8 of the best men’s pilot watches under $2.5k

We’re big fans of the aesthetic of pilot watches here at The Coolector and if you’re looking to get one on your wrist in 2024 without breaking the bank, you’ll want to take a look at our pick of 8 of the best men’s pilot watches under $2.5k below:

Promaster Skyhawk A-T

The Skyhawk A-T Watch ($595) is a cutting-edge timepiece that takes precision to new heights, thanks to its atomic time clock synchronization, ensuring your flight times are always spot-on. Designed with aviation in mind, this hypermodern watch is packed with features including a 1/100 second chronograph, perpetual calendar, dual-time and UTC displays, two alarms, a 99-minute countdown timer, and a power reserve indicator. Available in four striking dial colours—black with stainless bezel, black with matching bezel, blue, and green—the Skyhawk A-T offers both style and functionality. Choose between an integrated stainless steel bracelet or a stitched leather strap, each tailored to complement the dial and provide comfort whether you’re on the ground or soaring above the clouds.

LACO Grün 42 Watch

The Grün 42 Watch from Laco ($540) is available in two distinct dial layouts: the Augsburg (Type A) and the Aachen (Type B). Each watch showcases bold white numerals and markers on a captivating greenish-teal dial, complemented by Roman sword hands for easy readability. Measuring 42mm in diameter, as the name implies, the Grün 42 introduces a refined design with a brushed case and a polished bezel, offering a sophisticated blend of textures.

Both models are powered by the Laco 2S automatic movement, based on the Miyota 82S0 calibre, known for its reliability and durability. This movement features 21 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, and hand-winding capability, and operates at a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour. With a water resistance of 50 meters, the Grün 42 combines functionality with timeless style.

Marathon Navigator Watch

Engineered in Canada and crafted in Switzerland, Marathon watches are built to endure the most rigorous MIL-SPEC standards. While you may not be leaping out of planes or experiencing extreme pressure and altitude changes daily, the Navigator is more than capable of handling such demanding conditions. Initially designed for pilots, parachutists, and law enforcement professionals, the Marathon Navigator Watch ($420) remains a formidable choice for anyone who appreciates a robust military watch. Even if your adventures are more grounded, this watch offers the durability and rugged design that make it a standout in any collection.

Fortis Fleiger F-39 Watch

The Fortis Flieger F-39 ($2100) is designed for individuals with a confident and discerning approach to life—those unafraid to bypass fleeting trends in favour of lasting value. It’s crafted for those in search of a dependable companion, built to endure for decades. This timepiece merges top-tier materials, expert craftsmanship, and meticulously considered details. The robust, brushed case is forged from recycled stainless steel, safeguarding the watch’s inner workings. Though it’s designed with aviation in mind, the Flieger is equally at home in the water, boasting a water resistance of up to 20 bar (200 meters | 660 feet).

Bulova Lunar Pilot Watch

Bulova, a brand with a deep and historic connection to NASA and the U.S. Space Program, is celebrating this remarkable partnership with the launch of a new timepiece: the Bulova Lunar Pilot Watch ($895). This watch is inspired by the brand’s iconic designs that were among the first to be worn in space. Back in the early 1960s, General Omar Bradley, then Chairman of Bulova Watch Company, led the way in a collaboration that saw Bulova’s precision instruments and timing devices used in 46 NASA space missions. Building on this legacy, Bulova continues to expand its Archive Series with the introduction of two new Lunar Pilot chronograph models. These timepieces have been meticulously crafted to feature a smaller case, replicating the exact dimensions of the original watch that journeyed to the moon.

Citizen Garrison Titanium Watch

The Citizen Super Titanium collection boasts timepieces that are made from the brand’s specially hardened titanium alloy, which is five times harder and 40% lighter than traditional stainless steel. The Citizen Garrison Watch ($895) distils down the core design DNA of classic pilot and field watches to deliver a contemporary and function-forward watch that is ideally suited for everyday wear and use. With a highly legible dial, a solar-powered movement, and the unbeatable robustness of Super Titanium, the Citizen Garrison is a go-anywhere, do-anything watch that is ready for a life of adventure.

Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Watch

Drawing inspiration from a WWII-era pocket watch, the Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Watch from Hamilton ($1295) seamlessly fuses vintage military aesthetics with modern craftsmanship. Hamilton, a brand with deep roots in military timepieces, has a long-standing reputation for creating some of the most iconic mil-spec watches in history. Today, Hamilton continues to honour that legacy by offering a lineup of vintage-inspired pieces that retain the timeless design of their predecessors while incorporating contemporary materials, advanced movements, and enhanced features. The Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer is a perfect example of this blend, delivering a hand-wound wristwatch that pays homage to the past while meeting the demands of the present.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Watch

The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Big Date Watch ($2200) is everything you need in a day-to-day pilot’s watch – and a whole lot more. Though a watch genre with seemingly endless options, the Big Crown ProPilot Date stands out from the crowd effortlessly. A contemporary take on the format, the turbine motif on the bezel adds an immediate point of visual interest. The dials then stay true to what matters on pilot and military watches, as they are clean, easy to read and bold.