Looking for sub $500 Pilot Suggestions

So it's not a pilot watch, but if your friend has any interest in a dive watch with most of his required items, this Glycine Combat Sub is on a hell of a sale at Costco for under $240:

https://www.costco.com/glycine-combat-sub-automatic-42mm-case-men's-watch.product.100721205.html

😀 I look at that watch every time I go to Costco ha ha

Thanks...I'll ask him

Swedish microbrand @malmwatches specialise in Pilot watches if you’re wanting something a bit different. I’ve got the Air Wolf Viggen from them and love it. Their watches tend to be a little bigger more 42-43mm and it might stretch your budget a little.

Otherwise there’s Marathon who people talk well of.

Probably more than he wants to spend...but I really like that Air Wolf super clean...thanks!

Marathon is a good thought

I'm a big fan of the Flightmaster...I think my buddy wants a simpler dial though thanks!

You might want to look at Avi8

You might try getting one of our amazing modders here on WC to mod one of these for you!

i would go with laco aachen or augsburg

Looking...thanks!

definitely ticks the boxes...👍

👍sent him the Augsburg to get him looking

Laco. The best option out there at different price points. Also you get quite a few variants and options to customise.

7inch wrist, 39-41mm would be a good size. Most pilot/field watches have longer lugs making the overall watch wear bigger.

You'll have to be more specific by what you mean by pilot style. When you mention Laco as one of the brands you've looked at, my mind unsurprisingly goes to A and B style fliegers, but are you also open to modern pilot watches which sometimes look nothing like that particular style of watch?

There’s already been a few mentions of Laco which I absolutely love, so I won’t go there again.

A Panzera could be an alternative. Australian made with a Seiko movement and well under $500 USD. They ship worldwide and their customer service is on point.

Here’s my Flieger 46

There are a number of Islander models that would be great pilot watches. Here is the Hawkeye.

Laco Blau Stunde

I’ll need to ask him…

That is an interesting option thanks!

Thought about Islander definitely the right pricepoint

Wish this were available in Canada; such a good deal.

I love this watch so hard and had hoped to own it by now. May I ask your wrist size?

7.5" wrist. The watch is 39mm.

Yes. I have a 39mm pilot already (see profile pic), and love it. It's always interesting to me how wristwatch shots seem different from real life. I'll get this watch, eventually. Love the design and love to support Hemel.

I really like Hemel thanks

Sent him the links for Islander and Hemel along with the others

I’m a Sinn 104 owner but no where near $500 🙂 . Save your bickies for a 556 or a Sinn 104 I reckon if you definitely love a good pilots watch.

A 556i is as good as got for me…we’ll see what my buddy goes for

Orient also has some great models to check out.

Tissot too

A some candidates not already mentioned and (imo) well worth considering. For a traditional flieger (Type A or Type B) or a more modern interpretation of a pilot watch (what the brand considers a "tactical" watch, see the German microbrand Dekla. I own a Type A bronze case and blue sunray dial. (Other color options are available as well.)

The Cincinnati Watch Company offers the P-40M. Inspired by the cockpit clock of the P-40 WWII fighter. Comes in three dial color combinations, black/white, brown/ old radium, and "honey gold. I own the gold version and though I typically don't find gold watches appealing, this is a major exception.