Inspired by aviation, modern-day pilot-style watches are as iconic today as ever, gaining popularity for their impressive functionality and stylish aesthetics. Pilot wristwatches have been long associated with aviation history since its humble beginnings, especially for the use in the military for flight calculations; it is often known as one of the most essential tools of a pilot. Steinhart introduced their latest pilot chronograph model in a well-sized manner that would definitely spark an interest for chronograph lovers.
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Steinhart Nav B-Chrono 42 Classic A-Type Black
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The Steinhart Nav B-Chrono 42 Classic A-Type Black is housed in an impeccably constructed 42mm 316L stainless steel case, which is done in the satin-brushed finish at both the top of the lugs and the side of the case. The case matches the nature of a classic chronograph piece with a full-polished bezel that sits well within the mid-case. And at 42mm, a major sized down from the usual 44mm versions, adds to the comfort of wearing it throughout the day without feeling bulbous about it. The case height measures in at 16mm that balanced off the overall sizing. Further usage of a lug width of 20mm to fit your favorite choice of straps.
This Chrono comes supplied with a double-rivet black leather strap equipped with a matching steel buckle with a signed Steinhart engraved logo, resulting in much complete package of a Pilot watch.
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| ETA Valjoux 7750 Elaboré |
Diving into the dial, things are as utilitarian as it gets. Steinhart uses a matte smokey black dial that features two main subdials to register elapsed minutes and hours for the chronograph function at the 12 and 6 o'clock position. The gradient effect allows to draw the attention of its wearer when looks at it, whereby the lighter shade of greyish black starts to get darkened towards its periphery. In this particular genre, the darkest portion on the dial works well to increase legibility of the minute rehaut, in which is essential when the user activates and record the elapsed time through the chronograph function.
Along with the two main sub dials done in deeper black tone, this model also includes a second-hand running dial at the 9 o'clock position. The Arabic indexes, hands, and markings on the dial are treated with BGW9 Superluminova lume, which appears white in daylight and glows a cool blue in the dark. One of the key aspects of pilot watches are the prominent minute and hour hands to tell the time at a glance.
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| Super Luminova BGW9 |
Steinhart went with a cleaner format on this chrono, where the date and day complication that rests on the 3 o'clock position, was totally removed for a cleaner aesthetic. The dial is protected with a domed sapphire crystal treated with double anti-reflective coating on the crystal's underside to provide superior scratch resistance and pleasant viewing angles.
The chronograph movement powering the Steinhart Nav B-Chrono 42 Classic A-Type Black is the Swiss-made ETA Valjoux 7750 Elaboré Premium automatic 25 jewel movement, which features a 48-hour power reserve 4Hz beat rate of 28,800 beats per hour (BPH). The ETA Valjoux 7750 has been proven to be a highly respected movement that is robust and reliable. It is widely used even by many other prestigious Swiss watch brands. The movement is visible with its 316L stainless steel exhibition case behind the watch that showcases the movement's golden rotor with Steinhart's logo. Underneath the rotor, the movement is also tastefully decorated with blue screws, circular graining, and Geneva stripes.
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Open caseback
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For the first time with a more appropriate sizing pilot-themed chronograph, the Steinhart Nav B-Chrono 42 Classic A-Type Black offers incredible value for a Swiss-made mechanical chronograph with the ever-reliable ETA Valjoux 7750 Elaboré Premium automatic movement together that is housed in a classic pilot case. The watch is undoubtedly built for the task. It would be an impressive addition to your collection as an essential tool to watch and a piece that has a versatile and classy aesthetic. This is one of the inspired pilot chronographs that watch-complication lovers wouldn't want to miss!
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