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The pilot's watch is more than a simple timepiece; it's a tool forged in the golden age of aviation, a symbol of adventure, courage, and a relentless pursuit of precision. It has a rich history that parallels the evolution of flight itself. At Prezgara, we are proud to offer timepieces that carry this legendary DNA.

Here is a look at how the pilot's watch flew from the cockpit to become a must-have on the wrists of collectors around the world.

The Dawn of Aviation: The Need for Precision

In the early 20th century, flying was a daring and often dangerous endeavor. Early pilots navigated by sight, landmarks, and dead reckoning, relying on their watches for critical timing calculations. The pocket watch, however, was impractical. Pilots needed a timepiece that could be read instantly and hands-free while their hands were on the controls.

This challenge gave rise to the very first pilot's watches. One of the most famous was created by Louis Cartier for his friend, the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, in 1904. Santos-Dumont complained about the difficulty of checking his pocket watch while flying, so Cartier designed a flat watch with a leather strap and a legible dial, pioneering the modern wristwatch.

World War I: The Rise of the Wristwatch

The First World War accelerated the development of the pilot's watch. Pilots relied on them for timing maneuvers, coordinating attacks, and calculating fuel consumption. The military's demand for durability and functionality led to key innovations:

• Large Dials: Dials became bigger and clearer for easy reading, often with Arabic numerals.

• Luminous Hands and Markers: Coated with radium (and later, safer materials), the hands and numerals glowed in the dark cockpits, ensuring readability at any time.

• Large Crowns: Oversized crowns were added so pilots could operate them while wearing thick gloves.

These features became the defining characteristics of a true pilot's watch.

The Interwar Years & World War II: The "B-Uhr" and the Tool Watch

Between the world wars, the pilot's watch evolved into a highly specialized instrument. Germany's Air Force, the Luftwaffe, commissioned watches known as "Beobachtungsuhr," or "B-Uhr" for short. These were massive, highly accurate timepieces with two distinct dial designs:

• Type A (Baumuster A): A simple, clean dial with large numerals from 1 to 12.

• Type B (Baumuster B): A more complex dial with an outer ring for minutes (0-55) and an inner ring for hours (1-12).

The B-Uhr watches were a pilot's critical tool, used for complex navigation and bombing runs. They were worn on long straps to fit over flight suits, cementing the pilot's watch as a rugged, no-nonsense instrument.

Post-War & The Modern Era: From Tool to Icon

Following World War II, the pilot's watch transitioned from a military necessity to a civilian style icon. Its functional, minimalist design appealed to a broader audience. Brands began to refine the classic pilot's watch, introducing features like:

• Chronographs: For timing events and calculations.

• GMT Functions: To track multiple time zones for international travel.

• Rotating Bezels: For quick calculations of flight time.

Today, the pilot's watch remains one of the most popular and recognizable styles in horology. Its legacy is one of purpose-driven design, where every feature served a crucial function. This rich history is what makes a pilot's watch so much more than a way to tell time—it's a wearable piece of history that embodies a spirit of adventure and precision.

Explore our collection of pilot's watches and wear a piece of aviation history on your wrist.