Watches - FLYING Magazine https://www.flyingmag.com/gear/watches/ The world's most widely read aviation magazine Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:04:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://flyingmag.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/flyingma/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/27093623/flying_favicon-48x48.png Watches - FLYING Magazine https://www.flyingmag.com/gear/watches/ 32 32 Does the Pilot Watch Still Have a Role in the Cockpit? https://www.flyingmag.com/does-the-pilot-watch-still-have-a-role-in-the-cockpit/ Fri, 17 Mar 2023 20:33:28 +0000 https://www.flyingmag.com/?p=168492 AVI-8 Hawker Hunter timepiece makes a case for old-school instrumentation.

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A friend recently asked if pilot watches are still “a thing,” given the many devices, both portable and panel-mounted, that are available for telling time in flight. I told him they certainly are, but for different reasons today than when Charles Lindbergh and Wiley Post were crossing oceans.

In fact, I have spent the last several weeks flying with a new pilot watch, the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Atlas Dual Time Chronograph, which has taken the place of a sports watch that had become my default flying timepiece.

The new watch, with multiple dials, a rotating bezel, and red trim, is eye-catching compared with the admittedly bland model it replaced on my wrist. But I wondered if it would add anything to the flying experience beyond the convenience that makes any watch a relevant pilot tool. 

A Cockpit Helper

Having a watch still makes flying easier and safer. When I was learning to fly, my instructor made it clear that a watch was part of my required survival gear, along with a Leatherman tool and flashlight. This was not because the analog clock in the panel of the Cessna 172 trainer had stopped. A watch with a rotating bezel was simply handier for timing my travel along the 10-nm increments of the course lines I drew on the sectional chart—and for knowing when my hour was up.

As GPS and other digital avionics made their way into the cockpit, I continued to use my watch for quick reference. Glancing at one’s wrist for a time check seems so natural. These days, though, my concern with time has more to do with transporting kids to and from school and sports practices than precise navigation.

Charms of the Past

This is where the AVI-8 watch began to shine. Some of its features, including an additional hour hand I used to mark Zulu time, made it more useful and fun. Its old-fashioned charm encouraged me to brush up on pilotage skills and renew my subscription for paper sectional charts. Last weekend I flew to a couple of distant airports to which I had soloed as a student, without referring to GPS. It was just like old times.

Speaking of truly old times, watches were vital instruments during the early decades of aviation because time was an element in nearly every calculation pilots made, such as distance traveled, fuel burn, and correcting for wind. After his famous transatlantic flight, Lindbergh worked with Longines to develop an “hour angle” watch that made it easier for pilots to plot their position by tracking the earth’s rotation.

Today modern avionics make so many calculations for us that watches can seem like little more than decorations. And what is wrong with that?

What it Means Today

This is where things become subjective. I believe the right watch—one with a reasonably large face, sturdy metal case, and some weight to it—can be such a pleasure to use that a pilot would not depart without it. I notice that several of my flying friends who, like me, were impressionable children in the 1970s when general aviation was booming, have developed an affinity for period-appropriate accessories that match the V-Tail Beech Bonanzas, Piper Comanches, and in my case, Commanders that they fly. The right watch is a vital component of the overall effect. Call it nostalgia, with a little vanity thrown in.

When you are happily aloft in your aircraft, headed to one of your favorite destinations and feeling in command, like John Wayne in The High and the Mighty, checking the time on a watch that looks great, feels substantial and makes you smile, and can add to the joy of flying.

Besides, if you find yourself flying with a partial panel you might need a way to time those standard-rate turns. Either way, AVI-8 can help.

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Best Watches for Pilots https://www.flyingmag.com/gifting-a-pilot-watch-gift-guide-2022/ Wed, 30 Nov 2022 05:13:33 +0000 https://www.flyingmag.com/?p=162537 When shopping for the perfect watch—whether it is a gift for yourself or you’re shopping for a pilot—there are many things to consider before you make the purchase. Are you looking for a digital watch with all the latest features and functionality, or are you looking for a statement piece inspired by an historic aircraft? … Continued

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When shopping for the perfect watch—whether it is a gift for yourself or you’re shopping for a pilot—there are many things to consider before you make the purchase. Are you looking for a digital watch with all the latest features and functionality, or are you looking for a statement piece inspired by an historic aircraft? In this gift guide, we’ll show you some of our favorites in both categories that would make excellent gifts for pilots. Looking for more gifts to give other than a watch? Check out our guide on the best gifts for pilots.

