Zodiac Aerospace Jet

The emergence of transcontinental flights in the 1950s saw changing needs in wrist wear.

For pilots who found themselves ferrying passengers across continental lines, conventional timepieces would no longer suffice. They needed a watch that could tell time in two time zones simultaneously. Although pocket watches with a GMT function did exist, they would prove impractical for the fast-paced environs of an airplane cockpit.

The most successful of these was the Rolex GMT Master, designed exclusively with the needs of Pan Am pilots in mind.

But the GMT Master, for all its appeal, didn’t have one feature that many pilots desired: a 24-hour dial.

This watch, the Zodiac Aerospace Jet, does.

Following on the heels of the Sea Wolf, Zodiac’s first dive watch, the Aerospace Jet (which first saw life as the Hermetic) was Zodiac’s foray into the wonderful world of pilot’s watches. The Aerospace Jet had, like the Glycine Airman before it, a 24-hour dial. But unlike the other versions of Zodiac Aerospace Jet, with a 12 hour dial and a 24 hour bezel, or the Rolex GMT Master, the Zodiac Aerospace Jet was a true 24-hour watch, with the hour and minute hands only going around the dial once in a 24-hour span.

Debuting as it did in the middle of the Vietnam War, it found a home on the wrists of helicopter and jet pilots. By the 1970s, the watch took on the moniker by which it is now known: the Aerospace Jet. From the swamps of Southeast Asia to the shores of South Beach, the Aerospace Jet had arrived.

This particular example is a later one from the 1970s, with a handsome black dial.

Sturdy and stylish, it will be a trusty companion for daily life—whenever, and wherever, you decide to take it.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.