Now hold on, Fritz...any Bremont is a boat load more of a pilot watch than my beloved Seiko 6309-7049 automatic.
Just because I took these pics today for another thread. 1990 TZC (UTC), petit Prince mark 18 and big pilot along a Bell&Ross
This 145.012.... .... was on the wrist of this Catalinas navigator when it.... ....crashed in 1969...
Nice documentary on Quantas and buying a Cat in Spain and flying it to Aus. I think it’s on amazon video.
Great thread with astounding watches! I used to have a few "real" ones. This is all I've got ladies and gentlemen ..
No U in Qantas Queensland and Northern Territory aerial service 1935 pic The history of Qantas Australia is closely tied to Darwin, which was a critical link for air travel between Europe and Australia in the early days of commercial aviation before the advent of modern aircraft which could fly long distances non-stop. The Darwin Civil Aerodrome was the first stop in Australia for all flights and played an important role in Australian Aviation history. The hangar was built in time for the 1934 Centenary Air race, sponsored by Sir MacPherson Robertson. Constructed over 4 months, it was not built to plan - it was erected 22 metres too far west, in error, and discovered too late to rectify. The hangar was built by Qantas for their D.H.86 service, the first Australia-Europe air service, but was later used by the first Adelaide-Darwin service (operated by Guinea Airways)after Qantas changed over to flying boat operations for the international service in late 1938. Now
Depends on the era.... depends on the purpose. They don’t all share the same features like diving watches. Some where ordered by air forces to different specs. Some where designed to be used as tools to help pilots. Some are just Easy to read GMT’s marketed to pilots. Others mimic the German issued WWII pilots watches. You can argue that the only 2 pilot tool watches are slide rule watches like the Navitimer and the “Lindbergh” navigation watch. Then GMT’s that can display UTC/GMT time in the jet era. The rest are just easy to read. The German WWII issues have large crowns to be used with heavy gloves...
Well actually no. The Seiko has a long and happy history with guys who want a tough watch, many of whom were making their purchases while serving overseas. While Bremont has a short wannabe history based on product placement and fragments of history glued into the back of the watch like a lucky rabbit’s foot. I know which one I’d take seriously if I were putting my money down.
For the discount price they sell to the military folks, I think they are a great value for me. And the used market for them clearly defines their real value ($1500-$2000). The two I have are very well made and Bremont is a peach to deal with.
Recently acquired as a gift from @Darlinboy [He’s a swell guy!]...my first mil watch and my first Breitling. I believe it’s from the Korean War era... LATE ENTRY: Better pic below of the case back engraving...
Brilliant thread idea! Universal 890101 circa 1967 Polerouter Jet circa 1959 Bonus my head in the clouds pic circa last week over Texas
I built this generic pilot watch [ETA 6497-1] at the AWCI Build A Watch course in Harrison, Ohio. It took three days...with a boat load of help from three certified watchmaker instructors...and I believe they were happy to see me leave since I was a very frustrated student... LATE ENTRY: Our oldest kid unit built one as well...between naps at the bench...gee whiz!
Incredible watches so far! Those are mine: Of course two Enicars first Jet Graph and Sherpa Guide, both from 1968. Next is m oldest, Omega CK2129 “weems from 1940. Next one is sadly not longer with me, but I loved that white dial. Pontiac Nageur, issued to Belgian Airforce, early 60s. Dodane Type 21, issued to the French flight test center CEV, 1964. Another CEV watch. Auricoste Type 20 in rare stainless steel version, just 200 made in 1954. Classical Lemania 817 but without any brand on the dial, early 70s. The Swiss knife of watches and with Aviator in his name. Nivada Chronomaster, early 60s. Vixa Type 20, made by Hanhart for the French Airforce. My most beautiful pilot watch, made in 1954. Breitling 2010-1. Not a classic pilot watch, but I got it from a former Starfighter Pilot who used it in the (private) Cockpit besides his issued Heuer 1550G. Group shot of the type 20/21s