the "original" pilot's watches were done as described, a pocket watch movement, re-cased so it can be worn on the wrist.
probably in the late 20s. Of course that was a time when a timepiece was a critical navigation aid. Not like the garmin 1000 in your plane, with GPS, Weather overlay, and synthetic vision.
I remember standing in line for coffee back in the early 90s, in Boston, a guy had an unusual watch that I commented on.
he said it was a 30s pilot watch, sterling silver case, wire lugs, cloissonne dial - just extraordinary. This was what got me started on watches.
Kind of like bikes ! when you see one that is so cool, so stunning, you admire the beautiful precision craftsmanship, and you just gotta have one like it.
/markp
Last edited by mpetry912; 12-19-21 at 11:08 AM.