Pilot?s watches as a genre are dominated by reinterpretations of old designs. In fact, what we?d consider as the archetypical pilot traces its roots all the way back to WWII-era German watches, and they were produced by IWC, A. Lange & Söhne, Laco, Stowa, and Wempe. For the most part, watchmakers have tinkered with this framework ever since, but the general pilot look has largely remained the same for 70 years.
Christopher Ward?s latest timepiece pulls from a lesser known source?specifically a Junghans cockpit clock used in the Luftwaffe?s mainstay Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter (sometimes erroneously called the Me 109). The new C9 Me 109 Single Pusher Chronograph handles the aesthetic deftly, creating something that feels fresh and inventive while keeping its roots firmly in the 1940s. Let?s take a deep dive into the details. Save
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The case of the C9 Me 109 Single Pusher Chronograph is, in a word, hefty. At 43mm by 51mm, it?s already on the larger side, but it?s the thickness that really puts this one over the top. At just a hair under a full 1mm, it?s sure to carry miles of wrist presence. In terms of shape, the Me 109 is pure classic Flieger, with a profile dominated by a narrow bezel and long tapering lugs from above. The defining factor from the side, then, is the oversized combination crown and monopusher. Around back, however, is the most stunning view of all. The entire backside is devoted to an oversized sapphire display back, beautifully ...