1927, Key West, Florida: Pan American Airlines started running mail from Key West to Cuba. They started with humble beginnings in a small location on an island 90 miles from Cuba. Over the years, Pan Am grew and grew along with a growing list of firsts in the airline industry. Being the first airline to complete a round-the-world flight was one of those firsts.
By the 1950s, Pan Am became a household name. In 1953, Rolex created a watch for pilots, the GMT Master 6542. The watch made for Pan Am may have been a white dial version reference 6254. In 1958, Pan Am started using jets to cross the Atlantic, bringing rise to the term "Jet Set." Jet set refers to the people who would jet off to Pan Am's exotic locations. By the end of the 1960s, Pan Am was still a household name and was synonymous with glitz, glamour, and exotic locales. With panache like that, it is no wonder a brand with as much history and as well-known as Pan Am would want to get together. That company is as much of a household name as Pan Am, yet unlike Pan Am, they can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'.
Pan Am, died off in 1991, but Timex, has continued to tick on. Yet, Pan Am is still known today as the standard in the golden age of travel. In Timex's release of the Timex Pan Am watches, they have captured the golden age of airline travel for the jet set. Timex released two Pan Am co-branded watches, a 3-hand day date, and a chronograph watch.
The 3-hand watch comes in a box with vintage aviation graphics and old Pan Am logos. The packaging transports you to the golden age of jet travel instantaneously. The watch is sitting on a Pan Am blue pillow and is striking. The blue of the dial has a nice depth to it that reveals itself in various lights. The contrast of the white markers and full Arabic numerals makes them stand out and are very easy to read. It comes on a nice brown 20mm leather strap with a solid vintage-style taper and white stitching. The 42mm case is a nice blend of polished and brushed finishes, giving it the right amount of flash and not too much.
Its large dial, Arabic numerals, and onion crown make this a classic pilot watch. It is unmistakable that it has vibes like some pricier large pilot watches. What makes this watch a Pan Am watch is more than the dial color and branded throwback packaging. It's more than the large pilot watch feels you get from it. It's the small details and the not-so-small inclusion of Pan Am branding. First and most notable is the large Pan Am logo above the 6 o'clock. The rivets in the watch band have the Pan Am logo in them also in blue. From there the face of the crown has the logo etched in it as well, also in blue. Flipping the watch over reveals a large logo on the case back. Pan Am is everywhere you look on this watch. While it's in your face, it does have its subtlety like adding the blue to the etching of the rivets and crown. There are some more subtle details too, the airplane wing style on the second hand for instance. Also, the lining of the leather watch band is a Pan Am blue, a touch that is only for the enjoyment of the wearer.
The dial comes across as very large, considering it is a pilot watch this isn't surprising. With the beautiful blue though, it's makes for more of it to love. The proportions of its 42mm case and 20mm lug width feel good and give it a dominating wrist presence.
While this watch is wonderful, it's not without its drawbacks. One of those drawbacks is that the second hand is not lined up and hitting every mark. Would I like it if it were perfect? yes of course. Second, the leather strap. In general, I like it. It has a nice stiffness and thickness to it, the severe taper is fine. The white contrast stitching and blue liner are a nice touch that I love. My problem is a love-hate relationship with the rivets. They look cool, they add to the vintage pilot watch vibe and I love the logo in it. But they add a stiffness to the strap. They sit right at the wrist bone and are noticeable. It makes the watch sit higher on the wrist than it needs to. I like the strap for the most part, again it's not a total deal breaker. Of course, your mileage may vary. The other thing is straps. I have been struggling to find an alternative strap combo for this. Especially something for summer, as I don't love to wear leather straps in summer. It's a touch too dressy for a NATO strap, but it's possible I haven't found the right one. The same would go for a paratrooper strap. I've tossed around the idea of a sailcloth strap which could work, but I've yet to try it. What I did find to work was an inexpensive jubilee bracelet I got from Amazon. It looks great and plays well with the whole vintage vibe thing.
If it isn't obvious, I love this watch. I am an aviation fan and have been since my dad would take me to watch planes land at the airport as a kid. I had to wait to get this one, they sell out fast when they are in stock. I was smitten with this right away. The golden age of aviation speaks to me and is an era I wish I could take my DeLorean back to and enjoy for myself. This watch evokes the feel of that jet set panache and it does it well. It's more than another watch as some may argue. it is its own thing all on its own. It's not without its drawbacks, but it makes up for them in style and panache. Like Frank Abagnale said "Do you know why the Yankees always win the pennant? Pinstripes." It's a great watch for traveling or sitting at your desk wishing you were traveling. The biggest drawback for people will be the copious amounts of Pan Am branding all over this watch. Then it's not the watch for you. But if you're like me, God help you, and you love aviation and the golden age of passenger aviation, this watch is for you. If you think for a second you like this, grab one, I'm sure you won't regret it, I know I didn't.
So put your seats up and your tray tables in the upright and locked position, this watch is cleared for take-off. Don't worry you will be flying first class all the way.
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