Quicklook: Pilot Watches to Give

  1. Garmin D2 Mach 1:  Best for piloting and everyday use
  2. Garmin D2 Air X10: Best for those looking for a watch only for aviation
  3. Apple Watch Series 7: Best for active pilots who don’t need full integration
  4. Avi-8 Matador Chronograph Bronze Carbon: Best for exposed watch movement
  5. Timex x Pan-Am Chronograph: Best for a pilot watch on a budget
  6. Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T: Best for pilots who want to honor the Blue Angels
  7. Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph: Best for those wanting to make a statement

Digital Watches for Pilots

Many aviators are looking for the ultimate functionality in their pilot watches. From navigation to altimeter settings, even measuring oxygen levels and pulse during flight, the ultimate pilot watch must suit your  mission. Most are looking for a watch to perform well even when you’re not flying—or need the watch for navigating—such as during exercise or while golfing. We’ll break down our top choices for digital watches for pilots. 

Garmin D2 Mach 1

Garmin’s Mach 1 includes a touchscreen to make navigating between features faster and easier. [Courtesy: Garmin]

Garmin D2 Mach 1 is a top of the line pilot watch that offers a robust feature set for aviating, as well as for everyday life. One of our favorite features of the D2 Mach 1 is the moving map and radar overlay. The D2 Mach 1 has standard smartwatch connectivity including text, phone, and calendar alerts. For the aviator that also plays golf, the Mach 1 also has golf course maps available. This timepiece would make an excellent gift for any pilot. 

Specifications:

  • Case size: 47 mm x 47 mm x 14.5 mm
  • Screen: 1.3-inch diameter AMOLED
  • Weight: 70 grams
  • Battery life: up to 11 days in smartwatch mode; up to 24 hours in fly mode (GPS + pulse oximeter)
  • Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 meters)
  • Band material: titanium, silicone, or leather options available

Digital: Yes

GPS: Yes

Pulse Oximeter: Yes

Cell Phone Connectivity: Yes

Special Features

  • Detailed health and wellness tracking
  • More than 30 built-in sports apps
  • Animated workouts
  • Topo and golf course maps
  • Smartphone notifications for text messages, calendar appointments, and more
  • Store all your music on your watch, including Spotify playlists

Why We Chose This: Garmin has a long history of creating watches specifically for pilots, and the Garmin D2 Mach 1 is the ultimate in pilot watch technology. It automatically logs your health and wellness data as a part of your flight tracking when paired with the Garmin Pilot App, which can be great for situational awareness and learning from previous flights. It also has many features you would expect out of a modern smartwatch when you are not flying, making this a very compelling timepiece for any pilot, whether a professional pilot or a recreational pilot.

Pricing: $1,199 for the Leather Band

 $1,299 for the Titanium Band

Garmin D2 Air X10

The D2 Air X10 connects with users’ compatible phones. [Courtesy: Garmin]

The Garmin D2 Air X10 is the second Garmin watch to make the list, and it has some of the same features for pilots as the D2 Mach 1, with a lower price tag and fewer lifestyle features. Missing on this edition is the moving map and some of the built-in workout features—but it still automatically logs in-flight health data and automatically syncs with the Garmin Pilot App. This watch retains many of the D2 Mach 1, and it should be considered as a good gift for any pilot. 

Specifications

  • Case size: 43.2 mm x 43.2 mm x 12.4 mm
  • Weight: 1.6 ounces
  • Battery life: up to 7 days in smartwatch mode or 20 hours in GPS/pulse oximeter mode
  • Fits wrists with a circumference of 125 to 190 mm.
  • Water resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)

Digital: Yes

GPS: Yes

Pulse Oximeter: Yes

Cell Phone Connectivity: Yes

Workout Features: Yes, but requires other fitness applications

Why we chose this: The D2 Air X10 is far lighter than the previous generations of pilot watches, and it has a feature set that any pilot will find helpful when flying. The automatic takeoff detection and syncing to the Garmin Pilot App make this a seamless accessory, and it can be useful in a pilot’s tool kit. Coming in at less than half the price of the D2 Mach 1, this watch is a great alternative and makes a good gift.

