Fancy an aviation watch that won’t swamp your wrist? Take a look at these incredible small pilot watches.
Since aviation watches are so legible and durable, there’s a misconception that they need to be huge. In fact, the main tactic behind the legibility of a timepiece for piloting has always been contrast. Pilot’s watches need to be easy to read in all light-compromising conditions. This is a much more important feature than the watch’s size. This goes some way to explaining why small pilot’s watches have never really been uncommon. Indeed, many compact watches of this genre exist on the market; you just need to know where to find them.
So, you’re a small-wristed feller who wants to dip your toes into the pilot watch world, right? But at the same time, you don’t fancy swamping your wrist with a massive slab of metal? Stick with me. I’m rounding up eight of the best aviation watches for small wrists. First, let’s look at who makes the best ones.
Pilot Watch Brands
Believe me when I say there are shedloads of brands making pilot watches. Sadly, many fly under the radar despite their excellent designs, material selection, and affordability. Have you Ever heard of 96Zero, Airain, Askania, Avi-8, Bergmann, Biatec, Dodane, Farer, Formex, Gavox, Hanhart, Isoptope, or LIV? I didn’t think so. How about partially famous pilot watch brands like Domasko, Davosa, Invicta, and Laco? They must sound a little more familiar, right? I’m not even halfway through the alphabet, and you can already gauge the abundance of brands specializing in this genre.
Now, let’s move on to more mainstream brands. How about Bell & Ross, IWC, Longines, Junghans, Glycine, Omega, Oris, Richard Mille, Rolex, and Zenith? All these brands offer something aviation-watch-related within their catalogs. And though we’re reaching the end of the alphabet, I’m still skipping a hell of a lot here!
The key players in excellent pilot watch manufacturers are those like Bell & Ross. The company has been specializing in aviation watches since the early 1990s. The BR 01, BR 02, and BR 03 are fine examples of pilot’s watches, though they wear large on the wrist. Bell & Ross’ recognizable circle-within-a-square case shape soon made the brand famous. Like nothing else on the market, they donate massive presence to the wrist and feature a bold, distinctive aesthetic.
IWC Schaffhausen is a much older brand than Bell & Ross. Its pilot watches are just as exceptional, though. The brand began with the pocket watch but ventured into convertible pilot watches soon after. The brand’s technology in magnetic field protection, soft-iron inner case, and bidirectional pawl winding system are revolutionary. Popular IWC aviation watches include the Mark 11, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph, and the Big Pilot’s Watch.
What Is a Pilot Watch?
Pilot watches specifically assist aviators while flying. The style arrived in the early 1900s as a remedy to the impractical pocket watch. Not only did it wrap very conveniently around the wrist, but it could display legible time at a glance. If watches are your hobby, you’ve likely seen many examples of the aviation type.
A pilot watch, whether old or new, will have several features. Luminosity or Lume is a key characteristic. The evolution of luminous material throughout the history of watchmaking is a pretty interesting topic in and of itself. But for this article, all you need to know is that Super-LumiNova is the lume of choice in modern horology.
Aviation watches, even those for small wrists, tend to have oversized crowns to make a pilot’s grip easier through gloves. They should also have a spacious dial free from clutter, large Arabic numerals, and a comfortable strap. Some models will feature a rotating bezel with a 24-hour track, otherwise known as a GMT watch. Others will feature a chronograph complication for measuring elapsed time.
Eight of the Best Small Pilot Watches
So, let’s glide through some of these top picks for small aviation watches without further ado. The list covers a range of features, straps, dial colors, and, of course, prices. If you’re looking for a pilot’s watch, look no further than the following selections.
1. IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36
What draws me into the IWC Pilot’s Watch is its downsized, classic aviator design with unusual grey dial tones. I love how IWC pairs it with a traditional brown leather band. One of the key characteristics of an IWC Pilot’s Watch is the triangular marker at 12 o’clock, complete with the two dots. The design feature was helpful for orientation purposes. This small pilot’s watch is a 36mm steel design with an in-house calibre, 60M water resistance, and a convex sapphire glass front for enhanced robustness.
2. Rolex Air-King
No guide to small pilot’s watches would be complete without listing the compact 34mm Rolex Air-King watch. There are matte dials, sunburst dials, and even dials with Roman numerals to choose from. But with applied batons, Arabic 3, 6, and 9 markers, and the Rolex crown at 12 – the standard 114200 is immediately recognizable. You can no longer get the Rolex Air-King ref. 114200 at retail. It’s no longer in production, but you can still find pre-owned options in good condition in places like Chrono24.
3. Citizen Eco-Drive
If you like the Hamilton Khaki Field but can’t afford it, the Citizen Eco-Drive BM8180-03E is a more affordable Khaki alternative. Its black dial with white Arabic numerals is excellent on a small wrist, thanks to its 37mm steel case. A date-date feature sits at 3 o’clock, while a 60-minute track with five-minute increments assists with precise timekeeping. Citizen isn’t really famous for small watches, but the BM8180-03E is a welcome exception. The Eco-movement converts any light into energy, too, so you’ll never need to replace the battery!
4. Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer
Speaking of Hamilton, here’s the real deal. This is the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer watch, measuring a 38mm diameter. This steel model is great for a small wrist and takes inspiration from a WWI US soldier’s pocket watch. One feature you’ll recognize from the Khaki range is its cathedral-type hands. What gives this watch such great military-esque vibes, however, is the brown calf leather band and vintage-like lume. I also like the way the case has a brushing effect across its surface, lending that watch a tool-like aesthetic.
5. Laco Flieger Stuttgart Pro
German watch brand Laco is an expert in producing affordable pilot watches. The Flieger Stuttgart Pro is the perfect small pilot watch with a compact 37mm diameter. For under $1k, you get a lot of features for your money. For example, the domed sapphire glass gives the watch an old-world charm. And there’s even an option to upgrade this watch to a see-through caseback to observe a reliable Sellita movement in action.
The legibility of the minute markers in this small pilot’s watch perfectly complements the leaf-shaped hands. Laco adds a generous coating of luminous material to all these elements, including the Arabic numeral markers. All these great features round off with a comfortable, soft brown leather band. The contrast white stitching down the edge of the strap also makes this watch look like it costs a lot more than it does!
6. Glycine Airman Vintage GL0372
Straight from a 1950s military cockpit, the Glycine Airman Vintage GL0372 has crossover appeal. From tool watch purists to nostalgia buffs and contemporary design lovers – pilot watch collectors love this 24-hour watch. A sapphire crystal box protects a 36mm case, and the bezel numbers, dial numbers, and index shapes are close together. This allows them to create visual intrigue from every single angle. Everything from the cream dial to the brushing, polishing, and window cut-out is immaculately precise. Unsurprisingly, Glycine hand finishes this small aviator’s watch in Switzerland. Though lockable, you can operate the bezel to time-match the GMT hand as needed.
7. Dagaz Thunderbolt
While the Dagaz Thunderbolt is mainly for those looking for excellent, no-frills functionality, the ladder hands and red accent give it a distinct look. Its matte bead-blasted steel case is extra durable, while the double-domed sapphire is anti-reflective and cuts distortion at every angle. Its semi-matte dial with glossy print is super legible and layered with lots of SuperLuminova. Dagaz powers this watch with a Japanese movement and equips the watch with 150M water resistance. The Thunderbolt, therefore, makes for a great holiday watch or daily beater. It’s also really affordable on the pre-owned market.
8. Seiko SRPG35K1
Who knew Seiko does a pilot watch, hey? It may not be the first style that springs to mind when we think of the Japanese brand. But, unsurprisingly, Seiko can put its hand to pretty much anything, and the pilot watch is no exception. The Seiko SRPG35K1 is a small aviator watch that measures 39mm in diameter. Its steel case frames a matte black dial that promotes tool watch vibes. The 24-hour scale leans towards a field watch spec. Yet the luminous beige material perfectly matches the canvas band, which NATO watch collectors will absolutely love.
FAQs
Before you go, check out these FAQs about pilot watches and why they are a great addition to any collection.
What Kind of Watches Do Pilots Wear?
A pilot needs his watch to be legible, functional, and robust. It should function well in cold environments and maintain great accuracy. Aviators will also wear pilot watches that sometimes feature a GMT complication for tracking time zones.
What Is Different About a Pilot’s Watch?
Several features set a pilot watch apart from other watch styles. An aviation watch has a large dial with luminous-coated markers and hands. A chronograph complication is another handy feature, as is a slide rule bezel, as seen on the Breitling Navitimer. In addition to these features, pilot watches have an oversized crown for handling under pilot gloves.
Should a Pilot Wear a Watch?
Despite the cockpit’s advanced technology these days, pilot watches still complement onboard instruments. Moreover, they’re a stylish accessory and a fashionable status symbol. Whether you use them for airborne tasks or not, pilot’s watches are a popular style and come at many price points.
Touch Down on Pilot Watches
Pilot’s watches for small wrists come in all styles and at several price points. It’s one of the many great things about them. You can choose the price, material, and dial color that suits you best. What’s more, small pilot watches are accessible to everyone. You can also have lots of fun transforming the look of a pilot’s watch by switching out the strap. Swap from a classic leather band to a NATO strap to give your watch an unmistakable military edginess.
Looking for something antiquey? There’s an IWC Spitfire for that. Something substantial, cheap, but fun? Opt for a Laco. These examples prove that you can enjoy many interpretations despite such a simple template. The good news is that even though many brands approach pilot watches with “hugeness” in mind, small options are still out there. And if current trends are anything to go by, a return to more true-to-form dimensions will satisfy many small-wristed collectors.
In this guide, we flew from the Air-King to the Khaki Field to discover eight of the best pilot watches. Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of small aviator watches. There are many more on the market, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on them.
Let us know your favorite pilot watch brand and your go-to flying watch. Leave your top picks in the comments below and see what everyone else says. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter at The Slender Wrist today for more guides like this.
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