When looking for an affordable Big Pilot 7-Day alternative, it did not take long to find the Maratac Pilot. It’s a proper pilot watch. It’s an automatic. It has a small seconds. And… It is BIG.

Unlike the pilot watch offerings from Hamilton or Laco, the Maratac has a more curvaceous case and a somewhat remarkable domed crystal. At 46mm across and 12.5mm thick, the Maratac Pilot has significant heft. The dial, although simple; is executed quite well. The painted markers and lume are crisp and precise. The radial textured sub dial is a highlight amidst an otherwise no-frills setting. Similarly, the hands are well finished with crisp edges and lume application. It is however the domed crystal that is the cornerstone of the Maratac Pilot’s design accomplishment. Albeit somewhat prone to distortion, it is incredibly fun to look at. It reminds me of the playful nature of Omega’s Hesalite Speedmaster Pro. Similar to the Speedmaster, the Maratac Pilot’s domed crystal evokes frequent wrist gandering.

Despite the previously described heft, the Maratac Pilot itself is not all that heavy. The approachable weight combined with the wearability of the provided Maratac Nato, makes the 46mm much more doable for medium sized wrists. That said, I will go ahead and declare it is not a good fit for smaller wrists (sub 6.5” or 16.5cm) . The case shape and finishing, although simple, are quite nice and well executed. My only complaint would be the screwdown caseback, which manages to feel “tinny”. Although it may help from a weight perspective, it makes the whole package feel a tad less sturdy. The less substantial caseback also allowed for the Miyota 8245’s rotor and escapement to echo through the case more than I would like. The crown; similar to the IWC I’ve pined over, is presented in generous proportions. But, with a twist. Its shape is more in line with a robotic onion, and it is nestled in the somewhat unconventional 4:30 position. All of which allows the Maratac Pilot to be its own thing, vs an homage to the IWC or any other pilot watch for that matter. All of which to say, at the $289 I paid; It’s hard to complain about the quality of product CountyComm has produced in the Maratac Pilot.
On the wrist, the Maratac pilot is hard to ignore. The 46mm form factor and domed crystal are a recipe for attention. This piece by CountyComm has easily garnished me more questions than any other watch I have owned. In terms of usability, the crown is screw-down and the piece is rated at 100M of water resistance, but this is not a seafaring watch for my use. As mentioned, the weight is lighter than expected when considering the scale of the watch. The lug to lug width does not seem to improve on wearability of the 46mm shape, but their curved shape does. On my 7.25” wrist I would call it “slightly too large” for my taste and comfort. But with a heavy sweater or jacket, it is tameable. From a versatility standpoint, I have found that the Maratac Pilot’s unique modern take on a pilot watch works with a number of straps. Although, my staple quickly became a brown leather strap with white stitching.

Thoughtfully designed, well built, and very reasonably priced, I really like the Maratac Pilot. I find it to be an excellent option for the enthusiast looking to give the Big Pilot thing a try. At $289 I would continue to rate the piece as a “just buy”. The problem is, CountyComm is not making them anymore. The good news is, if you keep your eye on the used market every once in a while they pop up. So, if you are in the market for a pilot watch (or as John Mayer would call it a “bedside clock”) and you are willing to be patient then a Maratac Pilot may just be what you are looking for. Did I mention it’s big?