There is something undeniably classic about a good pilot watch. Maybe it’s the clean, no-nonsense design that puts function first. Or maybe it’s the history—how these watches were built during World War I to help pilots navigate the skies long before GPS was a thing.
Initially, pilot watches were used for navigation and time-telling. As technology improved, pilot watches in the 1930s and 1940s also started having extra features like chronographs, tachymeters, and slide rules. The tools made it easier for pilots to perform calculations and navigate in flight.
These days, they are just as popular with travelers, watch collectors, and anyone who appreciates a bold, easy-to-read timepiece ready for anything.
You’ll find features that made them essential tools for pilots—like large, legible dials, oversized crowns, and luminous hands—paired with updated materials, reliable automatic movements, and even high-tech options for today’s adventurers.
In this guide, we have rounded up 10 of the best pilot watches you can get your hands on this year. Have a look!
What is a Pilot Watch?
A pilot watch is a type of watch initially designed for pilots who needed quick, accurate time tracking in the cockpit. At that time, this watch had some unique all-about-function features like large, easy-to-read dials with bold numerals, oversized crowns (so they can be adjusted while wearing gloves), and luminous hands for visibility in low light. Many classic models also include a triangle marker at 12 o’clock for quick orientation.
With the passage of time, pilot watches have seen changes in designs and functions. Modern versions often come with GMT functions to track multiple time zones, chronographs for timing flights, and anti-magnetic protection for use around cockpit instruments.
But one thing is constant: these are the watches built with legibility, durability, and precision in mind—qualities that make them just as practical on the ground as they were in the skies.
10 Pilot Watches in 2025 That Take Function and Style to New Heights
From classic aviation-inspired designs to modern, feature-packed timepieces, here are the 10 best pilot watches that are making waves in 2025.
1. Rolex GMT Master 16710
- Price Range: $1,250.00 – $20,500
- Size: 40mm
- Material: Oystersteel case and bracelet with a ceramic bezel
- Dial: Black dial, luminescent hour hands and markers, date window at 3 o’clock
- Movement: Perpetual, Mechanical, Self-winding movement with GMT function and 3285 Caliber
- Functions: Date window
The Rolex GMT Master is a robust pilot watch produced in collaboration with the famous Pan Am Airlines in the 1950s. This watch does not have the visual features of other watches, but it has become a symbol of travel and aviation.
The idea behind Rthe olex GMT Master was to create a watch so pilots could keep an eye on the local time of departure and arrival locations during intercontinental flights. It has a GMT function with an additional hand that tells the second time on the 24-hour ceramic bezel. This watch is available in different materials such as Oystersteel, Yellow gold, white gold, Yellow Rolesor, and Everose Rolesor. The pilot watch runs on a perpetual, mechanical, self-winding movement with a GMT function. It reserves power for up to 70 hours.
The GMT Master is one of the most popular travel watches. Rolex has developed various versions renowned for their unique names, like Pepsi (red and blue bezel), Batman (blue and black bezel), Sprite (green and black bezel), and Coke (red and black bezel). The distinctive styles make it one of the most versatile pilot watches.
2. Breitling Avenger Chronomat B01 AB0147101L1X1
- Price Range: $710.00 – $8,950.00
- Size: 44mm
- Material: Stainless steel case and bezel, calfskin leather strap
- Dial: Military-inspired green color, luminous hands and markers, and three chronograph subdials
- Movement: Self-winding, mechanical movement with Breitling 01 Caliber
- Functions: 1/4th second, 30 minutes, and 12 hours subdials
The Avenger is a relatively modern pilot watch, first released in 2001. It has evolved from the tool-watch background to become the designated model for Air Force squadrons. This watch has long-time partnerships with the United States Navy, the British Red Arrows, the Italian Frecce Tricolori, and the Swiss Air Force Team.
With a bold design, shock-resistant construction, and reliable timekeeping, the Breitling Avenger Chronomat B01 remains a jet pilot’s watch. The stainless-steel watch dial colors are drawn from the military uniform shades with three bright black chronograph subdials. This watch comes with a comfortable and secure leather strap with an option for a metal bracelet. Its self-winding mechanical chronograph caliber has a power reserve of up to 70 hours and can operate at 28,800vph.
