Rubber B produces custom rubber watch bands for timepieces from a variety of leading global watchmakers, including Rolex, Tudor, and Panerai, as well as several others. Our complete product catalog features straps in various colors, textures, and styles, and each one of our watch bands is made solely from 100% vulcanized rubber.
The relationship between horology and aviation is a uniquely intertwined one. Successful innovations in the field of watchmaking have helped to make piloting planes significantly easier over time. This was especially true in the 1940s and 50’s when commercial aviation was still in its infancy as an industry.
In honor of this unique history, Rubber B has decided to produce a list of what we believe to be the best pilot watches of the year. We will begin by defining what, exactly, a pilot watch is, and then further explore some of our favorite timepieces that meet this definition. We will also recommend Rubber B watch straps that pair well with these watches.
What is a Pilot Watch?
It is important to note at the outset that this is a somewhat challenging question to answer. The history of aviation and that of making watches have been intertwined for several decades. When commercial flying first began to truly expand as a business in the late 1940s, pilots were heavily reliant on their watches to do their jobs. At the time, there were no computers to keep track of time zones or what day and time it was.
Today, pilots are far less reliant on watches to help them operate their aircraft. Most commercial and cargo flights are largely automated and handled by computer operating systems.
However, the beautiful legacy of pilot watches is still alive and well. We will define a pilot watch as any watch that could help a pilot do their job more effectively. This is most commonly seen in watches that allow the wearer to tell the time in multiple time zones while only using one watch.
Rolex – Rolex GMT-Master II
It only seems fitting to have the first watch on this list be the very timepiece that introduced the concept of the “pilot watches” to the general public. Though it is not the first pilot watch, the Rolex GMT-Master II was largely responsible for linking aviation and horology in the minds of the general public.
This watch was originally crafted for Pan American pilots in the 1940s. Although it would not become available to the general public for several years afterward, today it remains one of Rolex’s more popular watches.
You can see Rubber B’s complete collection of GMT Master rubber watch straps here.
Tudor – Black Bay GMT
Initially founded as Rolex’s cost-friendly sister company, Tudor has become one of the most respected names in watchmaking over the last several decades. Along the way, the company has managed to forge a unique identity of its own by simultaneously honoring its predecessor and improving on that predecessor’s work, making a watch that is genuinely unique onto itself.
While directly inspired by Rolex’s GMT-Master product line, Tudor’s Black Bay GMT manages to take the precision and craftsmanship that its sister company is known for and reimagine it in a design style that is uniquely Tudor’s. The result is a watch that has become one of the company’s flagship product lines in recent years.
Rubber B’s complete collection of watch straps for the Tudor Black Bay GMT is available here.
IWC – Big Pilot’s Watch IW501001
IWC has attained something of a legendary status in the field of making pilot watches, as they have done so since 1936, making them one of the earliest companies to produce these kinds of watches. The IWC Big Pilot’s watch takes a vintage World War II era design and updates it for the modern consumer without losing any of the vintage panache.
Rubber B has straps available for this watch here.
Are You in Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today
No fillers or additives are used in Rubber B’s watch straps, and each strap is non-toxic and non-allergenic, as well as being FDA and BVGG compliant. Rubber B also offers both domestic and international shipping to its clients based on their current location.
If you would like to learn more about our complete list of products, shipping policies, pricing, or have questions about our custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of our valued team members will be happy to answer your inquiry in a timely manner.
Follow Us on Instagram