Pricing: $549 at Sporty’s

Mechanical Pilot Watches

Pilot watches are specifically designed for aviators. First created in the early 1920s, there are a few different features that make pilot watches unique. They typically have large cases so that they can be easily seen in flight, and often have color schemes making them legible to read during the day or at night. Many pilot watches have 24-hour scales on the dial, which allow pilots to keep track of time in multiple time zones simultaneously. Before the digital era, the pilot watch was often used as a tool for navigating, but today these watches are more often about fashion, history, and making a statement. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite pilot watches, ranging in price and complexity, to help you choose the perfect gift for a pilot or yourself.

Avi-8 Matador Chronograph Bronze Carbon

The AVI-8 Matador Chronograph [Courtesy: AVI-8}

The Matador Chronograph is a part of the company’s Harrier series of watches, paying tribute to the Hawker Harrier Jump Jet (read a synopsis of Hawker company history here), an iconic aircraft known for a deep history in the late 19th century and flying in many military fleets. This watch is specifically named for the Spanish Naval version of the aircraft, which shares the nickname Matador.  

Specifications

  • Movement: Japan quartz chronograph with 1/20 second and big date functions
  • Case material: Stainless steel
  • Case size: 45 mm x 52.6 mm x 15 mm
  • Lens: Mineral lens with anti-reflective coating
  • Band material: Leather
  • Band width : 22 mm
  • Water resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)
  • Weight: 100 grams

Warranty: Yes, 2 Years 

Digital: No

Why we chose this

This timepiece goes beyond eye candy with an exposed movement that simulates the aircraft that it is named for—the Matador—which was flown in the Spanish Navy. It is also great for those looking to stay within a lower price range compared to other watches with similar features.

Pricing: $330

Timex x Pan Am Chronograph

[Courtesy: Timex]

Timex x Pan Am Chronograph is a limited edition watch that honors the partnership between Timex and Pan Am. The history of the two companies intersects in many ways, with both brands iconic in their respective industries. Watches have always been an important part of pilot gear, and Timex has a long history of making watches for pilots. Pan American World Airways was founded in 1927 (the same year as FLYING), and quickly became one of the most successful airlines in the world. 

Specifications

  • Watch movement: Quartz analog
  • Case size: 42 mm x 20 mm x 12 mm
  • Case material: Stainless steel
  • Band color: Brown
  • Case color: Stainless steel
  • Strap width: 20 mm
  • Attachment hardware color: Stainless steel
  • Water resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)

Digital: No

GPS: No

Special Features

  • Day and date window
  • Stainless steel watch case

Why we chose this:

Pan Am operated the Douglas DC-3, which is a classic aircraft that holds a special place in many pilot’s hearts.

Pricing: $219 on Timex.com

Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T

[Courtesy: Citizen]

The Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T is a pilot’s watch that was inspired by the Blue Angels, making it an ideal gift for any pilot or aviation enthusiast who holds the U.S. Navy demonstration team in high regard. 

Specifications

  • Movement: Eco-drive (powered by any light source—no need for batteries)
  • Band length: 228.6 mm
  • Case diameter: 45 mm
  • Lug width: 23.81 mm
  • Case material: Two-tone stainless steel with the Blue Angels insignia replicated on the caseback
  • Water resistance: 20 ATM (203 m/666 ft)

Digital: No

GPS: No

Why we chose this:

The Blue Angels have advanced aviation and inspired the next generation of aviators through their aerial performances. This watch celebrates the heritage and skill displayed by those pilots. 

Pricing: $750

Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph

[Courtesy: Breitling]

The Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph has a long-standing aviation history. Designed in 1952 with a circular slide rule in order for pilots to be able to make necessary calculations in the air, this timepiece is loved by pilots all over the world. This watch has even made it to space in 1962. There are few other watches that host the variety of features this one does—while also making a statement—which is why the Navitimer has been placed in FLYING’s gift guides for many years.

