Not a man's world - Why pilot watches also inspire women

Women’s watches are taking off – here’s the proof

Here’s the thing. You don’t have to be a man to appreciate a good pilot’s watch. There may not be an abundance of pilot watches out there for women, but leading brands like Archimede, Breitling, Davosa and IWC Schaffhausen are putting a lot more emphasis on their female offerings. Why? Because women want a slice of that sophisticated, tool-like, cockpit coolness too, and why shouldn’t they? Here’s a list of brands tapping into the lady’s aviation watch sector right now.

Archimede – Compact elegance

Whether you’re interested in women’s pilot watches because you’re a male with a small-sized wrist or you’re actually a female looking for a timepiece that communicates your love of all things aviation, small pilot watches are not all that common. However, Archimede offers a mid-size 36mm option called the Pilot 36.

This 100-meter water-resistant watch features a sapphire exhibition caseback so that you can view the movement in motion, as well as a steel case made by Ickler. The 36mm dimensions are a sweet spot for ladies looking to add a touch of nostalgia to their collection. The Pilot 36 is classic and simple, and Archimede even offers it on a leather strap specifically measured for the female wrist.

The Archimede Pilot 36 – a rare but perfect pilot’s watch for slender wrists, timeless in design and expertly crafted.

Breitling – Luxurious & iconic

Most of Breitling’s key lines offer smaller iterations that can be enjoyed by women, including the iconic Navitimer series. The revolutionary wrist-worn instrument has been around for over many decades and continues to pass its heritage down to new watch-collecting generations. With a price tag clearly in the upper echelons of any budget, the Navitimer is not cheap by any means but is worth the spend if you enjoy premium materials and a faultless performance.

Breitling offers the Navitimer in a 36mm stainless steel and 18ct rose gold colourway (ref. U17327211A1U1), complete with the legendary slide rule bezel surrounding a mother-of-pearl dial. What makes the design all the more glamorous is the subtle addition of 12 scintillating diamonds, positioned at each hour marker.

The Breitling Navitimer – a legendary instrument on the wrist, a symbol of elegance and precision for many decades now.

Davosa – Classic & cool

So, unfortunately, Davosa doesn’t offer a pilot’s watch under the 40mm size, but women can easily carry a 40mm watch on their wrist provided they choose the right style. The Newton Automatic is a 40mm model that you can enjoy in three colours; black, green and blue. All options display the triangular 12 o’clock marker and the luminous hour markers against a sunray finish, which invites the light to reflect playfully off the display.

What this does is elevate the pilot watch to slightly dressier heights, making for a great option for female wrists. And if you want to venture into the slightly larger territory, you can explore the models of the Vireo watch collection – a sportier chronograph design available in a 41m size.

The Davosa Newton Automatic is a stylish choice for slimmer wrists, adding an elegant touch to the classic pilot’s watch.

IWC Schaffhausen – Tradition meets modernity

IWC Schaffhausen has always been committed to offering its female audience a range of elegant wristwatches to enjoy, each one crafted to a meticulously high level and showcasing some of the brand’s finest watchmaking techniques. The company designed the prototypes for its first female pocket watches back in the 1870s and has been continuing with its production of elegant women’s watches ever since.

Searching women’s watches on the IWC site will point you in the direction of its timeless Portugieser offerings, yet for something a little more pilot watch-focused, you’d do better searching by case size. Selecting the 34-39mm category on the brand’s site lists designs like the 39mm Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire – a watch suitable for the female wrist that retains the instrument-like aesthetic of the Mark 11 navigation watch.

Since the 1870s, IWC has been creating elegant women’s watches, blending precision craftsmanship with timeless design, from classic pieces to modern pilot watches.

Conclusion: Pilot watches – for everyone who loves them

Suffice to say, whether the legible, pared-back aesthetic of the pilot watch appeals to you or you share a love for the more complex-looking wrist-worn flight computer, pilots watches are not just for men, but for anyone who can appreciate the fascination of one of these indispensable air bound tools.