefits such as barometric- based O2 alerting and GPS-specific features including track, distance to the next waypoint, estimated time enroute and more.

An advanced, standalone navigator, the D2 Charlie aviator watch incorporates exclusive navigation functions and capabilities, including dedicated direct-to and nearest buttons along the side of the bezel that allow the user to easily build/modify flight plans. Airport information pages display communication frequencies, runway information (including dimensions and surface type), weather data and more for aspecified airport. The flight log page allows pilots to conveniently reference recent flights at their wrist, displaying date, flight duration, total distance and more of a particular flight. Additionally, improved flight planning capabilities include the option to add multiple waypoints within a single flight plan and the ability to navigate direct to any waypoint in a flight plan.

Garmin D2 Charlie aviator watch-display
Garmin D2 Charlie aviator watch; images: www.garmin.com/en-US/

Garmin D2 Charlie offers a bold design made of premium materials, including a sapphire scratch-resistant crystal lens and a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated titanium bezel for improved durability. A sunlight-readable, high-resolution color display with an LED backlight on the watch face allows pilots to view data in most lighting conditions in the cockpit. The D2 Charlie offers up to 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 12 days in smartwatch mode.

Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate technology allows pilots to measure heart rate 24/7 alongside daily activity tracking. The D2 Charlie aviator watch also comes preloaded with a full multisport toolset for running, golfing, cycling, swimming, skiing and more. Water rated to 100 meters2, it can also withstand swimming and other water activities. When paired with a compatible smartphone, customers can also view phone calls, text and email smart notifications3 at their wrist.

The D2 Charlie aviator watch with a leather wristband is available for a retail price of $799 and $999 for the titanium edition.

Garmin D2 Charlie aviator watch-details display
Garmin D2 Charlie aviator watch; images: www.garmin.com/en-US/

 

Breitling Navitimer, world’s oldest mechanical chronograph still in production, marks its 60th anniversary

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Iconic aviation timepiece Breitling Navitimer marked its 60th anniversary with a new version unveiled in Singapore by Breitling Ambassador and an aviation enthusiast John Travolta. Limited to just 500 pieces globally, Navitimer Blue Sky watch on the dark blue crocodile leather strap will retail for about $10,000. First launched in 1952, the Breitling Navitimer has … Read more