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Are there any legal requirements concerning airline pilots and their watches? Do they have to be of any particular kind and are pilots required to wear one at all?

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    $\begingroup$ Closely related $\endgroup$
    – Pondlife
    Aug 18, 2019 at 22:06
  • $\begingroup$ Not worth an answer but the only thing I can think of is that it can't get in the way of operating the plane. So no Flavor Flav style -- um -- stuff. $\endgroup$
    – coteyr
    Aug 19, 2019 at 19:03

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Well, a wristwatch can't be used to sneak around the requirement that IFR requires a clock mounted in the aircraft, FAR 91.205(d)(6). A missing or inoperative clock isn't likely in a modern airliner. As far as the FAA is concerned, a wristwatch is nothing more than jewelry.

Ages ago, a wristwatch may have helped with calculating fuel burn and range, but even then, it was a convenience rather than mandated equipment.

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    $\begingroup$ FWIW, I've had my PPL since the late '70s, and have never owned or worn a wristwatch. $\endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Aug 19, 2019 at 1:14
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    $\begingroup$ BUT, if you do wear one it has to be a large, blingy, one that leaves no mistake as to your status as a cool dude pilot :) $\endgroup$
    – jwenting
    Aug 19, 2019 at 3:49
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    $\begingroup$ A pity that we have no rear bumpers to proclaim, my other cessna is a porsche. $\endgroup$ Aug 19, 2019 at 4:27
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    $\begingroup$ @CamilleGoudeseune - "My other plane is a Porsche-Mooney" may be more appropriate... :) $\endgroup$
    – ivanivan
    Aug 19, 2019 at 13:52

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