IWC makes their classic pilot watch in 36mm size, which would be perfect. I'd also suggest a 36mm or 32mm Breitling Chronomat or Navitimer for something more elegant and contemporary.
this post was submitted on 26 Nov 2023
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Breitling navitimer?
As long as it's not a 45mm+ IWC, it'll be just fine. Those are meant to be wore over cloths, and be as legible as possible. A ladies IWC defeats the point.
Cartier Santos was originally a pilot watch, that might work
This is the best answer hands down.
Abingdon makes watches specifically for women, including pilots.
38mm Speed master
Breitling Aerospace - older models were 40mm iirc
Hmmm. I may be totally off base here. Pilot watches are cool and stuff but they honestly seem like oversized field watches. Idk. From someone that's dated a girl that likes watches as well, often times aesthetic and form beats purpose and functionally. A slide rule watch would be cool or a chronograph with a tachymeter. That's all dope and all for the job. But I think something like a Hamilton Pioneer Pilot would be just as fitting. 36mm. 9.95mm thick. Easily readable and I have to imagine super comfortable to wear. Functional while also leaving room to dress up or down. Idk. That to me seems like a gift I'd give.
But ultimately when it comes to watches. You honestly just gotta ask them what they want or even if they're going to wear one.
I think an even better way to gift her a watch would be to take her to the local watch dealer and see what she likes, let her try different ones on and pick one out together. Then she'll have that memory along with the watch.
I love the idea - but honestly, I'd take her watch-.shopping. Most men have different tastes in watches, getting excited about the "right" tool-watch and heritage. The women I know are more conscious of the aethetics.
I'd also get her shopping because showing up as a rookie pilot with a dedicated 5k IWC Pilot watch on the first day may not be the message she wants to send to her colleagues. If she shows up with something more generic - like a Rolex or a Cartier - that may be more what she wants to communicatr, and the latter is something her female friends will likely appreciate more than some story about a historical pilot's tool watch.
Just some ideas to think about. You obviously know her tastes much better than we do :)