Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Whether or not you’ve ever owned a flieger this one is certainly worth a look. The Pilot 42 GMT starts around $1,090 without VAT, and while that’s no small sum, this is also no small amount of watch for the money, either.
For the level of craftsmanship on display, the price tag sets the Archimede apart as well. Shown here on a 7-inch wrist.Īltogether, the Archimede Pilot 42 GMT is a tough, do-anything design with enough quality touches and premium features to set it well apart from the pack without destroying the classic pilot aesthetic that has stood as a cornerstone of watch design for nearly eight decades.
The all-dial design does offer a ton of wrist presence, but the classic, rugged look is a great match for all sorts of casual wear.
Ordinarily, a 42mm x 51mm case would be a little outside the range of my 6.75-inch wrist, but the slim 9.5 millimeter height coupled with wrist-hugging lugs make this an easily wearable prospect even for me. That said, while the options here are diverse, this would also be a perfect candidate for a more tactical nylon band. Thick and supple with high-contrast white stitching, it’s a perfect selection for those looking for a traditional look. Our tester came in on the classic black leather option, and the strap itself is more than respectable. In terms of straps, Archimede offers a wide selection for the Pilot GMT, including black, brown, and tan riveted leather, along with a choice of engineer-style or Milanese bracelet. That said, while it may detract slightly from the purity of the 75-year-old “Type-A” flieger design, the GMT makes for an eye-catching addition that sets this one apart from the pack. After all, if you’re an aircraft pilot, it does help to know what time it is at your next destination. While GMTs are far from the most practical complication for most, they do make for a natural fit with a flieger. The GMT hand itself fits the style of the main hours and minutes but features only a half fill of lume and substitutes the glossy black for high-visibility scarlet. Inside the main hours track is a small 24-hour ring for the second time zone, coupled with the watch’s only real splash of color. Of course, what really separates this one from a more traditional flieger/pilot’s watch is the GMT complication. The black edges of the hours and minutes hands are glossy, adding just a hint of pop. It’s smoothly integrated into the inner GMT hours ring, beveled and matched to the dial color. The date window isn’t hacked into place at three o’clock like so many other fliegers. The minutes track and indices aren’t just flatly printed onto the dial instead, they’re all raised surfaces with generous portions of lume. It’s the execution, however, that sets this one apart. All of the classic flieger elements are here: elongated sword hands, bold Arabic hour markers, and a triangle at 12. Lastly, the Ickler case offers a generous view to the beating heart of the Pilot GMT around back (more on this power plant later).Īrchimede’s approach to the dial of the Pilot 42 GMT is equally elemental. That quality is readily apparent here, with smooth, even brushing throughout. Case construction is handled by specialist manufacturer Ickler in the heart of Pforzheim, Germany. This basic design belies the craftsmanship involved in production. Don’t let the simplicity fool you, however. In terms of the case design, that’s really about it. A massive, flared crown with deep grooves and the Archimede “A” is the only thing allowed to break up the elemental symmetry here. This keeps the flat, brushed sides from feeling too slab-sided and helps a 42mm diameter wear handsomely on even smaller wrists. It’s also surprisingly thin from the side, measuring a svelte 9.5mm. From above, it’s everything you need and nothing you don’t, with a narrow, brushed bezel flanked by thin, tapering lugs. The case design of the Archimede Pilot 42 GMT is spartan, but handsome in a pragmatic, German way.
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