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5 Best Pilot Watches Under $500: Timepieces for Take-Off
Elevate your style with affordable pilot watches under $500 at the Gnomon Watches store. Discover precision and fashion in one.
May 16, 2024
Well-known for their craftsmanship, pilot watches are most likely associated with steep price tags and luxury. However, it is highly possible to find a sweet spot where functionality meets affordability. Some watch brands have offered collections of affordable pilot watches under $500.
This “Prestigious” perception is reasonable. The pilot watches are often equipped with distinctive features and characteristics compared to other types of watch, such as great impact resistance or GMT complication.
Now, we are about to refute that assumption. Here’s to a list of impressive yet affordable pilot watches that you should own!
What Can Pilot Watches Under $500 Offer?
Not the entire pilot watches are unaffordable luxuries. A few brands now have offered a nice package with excellent reliability to watch enthusiasts. Thus, there’s no need to worry much about emptying your wallets for a pilot-style timepiece.
But, could these affordable watches meet what pilots need? The answer is yes. There are quite excellent features in timepieces you can expect even for less than $500. Some of them come with great quartz movement and high timekeeping accuracy. Not only that, some also occupy great luminosity on their handset that can glow up to 8 hours in the dark.
From the visual standpoint, many of these timepieces appear with masculine profiles and classy color choices. The build materials also enhance the sturdy, solid impressions to wearers.
With the options available, at the end of the day, comfort should be your first and foremost priority. Without any further ado, let’s explore the best pilot watches under $500 to fill up your watch collection.
Read also: Best Pilot Watches: The Luxury Ones for Now and Later
Affordable Pilot Watches Under $500 to Own
Quality watches are not always accompanied by a hefty price tag. Gnomon Watches has listed our best pilot watches worth considering. Let’s take a closer look!
Steinhart Nav B-Uhr 44mm Automatic B-Type
| Movement | ETA 2824-2/SW 200, élaboré |
| Dimensions | 44mm in diameter, 52mm lug to lug, 14.2mm thick |
| Water resistance | 30m |
Jumping to the first recommendation, we have Steinhart Nav B-Uhr 44 mm Automatic B-Type coming from Steinhart‘s latest Pilot collection line-up. Made with the highest Swiss standards, it comes with luminous hour and minute markers through the use of Superluminova C1.
This timepiece has a clean, no logo dial, making it super easy to read. The dial also showcases a timeless, historical appeal. It is accompanied by an XL-sized pilot crown and blued hands that catch lights from different angles.
Not to mention that it also comes with a 2-year international warranty. All in all, this could be one of your best picks on pilot watches you can get for exactly $500.
Price: $500.00 USD
Marathon Official USAF Pilot’s Navigator Ref. WW194001-BK-USAF
| Movement | ETA FØ6 high-torque 3 jewels Quartz movement with EOL (End-of-Life) indicator |
| Dimensions | 41mm in diameter, 48mm lugs to lugs, 13mm thick |
| Water resistance | 30m |
Marathon Official USAF Pilot’s Navigator resembles the military specification required by the US government. It is equipped with an electrical quartz movement which enables a long battery life.
Additionally, the timepiece also has 30m water resistance & excellent high altitude, up to 35,000ft. Inspired by the original MIL-W-50717 mil-spec, its matte case is also non-corrosive.
The fiber shell high-impact case also makes this timepiece durable but lightweight. Moreover, underneath the sapphire crystal, the tritium gas tubes on the handset lead to maximum legibility in the dark for more than 24 hours. Finally, the comfy nylon strap will get you a stand-out sporty look.
Price: $414.00 USD
Aristo Aviator 38 Type A 5H100 – Sapphire
| Movement | ETA 2824-2/SW 200, élaboré |
| Dimensions | 38.5mm in diameter, 45mm lug to lug, 10.5mm thick |
| Water resistance | 100m |
Still on the topic of the best pilot watches under $500, we have the Aristo Aviator 38 Type A 5H100 – Sapphire. This timepiece fulfills the legibility criteria that pilots from the 40s back then required. It comes with a good size and dimension, which will absolutely fit most wrist sizes.
Performance-wise, this watch is powered by a Swiss-made ETA automatic caliber, with a power reserve of 40 hours. The titanium case has a satin brushed finish which adds a classy sense.
In addition, this timepiece comes on a tan leather strap with a matching titanium buckle.
Perfect for any occasion, especially if you need a smart look. How about it so far? Tough decision, don’t you think?
Price: $480.00 USD
Read also: Women’s Pilot Watches: More Than Just a Stylish Design
Marathon Pilot’s Navigator Sage Green Sterile Dial Ref. WW194001-S-SG-D
| Movement | ETA FØ6 high-torque 3 jewels Quartz movement with EOL (End-of-Life) indicator |
| Dimensions | 41mm in diameter, 48mm lugs to lugs, 13mm thick |
| Water resistance | 30m |
Another recommended affordable pilot watch falls to Marathon Pilot’s Navigator Sage Green Sterile Dial Ref. WW194001-S-SG-D. Historically, the collection of Pilot Navigator was a request of Kelley Air Force Base in the US.
Encapsulating tritium on the hour markers and handset, it gives you optimal sights even in the dark for more than 24 hours. With the traditional Swiss ETA quartz movement, it guarantees a high timekeeping accuracy which every pilot surely needs.
Last but not least, the appearance exudes a sense of masculinity and sturdiness through the matte green case it has.
Price: $420.00 USD
Steinhart Nav B-Uhr 44mm Automatic A-Type
| Movement | ETA 2824-2/SW 200, élaboré |
| Dimensions | 44mm in diameter, 52mm lug to lug, 14.2mm thick |
| Water resistance | 30m |
Also presented by Steinhart in its pilot watches collection, this timepiece looks mesmerizing with its blue-colored hands. This Steinhart Nav B-Uhr 44mm Automatic A-Type is powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement, resulting in high accuracy. Not only that, the watch comes with a Pilot-style brown strap and double rivets.
Most importantly, Steinhart watches have a 2-year international warranty, which allows you to get any support, parts, or services you need for your purchased timepieces.
Price: $500.00 USD
Final Thought
Searching for the best pilot watches under 500 is not an impossible task. Here, Gnomon Watches has tried to ease you with our list of well-crafted watches at affordable costs.
Along with the excellence in movements, precision timekeeping, and legibility, the brands we listed above have demonstrated value without sacrificing quality.
On that note, we would like to highlight that every brand comes with its unique points. Then, it is on you to decide which one is the best affordable pilot watch that suits your style and needs. Have you arrived at your ultimate choice?
