What do you do?

[SigmaPi]

I am a Captain in the U.S. Air Force working in space operations. I didn't streach for my Boxster but I did finance for a majority of it. I also collect watches however, my collection consists of vintage Omega's, Tissot's and some newer Oris's and Glycine's. Brietling's are a tad bit busy for me and no one who is actually a pilot would use one. An E6B would be much more practical and cheaper. So while I do collect watches, they are well within my means.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by SigmaPi

I am a Captain in the U.S. Air Force working in space operations. I didn't streach for my Boxster but I did finance for a majority of it. I also collect watches however, my collection consists of vintage Omega's, Tissot's and some newer Oris's and Glycine's. Brietling's are a tad bit busy for me and no one who is actually a pilot would use one. An E6B would be much more practical and cheaper. So while I do collect watches, they are well within my means.

Hi,

In my youth, I was a Fleet Aviator (F4 Phantom B and N variants) and lots of the older guys sported Breitlings, mostly Navitimers. Of couse as a jg, or LT., I couldn't afford one.

But, the USAF Thunderbirds, USN Blue Angels, RAF Red Arrows, and the Italian Frecce Tricolori all wear the Breitling Aerospace (albeit with a proprietary Face).

I ended my Navy Career as a LT. Cmdr., MOS 7595, based at the Naval Flight Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, and did so with a Breitling Cosmonaute on my wrist, and I wasn't the only one, so I would have to respectfully disagree. Breitlings are highly regarded in the flying community.

I don't dispute that the E6B is a fine instrument either, but it wasn't around in my time...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Rail26]

MN,
The reason they wear those is because they are FREE! For those of us that are still fleet aviators, there is no way I could justify buying a 5k watch unless you all start paying a lot more taxes! I am sporting a very fine Ironman by Timex complete with a rubber band.

In the world of Flight management computers, GPS, etc...there is only one reason a pilot wears a big watch, and in this forum, drives a Porsche. It is the most important rule of aviators around the world...Rule #1: Always look good. Even if your airplane is on fire and missing a wing....make that the most spectacular crash and go out with a bang!

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

In my youth, I was a Fleet Aviator (F4 Phantom B and N variants) and lots of the older guys sported Breitlings, mostly Navitimers. Of couse as a jg, or LT., I couldn't afford one.

But, the USAF Thunderbirds, USN Blue Angels, RAF Red Arrows, and the Italian Frecce Tricolori all wear the Breitling Aerospace (albeit with a proprietary Face).

I ended my Navy Career as a LT. Cmdr., MOS 7595, based at the Naval Flight Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, and did so with a Breitling Cosmonaute on my wrist, and I wasn't the only one, so I would have to respectfully disagree. Breitlings are highly regarded in the flying community.

I don't dispute that the E6B is a fine instrument either, but it wasn't around in my time...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Perfectlap]

wow I must be the only one who doesn't get it when it comes to watches.
I admit I admire the look of GMT, Daytonna or Carrera Automatic Chrono but not at those prices! It goes against every investment instinct in my body to drop more than $300 on any luxury item, for me lady diff. story.

A woman once said "you think that way and yet you drive
such a facny car"? screeeeeeechhh..... WHOA! LADY!!!
"I drive a sports car not a fancy car. If I wanted one of those fancy cars to impress the ladies I would have gone for stupid four door Merc or BMW. There are very few sports cars today (allot of sporty looking cars for sure) but I have one of the few cars made for DRIVERS."
she looked at me like I was somekind of pyscho. She hit a nerve...

my fake chrono Breitling($50) that lasted me two years and got about 140 comments "ooooo wow nice watch" (I told every last one of them it was fake) succumbed to my mistreatment. I'm hesistantly considering this $500+ Tag F1. I'd rather find a nice second hand model if I can avoid spending that for someting somewhat stylish and durable. But somehow I like the idea of wearing a watch everyone thinks is worth thousands(the knock off not the Tag) but costs less than my Nike Shox. Those guys who make those nice watches are laughing all the way to the bank. Does it really cost Rolex and Tag Heur thousands of dollars to make those watches? How much have internal parts changed in the last 80 years? How much of a mark up does a tempermental Swiss watch really merit? Its almost analagous to Porsche cars.

[SigmaPi]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

In my youth, I was a Fleet Aviator (F4 Phantom B and N variants) and lots of the older guys sported Breitlings, mostly Navitimers. Of couse as a jg, or LT., I couldn't afford one.

But, the USAF Thunderbirds, USN Blue Angels, RAF Red Arrows, and the Italian Frecce Tricolori all wear the Breitling Aerospace (albeit with a proprietary Face).

I ended my Navy Career as a LT. Cmdr., MOS 7595, based at the Naval Flight Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, and did so with a Breitling Cosmonaute on my wrist, and I wasn't the only one, so I would have to respectfully disagree. Breitlings are highly regarded in the flying community.

I don't dispute that the E6B is a fine instrument either, but it wasn't around in my time...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim,

Thanks for the reply; I have been unable to confirm one way or the other if at least my Air Force folk wear them. I have always heard stories from folks that pilots in general, or the demo pilots received some sort of fancy watch. I can tell you it's not standard for regular Air Force pilots. Since our lawmakers in all their wisdom have decided to reduce our Air Force by 40,000 troops, it would be pretty irresponsible to keep handing out a multi-thousand dollar watch for which there is no need. Even if some do have one, I will bet my paycheck (small as it is) they don't use it for flight planning.

[Brucelee]

I like the idea of a good fake Rolex.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by SigmaPi

Jim,

Thanks for the reply; I have been unable to confirm one way or the other if at least my Air Force folk wear them. I have always heard stories from folks that pilots in general, or the demo pilots received some sort of fancy watch. I can tell you it's not standard for regular Air Force pilots. Since our lawmakers in all their wisdom have decided to reduce our Air Force by 40,000 troops, it would be pretty irresponsible to keep handing out a multi-thousand dollar watch for which there is no need. Even if some do have one, I will bet my paycheck (small as it is) they don't use it for flight planning.

Hi,

Yea, most of the Flying Watch Manufacturers produce a Precision Team Commemorative, and they give these to the members of the Team, to validate it I suppose. Most of them however are sold to civilian wannabes. Breitling on the other hand, only produces these for the Teams, they sell the same watch to the public, but absent the proprietary face.

Back in the 80's, I was one of the Asst. Dirs. of the Chicago Air & Water Show, annually one of the biggest Airshows in the Country. As such, I got to attend the Pilot Socials, daily briefings, and even got a seat occaisionally in one of the few VIP hops they made available. I have often seen the Team members wearing these Breitling watches. The current one, the Aerospace, which I own, while an extremely good watch, makes a pretty lousy flight computer...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99