For those who are still waiting for their favorite models to be remade and upgraded, here’s another one to cross off your list. After a near two year hiatus, the pilot's watch is back. We’ve altered the design, included new strap materials, and most of all, upgraded what’s under the hood.
In comparison to the original version, the dial design of the new pilots watch seems easier to read and less cluttered. We added, removed, and resized dial markings here and there and even added an extra ring around the outer dial. The Orient logo is visibly smaller, and the text that usually lies below the hands has been removed. While the original hour and minute hands remain (coated with super bright Nemoto Luminova), the seconds hand features a two-toned (black/white) design, presumably for higher contrast and readability. In regard to legibility, the numbers on the dial look to be a bit bigger as well. The date still resides at the 3 o’clock position. The watch is still a pilots-styled watch through and through, and is still reminiscent of the classic Flieger Type-B designs of yesteryear.
The new pilots watch gets a slight bump in case size, going from 42mm to 42.4mm across. Its 11.6mm thick case seems thicker than it looks due in part to the overall heft of the watch and the thoroughly brushed metal finish throughout. The watch has been upgraded with the F6722 mechanical caliber which is automatic, hand-winding and hacking.
The pilots watch is available in four different colorways and variations, including a stainless steel bracelet, calfskin leather band, and nylon strap.