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Innovative collections cleared for take-off

The functions on the latest aviation-inspired watches are becoming so consistent with those of an aircraft that they can aid a pilot in navigation if some of a plane's functions fail.

While many brands are producing aviation-style watches, some go beyond the call of duty by designing watches in collaboration with pilots to try to break the mould with innovations. And pilots are welcoming these functions as they can enhance the safety of their lives and those of their passengers.

The latest aviation-inspired timepiece from Fortis is the B47 Calculator. It was developed following pilots' specifications to fulfil the demands of all typical flight parameters. The watch can also be used for simple calculations in the same manner as slide rules were used before the advent of electronic calculators. It can assist as a professional navigating instrument if the electronic systems on an aircraft should fail.

Mathias Fah, Asia sales manager for Fortis, said the company had developed the watch in collaboration with leading pilots from around the world who are already wearing Fortis watches.

'We fully understand the requirements of leading pilots, which is why the watch can fulfil the needs for a typical flight's parameters,' he said.

'I think pilots look for a watch that 'speaks' to them. They look for something that can be used in everyday life, with good quality, water resistance, legibility, long life and a brand that they can sympathise with. Fortis has a lot of experience in developing pilots' watches and has been doing so for years.'

The particular specifications of the watch that meet the requirements of pilots include a large dial to maintain legibility, a concentration on real flight applications, three time zones and a conversion table on the back.

A separate time zone is available for use as a 24-hour indicator. The bezel is intended for the countdown function and the setting of another time zone.

Richard Mille has taken some inspiration from United States space agency Nasa for the design of the RM021, which has yet to be released. President and chief executive Richard Mille said it would be available in the near future. 'It was shown as a prototype only recently, and the very first pieces are being delivered very soon indeed.'

Mille added: 'The materials used in the RM021 are, like many of my timepieces, unique to watchmaking, and the special honeycombed titanium alloy used in the baseplate of this watch is the same as used by Nasa and other aeronautics firms to prevent wing warpage at high speeds and temperatures. It is not easy to work with and very tough, but it also looks very good when it is used in a 'naked' way for my watches. In reality, you would never get to see this material inside a wing.'

Sounding as if it is just short of being able to fly a plane, this new watch is set to raise the interest of aviation buffs.

'A watch can't fly by itself, but what I can do is give the emotional connection to aircraft and the stratosphere. So the RM021 is a watch with a direct link to supersonic flight, and there is nothing like it in the market,' Mille said.

Although not the most recently launched product in this area, the Omega Speedmaster GMT Solar Impulse is definitely up there with the most inspiring products on the market.

It was launched at Baselworld 2008 and the concept was created in honour of the Solar Impulse Project. The aim of this project is for a plane to circumnavigate the globe powered only by the sun in 36 hours. Omega has been providing the project with capital and engineering technology to reach its goal.

The watch mixes sporty design and cutting-edge technology. 'Along with a central hour, minute and chronograph seconds hand, there is also a central GMT hand, with an aircraft-shaped pointer, which completes one rotation in 24 hours and can be used to read a second time zone. The central GMT hand, with an indicator arrow and the word 'north', can be used for compass orientation when the sun is shining,' a company spokesman said.

'The 44.25mm case is fashioned of brushed, polished titanium and is presented either on a matching titanium bracelet or a rubber strap designed especially for the watch.'

The Speedmaster GMT Solar Impulse is a numbered edition and its number is engraved on the case back.

More recently, Oris has launched the Blue Eagles Limited Edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its aviation partner, the Blue Eagles Helicopter Display Team. The limited edition is based on the watches from the BC4 aviation collection. 'The shape of the case is unmistakably Oris BC4, but this model is bigger and the top ring and case back are coated in black DLC for a standout look. The stainless steel case centre is silver, giving the watch a distinctive two-colour, sandwich construction,' a company spokesman said.

The full 24-hour display is a first for Oris and offers an invaluable full overview of the time. The Oris Quick Lock Crown system prevents accidental adjustments in a world where split-second timing is essential and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Fortis B47 Calculator Oris Blue Eagles Limited Edition Omega Speedmaster GMT Solar Impulse

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