3. Junghans Pilot Chronoscope
- Price: $2,831
- Size: 43.3mm
- Material: Stainless steel case, back, and bezel, calfskin leather strap
- Dial: Black dial, Arabic numeral markers, and hands with environmentally friendly luminous substance
- Movement: Self-winding, mechanical movement with J880.4 Caliber
- Functions: Stop function, 30-minute counter, a small second subdial
Junghans were manufacturing control panel instruments for airplanes and airships, ultimately leading to a legendary pilot chronograph for the German Armed Forces in the 1950s. This watch demonstrates the brand’s highest technical achievements. The clock keeps track of the local time as they travel over multiple time zones.
Junghans Pilot Chronoscope is a 43.3mm stainless steel case with a screwed stainless steel case back. This watch has 12 deeply grooved notches on the bi-directional bezel with 60-second markings. The Pilot Chronoscope features a black dial with bright Arabic numeral markers to ensure high legibility. Junghans Pilot Chronoscope has a 30-minute counter and a small second subdial running on a self-winding movement.
4. Hublot Big Bang Evolution 301.PB.131.PB
- Price Range: $1,250.00 – $29,816
- Size: 44mm
- Material: 18K gold case, black ceramic bezel, and structured rubber strap
- Dial: Stamped carbon effect, chronograph subdial, and gold Arabic numerals and hands
- Movement: HUB4100 Self-winding Chronograph Movement
- Functions: Date window, 3 chronograph subdials
Hublot Big Bang Evolution draws inspiration from the inaugural timepiece launched in 1980. It incorporates signature design elements such as a round bezel, visible screws, and a comfortable wrist strap. The bold watch successfully merges iconic design with modern features, resulting in an oversized chronograph.
Hublot Big Bang Evolution 301.PB.131.PB has a polished 18k gold case with a satin finish. This watch features a polished black ceramic bezel with the signature 6 H-shaped titanium screws. Big Bang Evolution runs on a reliable HUB4100 self-winding chronograph movement with a power reserve of up to 42 hours. One of the things that we love is the stamped black carbon dial with a stunning red accent, making it stand out.
5. Breitling Navitimer U17326
- Price Range: $890 -$35,000
- Size: 41mm
- Material: Stainless steel case, rose gold notched bezel, and stainless-steel bracelet
- Dial: Off-white subdials, black & red markings, luminescent rose gold hour hands and indexes
- Movement: Self-winding, mechanical movement with 17-caliber
- Functions: Date window and tachymeter markings to measure calculations like rate of descent, fuel consumption, and ground speed
Breitling Navitimer is an iconic pilot’s watch that emerged in 1952 in collaboration with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). The goal was to create a precise wrist-worn instrument for time, navigation, and flight calculations. Navitimer has developed various models and features but remains a symbol of aviation and precision timekeeping.
At first glance, the Breitling Navitimer seems crowded, but if you have the pilot’s knowledge, you can make crucial flight calculations like rate of descent, fuel consumption, and ground speed on your wrist. This watch has stainless steel and 18k red gold construction with a glare-proof sapphire crystal on top and bottom. Navitimer runs on a Breitling 17 caliber with a power reserve of up to 38 hours. Moreover, like Chronomat B01, this watch can operate at 28,800vph.
6. Rolex Sky-Dweller 336934
- Price Range: $1,050 – $26,328
- Size: 42mm
- Material: Oystersteel and white gold case and bracelet with fluted bezel
- Dial: Mint Green with Chromalight markers and hands
- Movement: Perpetual, Mechanical, and Self-winding movement with 9002 Caliber
- Functions: 24-hour subdial for the second time zone, date window, and month indicator
Rolex Sky-Dweller was introduced in 2012, marking the first new model in 20 years. The luxury travel watch combines sophistication and functionality. The travel watch offers style and practicality for people who frequently travel across multiple time zones.
