Digital watches and an over 40 pilot's aging eyes

[TimeOnTarget]

We have all talked about the history and lore behind watches like the Rolex GMT, Glycine Airman, and others. They are classics, and I love them too. But lately I have suffered from the inevitable march of time and my once eagle eyes simply don't work like they did 20 years ago. I never even thought about it when I started flying in the military 22 years ago, but now I need reading glasses especially when I am tired. And I am tired most of the time as I am a long haul pilot these days.

The advancement of technology has produced digital watches that are chock a block full of features that would make a navigator from the 1950's marvel. Modern cockpits have eliminated the need for flight engineers and navigators altogether.

I have gradually migrated to using digital watches almost exclusively. I usually carry a mechanical backup for off duty like my Raven Sub for example. The digitals provide larger displays that are easier to read and they perform so many more valuable functions as well. One feature that I find very helpful is the 24 hour countdown timer. Many watches only offer a 60 minute timer, but that is no use on a 12 hour trans Pacific flight. Time zones don't really matter while we are flying. I am more concerned with the total time of the flight and various times to events, like when and how long do I spend in rest. The countdown timer is very useful for this. Of course, world time is great and world atomic updating is very convenient. So, all of this leads me to show you the digitals in my stable so that you can see for yourself. I just bought an Armitron from Sears for $27 USD. Sometimes you find a little gem and so far, I am really impressed with this cheap dynamo!



This Armitron has the largest and easiest to read display of any watch so far. The functions are intuitive and easy to use. At this price point, you could buy several of them and not even worry about it.



Notice how clearly the countdown timer is displayed. You will see in the following pictures that this is not true of all the more expensive and certainly better quality watches.



Suunto displays the main time in the center and the countdown on the bottom row. Not too bad, but I would rather have it in the center.



The Pathfinder displays the remaining hours on the top row, and I find the numbers a bit small sometimes.





The Zulu is OK, but can be taxing on tired eyes without reading glasses also.

[Piloto]

Nice review!

Funny how that works. I've always sworn by my Aerospace's, but as I am rapidly approaching 50, the small LED displays can be difficult in just the right lighting conditions. Lately, I have been finding myself just wearing one of my mechanical analogs half the time, and simply relying on my I-phone for an alarm. I mainly just use the Aerospace as a GMT anyway. I may even list the Aerospace on "the bay" here shortly. Who'd of thought... When I was in my 20's with 20/15 vision, I said this would NEVER happen to me.

I'd say that Armitron is a player if I ever get another digital quartz. Thanks for the intel. Keep us posted on how it holds up. Back in my tactical days, I wore a $25 Timex ironman for years without a problem. I bet this Armitron holds up well also. Heck, for $27, just buy a new watch when the battery gives up. That's how I rolled with the Timex. Sometimes, price is not everything.

Again, thanks for the info!

[Dennis Smith]

Very interesting report.
I'm with you at 44...just when I'm tired
But you'd have to pry a mechanical watch from my cold hands.
At least for now.
And of course my professional timing needs are different than yours at the moment....helo vs long haul. I just have the commute to the other side of the world every six weeks.

[Dark30]

The "useability" here in the higher end watches is part of what I call Marketing.

It is quite similar to when people talk about fishing lures, if you think about it a "successful" fishing lure does not catch fish, it catches fishermen! The same with some watches, they are compared by how long the list of features runs down the page and not how useable the features of that watch may be when it is actually being worn, especially by a busy person.

Similar to other ironies in life, watches are built backwards- the cheap ones should have all the tiny dials and features so you can afford them while your eyes can still make out all those tiny numbers and pointers, and the expensive ones should have the simple dials with big numbers so when you can afford those you can still read them!

[TimeOnTarget]

So true Dark30!

I find life's ironies more and more interesting as the time goes by. It is a journey. Things that used to matter seem insignificant now. I find myself longing for simplicity.

@ Dennis- Keep your head down over there!

[Dennis Smith]

Will do bud. The Spring Offensive was interesting this year.

[Precise]

Hi TimeOnTarget,

I like the looks of that Armitron. The contrast appears better than the average LCD digital in the photo. Is it, really that high in contrast?

Here's one that you will probably also like:

In Praise of the Timex Vibrating Alarm Watch

Although not mentioned in my writeup, the countdown timer fills the screen. And, mentioned in this link below is its fine accuracy.

High Accuracy Timex?

I generally find Timex accuracy to be better than average. This watch is running +2 seconds per month.

It has a lot to like for under $30. My ears, like your eyes, are fading. I can't hear a quartz watch alarm - even in a quiet place. And in a cockpit - forget it. But this vibrating alarm alerts me anywhere.

I also like the fact that when I use a function (such as timer), one press of the mode button returns me to the home screen (time and date). No need to step through all the modes.

Finally, it has real spring bars and takes any 22mm strap. Rubber makes for sweat on my wrist. So I've changed that to a cloth strap.

Alan

[TimeOnTarget]

Yes, the Armitron has a wonderfully crisp display.

I really like the looks of that black Timex Field watch of yours.

If memory serves me, the Timex Vibrating watch does not have dual time. Is that right?

[KOB.]

Ahh, the over 40 (well over 50 actually) eyes. I fly bug smashers and as a useful watch I find the CASIO Protrek Tough Solar hard to beat.

There is a lot of stuff you don't need, but can display GMT (UTC) and local time on the watch face. The count up/count down timers are good (the alarms are a bit quiet), but as a functional watch and with high readability I personally find it great.

Having said that, I now wear a Steinhart Nav-B Auto Chrono 47mm. I love this watch. It might not be as 'functional' as the CASIO, but it is easy to 'at a glance' read and it does have the understated chrono as well. There is no dual time on this (there is on Steinhart's aviation models, but I don't like them). It's also a tad more expensive than the CASIO. This is now in the range simply of personal preference...

KB

[cal..45]

I really like the looks of that black Timex Field watch of yours.

Yes, the Expedition with vibration alarm gotta be one of the best values in the digital watch world, I love mine to death.

If memory serves me, the Timex Vibrating watch does not have dual time. Is that right?

Your memory is correct, it even has triple time


cheers