When it comes to injecting contemporary flair into traditional horological archetypes, British independent brand Farer rarely misses the mark. The classic pilot’s watch is an undisputed cornerstone of everyday carry, but its strict adherence to vintage, utilitarian military specifications can often leave the genre feeling a bit creatively stagnant.
Enter the Farer Curtis Pilot Series II Watch. Coming in at a highly competitive £1350, this spectacular release takes the rugged functionality of a traditional aviator’s tool and executes it with a brilliant, texture-heavy, monochromatic twist that completely revitalizes the category.
A Dial in Constant Motion
The absolute star of the show here is the dial. Farer is renowned for its masterful command of colour, and the Curtis is a testament to that reputation. Beneath a domed sapphire crystal—treated with five layers of anti-reflective coating—lies a mesmerizing blue-grey guilloche dial.
Rather than settling for a flat surface, the dial is divided into twelve slightly concave duodecimal segments. As your wrist moves and the light catches the intricate texturing, opposing segments illuminate simultaneously.
The resulting optical illusion perfectly mimics the spinning blades of an aircraft propeller—an incredibly clever and deeply satisfying visual nod to its aviation roots.
Legibility is paramount in the cockpit, and Farer delivers with cutting-edge materials. The applied 3D hour markers follow a classic aviation layout—an arrow at twelve, batons at the cardinal points, and Arabic numerals elsewhere.
These are cast entirely from Lumicast, a high-tech blend of ceramic and X2 Super-LumiNova, ensuring a blistering glow in low-light conditions. Pale yellow Super-LumiNova fills the lozenge-shaped handset and the tip of the seconds hand, offering a sharp, legible contrast against the deep blue canvas.
Lightweight Titanium Takes to the Skies
A great pilot’s watch needs to be robust but never cumbersome. The Curtis hits an absolute sweet spot with a highly wearable 40mm diameter and a compact 43mm lug-to-lug span. Thanks to a slender 10.9mm profile, it slips effortlessly under a flight jacket or a tailored cuff.
The case is forged from Grade 2 Titanium, ensuring exceptional strength while keeping the watch incredibly featherweight on the wrist. Instead of leaving the metal bare, Farer has applied a rich navy blue PVD coating over a bead-blasted finish, perfectly matching the dial.
A brushed, coin-edge bezel adds a touch of rugged texture, while the oversized, conical titanium crown—inset with Farer’s signature bronze cap—makes winding a breeze, even with driving gloves on.
Honouring an Aviation Pioneer
Farer never chooses its namesakes lightly. The Curtis is a direct tribute to Eleanor Lettice Curtis, a legendary English aviator and flight test engineer. Joining the British Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in 1940, she became the first female pilot to deliver a four-engine Avro Lancaster bomber, eventually flying over 300 heavy bombers during the war. Her relentless, boundary-pushing spirit is the perfect historical anchor for a watch that refuses to stick to the status quo.
Dependable Swiss Mechanics
Underneath that blue titanium shell, the Curtis is powered by the rigorously tested, Swiss-made Sellita SW300-1 Elaboré movement. Operating at a smooth 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), this automatic calibre provides a solid 56-hour power reserve and features a hacking seconds function for precise time-setting.
True to its demanding heritage, the watch is engineered to survive the hazards of the modern cockpit. The movement is shielded by a soft iron Faraday cage, delivering robust anti-magnetic protection up to 500 Gauss, while Incabloc shock absorbers and a 100m water resistance rating guarantee it can handle whatever turbulence comes your way.
For £1350, the Farer Curtis Pilot Series II Watch offers an intoxicating blend of innovative dial architecture, lightweight materials, and genuine historical reverence. It is a triumphant, modern take on the aviator’s watch that looks just as good in the boardroom as it does thousands of feet in the air.
