Latest Review
November 18, 2022 
Few brands are better at looking in the past and telling a story like Hamilton can. Founded in 1892, Hamilton is no stranger to producing a solid pilot’s watch that has even seen real time in combat. The Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph was originally issued to pilots in the British Royal Air Force in the 1970s. Featuring a rugged design and reliable movement, the Aviation Pioneer Chronograph makes an excellent everyday wear timepiece, even if it’s not flying missions over Europe and simply accompanying you on your next trip.
In addition to Hamilton’s Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph, we’ve assembled five items that are perfect for bringing along on your next flight. Whether it’s some engaging reading material, a new favorite pen that gets better with time, or a premium made-in-NYC bomber jacket to keep you warm and dry, we’ve got you covered.
Measuring in at 40mm, this hand-wound chronograph is packed with features that the vintage watch enthusiast will appreciate. Borrowing design inspiration directly from the form and function of the watch issued to RAF pilots in the 70s, this modern watch may look vintage, but packs a modern surprise inside. Making the best of Hamilton’s H-51-Si movement, the watch is capable of running for an impressive 60 hours between winds and features an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring for increased precision and reliability. The watch is a dual-register chronograph with a 30-minute counter on the right and a running seconds dial on the left. The central seconds hand starts running with a click of the top pusher, and can be reset with the bottom. Tan printing and lume adorn the face, giving it a vintage look without any of the hassles commonly associated with owning a true vintage piece.
A solid backpack should be in everyone’s gear collection—well-built, comfortable, and of course, it should look good too. Filson is known for making some of the most hard-wearing gear out there, and doing it with style. This pack is crafted from durable 500D ripstop nylon double-treated for resistance to both water and wear. It also sports a water-resistant YKK® AquaGuard® zippered pocket for access to laptop without opening main compartment. If you’re heading away for just the weekend, then toss your essentials into this carry-on compliant pack and head out.
Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Tactile Turn makes their pens 100% in house. We’re talking everything, even down to the springs inside and the custom screws. This bolt action pen features a buttery-smooth mechanism that extends the refill with ease, then snaps it back inside the pen when you’re done. Crafted from antimicrobial bronze, the body of the pen will get better with age. Starting out as with a bright golden shine, the bronze will age as you use it, picking up a patina and eventually changing to a rich, deep brown. If patina isn’t your thing, a quick shine with some metal polish and a soft cloth will have it looking new again in no time. The Bolt Action Pen features a precision bent steel clip that lets the pen ride deep in your pocket, staying out of the way until you need it.
You’ve already got the pen, so the next logical step is having somewhere to write down the memories of your trip (or your grocery list, we’re not judging). Lochby’s Field Journal takes the concept of a boring old notebook and turns it into something you’ll want to carry with you everywhere you go. Made from a durable waxed canvas and kept closed with a durable aircraft-grade aluminum clip, the Field Journal is built for travel. Inside, you’ll appreciate the extra organization pockets and pen loop. On the left side, there are several pockets for important cards, a passport, and more. On the right, you’ll find a Lochby branded journal that you can swap out for one with your preferred ruling—choose from dot grid, ruled, wide ruled, or blank. Each journal is built to last with bartack stitching and premium materials throughout.
A good book can be one of the best travel companions out there. When he’s not writing about menswear, David Coggins can be found putting words on paper about fly fishing. The Optimist is not a dry, boring manual about the technical ins and outs of fly fishing, but a collection of stories chronicling Coggins’ trips around the world. Reading through this book won’t teach you how to fish, but it will certainly make you want to learn if you don’t already know how. Beautiful descriptions of some of the best fishing locales in the world make for an entertaining read that’s hard to put down.
If your watch is built for the skies, complete the look with an authentic bomber jacket. Schott NYC makes some of the best leather garments out there. Schott has been in business making jackets out of New York City since 1913. They are the original inventors of the very first leather motorcycle jacket and are responsible for changing the way the world dressed for the outdoors. They were commissioned by the US government to make bomber jackets for the US Air Force that would keep pilots warm while flying missions high over Europe during WWII. Crafted from a durable and highly waxy buffalo leather, this jacket will feel comfortable right from the start. A genuine sheepskin collar will keep you warm on the coldest days. You can store your essentials in either of the snap closure front patch pockets, while smaller goods can live in the internal pockets. Made in the USA, this jacket from Schott is truly a buy-it-for-life garment that you’ll enjoy for decades to come.
