ciaca
156
A lot of...
Mar 24, 2015,18:03 PM
"True" pilot watches, in other words those were used for this kind of purpose, had bigger cases and bigger crowns for reasons is pretty easy to understand.
Passing the time these watches loose their original function, and like many other kinds of tool watches, the "function" passed to background where the aesthetic came to foreground.
They were pretty ignored when the fashion trends dictated small size of the cases, or where even produced in sizes have nothing to share with this kind of watches (the IWC mark XII of the early 90's is a perfect example in its 34mm diameter).
Changing the trends with the come back of big sized watches the "pilot kind" became trendy and fashionable, although companies like IWC have never stopped producing it in relatively "big" (despite the trends of the time) sizes during the small cases age (doppelchronograph, for instance, with its 42mm diameter).
Of course all this stuff, iwc or patek doesn't make any difference, stands for true pilot watches as any modern watch stands for a "tool".
With some difference: a Rolex submariner or an IWC aquatimer, at least the steel or titanium ones, can be still used for professional scuba diving (if not as unique tool for sure as back up equipment) because of the way they are conceived and made, i've serious doubts the same thing can apply to an acrobatic pilot with his 5524
Regards