Specifications

  • Movement: Self-winding mechanical
  • Case material: 18k red gold
  • Case diameter: 46.0 mm
  • Product weight (approx.): 153 grams
  • Water resistance: 3 ATM (30 meters)

Digital: No

GPS: No

Why did we choose this:

The Breitling brand has a long history in aviation, including their sponsorship of the now-discontinued Breitling Jet Team, their partnership with AOPA, and their support of many efforts to promote aviation. The Navitimer is also a beautiful watch with a long history of use by pilots around the world.

Price: $3,800 to $25,000

Selecting The Perfect Gifts for Aviation Lovers

Whether you are looking to buy a watch for yourself or for someone else, it is important to understand all the factors before you make the purchase. Pick a watch that best fits your needs and budget. For more information about pilot watches and all things aviation, subscribe to FLYING Magazine. 

Featured

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12 Things in Your Flight Bag for Adventure https://www.flyingmag.com/12-things-in-your-flight-bag-for-adventure/ Wed, 12 Oct 2022 22:15:45 +0000 https://www.flyingmag.com/?p=158579 What to bring with you when you go off the grid.

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Even if you are just planning to be out for a day, pack like you will be staying overnight. There is more to it than bringing food, water, and shelter. Pack with the thought that you might have to stay awhile. Listed here are some FLYING-recommended must-haves for back-country trips.

1. A Large Blue Tarp

You can get these at hardware and building supply stores. They make excellent flys for tents, and can be used to rig a makeshift shelter by putting the tarp over the wing. They also make great ground covers to keep the cold from leaching from the ground into your tent or sleeping bag. The tarps come in multiple colors, but search and rescue pilots note that the blue is the one that stands out the best in nature. This will be very important if you find yourself in a situation where rescue is necessary and the rangers have to go looking for you.

2. Paracord

Sold in bundles, by the foot, or in emergency bracelet form, this stuff is worth its weight in gold. The paracord can be used to secure a tent, to make a tent by stringing the tarp you brought, or to hang your food bag from a tree to keep it away from bears. And, when unraveled, paracord makes a decent fishing line.

3. Duct Tape/Rescue Tape

You can never have too much of this stuff. Tape can be used to repair tears in aircraft fabric or to keep a fuel cap or oil access door closed; repair aircraft hoses, tents, sleeping bags, and gear bags; create a splint for broken bones; and in a pinch, serve as an adhesive bandage to cover a wound. Rescue tape works best for engine hose repair, but duct tape is usually less expensive and comes in larger sized rolls. Duct tape was developed during World War II for use by the military. It was also known as “repair tape” and “speed tape” by the military. The tape will stay on the wing of an aircraft at speeds of up to 140 knots. Remember that, if you need to use it to temporarily secure a fuel cap or repair torn fabric.

4. Swiss Army Knife or Multitool

There is a reason that the term “Swiss Army Knife” isa euphemism for a versatile and useful device. When you are going on an adventure of any sort, having that multitool or Swiss Army Knife will be appreciated. Younever know when you will need a screwdriver, saw, canopener, tweezers, corkscrew, wire stripper, or a knife. If you decide to go the Swiss Army Knife route, don’t skimp—get the one with the most tools—and learn how to use them before you need them. For example, using the can opener function (the sharp hook-shaped tool) takes a bit of practice. There are certain things that multitools, like aLeatherman, are better suited for. The Leatherman Has a set of pliers that are larger and, therefore, can provide more leverage than those on the Swiss ArmyKnife—useful if you need pliers to loosen an oil cap.

5. Fire-Starting Equipment

There are fancy fire starters that rely on a chemical re-action to make a flame, and the old backup, the Zippo lighter, is still popular. Pro tip: cotton, such as lint from pockets, and human hair work great as tinder to get fires started.

6. Flashlight(s) With Extra Batteries

There is a reason that many pilot gear bags are designed with a designated pocket for a flashlight—pilots should carry at least one. You may find it useful to have a flashlight with a headband or clip so you can use the flashlight and still have your hands free, or be able to point it at the instrument panel should the aircraft’s electrical system fail. A white flashlight is an excellent tool for looking into dark engine compartments, under instrument panels, or into fuel tanks. And pack fresh bat-teries—a piece of foil applied to the battery creates a short, resulting in a spark, resulting in fire. Remember this when you pack them—and if you lose your Zippo.

