Wings Of Innovation

Their special attributes and stylish visages have succeeded in attracting even those not associated with flying. TIME ’N STYLE presents a few exceptional watches that have been inspired by the needs of aviation or designed to aid pilots.

IWC

Model: Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN
Description: Since its inception, IWC has steadily gained a reputation as one of the most sought after manufacturers of pilot’s watches. The ceramic and titanium caseback features the ‘TOP GUN’ logo — a symbol associated with the best combat pilots in the US Navy. Sporting a display that is evidently inspired from the cockpit, the dial showcases two chronograph hands. As the two hands come together, they take on the shape of a fighter aircraft. To ensure light weight and enhance the wearer’s comfort, it employs a black nylon strap. A soft iron inner case guarantees protection against magnetic fields.
Style Quotient: Pair this all-black watch with a white or pastel t-shirt and khakis.

BREITLING

Model: Avenger Skyland
Description: The Avenger Skyland represents all the qualities of Breitling’s philosophy — sturdiness, functionality, precision and aesthetic sophistication. The chronograph with its imposing lines and steel exterior is built to withstand rough weather. Crown guards for the screw-locked crown and push pieces embedded into the steel construction are examples of this sturdy construction. This shock and water-resistant timepiece also ensures wearer comfort with its easy-to-read dial sporting stencil numerals. Available in a range of straps, the Avenger Skyland is powered by a self-winding Breitling calibre 13, COSC certified chronometer.
Style Quotient: Make an emphatic statement at that board meeting by teaming this professional watch with a formal black suit.

JAEGER-LECOULTRE

Model: Master Compressor Chronograph
Description: Dedicated to speed, the chronograph comprises a tachymeter, enabling one to read the speed at which distances are covered. The various indications appear in white against a black background or vice versa, like the date at six o’clock. Located on the ring surrounding the black dial with its high-tech stippled motif is the tachometric scale that marks off the progress of speed through a play on colour. The case of the watch is made of satin-brushed steel with the dial carrying the number 46 in luminescent yellow. It is fitted with a black alligator leather strap.
Style Quotient: With its combination of leather and colour, this watch can be worn with colourful casuals or semi-formals.

SEIKO

Model: Seiko Alarm Chronograph Pilot
Description: This high-performance timepiece packs a punch with its assorted features. Navigational computations, fuel consumption calculations and chronograph functions clearly cater to the pilot’s needs. The alarm, a two-hand sub-dial, can be set on a twelve-hour basis. It also doubles as an international travel clock since the alarm hands can be set to indicate the time in a different time zone. Set within a stainless steel bezel is a dial featuring luminous markers and hands.
Style Quotient: Pair it casually with a white t-shirt and blue jeans for an understated touch.

BREGUET

Model: Type XXI Fly-back Chronograph
Description: The Type XXI Fly-Back Chronograph is a comeback for Breguet in a large way. The brand used to supply the Type XXI’s forerunner aviation watches to the US Army Air Services. The watch comes in 18-carat rose gold with elapsed-minutes, registered by a central hand. Its self-winding movement and subdial for the seconds are some of its features, rounded up by the day/ night indicator and 12-hour totaliser. It has a graduated turning bezel, with luminous hands and hour-markers.
Style Quotient: Wear this brown-strapped watch with a tan jacket in linen or corduroy for a sophisticated touch.

HUBLOT

Model: Big Bang Yankee Victor
Description: With a ‘Big-Bang’ diameter of 44 mm, this watch is from a limited edition of aviator watches from Hublot. The matt-finish ceramic bezel is studded with ‘H’ shaped rivets. The caseback is made of black solid steel, engraved with a ‘YANKEE VICTOR’ inscription and the image of a plane. The dial is matte-black with matte rhodium-plated appliqué indices and numerals. With a black rubber strap, this rugged watch is complete.
Style Quotient: Charcoal grey or black lounge-wear would bring out the best in this watch.

PARMIGIANI

Model: Kalpa’graph
Description: The Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa’graph version of the chronograph is inspired by the brand’s vast experience in hot-air ballooning. The watch is designed for the adventure of hot air ballooning, which is considered as part of professional aviation in Switzerland. Its functions are hours, minutes and seconds — its central chronograph function has hour and minute timers and a large date aperture. The watch comes in gold, stainless steel or palladium, with a Hermès alligator leather strap.
Style Quotient: A royal blue shirt with a white linen jacket would look spectacular with this watch on your wrist.

ROLEX

Model: Oyster Perpetual GMT Master II
Description: The GMT Master was developed in 1955 as the first watch to tell the time in two different time zones, making it a must-have for pilots. Its successor, the GMT Master II, has a 24-hour rotatable bezel, with a 24-hour hand, as well as another hour hand that can be adjusted independently. The basic version of this watch comes in yellow gold with a black dial and a hard black ceramic bezel engraved with gold numerals. There are variations with stainless steel, and yet others studded with diamonds, sapphires and rubies.
Style Quotient: With its classic look, this watch is sure to complement formal attire marvellously.

LONGINES

Model: Weems Second-Setting Watch
Description: With this mechanical timekeeper, Longines pays tribute to Philip van Horn Weems, one of the pioneers of aviation. It celebrates Horn’s invention — in 1927, the American captain synchronised a watch to the closest second without moving the hands. He achieved this feat by using the radio signal. The classic lines of the dial provide the perfect backdrop to the silvered opaline mobile central dial, which is used to synchronise the seconds movement with the radio time signal. Each piece of this innovative range features an individually numbered caseback. Blue steel hands combined with a brown alligator strap add just the right touch of colour.
Style Quotient: The classic leather look of this watch calls for a crisp white shirt and black trousers.

ORIS

Model: Flight Timer Limited Edition
Description: This watch unites the past with the present. Like a watch of the yesteryears, it has a mechanism to read time with manual operation. For their regular functions, a crown and push-button are placed on the left-hand side of the case. Like a watch of the future it has a modern chronograph movement with a big vertical crown, which sets a second time zone. With a stainless steel case, this unconventional watch has a push-button clasp on its brown leather strap.
Style Quotient: This watch would smarten up any casual outfit in dark shades of brown, and black.