As I did with UG, I want to withhold my full opinion until I see these in person—that hands-on impression swayed me before—but on paper, I like these new Flying Officers. The light blue chronograph, with its tone-on-tone subdials and a beige strap, is my pick of the bunch, and has me wishing summer had a few more months left in it. But between four dial colors and two movement architectures, I’d be hard-pressed to find one of these I wouldn’t want on the wrist. My real question is how that 40mm case wears in person.
At $2,900 to $4,600, the Flying Officer is stepping into a crowded field of sub-$5,000 travel watches and chronographs. Still, this collection feels like a strong statement of intent for Gallet’s relaunch. I’m anxious to get my hands on one this week in Geneva.