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ds1314168
1
Aug 18, 2015
Is there a GMT model? What is a "pilot" watch without GMT function?
payodpanda
958
Aug 18, 2015
ds1314168That'd be the Maratac Mid Pilot. :)
sprk1
232
Aug 19, 2015
ds1314168From Laco to Hamilton to Stowa, Archmide, and Bell & Ross... most "pilot" watches do not have a GMT function. Hell the quintessential pilot watch - the IWC Big Pilot -didn't come with one either. Pilot watches are called as such for specific aesthetics more than for any special aviation features useful for pilots.
There are aviation watches that have a myriad of functions such as GMT time though, Breitling, Fortis, and Chase-Durer come to mind; this are generally not referred to as "pilot watches" last time I checked.
payodpanda
958
Aug 19, 2015
ds1314168Jokes aside, and adding to sprk1's comment, I'd quote this from WUS:
"There have been two designs of Flieger watches, also know to be "Beobachtungsuhren" or "B-Uhren" (observation watches) produced by only 5 brands (IWC, Stowa, Wempe, Laco and Lange & S�hne). The specifications (for both Baumuster 1 and Baumuster 2) have been defined by the "Reichsluftfahrtministerium" (RLM), the "Imperial Air Ministry".
Due to those specifications all B-watches had the following features in common:
A case diameter of 55 mm Marked on the back with FL 23883 (FL = flight, 23 = navigation) Equipped with large crowns in order to be used with gloves Hacking movement (the second hand stops when pulling out the crown / essential for a precise time setting) Breguet balance spring Regulated and tested as chronometers Long leather strap (to be worn on the sleeve of a flight jacket).
There have been two different types of dials:
Type A (Baumuster A) from 1940 to January 1941 a classic dial with numerals 1 to 11 and the triangle with two dots at 12
Type B (Baumuster B) starting in January 1941 Big minute numerals from 5 to 55 and a small inner circle with numerals for h, at the position of 60 min a triangle and a line on its top."
So, as you can see, most watches today are only *inspired* by the flieger designs of old. The watch here has a Type-A dial, the big (for the case diameter) crown, but most other "required" features for an authentic flieger are missing.
Edit. An authentic flieger looks something like this:
https://shop.laco.de/de/Beobachtungsuhr-FL23883/Flieger-Beobachtungsuhr-Replika.html