Often referred to by collectors as the 1928 German pattern pilot watch, these were a style of watches designed in the late 1920s as private aviation became more common place. The term 1928 German Patten Pilot watch, does not mean they were officially registered then or made then, it is just the name given to them as this similar style from many makers arose then. Most of these watches were from the 1930s and were popular amongst pilots, mostly in eastern countries, in particular Germany. This is not to say they were all used privately in Germany in the lead up to WW2, but quite a few were.
Before 1933, the secretly developed German Military-aircraft industry underwent the Treaty of Versailles. In Germany the reserves of many societies all grew (The ‘Deutscher Luftsportverband (DLV), German Aviation Sporting Club, the German Transport Aviators School and the covert training centre The German-Russian Transport Association). This led to a flood of glider pilots eager to learn the art of military flying for the Luftwaffe from 1934 onwards. Many of these had privately owned Flieger-Uhren. 
 
The watches were designed with thick fixed lugs, a large case dimension, a clear radium painted black dial, and rotating bezel with pointing arrow. They were true tool watches, made to help time events.
They were made by Zenith, Omega, Breitling, Tissot, Titus, Helvetia and many other known and lesser-known brands. 
 
This example is a good, original example. It maintains all its original parts and radium lume. It has been recently serviced.
 
This watch is incredibly impressive on the wrist, measuring 40.5mm square, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 46.5mm. The case is chrome plated over a Nickel base. The case is large, in a circular shape. The lugs are thick and are attached to the central section of the case. 
The top section of the case is a screw on bezel which has a thick glass. The bezel has a coin edge finish and rotates on the inner coin edge section, moving the arrow pointer inside of the glass.
 
To the rear is a double hinged case back. The lugs extend deeper than the case which allows for a large, thick strap to pass under the case back. The inside of the case back is signed “Nickel Chrome”. The inner case back is in good condition for the age watch a bright shine.
 
The dial has a black gloss base tone which is original. It is signed Titus Aero below 12 O’clock, with Swiss Made below 6 O’clock. There is a thick railroad track around the exterior which has came off in areas. The large Arabic numerals are still clear and have the original radium lume painted finish. The sub-second dial is inset and has a circular grained finish. It is marked with individual second graduations with 10 second markers signed in Arabic numerals. There is an inner chapter ring which turns with the bezel, moving the lumed hour pointer. Everything about this dial design is based around legibility, in order to help the user tell the time during night or tough conditions.
 
The hands are original and of syringe style. They have a silver base finish which has been painted with radium lume paint. 
 
The glass is thick and is original to the watch. The bevelled edge has 3 chips around it, which don’t affect the strength of the glass or the ability to view the dial.
 
The crown appears to be original as it is rugged and large, as it would need to be, in order to be operated whilst flying. It has a plated finish, which has worn slightly on the main face.
 
The movement is signed “854” and would appear to be an AS calibre. The movement is in good condition and is working well, having been recently serviced. It is keeping time to +70 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 333 degrees and a beat error of 0.4m/s.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial has a black gloss base tone which is original. It is signed Titus Aero below 12 O’clock, with Swiss Made below 6 O’clock. There is a thick railroad track around the exterior which has came off in areas. The large Arabic numerals are still clear and have the original radium lume painted finish. The sub-second dial is inset and has a circular grained finish. It is marked with individual second graduations with 10 second markers signed in Arabic numerals.
There is an inner chapter ring which turns with the bezel, moving the lumed hour pointer. 
 
Hands: 
The hands are original and of syringe style. They have a silver base finish which has been painted with radium lume paint. 
 
Glass: 
The glass is thick and is original to the watch. The bevelled edge has 3 chips around it, which don’t affect the strength of the glass or the ability to view the dial.
 
Crown: 
The crown appears to be original as it is rugged and large, as it would need to be, in order to be operated whilst flying. It has a plated finish, which has worn slightly on the main face.
 
Case:
The case is chrome plated over a Nickel base. The case is large, in a circular shape. The lugs are thick and are attached to the central section of the case. 
The top section of the case is a screw on bezel which has a thick glass. To the rear is a double hinged case back. The lugs extend deeper than the case which allows for a large, thick strap to pass under the case back. The bezel has a coin edge finish and rotates on the inner coin edge section, moving the arrow pointer inside of the glass.
There is wear to the chrome plating, consistent with age. There are no dents to the case.
 
Caseback:
The case back is in average condition for the age and the watches useage. It has wear to the Chromium plating with some pitted marks to the centre of the back. There was a serial number to the rear, but this is hard to decipher due to the wear. There is light surface scratching.
 
The inside of the case back is signed “Nickel Chrome”.
 
The inner case back is in good condition for the age watch a bright shine.
 
Strap: 
The watch is on a new Meyhofer German leather single piece strap for 20mm lugs.
 
Movement:
The movement is signed “854” and would appear to be an AS calibre.
 
The movement is in good condition and is working well, having been recently serviced. It is keeping time to +70 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 333 degrees and a beat error of 0.4m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 40.5mm 
Case width with crown: 43.5mm 
Case length: 40.5mm 
Case length lug to lug: 46.5mm 
Case Depth: 12mm 
Lug width: 24.5mm