7. First-aid Kit

You may be miles from the nearest medical facility and if someone gets injured during the trip, it can definitely put a damper on the day. Make sure the kit is well stocked and that you rotate the supplies every few months because the adhesive on the bandages can dry out. Have a kit containing bandages, gauze, sunblock,safety pins, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, and anti-diarrhea medication.

8. Spare Clothing

When heading into the backcountry, dress to survive not to arrive. Long pants, hiking-friendly shoes, a jacket, and a cap are required equipment. Have a spare jacket—even in the middle of summer—because those clear nights can be mighty cold. If your adventure includes flying to several places, you may want to consider shipping a change of clothes to one of your destinations to cut down on the baggage in the aircraft.

9. A Few 1-Quart Plastic Ziploc Bags

These can be used to hold food, and then suspended from trees to keep the bears at bay. They can also be crafted into solar stills to make drinking water.

10. Food & Water

Energy bars are available at camping supply stores.They are 1,000 calories-plus and the point is to have calories to work with, if you don’t have another food source.Water is easy to pack. Always carry a bottle or two in the aircraft. If you are someplace without a source of water, use the empty water bottle and a piece of plastic (like those Ziploc bags you brought) to make a solar still.

11. Emergency Blanket

This looks like a large sheet of aluminum foil. It reflects body heat and folds up to about the size of a pack of cards. It can also be used to attract the attention of searching aircraft; if needed, wave it around so the sunlight glints off of it. If you go with a cloth blanket, makeit wool because wool is warm even when wet.

12. Tactically Appropriate Watch

There are many timepieces on the market that are designed for outdoor adventure. Garmin makes several watches that have multiple features that appeal to back-country enthusiasts. These features may include altimeters, GPS, apps for tracking pilot physiology such as pulse oxygen saturation, and all-important weather tracking, so you can prepare for when Mother Nature says, “Hold my beer.”

The Garmin watch needs to be recharged every few days. The charge lasts five to seven days, and because the Garmin is basically a computer on your wrist, it can be more temperature sensitive than a basic, non-rechargeable battery-powered watch.

If you are looking for a less complicated tactical watch, the Abingdon Jane Watch is a multitool that can tell time, and with its bidirectional compass, help you find true north. This comes in very handy because oncenorth is found, the rest of the cardinal headings fall into place, and that’s something you will want to know when you build a camp. Face the shelter’s opening to the south for maximum solar heating.

To find north in the northern hemisphere:

  • Hold your watch horizontally and point the hour hand directly toward the sun.
  • Note where the 12 o’clock mark is on the watchface.
  • The angle directly between the hour hand and the 12 is the north-south line.
  • North will be the side farthest from the sun.

The Jane Watch has luminous hands and hour mark-ings for night vision, and a diver’s bezel for quick timing. And, if you look at the back, a full ruler in standard and metric is engraved across the case.

Final Thoughts

Every six months or so, it’s a good idea to check the supplies in your gear bag—some may need to be rotated out—and remember to pack with the terrain in mind.

This article was first published in the 2022 Southeast Adventure Guide of FLYING Magazine.

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Timex Launches Pan Am Watch Collection https://www.flyingmag.com/timex-launches-pan-am-watch-collection/ Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:20:29 +0000 https://www.flyingmag.com/?p=153636 Traditional timepieces evoke excitement of early airlines and the ‘Jet Age.’

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Watchmaker Timex launched its Pan Am collection of analog watches with sales beginning today on Timex.com

The designs are meant in part to evoke the innovation, adventure, and glamor that Pan American World Airways represented. The company’s trans-pacific Clipper flying boats, built by Martin, Boeing (NYSE: BA), and Sikorsky (NYSE: LMT), drove air travel to new heights before the network of land-based airports had evolved to handle heavy transport.

Timex Pan Am Chrono Watch. [Courtesy: Timex]

By the 1960s, the “Jet Age” was booming and Pan Am became known for its advanced fleet of jet airliners, including the Boeing 707 and 727, and the Douglas DC-8. The airline was also regarded often as the unofficial flag-carrier of the United States, and set standards for service and prestige.

