Maverick’s Return in Top Gun Sequel Will Herald a Hot Time for Pilot Watches

(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- The appearance of the sequel to Top Gun has been pushed to Christmas in theaters, but when audiences are finally able to see the movie, they can expect certain things not to have changed in the 34 years since the original came out: Tom Cruise’s perfect, matinee-idol hair, the leather bomber jacket. And the watch.

In the original, Cruise wore a stealthy, black PVD-coated steel Porsche Design Chronograph 1, created in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the iconic 911. Now that Maverick is coming back as a training instructor and test pilot in the Paramount Pictures sequel, word has it that the watch will make a return appearance, too.

Chrono functions are not traditionally associated with aviation watches, though they’ve become popular. A “pilot’s watch” bears certain hallmarks: Typically larger than a dress watch—generally at least 40 millimeters in diameter—it has a dark dial with high-contrast hands and markers painted with a luminous coating to ensure maximum legibility, day or night. Often, models are equipped with an oversize crown for easier setting.

It also helps if the watch is antimagnetic, to guarantee precision near so much electric machinery that can throw off magnetic fields and affect accuracy. A soft-iron inner case can protect the movement’s parts, or they can be made with such antimagnetic, high-tech materials as silicon or palladium.

Whether his timepiece qualifies as a pilot’s watch, Maverick might inspire you to seek out one yourself.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun

Named for the U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (more commonly known as Topgun), IWC Schaffhausen’s series of watches has been in production since 2007. This one is crafted in antireflective black zirconium-oxide ceramic and built to withstand extreme G-forces. It also offers day and date windows in addition to timekeeping functions. $7,800

Bremont MBIII

Ten years ago, British brand Bremont (a favorite of Cruise’s) teamed up with Martin-Baker Aircraft, builder of ejection seats for about 70% of the world’s air forces, to create a watch that could withstand the rigors of a bailout. Its MBI is reserved strictly for pilots who’ve ejected using a Martin-Baker seat. For the rest of us, there’s the MBII and MBIII. The 43mm steel MBIII offers GMT timing, is shock resistant, and has passed tests for vibration, temperature extremes, and corrosion. $5,895

Breitling Navitimer B03 Chronograph Rattrapante 45

Breitling has been supplying cockpits and wrists with authentic pilots’ instruments since the 1930s. Its first Navitimer watch—equipped with a slide rule bezel for making fuel calculations—was introduced in 1952 and has become an icon. This chronometer-certified 45mm version in 18-karat rose gold has a rotating bezel with circular slide rule. $27,480

Tutima M2 Pioneer

Since 1984, Tutima’s NATO chronograph has been the official service watch of the German Air Force. The company has also produced Grand Flieger chronographs for graduates of the country’s own Topgun unit (GAF Tactical Training Center). For civilians, this 43mm M2 Pioneer is made of titanium with an antimagnetic inner case. It features a Kevlar strap, a chronograph, a 24-hour display, and a rotating bezel with markers made of gas-filled luminescent capsules. $6,100

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter

Oris has been building pilot watches for more than 75 years. This model is the world’s first automatic watch with a mechanical altimeter built in, which can tell you your elevation as high as 15,000 feet. (That makes it more useful for hiking than flying, but it’s still pretty cool.) $4,100

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