Looking at our stats, I see that demand for recommendations regarding diving watches is a seasonal thing with most visitors coming in summer and then gradually declining till Christmas only to start growing again in early January. “Pilots” are different animals: I have an impression that people are always interested in “aviators” regardless of the time of the season. So, for your reading pleasure, a choice of fifteen timekeepers from under $200 to more than $10,000 as priced by online retailers that I find worthy of being considered while shopping for your new (or maybe your very first!) pilot’s watch this year.
Archimede
Not Your Average Homage: Archimede 1950’s
The German brand has recently updated its collection of dressy three-handers with a nice Archimede 1950’s collection that pays homage to timekeepers that were produced by the local watchmakers after the end of the Great War. Although the Japanese movement that powers the device doesn’t look nearly as impressive as NOS hand-wound Junghans calibers that they, for example, used for their Pilot OR2 limited edition watch, it is robust and reliable and looks like an adequate choice for the price.
Archimede Klassik 42 Bicolor Automatic
Owned by Ickler GmbH, a German company that makes its own high-quality watch cases and also happens to own a bit more “premium” brand Limes, the watchmaking specialist has released its new Archimede Klassik 42 Bicolor. The timekeeper arrives in six variations with all sorts of available customizations that you can possibly imagine. Although not as refined as similarly (base price plus essential options included) priced models from competitors, the Klassik 42 Bicolor is worth a look, especially if you are into that sort of rugged beauty that Archimede is known for.
Call of the Wild: Archimede Outdoor Black PVD
Recently, the German brand has introduced an absolutely outstanding Archimede Outdoor Black (refs. UA8237B-A2.1-SW & UA8237-A2.1-SW) presented in a rugged stainless steel body treated with black PVD coating.
Archimede Pilot OR2 Hand-Wound Limited Edition
Compared to yesterday’s vintage-styled Zenith Pilot Big Date Special Edition, this new limited edition Archimede Pilot OR2 may not look as intense and it definitely plays in a different league when it comes to hardware that makes it tick, however, it is also about nine times less expensive and, equipped with a NOS movement from a German ebauche maker, is certainly more exclusive.
Archimede Pilot H Reintroduced in a Smaller Case
Around three years ago, Archimede has revealed its Pilot H limited-edition model. The Pilot H was a sort of “homage” to their successful Pilot Original that was powered by a vintage (so-called “New Old Stock”) Junghans 687 hand-wound movement. This year, the German brand decided to bet on yet another iteration of the same timekeeper that is now introduced in a smaller case. Meet the “historic” Archimede Pilot 39H!