This is the second part of a series. The first part "The birth of aviation and the modern wristwatch" can be found at this link.
Trench watch. Louise Cartier's release of a mens wristwatch in 1911, mens wristwatches but the were still a highly expensive novelty at the time. When World War I began, military officers were still using pocket watches. Given the changes in modern warfare, with military officers often being directly involved in combat, many pocket watches were converted to trench watches. Basically, the were pocket watches with a wire loop to allow them to be strapped unto the arm of the wearer. World War I, underscored the need for the wristwatch for the military, and the trench watch changed the mens perception of wristwatches. After the First World War, mens wristwatches became more and more common place.
Trench watch. Louise Cartier's release of a mens wristwatch in 1911, mens wristwatches but the were still a highly expensive novelty at the time. When World War I began, military officers were still using pocket watches. Given the changes in modern warfare, with military officers often being directly involved in combat, many pocket watches were converted to trench watches. Basically, the were pocket watches with a wire loop to allow them to be strapped unto the arm of the wearer. World War I, underscored the need for the wristwatch for the military, and the trench watch changed the mens perception of wristwatches. After the First World War, mens wristwatches became more and more common place.
Big Pilot. Aviators would use watches them for navigation. Determining speed and time would allow them to determine distance. Watches were specially commission for use by aviators.
The Luftwaffe, the German Air Force, commissioned IWC to build large 55mm watches to be use by it air crews. In 1939 released the IWC Large 52 S.C. Calibre Pilot's Watch. About 1200 0f these watches were built.
Photo from the German Federal ArchiveThese large watches, with their larger dials and luminescent hands and markers were designed to provide maximum readability, and as they were worn outside thick flight suits, the 55 mm girth was not too large. Today IWC still manufactures a similar watch, the IWC Big Pilot's Watch, although now in a smaller 46 mm diameter given that the watch will be worn on the bare wrist of the buyer, and not over a flight suit.
While smaller than the watch designed for the Luftwaffe, the IWC Big Pilot's Watch with its 46 mm case diameter and 15 mm height is still an imposing watch.
World War II would see the wristwatch become a standard pilots tool. Navigator on aircrews would also carry a stopwatch for navigational duties.
Part III of this series can be found at this link.
While smaller than the watch designed for the Luftwaffe, the IWC Big Pilot's Watch with its 46 mm case diameter and 15 mm height is still an imposing watch. World War II would see the wristwatch become a standard pilots tool. Navigator on aircrews would also carry a stopwatch for navigational duties.
Part III of this series can be found at this link.
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