The 42mm Oystersteel watch has a 24-hour display distinguishing daytime and night hours in the other time zones. Sky-Dweller indicates the date at 3 o’clock and months at the hour indexes. Each of them has a small window, and one that is red will tell you about the month. The mechanism simplifies life and provides you with an annual calendar with a dual time zone.
7. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ceramic 26405CE26405
- Price Range: $1,250 – $56,000
- Size: 44mm
- Material: Black ceramic material, titanium pin buckle, and green rubber strap
- Dial: Green Méga Tapisserie with rose gold accents on Arabic numerals and chronograph subdials
- Movement: Self-winding movement with 3126/3840 Caliber
- Functions: Second subdial, 30-minute recorder, 12-hour recorder, and date window
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ceramic was drawn first in 1989 by Emmanuel Gueit. It is the larger and sportier version of the iconic Royal Oak made for a younger audience. The Offshore became a symbol of innovation and material experimentation, with ceramic becoming a key material for both case components and bracelets.
This watch has a beautiful Mega Tappisserie dial with Arabic numerals. Royal Oak Offshore also has a tachymeter scale on the outer ring, which is 30-minute and 12-hour, and second chronograph subdials running on a self-winding movement with a power reserve of 50H. The 44mm watch has durable material, waterproof construction, and a frequency of 21600vph.
8. Omega Speedmaster 326.32.40.50.06.001
- Price Range: $990.00 – $5,029
- Size: 40mm
- Material: Stainless steel case, aluminum bezel, and rubber strap
- Dial: Grey subdial with black subdials with Clous de Paris pattern
- Movement: Self-winding movement with 3330 Caliber
- Functions: Second subdial, 30-minute recorder, 12-hour recorder, and date window
Omega Speedmaster was launched in 1957, but its space legacy started in 1965 when NASA approved it for use on its piloted mission. Since then, this watch has been worn on all six lunar landings, earning the nickname “The Moonwatch.”
The Speedmaster is one of Omega’s iconic timepieces. The 40mm watch has a beautiful stainless-steel case with a black aluminum tachymetric ring to measure speeds up to 500 km/h. Inside the dial, this watch has a 30-minute recorder, a 12-hour recorder, a small seconds sub-dial, and a date window at 6 o’clock. It has all the features of a good pilot watch. The chronograph aviation watch runs on an Omega 3330 self-winding movement with a power reserve of up to 52 hours.
9. Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback
- Price: $13,000
- Size: 42.50mm
- Material: Microblasted ceramic and fabric strap
- Dial: Black with horizontal grooves
- Movement: El Primero movement
- Functions: Small seconds dial, 30 minutes counter, Date window
Zenith was the second watch brand to produce wristwatches for pilots. Louis Bleriot became a well-known ambassador for pilot watches when he crossed the English Channel in an airplane in 1909 while wearing a Zenith Special.
Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback is a modern interpretation of Zenith’s aviation heritage, featuring a modern El Primero 3652 movement with a big date and flyback function. It maintains all the core principles of durability, legibility, and intuitiveness related to the Zenith pilot collection. The micro-blasted ceramic case houses the beautiful dial with chronograph functions for the pilots.
10. Longines Avigation BigEye
- Price: $3,000
- Size: 41mm
- Material: Stainless steel case and Leather strap
- Dial: Black with painted Arabic numerals, silvered sandblasted hands
- Movement: Automatic movement with L688 Caliber
- Functions: 60 seconds dial, 30 minutes counter, 12 hours counter
Longines Avigation BigEye is inspired by the past. It is the modern interpretation of a 1930s pilot chronograph that was a collector’s piece presented at the Longines Museum. Longines were not aware they had produced it previously. The Avigation BigEye brought the fascinating history back to life.
This watch has a casual, military-inspired look, comfortable dimensions, and a pleasant leather strap for everyday wear. Avigation BigEye is a 41mm stainless watch that runs on an L688 automatic movement. It powers the watch, 30-minute counter, 12-hour counter, and 60-second chronograph. The black dial has a painted Arabic numeral under a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal top.
