Portrait of the Swiss pilot's watch
For centuries, a crown has been used to wind and set a watch, be it a pocket watch or a wristwatch. Switzerland's oldest watchmaker is now breaking with tradition by introducing the first pilot's watch in which the crown is a fully functional rotating propeller with two blades. This allows the watch, which also has an automatic winding mechanism, to be wound by hand and the time to be set. After use, the propeller locks into its resting position and blends in with the crown protection on the case.
Due to the significantly higher forces that can be exerted on the crown and winding stem, a completely new case had to be designed to provide stable guidance for the crown.
From sketch to watch
For the pilot's watch, watch designer Stephan Messmer sketched a crown protection in the shape of a propeller. It soon became clear that the propeller had to be able to turn! It took longer than originally thought, but in the end the propeller became a reality.
The DBF009 is equipped with the calibre Felsa 692, a stock movement from 1948, which is still unused and in mint condition. The movement is robust and precise, with a well thought-out design. It has exactly what a pilot's watch needs: precision, three hands for perfect readability and the necessary stability.
Eight variants, each with 22 waches
The DBF009 is available in eight dial and case variants, each limited to 22 watches. The movement is also considered to be the original Bidynator: the first movement whose rotor wound the mainspring in both directions. It was produced until the 1950s and is still considered a pioneering movement in Swiss and international watchmaking. Thanks to an extensive stock of historic movements and spare parts, we can also guarantee the long-term availability of these movements.
