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Titoni Airmaster Pilot
Titoni has released a new model, the Ttioni Airmaster Pilot. Well, I call it pilot, but technically it has a long model number no one will remember-73906 T-ST-723. I call it the pilot and it is the quintessential pilot watch in my opinion, the classic look of a pilot watch, much like the Big Pilot from IWC, but this one has a vintage aesthic about it, and unlike a lot of pilot watches, this one is sized at 43mm, which I feel is a great size. Its also COSC certified, has a sandwich dial, comes in 2 colors, and a really beautiful case back.
Specifications
- 43mm Grade 5 Titanium Case
- 12.2mm Thick
- 22mm Lug Width
- 50mm Lug Width
- 5.2mm Crown
- 85.8 Grams
- Sapphire Crystal
- COSC Sellita SW200-1 Movement
- 100m Water Resistant
- Brown Leather Strap
Price $2300
https://www.titoni.ch/en/collection/gents-watches/airmaster/detail/us/73906-t-st-723.html
This new Titoni Airmaster Pilot is a lovely piece, a piece I have become fond of the more I wore it, photographed it, etc. I say that as there are two things that I want to see changed, but there is a charm about this watch that I just can’t shake. On paper, this is a titanium watch with a black sandwich dial, vintage-colored lume, and a brown leather strap. There are countless watches available that would match that same description, yet this watch keeps jumping out at me more and more.
Is it the refinement and simplicity? Is it the matte dial? Is it the overall finishing? Is it all of those things combined? The answer is yes. The case isn’t anything different as far as design and style, but as usual, with Tiitoni, it is well machined and finished, with beautiful brushed surfaces with a polish chamfer on the top of the case that runs down into the very curved lugs, and a small polished section under the bezel area.
***I need to put in a big edit here. Not only is the case finishing beautiful, but this is an all brushed and polished chamfered grade 5 titanium watch. I incorrectly stated in the video and the original version of this review, that it was stainless steel, as I missed that it was titanium, and I saw it stated elsewhere that it was stainless steel.
Surprisingly, at the very tip of the lugs, on the underside, they are a little sharp to the touch, something I was not expecting. You never feel this on the wrist, and it may be something most people will never notice, but I feel it is worth pointing out.
And if I am pointing out things that surprised me, I might as well point out the other, and that is that the crown does not screw down. Again, to some, this may be a complete non-issue, but I prefer the extra security of a screw-down crown, especially for a watch that would be a daily driver.
Fortunately, the Titioni Airmaster Pilot does have 100m of water resistance, and in my time with it, I have not encountered any issues, it’s just something I prefer. All that said, I adore this crown. It is not your typical pumpkin or diamond-style crown, it is kind of a mash of both, and not only is it gorgeous with the machining and the plum blossom logo, but it is very easy to grip. This is a one-position crown as well, as this is a no-date dial and a no-date movement.
The dial of this Titoni Airmaster Pilot is available in two colors currently, this matte black dial and what Titoni calls a silver dial. On the website, the silver dial looks more like a light cream, but I have seen pics on their social media where it does look silver. Both are sandwich dials, both have large hands, and what I consider a restrained dial for Titoni. I know some are probably looking at the large text or the cursive Airmaster text, but I think this watch and design, it’s well balanced, compared to some of their other models like the Seascoper, where many have complained about the size and amount of dial text.
Both versions use these large sword-style hands. I say sword style as they do not come to a point, rather they square off at the tip, and these hands are ones used on a few other Aimraster models. The hands are steel and have a noticeable brushed finish, including on the thin stick second hand, which some have remarked should have been lumed instead of just plain brushed steel.
The stencil sandwich marker cutouts are nice and clean, and easy to read, and while I am not always a fan of this old radium lume paint color, I do have to say, that is another thing that has grown on me. It just works on this dial, and this style of watch, and does give it that vintage charm.
As you can see on the dial and case back, this is a chronometer, meaning the movement is COSC-certified. This Titoni Airmaster Pilot is an SW200-1, which is a widely used movement. Like a lot of Swiss movements, there are levels or grades, so no, this is not the same SW200 you find in a $600 microbrand, but Titioni does have their manucature movement, the T10, which would have been nice to see in this $2300 watch.
The titanium case back is not showing off that COSC SW200-1 either, we have a beautifully engraved case back with a depiction of a male pilot from the 40s. I am not sure if this artwork is meant to depict or have a likeness to someone in history, but either way, if you are a fan of solid casebacks with some great artwork, this is a great example.
Sizing for pilot watches has been all over the spectrum through the years but generally, pilot watches have gone from large (37.5mm in 1936) to 55mm for Nav B-UHR watches, and the IWC Big Pilot standard size is 46mm. So this Titoni Airmaster Pilot is again in the middle. It’s not small, but not oversized, and while 43mm is considered large to some watch enthusiasts these days, I think it looks and wears fantastically on my 7 1/2 inch (19.05cm) wrist. It’s just the right size for this style of watch, as a watch to be worn casually and not while piloting a fighter jet in a war. The crown doesn’t dig into the back of my hand or wrist, and I just like how it feels on the wrist throughout the day.
Unfortunately, there is one issue, and that comes from the brown leather strap. This is a beautiful dark caramel brown leather strap, with minimal stitching, wax-burnished edges, and a very nice signed solid titanium buckle. It also has somewhat unique buckle holes as they look like little windows, perfect little squares that just really caught my eye.
What it doesn’t have, is length. This strap measured 110 x 75mm, which I find to be not only short for myself but also for a 43mm watch. It would be nice if they offered it in a longer length as it just barely fits my wrist.
The Lume of the Titoni Airmaster Pilot is pretty solid, though the hands do stay brighter than the lume coming from the dial underneath. While it is all very vibrant after a charge or hit with the sunlight, expect the numerals to dim first. That said, I still found it to be easy to read 5 hours after hitting with a UV light for 30 seconds.
As I stated, I find this Titoni Airmaster Pilot to be a very charming example of a classic pilot watch. The overall finishing is superb, it looks great both on and off the wrist, and with a COSC movement, it keeps excellent time for an automatic watch. I also love how they did the titanium, it looks like stainless steel, but has a slightly different sheen, and the brushing with polished chamfers is expertly done.
I would love to see longer straps and a screw-down crown, the crown being subjective on my part, but other than that, it’s another great example from Titoni. Even at 43mm, I find this to be a great watch for everyday wear, or if it’s a little too casual for your weekly wear, it. great watch for the weekend. It is not exactly cheap but I think the quality is up to par with other watches at this price point as well.
For more info, head over to the Titoni Website.