How to Choose the Right Pilot Watch for You?
The decision is not difficult, but with so many options out there in 2025, it helps to know what really matters before you invest.
Start With Your Budget
Pilot watches come in all price ranges, and you can find solid options under $500 or luxury pieces that cost as much as a small car. How much you spend depends on what you’re looking for.
For everyday wear, brands like Citizen and Seiko offer dependable pilot watches at a fair price. If you’re after Swiss precision and prestige, names like Rolex or Breitling might be more your speed (and budget).
Automatic or Quartz?
Automatic (Mechanical) watches are powered by the movement of your wrist. No batteries. They’re often considered the “real” watches by enthusiasts because of the craftsmanship involved. But they do need regular wearing or winding to stay running.
Quartz watches use a battery and are generally more accurate, have lower maintenance, and are often more reliable and affordable.
If you love the idea of traditional watchmaking and don’t mind giving your watch a little attention now and then, go automatic. If you prefer set-it-and-forget-it accuracy, quartz might be the better pick.
Get the Right Case Size for Your Wrist
Pilot watches were originally designed with big dials so pilots could read them quickly during flight. That’s why many have larger cases—often 42mm or more. But big is not always better, especially if you have a smaller wrist.
Try to balance the case size with your wrist size. On average:
- 38mm to 42mm is a good range for most people.
- If you have a bigger wrist or prefer a bolder look, 44mm and up works.
- Don’t just go for size; make sure the watch feels right and sits comfortably on your wrist.
Also, pay attention to lug-to-lug distance—the measurement from the top of one lug (where the strap connects) to the bottom of the other. If that distance is too long, the watch might drape off the edges of your wrist.
Do You Need Extra Features?
Pilot watches often come loaded with features, but not everyone needs them. Here are a few to look out for:
- GMT Function: This lets you track two time zones at once. Great if you travel a lot or work across time zones.
- Chronograph: Basically a stopwatch function. Some pilots used it to time flight legs, but today, it’s more about the look unless you have a use for it.
- Slide Rule Bezel: Found on watches like the Breitling Navitimer. It lets you make calculations (speed, distance, fuel consumption), but unless you’re a pilot who flies old-school, it’s mostly just a cool nod to aviation history.
- Anti-Magnetic & Shock Resistance: Handy if you’re around engines or magnetic fields, but for most people, it’s a bonus rather than a necessity.
Pick Your Style: Vintage Vibes or Modern Edge
Pilot watches come in two general designs:
- Classic/Vintage: Think of the early pilot watches—big, simple dials, lots of lume, and often an old-school leather strap. They have a rugged, timeless charm and stick close to the designs worn by pilots in WWII.
- Modern/Techy: These bring in contemporary materials (like titanium or ceramic cases), integrated bracelets, and often sleeker dials. Some lean toward a dressier look, while others are built like tactical tools.
Neither is better—it just depends on what fits your vibe. Some people love the nostalgia of a vintage-inspired piece, and some want a watch that looks sharp with a suit.
FAQs
Are pilot watches good for everyday wear?
Yes, the pilot watches are built tough and easy to read, and their clean design works with pretty much anything you wear.
What is the difference between a pilot watch and a field watch?
Pilot watches are usually bigger and have more features (like GMT or chronographs); on the other hand, field watches are simpler, smaller, and made for tough outdoor use.
Do all pilot watches have GMT functions?
No, only some do, especially modern ones made for travelers, but plenty of classic pilot watches just stick to the basics, such as time and date.
What is the best brand for pilot watches in 2025?
There is not exactly only one, and it depends on your budget. Seiko and Citizen make great, affordable ones, while IWC, Rolex, Breitling, and Zenith lead the pack for high-end pilot watches.
Wind Up
A pilot watch is a symbol of adventure, precision, and style, and the right choice depends on your personal preferences. The ten watches we have highlighted here are some of the best you’ll find in 2025, each offering something unique. Some are steeped in aviation history, while others push boundaries with cutting-edge technology.
