Ask many people what an altimeter watch is and they flat have no clue. Almost like a question on a game show could be, for the million dollars, but they aren’t a new space age device, they have in fact been around and kicking since the time man very fist took to the skys with any real ability. An altimeter, simply put, is an instrument used to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level. An altimeter is a watch used by pilots to help them with their navigations and flight plans, and any pilot can tell you that a quality timepiece is a priceless artifact in the air. If you are looking for just such a device, but need a little help fishing through the ins and outs of this item, take a quick read and learn a thing or two about buying a good altimeter.
Who to Buy For
When you look into buying something like this for someone, it is going to be a very close personal relationship. And that is a good thing, because if you don’t know the person exceptionally well, you just aren’t going to be able to get them the right watch. Good ideas as a gift include for fathers, brothers, children, and very close friends. A retiring co worker that mentored you when you became a pilot might be a good idea, or a son who has just graduated flight school might appreciate such a gift. Ranking military personnel might really appreciate such a gift, when they leave the Air Force or Navy, and given thoughtfully, these gifts tend to stick to a person their whole life long. Don’t try to buy something like this for someone you don’t know super well though, it is too expensive a gift in the first place and an altimeter watch is something extremely personal in the first place, you are unlikely to make a good match for someone you don’t know very well.
What to Look For
The biggest thing you are going to want to take into account is quality. There is going to be no other factor that weighs as heavily on your purchase as this. No matter what, an altimeter watch is an extremely expensive item and the last thing you want is an inferior product. Other than that, what to look for is going to depend solely on who it is for. If it is for you, great, you probably already know exactly what you want, and getting it is a matter of simply handing over the cash for it. Breitling probably makes the best altimeter watch on the market, but be warned. There are a huge amount of these altimeters on the market which are in fact counterfeits, and Breitling will not service them, or any product that you purchase online so I implore anyone shopping for this product to buy from a registered authorized dealer. This will bring the cost up considerably, but what you are buying for cheaper is likely a fraud, and in my opinion you are by far better to purchase the more expensive item, knowing that it is the real deal. There are a few other manufacturers out there; you will have to decide which is right for you.
Buying the right kind of altimeter watch is going to depend largely on what it is being used for and the personal preference of who is going to be wearing it. That is to say, do not buy a woman’s watch for a man, but more specifically (and much less obviously) make sure that the timepiece really fits the person it is being purchased for, including if it is for yourself. Many people just assume because they like it in a store, that they will love it on the job, but that is not the case and this is an expensive purchase, one you will not want to remake in the future so this thing had better fit you like a glove. Altimeter watches are heirlooms, items your children will likely inherit, and you will want them to last at least a few lifetimes so make sure that the purchase you make is the best one you can.
