7 Top Pilot Watches Available for Under $1000 (2024 review)

Tracking time can be a daunting task when you're in the middle of a flight.

It's challenging to demarcate shifting time zones while in mid-flight. Time zones begin to change as the trip goes on.

Therefore, whether you are a pilot or a passenger, you need aviation watches that can help you track time while on board any flight.

Unfortunately, most pilot watches are expensive. Thankfully, this review touches not only on the premier but also on the most affordable watches for aviators.

Garmin D2 Delta GPS: Top Choice

The Garmin D2 Delta is one of many high-end Garmin watches. The Delta Series timepiece includes a premium GPS (Global Positioning System) function. It's the only mechanism that tracks your current position 24/7. [R]

You can incorporate your GPS with avionics for more accurate data and navigation. The flight watch also measures your heart rate, altitude level, and course deviation. [R]

Once the whole flight is complete, your Garmin pilot timepiece logs the recording date, total flight duration, and route.

This unisex watch also offers smart notifications that you can access via a compatible smartphone. It also allows you to listen to up to 500 songs with your Bluetooth headset, which can be beneficial during long 12-15 hour flights.

Additionally, its nylon band and leather strap add comfort to your wrist. Indeed, the aviation timepiece has all the features you need. It's no secret why this stands out among other pilot timepieces.

Its hefty $949 price tag is the only disadvantage of the flight timepiece.

Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk Dual Time Watch with Date, BJ7000-52E: Premium Value

Most pilots prefer Citizen watches for their top-notch performance, advanced innovation, and Eco-driven technology.

The Citizen Promaster Nighthawk watch is another suitable timepiece for pilots. For starters, a stainless steel case and mineral dial window protect the watch face. These make your flight watch corrosion and scratch-resistant.

Like most aviation timepieces, the Promaster applies a Japanese quartz movement. It's known to be one of the most precise methods for tracking time.

The 42-millimeter stainless steel case enhances the watch's durability. The black dial is made up of a calendar window by the 3 o'clock marker, a pilot's slide rule inner chapter ring at the 8 o'clock position, and a dual-time display.

The watch's luminous hands are easy to read in poorly lit conditions. It also has a water resistance up to depths of 200 meters. This means it can also handle water splashes from handwashing.

Compared to other pilot chronometers, you don't need to change batteries because of its Eco-Drive technology. It can recharge on its own using any light source.

These are just some of the features you will enjoy when buying the aviation timepiece for $395. The only drawback is it has a case thickness of 13 millimeters and may feel heavy on your wrist.

Quick Verdict: Elevate your pilot style with the Citizen Promaster Nighthawk: durable, precise, water-resistant, rechargeable, and built for aviation enthusiasts.

Suunto Core All Black Military Men's Outdoor Sports Watch - SS014279010: Optimal Budget Option

Suunto watches can withstand steep mountains, deep-sea depths, and extreme weather conditions. These timepieces can also hold their own during flights. The Suunto Core Outdoor

Watch is my budget pick from the list.

The watch has multiple features like the altimeter, barometer, and compass. The altimeter updates vertical movement. The barometer focuses on air pressure trends. The compass tracks your current direction.

As a pilot, you need all these vital pieces of information.

A weather trend graph along with sunrise and sunset times for 400 geographical regions help you plan your flight itineraries.

This information maintains the safety of the pilot and the passengers on board. It has an operating temperature of 20 to +60 degrees Celsius.

Other aeronautical watches have watch straps that you cannot change according to your preference. With the Suunto watch, however, you can customize your watch strap. You can go for a stainless steel strap or a nylon band.

The amazing part is, you get all these features for only $125. Unfortunately, the disadvantage holding it back is its black dial. It may not be easy to read at night.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 5/5

• The watch's replaceable battery is a cool feature that can last up to a year, making it a reliable and cost-effective option for those who need long battery life.
• The ultimate barometer and compass features of this watch make it a robust and durable option for hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
• The watch's accuracy in measuring altitude is impressive, as it displayed my altitude to within four meters of my known elevation.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 1/5

• I've been wearing the Tsuntu Core All Black for a few days now, and I'm impressed by its functionality and style. It's quickly become one of my go-to watches.
• Although I'm used to the rise-to-wake feature on my other watches, I appreciate the simplicity of this military-style watch. It's perfect for those who prefer a no-frills design.

Laco Type B Dial Miyota Automatic 861690

Laco manufactures aviation timepieces that emphasize accuracy, precision, originality, and quality. Given its rich history, the Laco Type B is another good watch option.

Unlike most flight timepieces with Japanese quartz movements, The Laco employs a Miyota automatic movement.

Instead of relying on batteries, automatic movement harnesses the kinetic energy of your wrist movement. Therefore, you won't need to wind and unwind the aviation watch because it will keep moving on its own.

The stainless steel case surrounds the watch face, making it rust-resistant. It can also withstand scratches thanks to the watch's synthetic sapphire crystal dial window.

Its Superluminova hands and time markers improve the readability of your Laco. At $378, you'll be getting your money's worth with the watch's features.

Be wary, though. Seeing as how it has a leather strap, this may result in allergic reactions if you have sensitive skin. [R]

NanaDC Badass Rating: 0/5

• The accuracy of this watch is impressive for an entry-level movement, and its robustness and reliability make it a great choice for everyday wear.
• The flat sapphire crystal over the dial not only offers a clear view of the time but also adds to the watch's durability and longevity.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 3/5

• As one of the most recognizable and constantly reinterpreted designs in watchmaking, the fleeker style is a standout. This watch is no exception, with its authentic design and heritage.
• This watch is my top choice for an entry-level fleeker-style watch. Its authentic design and affordability make it a great option for any watch enthusiast.

Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Blue Angels World Chronograph Atomic Timekeeping Watch With Day/Date, AT8020-03L

Next on the list is another Citizen Eco-Drive watch. The Blue Angels Chronograph timepiece is another superior product for the following reasons.

To begin with, it uses Atomic Timekeeping Technology for the most accurate and precise results. [R]

It also has a Synchronized Time Adjustment feature, where you can calibrate your time readings according to your current time zone, allowing you to adjust up to 26 time zones.

The Chronograph pilot timepiece also comes with a blue dial and an anti-reflective crystal window. These design features make the watch easy to read under direct sunlight.

It's also worth noting the Citizen Men's Blue Angles has a water-resistant depth of 200m, the highest among all flight timepieces listed here.

The slide-rule bezel allows you to calculate logarithmic or metric equations, giving you other ways to track your current direction.

It has a starting price of $468.75. Indeed, you get all these features and then some with this high-end aviator watch. It still has its disadvantages, though.

One drawback is you have to restart all your settings if your watch begins malfunctioning. Also, it can be hard to edit the date and time while troubleshooting errors.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 5/5

• With 200 meters of water resistance, this watch can withstand even the toughest aquatic environments. I can rest assured that if I ever ditch in the ocean, my watch will still be in good condition.
• The perpetual calendar feature on this watch is a game-changer. I only need to set it once and it will automatically adjust for months with different numbers of days.
• The eco-drive technology of this watch provides up to six months of potential battery life, which is incredibly convenient. I don't have to worry about constantly changing batteries or recharging them.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 1/5

• The blue angel color scheme is a nice touch on this watch. The perforated leather upper and yellow nylon lower surface make it stand out from other watches. The rally-style design is both sporty and stylish.
• The flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective undercoating is a great feature of this watch. The anti-reflective coating ensures that the watch face is easy to read in any lighting condition.
• With a well-sized 43-millimeter diameter and 23-millimeter lug width, this watch is perfect for my wrist. The tapered lugs make it even more comfortable to wear. I feel confident wearing this watch every day.

AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II Japan Quartz Watch - AV-4056-01

Aviators, flight attendants, and passengers wear the AVI-8 Hawker timekeeping device.

Unlike most aeronautical watches, it uses a tang buckle that consists of nine holes. Think of it as a belt buckle for watches.

The 3 o'clock area contains the day-date feature. All seven days of the week are displayed, while the yellow arrow points to the current day.

Like most pilot timepieces, it employs the Japanese Quartz movement. Its navy blue dial and luminous hands enhance the watch's readability. It also comes with a tachymeter that allows you to measure speed and distance.

The AVI-8 Hawker is a $290 aviation watch that has its advantages and flaws. It has a weight of 10.58 ounces, which might be too heavy on your wrist.

Some time markers are missing too. The 2, 3, and 4 o'clock positions do not have any line markings, which may be an odd design for some.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 5/5

• The durability and robustness of this watch are outstanding, and I am confident that it will remain a reliable accessory for years to come.
• From the materials used to the construction, this watch is of exceptional quality and will stand the test of time.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 0/5

• I am always receiving compliments on this watch, and I'm proud to wear such a fashionable accessory.
• I recommend this watch to anyone who wants to make a statement and stand out in a crowd.
• The design of this watch is simply breathtaking, and I can't help but admire its intricate details and craftsmanship.

Hamilton Khaki King Series Stainless Steel Automatic Watch With Brown Leather Band (Men's H64455533)

The last watch on the list is a timepiece for the Hamilton Khaki series. It's one of the few pilot chronometers that function via an automatic mechanical movement.

The automatic watch has an anti-reflective glass crystal and stainless steel case.

These features, along with the watch dial and luminous sword-shaped hands, improve the watch's readability.

The inner dial consists of the 24-hour format. The day-date display is at the noon marker.

What separates this from other pilot chronometers is it only weighs 2.56 ounces. In short, it feels very light on the wrist. You can also fasten and unfasten the watch using a buckle closure.

It's water-resistant up to 50 meters, meaning it can handle some splashes from handwashing. Unfortunately, as with most flight timepieces, there are some disadvantages.

It costs $414.28, making it quite expensive if you're running on a low budget. The stationary bezel does not rotate compared to other flight timepieces with advanced bezel types.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 2/5

• The watch keeps accurate time, losing only four seconds a day, which is impressive given its affordable price.
• The watch's tight profile, with a thickness of 11.5 millimeters, adds to its durability and makes it a robust choice.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 4/5

• I love how the collar strap tapers from a thicker attachment to the watch to a thinner end, making it comfortable on my wrist.
• I am a big fan of the vintage look of this watch without the lug guards, which gives it a unique and stylish appearance.
• The dial of this watch is truly impressive and is definitely one of the main features that caught my eye.

Why Should You Buy Aviation Watches?

Here are some features that should convince you to buy top-notch aviation timepieces:

Aesthetic Appeal

Pilot timepieces showcase high-quality materials coupled with elegant artistry. These timepieces have royalty written all over it. You can even wear aeronautical watches on dates and formal gatherings.

Accuracy

The leading aviation watches are the most accurate ones. You should get a watch that derives time correctly, no matter your location. You need to make sure it is in sync with the world's time zones.

Durability

It would be a big help if your watch stays durable. If you're planning to pursue an aviation career, you need a watch that has a long battery lifespan and unbreakable materials. After all, it will be hard to replace watch parts mid-air.

Wrap Up

This review discussed and analyzed the premier pilot timepieces currently available in the market. Each brand always raises the standard when it comes to creating air watches for today’s aviators.

With multiple duties at the cockpit, each vying for your undivided attention, you deserve nothing but superior timekeeping service from watches designed to give all attention to details.
BON VOYAGE!