Timex Pan Am Chrono watch. [Courtesy: Timex]

The lineup of Pan Am-themed watches features the 42-millimeter stainless-steel case used for Timex’s Waterbury series of traditional watches and an easy-to-read face with clear arabic numerals on a navy blue dial that pioneering pilots conducting dangerous flights could have appreciated.

Timex Pan Am Chrono watch. [Courtesy: Timex]

The new watches also come with either a day and date function or a chronograph, and a brown leather band decorated with Pan Am’s classic globe logo. They are water-resistant to 50 meters and cost $179 for the day/date model and $219 for the chronograph version.

For more, click here.

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Garmin Unveils Latest Smartwatch for Pilots https://www.flyingmag.com/garmin-unveils-latest-smartwatch-for-pilots/ https://www.flyingmag.com/garmin-unveils-latest-smartwatch-for-pilots/#respond Mon, 28 Mar 2022 11:04:38 +0000 https://www.flyingmag.com/?p=126275 The Mach 1 includes features meant to help users find functions faster.

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Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) on Monday launched the D2 Mach 1, the latest model in its series of smartwatches designed for pilots. The new watch includes a touchscreen that can make switching among functions faster and easier than before.

The watch aids flight planning by tracking weather and receiving alerts about changing conditions. It aids navigation with a built-in moving map and an instrument-like HSI screen that shows the aircraft’s position relative to the desired course. The D2 Mach 1 also has a range of functions for monitoring the wearer’s health and tracking exercise and other activities, making it a useful electronic companion in the airplane and on the ground.

“Whether you’re climbing into the cockpit for a fun weekend flight, practicing or shooting instrument approaches to minimums, or flying professionally, the new D2 Mach 1 delivers the latest and most advanced aviation functionality and smartwatch capabilities right to your fingertips,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of aviation sales and marketing.

[Courtesy: Garmin]

Like other Garmin smartwatches, the D2 Mach 1 can be used with either Apple or Android smartphones. Garmin says the watch battery lasts up to 11 days in regular smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours with continuous use of aviation functions like GPS and pulse ox monitoring. Longer battery life helps pilots avoid the distraction of worrying about their next charge.

Instead of calling your airport for an AWOS update from the car, you could simply toggle to the watch screen that shows winds, visibility, barometric pressure, and other weather information.

The D2 Mach 1 automatically tracks flights from takeoff to landing, and transfers date, flight time, route and other information to a  flyGarmin.com logbook. The watch can also receive flight plans from the Garmin Pilot app. It helps you plan arrivals by providing information about destination airports including radio frequencies, runway length and orientation, and traffic pattern altitude.

In emergency situations like a loss of engine power the D2 Mach 1 can display best glide speed and estimated glide distance—and a bearing pointer guides you to the nearest airport.

The D2 Mach 1 is available now and comes with a black silicone band plus a vented titanium bracelet for $1,299.99 or an oxford brown leather band for $1,199.99. Both styles include a trial subscription to the Garmin Pilot app. 

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Garmin Releases Its Latest Aviation Smartwatch https://www.flyingmag.com/garmin-releases-latest-aviation-smartwatch/ https://www.flyingmag.com/garmin-releases-latest-aviation-smartwatch/#respond Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:32:17 +0000 https://www.flyingmag.com/?p=117301 Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN) has launched the D2 Air X10, its latest in a series of smartwatches designed for pilots. Unlike previous watches in the D2 Air line, the new device connects with users’ compatible phones, allowing them to press a button to take calls and use the phone’s voice assistant to send texts, control … Continued

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Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN) has launched the D2 Air X10, its latest in a series of smartwatches designed for pilots.

Unlike previous watches in the D2 Air line, the new device connects with users’ compatible phones, allowing them to press a button to take calls and use the phone’s voice assistant to send texts, control compatible smart home appliances, and other functions. Garmin says the X10 works with Google Assistant, Siri, or Bixby.

If your flying routine includes calling the airport’s AWOS from the car, the watch could make the call easier. Or you could just switch to the watch screen that shows winds, visibility, barometric pressure and other weather information.

The X10 automatically begins tracking flights at takeoff for logging purposes and can receive flight plans from the Garmin Pilot app. It tells pilots what is ahead by providing airport information like radio frequencies, runway length and orientation, and traffic pattern altitude. Health monitoring functions can be helpful to pilots who wish to track their heart rate, pulse oximeter, respiration, and other readings during flights. 

