Pilot watches- Which one is better?

[Tricolore]

Hi folks,

Recently I'm introduced to Pilot Watches by a good friend of mine. To my understanding, there are a few good ones out there, such as Laco, Steinhart, Stowa, etc etc.

Any owners of such watches here can tell me the difference, and which one is the better brand out there? (since the designs are more or less the same) Thanks folks!

[pegasi]

Why didn't you ask me last night? The queue too long iszit?

Among those 3 brands, I rank Stowa the highest in term of quality, which is reflected in their prices. The other two brands made quality watches as well but not exactly at the same level as Stowa according to my personal experience.

In term of heritage, Stowa & Laco were among the 5 companies that produced watches for the German government during WWII.

Steinhart is competitive with their prices as well as variety. They make watches with very nice design but also many "homage" including some that resemble Rolex watches, hence a bit weak in brand image imo.

There are many info on history of pilot watches on the www and this is one good read:
http://www.calibremagazine.com/node/305

[pegasi]

One more thing about Stowa.

Brand new Stowa watches are only sold via their online stop and the lead time for the popular models are usually around 3 months. In that sense the Stowa watches are not so readily accessible for us here and hence you don't see them in the local forums very often but this brand is quite popular in Europe.

[Tricolore]

Why didn't you ask me last night? The queue too long iszit?

Among those 3 brands, I rank Stowa the highest in term of quality, which is reflected in their prices. The other two brands made quality watches as well but not exactly at the same level as Stowa according to my personal experience.

In term of heritage, Stowa & Laco were among the 5 companies that produced watches for the German government during WWII.

Steinhart is competitive with their prices as well as variety. They make watches with very nice design but also many "homage" including some that resemble Rolex watches, hence a bit weak in brand image imo.

There are many info on history of pilot watches on the www and this is one good read:
http://www.calibremagazine.com/node/305

Was preoccupied with thinking about where have I seen you before, so I forgot to ask HAHAHA!

Anyways, thanks for your valuable input! ^_^ I'll take a look at the website before deciding whether I should plunge in and get one. Pilot watches seem kinda fun to have, and these few are relatively cheaper than Pilot equivalent watches such as IWC and B&R.

[Oceanklassik]

Breitling leh?

[gohaj]

IWC Big Pilot

[pegasi]

The 3 brands offer slightly varying case design and case/lug size, and I suspect that your preference in those aspects will be the deciding factors.

I love Stowa but their pilots are mainly in 40mm with a few exceptions of 41mm, which is a bit small for some people.

[Tricolore]

IWC Big Pilot

I think I mentioned that it's pretty off my budget, but that would definitely be one of my choices in the future!

Breitling leh?

Not interested in Breitling ley, like what Triton said yesterday, their models go obsolete pretty quickly. Sorry bro, but thanks for your suggestion!

The 3 brands offer slightly varying case design and case/lug size, and I suspect that your preference in those aspects will be the deciding factors.

I love Stowa but their pilots are mainly in 40mm with a few exceptions of 41mm, which is a bit small for some people.

Next time show me your Stowa ley Pegasi! Or is there any place where I can view it locally?

[roguehog]

I don't have any experience with stowa but have hard nothing hut good reviews about teir products. However,I'm not one of those daring enough to make an online purchase, especially without first seeing and trying it out in person.

So far I've only had experience with iwc, laco and steinnies. But all these ate mostly my motley stash of chronos. I've tried and fiddled with the regar steiny and laco pilots as well. My personal take is laco's finishing is far better to steiny's. but only a tad behind iwc. IMHO, both laco and iwc are in the bpl level but laco is probably mid table while iwc is in the top 5. Steiny is not in that league.

The sandblast finish on the laco us also pretty impressive.

[pegasi]

Next time show me your Stowa ley Pegasi! Or is there any place where I can view it locally?

I sold away my Stowa Pilot 2801 LE liao. click here to see some photos and comments from me if you are interested.

I still have a Stowa Marine Original, which I have posted here. I can show you this if there is a chance.

[Tricolore]

I don't have any experience with stowa but have hard nothing hut good reviews about teir products. However,I'm not one of those daring enough to make an online purchase, especially without first seeing and trying it out in person.

So far I've only had experience with iwc, laco and steinnies. But all these ate mostly my motley stash of chronos. I've tried and fiddled with the regar steiny and laco pilots as well. My personal take is laco's finishing is far better to steiny's. but only a tad behind iwc. IMHO, both laco and iwc are in the bpl level but laco is probably mid table while iwc is in the top 5. Steiny is not in that league.

The sandblast finish on the laco us also pretty impressive.

I am ok with making an online purchase, but I need to see if it fits me or not first. Looks like everyone is on Stowa's side. Seems like my choice is clear, pending on the design HAHAHA!

I sold away my Stowa Pilot 2801 LE liao. click here to see some photos and comments from me if you are interested.

I still have a Stowa Marine Original, which I have posted here. I can show you this if there is a chance.

Just looked at your review bro. IF Stowa made a watch with the front of the 2801 LE, and a caseback of the Marine Original, then that would be perfect!

[pegasi]

The Stowa vs Laco comparison is very common at the WUS and some other overseas forum, and Laco almost always lose.

Having said that I am currently looking out for a cheap Laco miyota 42mm pilot (I have owned 2 Laco ETA pilot before). 一分钱，一分货，but the watches from both brands offer great value for money compared to the so called top-of-the-league brands.

[Tricolore]

The Stowa vs Laco comparison is very common at the WUS and some other overseas forum, and Laco almost always lose.

Having said that I am currently looking out for a cheap Laco miyota 42mm pilot (I have owned 2 Laco ETA pilot before). 一分钱，一分货，but the watches from both brands offer great value for money compared to the so called top-of-the-league brands.

All the best with your acquisition! I'll see how things goes first. Stowa seems to have rave reviews but price wise, Laco seems cheaper. Will decide further when the time comes.

[alantannottam]

Archimede pilot series?
and i cannot advise anything on their quality, cos i have not owned any of them.
they just released a new pilot model in bronze, and i like the look very much.

[gohaj]

I still have a Stowa Marine Original, which I have posted here. I can show you this if there is a chance.

Keep me posted if you are selling.