Archimede’s approach to the dial of the Pilot 42 GMT is equally elemental. All of the classic flieger elements are here: elongated sword hands, bold Arabic hour markers, and a triangle at 12.

It’s the execution, however, that sets this one apart. The minutes track and indices aren’t just flatly printed onto the dial; instead, they’re all raised surfaces with generous portions of lume. The date window isn’t hacked into place at three o’clock like so many other fliegers. It’s smoothly integrated into the inner GMT hours ring, beveled and matched to the dial color.

Of course, what really separates this one from a more traditional flieger/pilot’s watch is the GMT complication. Inside the main hours track is a small 24-hour ring for the second time zone, coupled with the watch’s only real splash of color. The GMT hand itself fits the style of the main hours and minutes but features only a half fill of lume and substitutes the glossy black for high-visibility scarlet. While GMTs are far from the most practical complication for most, they do make for a natural fit with a flieger. After all, if you’re an aircraft pilot, it does help to know what time it is at your next destination. That said, while it may detract slightly from the purity of the 75-year-old “Type-A” flieger design, the GMT makes for an eye-catching addition that sets this one apart from the pack.