Like other D2s, the new watch functions like a NavCom for your wrist. Pilots can use it to navigate directly to airports and waypoints in a preloaded worldwide database. In HSI mode, the “needle” shows whether the aircraft is on the desired flight path. A barometric altimeter alerts pilots when they have reached a preset altitude. The watch offers several other alerts including flight time, distance, and fuel timers.

Garmin says the X10’s battery lasts up to seven days when in regular smartwatch mode, or up to 20 hours when continuously using GPS and pulse ox functions while flying. Its suggested retail price is $549.99.

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Garmin Launches GPS Smartwatch for Pilots https://www.flyingmag.com/garmin-launches-d2-air-gps-smartwatch/ https://www.flyingmag.com/garmin-launches-d2-air-gps-smartwatch/#respond Thu, 01 Oct 2020 14:13:29 +0000 http://137.184.62.55/~flyingma/garmin-launches-gps-smartwatch-for-pilots/ Garmin launched its new D2 Air GPS smartwatch for pilots, which includes multiple tools for planning and in-flight use. Serving to connect seamlessly between a pilot’s flying life and ground-based existence, the D2 Air features weather, direct-to navigation, airport info, flight logging, and a pulse oximeter. The watch displays in several time zones (including Zulu … Continued

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Garmin launched its new D2 Air GPS smartwatch for pilots, which includes multiple tools for planning and in-flight use. Serving to connect seamlessly between a pilot’s flying life and ground-based existence, the D2 Air features weather, direct-to navigation, airport info, flight logging, and a pulse oximeter. The watch displays in several time zones (including Zulu time)—and gives the pilot the ability to immediately call up metars and tafs among other aviation data. It comes preloaded with a worldwide database, and allows for flight plan transfer with Garmin Pilot.

“The D2 Air is an exciting option for current and aspiring pilots, as well as the aviation enthusiast,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing for Garmin. “The D2 Air offers a bright and striking display with valuable capabilities that benefit pilots in the air while offering advanced smartwatch features on the ground, placing the D2 Air aviator smartwatch in a category of its own.”

Battery life is promised at up to 5 days while using ground-based functions, and up to 10 hours continuous GPS and pulse oximeter use in flight. The D2 Air retails for $499. Look for a report in an upcoming issue of Flying.

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Gear: Breitling Aerospace Evo Cirrus Aircraft Watch https://www.flyingmag.com/gear-breitling-aerospace-evo-cirrus-aircraft-watch/ https://www.flyingmag.com/gear-breitling-aerospace-evo-cirrus-aircraft-watch/#respond Tue, 05 Dec 2017 05:55:40 +0000 http://159.65.238.119/gear-breitling-aerospace-evo-cirrus-aircraft-watch/ Breitling teamed up with Cirrus Aircraft on a limited-edition aviator’s timepiece. The Aerospace Evo Cirrus Aircraft watch highlights the one component that helped catapult Cirrus into the number one position of light-aircraft manufacturers: the BRS parachute. A parachute symbol adorns the case back as well as the back of the minute hand. In addition, the … Continued

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Breitling teamed up with Cirrus Aircraft on a limited-edition aviator’s timepiece. The Aerospace Evo Cirrus Aircraft watch highlights the one component that helped catapult Cirrus into the number one position of light-aircraft manufacturers: the BRS parachute. A parachute symbol adorns the case back as well as the back of the minute hand. In addition, the hour hand has three slots signifying Cirrus’ SR20, SR22 and SR22T piston models.

The watch face itself is embellished with the outline of a piston Cirrus as well as the company’s logo. Serialized to No. 220, the $4,930 watch offers Breitling’s renowned quality and aviation features, such as a second time zone, an NVG-display-compatible backlighting system, a countdown timer and a minute repeater.

Breitling Aerospace EVO Cirrus Aircraft Watch
The Cirrus logo is one feature of many that set apart Breitling’s Cirrus Aircraft watch. The hour hand is adorned with a parachute, and the minute hand has a slot for each piston Cirrus model. The watch face features a silhouette of the piston Cirrus. Breitling

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