A Year In Flight

It is sometimes mindboggling to realize how fast a year can fly by. Here we are on the threshold of not only a new year but also a new decade. As time is passing us so quickly, it is interesting to see its effect within an industry that is dedicated to making the passing of time not only visible but also measurable.

To stay within the theme of ‘time flying by’, in 2019 it was 115 years ago that the very first watch was strapped on the wrist of a pilot. That honor fell to aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont, with a watch designed and made by his good friend Louis Cartier.  What was back then a groundbreaking and bonafide ‘sports watch’ is today considered one of the most elegant watches a man can get, despite that the overall appearance of the Santos Dumont has hardly changed. Although its role changed within the watch scene has time been very kind to the Santos Dumont. The design of the watch remains even today captivating and has been able to transcend trends, and there have been many in the past century.

IWC is another brand known for its pilot’s watches, and they paid tribute this year to one of the most formidable and legendary aircraft ever created; the Spitfire. Thanks to their partnership, they made ‘The Longest Flight’ possible, in which pilots Matt Jones and Steve Boultbee Brooks successfully made the first round the world in this aircraft. What was once an advanced fighter plane, which played a vital role in turning over some dark pages in the history of the world, is now a precious classic. To accompany them on their trip, did IWC create the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition ‘The Longest Flight’ with special engraving in the caseback. This watch was not only on the wrist of both pilots during their epic journey but also available to the public in a limited edition of 250 watches.

Breitling continues to rapidly expand its collection with watches that find their roots in aviation history. With the capsule collection, the Navitimer Airline Editions, they pay tribute to airlines that have played a vital role in making air travel available to the masses. For this, they donned their signature Navitime B01 model in the colors made famous by these airlines. The watches available in this collection are dedicated to Pan Am, TWA, and Swissair. What were once household names are now part of history, testifying to the passing of time in a whole other way. But as we move on into a new decade it is comforting to know that the memory of these legends of the past is kept alive by an iconic aviators watch, that by itself, represents not only the past, but also the present, and for sure even the future.