Best Pilot Watches (Value)

Joseph22

Are Stowa Pilot Watches the best bang for buck on the Market??

When you add up the price (around $1350-2500), Quality, and heritage (one of the original 5 Watch companies that produced for the German Airforce in WWII)..... Thoughts??

#stowa #pilotwatches #laco #iwc #germanwatches
Reply
Nishchal
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I want a Partitio sooooo bad.

Stowa (sH-tow-Va?) is an amazing brand. From what I've heard/readup at least.

 I wanted Tangentr, so I almost bought the Antea but went for the Nomos Tangente anyway (coz we all know, if you want it, you'll eventually get it, and that would have been more expensive to buy both).

uhrensohn
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I don't think they are best bang for buck when it comes to pilot's watches. For two reasons:

  • the heritage part is really some kind of self-homage, because the original WW2 fliegers with 55mm dials are effectively unwearable; the watch design is not due to Stowa/Laco/etc. anyway but due to the Luftwaffe; Stowa made watches to military spec, and the modern versions try to get as close to that as practicable; however, you also get high-quality modern versions of those specs from brands such as Cronos and SanMartin for about $200.
  • if authenticity is important I'd rather go with pilot watches from Sinn or Damasko; entry-level Sinn are at a similar price level to these Stowas, but these watches are made to modern military specs, no re-interpretations.
Joseph22
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Nishchal

I want a Partitio sooooo bad.

Stowa (sH-tow-Va?) is an amazing brand. From what I've heard/readup at least.

 I wanted Tangentr, so I almost bought the Antea but went for the Nomos Tangente anyway (coz we all know, if you want it, you'll eventually get it, and that would have been more expensive to buy both).

You can't go wrong with a Nomos for that style of watch. Love that brand.

Joseph22
·
uhrensohn

I don't think they are best bang for buck when it comes to pilot's watches. For two reasons:

  • the heritage part is really some kind of self-homage, because the original WW2 fliegers with 55mm dials are effectively unwearable; the watch design is not due to Stowa/Laco/etc. anyway but due to the Luftwaffe; Stowa made watches to military spec, and the modern versions try to get as close to that as practicable; however, you also get high-quality modern versions of those specs from brands such as Cronos and SanMartin for about $200.
  • if authenticity is important I'd rather go with pilot watches from Sinn or Damasko; entry-level Sinn are at a similar price level to these Stowas, but these watches are made to modern military specs, no re-interpretations.

Isn't all heritage really just self-homage on some level? Unless you are buying actual vintage pieces. 

Sinn as a whole might be my favorite watch company. Talk about what you get for the price, they are amazing. Saving for the U50. 

safonagastrocrono
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I own the Stowa 40 mm Vintage Bronze. 

A superb watch, in my view, but one does pay for "intangibles", likely due to it being one of the five original producers of B-Uhren. 

I love it, but I think that there is better value from brands like Dekla. The latter also offers an outstanding level of personalisation. 

Anyway, here is a link to a review that I wrote soon after getting it. 

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OTNCBC
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My daily watch is a Dekla, as at the time I believe this was the best bang for buck value at around £600.

There are good options around the £150 mark for entry level fliegers with miyota movements for example. You have Ali express options such as escapement time, and brands such as maratac in this price range. Tisell come in at around £300.

Laco has cheaper options too around the £350 mark. However, this doesn't negate the fact that a nice stowa piece, or even an IWC might be the best choice for an individual :)