Pilot Watches in a Formal Workplace

blah23 · Jan 22, 2009

Is a pilot watch like a Stowa Airman acceptable in a formal workplace, or is it out of place?

acidboy · Jan 22, 2009

Too casual and big to be worn with a suit.

TRINI · Jan 22, 2009

Check the WAWRN thread for Phat Guido pics...he does it all the time and looks great.

gdl203 · Jan 22, 2009

It's fine. Some of the most senior people wear Ironman watches these days - I doubt anyone would take issue with a nice pilot watch

Milgauss · Jan 22, 2009

Originally Posted by blah23

Is a pilot watch like a Stowa Airman acceptable in a formal workplace, or is it out of place?

Unless it was a very specific or strict workplace there is no reason why a pilots watch cannot be worn. Whether it looks good on the wearer's wrist is another question; a 55mm pilot on a 7 inch wrist is not going to look great.

Not all pilot's watches are huge - the IWC Mark X and XI were relatively small watches.

habitue · Jan 28, 2009

If

- you need to look at the watch from time to time
- you are doing lots of spins and turns and therefore need a really big watch
- you wear a leather coat during flight and want to wear your watch over it
- you need to do some quick calculations during flight and won't or can't trust your FMC - good planes don't need one anyway
- you are pilot - what a ridiculous point (there can however be debated if MS Flight Simulator counts)

there is absolutely nothing to say against wearing a pilot watch if you are forced to do any other work. maintenance, flight planning etc. I assume.

jonnyt · Jan 28, 2009

I'd say it depends on what you're wearing to work. With a suit and tie, something like an IWC 7 day Pilot's watch would be a little ostentatious imho, also, how will you fit it under your cuff?
You could probably get away with it on a casual Friday with a polo shirt though.

zjpj83 · Jan 28, 2009

I think it looks silly, but people do it all the time. You will not be frowned upon by your superiors, if that's the question.

bcate3 · Jan 28, 2009

Originally Posted by Milgauss

Unless it was a very specific or strict workplace there is no reason why a pilots watch cannot be worn. Whether it looks good on the wearer's wrist is another question; a 55mm pilot on a 7 inch wrist is not going to look great.

Not all pilot's watches are huge - the IWC Mark X and XI were relatively small watches.

I think you also get more versatility if you avoid the classic leather strap with the double rivets. Go with a a solid leather strap and avoid those with contrasting stitching.

Tom Brokaw seemed to be sporting a Big Pilot with the classic strap when he hosted Meet the Press. I didn't think it worked.

sfo423 · Jan 28, 2009

Speedmaster Pro on strap or IWC 3717.....

No problems.

braised · Jan 28, 2009

The pilot's watch like the IWX Mark XV or Fliegerchrono are classic sports watches, they are very acceptable in the work place in the same vein as a Rolex. The double chrono, panaeris and big-pilots are dramatic, you need to decide if you can get away with it.

Braised

habitue · Jan 28, 2009

Originally Posted by jonnyt

how will you fit it under your cuff?

Pilot watches are worn over the cuff, over the leather jacket, therefore the long strap.

zjpj83 · Jan 28, 2009

I've seen folks, including partners in big law firms, in bespoke shoes, bespoke suits, and huge digital Casio G-shocks or other such watches. Seriously, I think a lot of folks stres over how they will be perceived unnecessarily.

gdl203 · Jan 28, 2009

Originally Posted by zjpj83

I've seen folks, including partners in big law firms, in bespoke shoes, bespoke suits, and huge digital Casio G-shocks or other such watches.
Agree. As I pointed above as well, it's been the trend with top level management for a couple years now. I think it's meant to say "I'm a down to earth guy" or something

zjpj83 · Jan 28, 2009

Originally Posted by gdl203

Agree. As I pointed above as well, it's been the trend with top level management for a couple years now. I think it's meant to say "I'm a down to earth guy" or something

Exactly. Or showing off that they are fit sportsmen. Two of the people I'm thinking of in particular are keen cyclists.

Pilot Watches in a Formal Workplace

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