Watch

Bremont makes some great watches as well!

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I've dealt with some good pilots and I've dealt with not so good pilots, I honestly can't remember if any of them were even wearing a watch. Is this like make-up for women?
 
G-Shock... I have the 3000 model but pretty similar to this 4000 model. Absolutely love it. All the time zones you need, zulu time, military time, day, date....but they are pretty expensive. Can withstand 15g's if you're flying something fun.... I can only dream though so if you aren't don't feel lame.
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http://gshock.com/watches/Aviation/GW4000D-1A
 
As a watch nerd, with a penchant for automatic GMT pieces, I going to capitalise on the subtle way the OP didn't mention his budget.

Flying internationally, I find a GMT watch a great tool. I have the main watch set to my home base time, the 24hr GMT is set (obviously) to UTC, and the bezel is twisted forward or back to display my current local time.

These are my two GMTs, though n ot my pictures...

Rolex GMT Master 2C
Understated, thin, great adjustable bracelet, retains value, needs no intro...
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Newer product, Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT.
Bigger at 43.5mm, exquisitely finished, tough as boots, anti reflective coating on both sides of the crystal, and a more advanced, innovative Omega in-house movement, viewable though the crystal case back.

However, it's quite tall, so depending on proportions, it may not be too subtle for your purposes.
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Both similarly priced...

However, on a far smaller budget, I wear a Seiko Monster for banging around South East Asia on my travels... I can highly recommend that for bang for buck..

Also worth looking at the IWC Spitfire Chrono, or possibly an IWC MK XII, as some lovely non-GMT auto watches.

Essentially, though, I wouldn't pay more than a couple of hundred bucks for a Quartz watch, nor would I go over 1500 without the movement being made in-house, as opposed to mass produced units comr ETA... Which rules out Bremont, which are $50 movements in nice cases.

Sinn, who I would recomend, would fit into the sub-1500 bracket, however. Bulletproof, great value aviation watches.
 
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I love my IWC Pilots Chrono on a metal bracelet. It has traveled the world with me and never lets me down. (Although it is due for a cleaning). My "hot tub/third world country" watch is a Orient Dive watch. The bracelet broke when I was jumping on a trampline after multiple schnapps in Italy and I tossed it on a NATO strap. I can jump in any hot tub or pool, beat it to death, and if it flies off on a Jet Ski or stolen by the KGB while in Warsaw I am out maybe $100. It will be replaced with another just like it. I was recently promoted and will buy another watch in celebration. It will probably be a GMT since I travel so much. Not a fan of Rolex or Breitling, but I will want something nice, dressy, and understated. Although every time I see the Breitling Super Connie, it makes me want a watch.....

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knot4u said:
I've dealt with some good pilots and I've dealt with not so good pilots, I honestly can't remember if any of them were even wearing a watch. Is this like make-up for women?
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Yes.
And DO NOT ask me if I'm going to put on my watch before I leave the house!
 
Hacker15e said:
X-33s are still available new, but only through the direct sales to military folks.
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Though not directly involved in law enforcement, I've used LEO friends with similar offers made by Glock. I've got a few friends that serve that would undoubtedly assist, but no idea where to direct them.
 
BaronPete said:
Though not directly involved in law enforcement, I've used LEO friends with similar offers made by Glock. I've got a few friends that serve that would undoubtedly assist, but no idea where to direct them.
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Looks like the answer is to phone up Swatch USA's 1-800 number and ask about the military sales program, and they'll direct you to who you need to contact.

http://ialreadyhaveawatch.com/2009/11/omega-military-purchase-program-is-still-active/

Last time I got the info though by calling Swatch Group USA’s 800-number, it just took a few tries before I got to someone who knew about the program and could direct me to someone helpful. Ask for the special sales department and just be polite and persistent.
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Here's a circa-2011 data sheet on the program....prices probably have gone up since then, but I don't know.
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knot4u said:
I've dealt with some good pilots and I've dealt with not so good pilots, I honestly can't remember if any of them were even wearing a watch. Is this like make-up for women?
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Hey now, so women can't be pilots and like watches too? You and my jeweler, man.

Jeweler, when I asked him to remove 5 links: "Uh, you are aware that this is a man's dream watch?"
Me: "It's my dream watch."
Jeweler: "..."
(I promise I'm not offended and, I certainly misinterpreted your statement, knot4u. I just want to take this opportunity to leap into this forum and push some Citizen propoganda here ;) )

The Skyhawk is, in my opinion, the perfect watch. I love being able to flip between time zones; always have UTC available; the chronograph, timer, and two separate alarms are super useful; the atomic updating function just gives me the warm fuzzies; and yes, I do use the (which admittedly comes across as visually gimmicky) E6B bezel pretty often, not because I have no better way to plan flights but because it's a tremendously capable calculator conveniently buckled to your wrist so you don't have to go fishing for your smartphone or a piece of paper when you need to do some quick calculations. Also, it isn't hard to find the watch very significantly discounted.
 
I have a Zeppelin lz127. Have had it for years. It's not a collectors item or anything. Every few years I replace the band and have replaced the crystal once. It's simple, easy to read, and I love the GMT hand.
I'm not a watch geek, just felt left out of the conversation! Lol
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Hacker15e said:
Looks like the answer is to phone up Swatch USA's 1-800 number and ask about the military sales program, and they'll direct you to who you need to contact.

http://ialreadyhaveawatch.com/2009/11/omega-military-purchase-program-is-still-active/



Here's a circa-2011 data sheet on the program....prices probably have gone up since then, but I don't know.
attachment.php
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Hacker - I really appreciate you putting the leg work into finding that information. That being said, I didn't realize it was a squadron or unit specific thing. I'm not going to infringe upon that privilege just because I want a neat watch. I figured it was just one of those deals where a service member friend purchases for X and passes along to me for X. (Like the discount Glock provides military and LEO). Thanks again.
 
This was my dream watch in college so when I entered the working world I bought it. Its translated well to flying for me.
 

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