Watchmakers have often looked to the skies for inspiration. Oftentimes, their eyes are fixated on those marvellous flying machines that ultimately serve as muses for selected timepieces. The synergy between both worlds of watchmaking and aviation is omnipresent, sometimes even more so with these selected models that pay tribute to iconic aircraft of the 20th and 21st century.
The award-winning British company is no stranger to the world of aviation, especially with their extensive range of pilot’s watches. Most recently the watchmaker paid tribute to Boeing in recognition of the company as a pioneer of commercial aircraft manufacturing. The anniversary piece is made with Boeing aviation-grade Ti 6-4 titanium, which is used widely in both airframes and engine components of airplanes. The distinctive brown dial of the 42mm timepiece is inspired by the cockpit of their aircraft. Limited to 300 pieces, the timepiece is equipped with a modified calibre 13 1/4’’’ BE-54AE automatic chronometer which features a 42-hour power reserve and comes with a calf-skin leather strap with titanium pin buckle.
Bell & Ross and Dassault Aviation have shared the same passion for aviation throughout the history of both brands. In 2013, the watchmaker paid tribute to the company with its Vintage Falcon model. Now six years later, Bell & Ross has lifted the covers off its newest timepiece, which tributes the most successful multi-role fighter aircraft on the market – the Rafale. The timepiece boasts the iconic 42mm square case in matt black ceramic with a dial in matt grey – the same colour as the jet fighter. At the small seconds at 3 o’clock, you’ll notice the silhouette of the fighter, which lends a fitting touch to the overall presentation of the watch. Beating beneath the dial is an automatic mechanical Calibre BR-CAL.301.
Malaysians will be familiar with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition, which was established in 1991. Since its inception, the biennial event has stood as one of the biggest aviation and maritime showcases in the region. For the 15th edition of the show, Swiss watchmaker Oris, the official timekeeper, introduced a timepiece that pays tribute to the event. Based on the Oris Big Crown ProPilot, the limited edition model features a 45mm stainless steel case with the oversized crown and signature fluted bezel coated in gunmetal grey PVD. The LIMA logo sits at 9 o’clock with the case back sporting the LIMA ‘15 logo.
This unique offering from Omega was created in partnership with Solar Impulse, an ambitious project that involved creating an airplane that could circle the globe just on solar power. The timepiece bears a lot of similarities with the cutting-edge aircraft with a lightweight design featuring a 45mm case made of grade 2 titanium and a ceramic bezel with a chromium nitride scale. The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Solar Impulse is powered by a quartz chronograph movement, with special functions developed and tested and qualified by the European Space Agency (ESA). Displayed on the LCD windows are three different time zones, chronograph, timer, MET (Mission Elapsed Time), PET (Phase Elapsed Time), three alarms and perpetual calendar.
The Spitfire is arguably the most famous fighter plane in history. As such it is not surprising to see why IWC has opted to honour the legendary aircraft as part of a new collection. The Pilot’s Watch Spitfire collection inspired by the iconic Mark 11 navigation watch and equipped with IWC-manufactured calibres. The Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire is perhaps the model that exemplifies the spirit of the plane in the best possible way with its purist instrument design. Nestled within the 39mm stainless steel case and hidden behind the black green dial beats an IWC-manufactured 32110 calibre featuring a power reserve of 72 hours. The watch is finished with a green textile strap.
Watchmakers have often looked to the skies for inspiration. Oftentimes, their eyes are fixated on those marvellous flying machines that ultimately serve as muses for selected timepieces. The synergy between both worlds of watchmaking and aviation is omnipresent, sometimes even more so with these selected models that pay tribute to iconic aircraft of the 20th and 21st century.
The award-winning British company is no stranger to the world of aviation, especially with their extensive range of pilot’s watches. Most recently the watchmaker paid tribute to Boeing in recognition of the company as a pioneer of commercial aircraft manufacturing. The anniversary piece is made with Boeing aviation-grade Ti 6-4 titanium, which is used widely in both airframes and engine components of airplanes. The distinctive brown dial of the 42mm timepiece is inspired by the cockpit of their aircraft. Limited to 300 pieces, the timepiece is equipped with a modified calibre 13 1/4’’’ BE-54AE automatic chronometer which features a 42-hour power reserve and comes with a calf-skin leather strap with titanium pin buckle.
Bell & Ross and Dassault Aviation have shared the same passion for aviation throughout the history of both brands. In 2013, the watchmaker paid tribute to the company with its Vintage Falcon model. Now six years later, Bell & Ross has lifted the covers off its newest timepiece, which tributes the most successful multi-role fighter aircraft on the market – the Rafale. The timepiece boasts the iconic 42mm square case in matt black ceramic with a dial in matt grey – the same colour as the jet fighter. At the small seconds at 3 o’clock, you’ll notice the silhouette of the fighter, which lends a fitting touch to the overall presentation of the watch. Beating beneath the dial is an automatic mechanical Calibre BR-CAL.301.
Malaysians will be familiar with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition, which was established in 1991. Since its inception, the biennial event has stood as one of the biggest aviation and maritime showcases in the region. For the 15th edition of the show, Swiss watchmaker Oris, the official timekeeper, introduced a timepiece that pays tribute to the event. Based on the Oris Big Crown ProPilot, the limited edition model features a 45mm stainless steel case with the oversized crown and signature fluted bezel coated in gunmetal grey PVD. The LIMA logo sits at 9 o’clock with the case back sporting the LIMA ‘15 logo.
This unique offering from Omega was created in partnership with Solar Impulse, an ambitious project that involved creating an airplane that could circle the globe just on solar power. The timepiece bears a lot of similarities with the cutting-edge aircraft with a lightweight design featuring a 45mm case made of grade 2 titanium and a ceramic bezel with a chromium nitride scale. The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Solar Impulse is powered by a quartz chronograph movement, with special functions developed and tested and qualified by the European Space Agency (ESA). Displayed on the LCD windows are three different time zones, chronograph, timer, MET (Mission Elapsed Time), PET (Phase Elapsed Time), three alarms and perpetual calendar.
The Spitfire is arguably the most famous fighter plane in history. As such it is not surprising to see why IWC has opted to honour the legendary aircraft as part of a new collection. The Pilot’s Watch Spitfire collection inspired by the iconic Mark 11 navigation watch and equipped with IWC-manufactured calibres. The Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire is perhaps the model that exemplifies the spirit of the plane in the best possible way with its purist instrument design. Nestled within the 39mm stainless steel case and hidden behind the black green dial beats an IWC-manufactured 32110 calibre featuring a power reserve of 72 hours. The watch is finished with a green textile strap.
