HMT Pilot Review

My review of the HMT Pilot. A watch from a little known brand based in India who mainly manufacture vintage styled mechanical watches. Up until recently they were near impossible to get outside of India but due to some Ebay sellers and watch enthusiasts on various watch forums, they are more accessible to western collectors. Thanks for watching!

[nolinchitnis]

The best thing about these watches is they might not be the most modern or have the best finish, but each and every part is Made in India.

[saatwikkatiha]

I'm from India and I ordered this watch today as HMT is finally shutting down completely. Quite sad, really - my father, grandfathers, uncles - everyone has a story or two associated with an HMT watch. In fact, from what I've been told it was almost a rite of passage, back in the 60's/70's, to get out of high school or college and be gifted a HMT watch by your father.

[nolinchitnis]

I have 2 HMT watches and purchased a third one today. One watch has been with me since 1994 and other since 2004. Both working and never opened never repaired. One interesting fact is in their heydays HMT made even their own hair springs. Very few companies do that since it needs special alloys. I am not sure if they still do that. The manufacturing had stopped in 2016 but I hear they have started production again since last year in small numbers (50000 per annum as per their CEO).

[sinlokemp]

This is a piece of art! Telling you this watch will be priceless antique in the future. 

[BigDutchKingTut]

I have two. I first purchased a white dial, red second hand pilot..one of my favorite watches. Not too long after than I found another really nice conditioned brown dial pilot. Both vintage, both a lot of fun. They actually do wear pretty nice in size. Keep great time!💘 Big fan of the brand, lots of variety!👍

[recovering_rider]

All the way upto the mid 90s the only watch you saw people wear in India was HMT, everyone from the bank manager to the bus driver had one. Great review my friend.

[vla]

I am from India & I have a good collection I have 7 watches & really love them. I have my TISSOT, SEIKO & CITIZEN but I love my HMT. There is a nostalgic feeling when you hold them in your hand.

[mdunawaym]

I just found this brand accidentally when I bought a really cool vintage looking watch on eBay the other night. I YouTubed it after the fact, found out more about the company, and immediately bought a second!

[markgrieves]

My watch too. Black face, ultra cool and anyone who thinks it's not worth reviewing doesn't really know what they are talking about.

[yogirajsinghyadav]

I am wearing the exact same watch which I bought about 800 INR or about $12 two years ago from the factory outlet. I also bought Janta, Kohinoor, Sona etc but I use Pilot as daily wearer from last 2 years. I love it.

[a.k]

My grandfather owned a lot of watches and the one he used in army was hmt pilot and on casual days it was chinar or janta I got those watches and they still work I still have seikos, fevreleuba and automatic hmt rajat I enjoy chinar the most as it has a nice patina to it looks super good and works with +1 delay. Also you gotta try titan automatic and mechanical watches also made in India 🇮🇳 love and peace ✌️ great content.

[ramanandareddi]

I just ordered it today from their official website. Can't wait for the delivery... Costed me ₹3100 or $42

[neonknight]

Bought a refurbished HMT military on Ebay. The dial probably was repainted and the lume is very strong on it. It was worth the price. Just a little bit more expensive than the cheapest chinese quartz watches but it is so much better.

[LK_EBM]

Thanks! I was able to buy one brand new from Ebay for $35. Great value.

[WajeehCheema]

great review, very helpful for someone like me whose just getting into watch collecting. Keep them coming. I ordered a vintage hmt SONA with a blue dial a few days ago. Subbed

[inari]

In Japan, this watch company is not so famous too.Thanks for your review, I can get some information for purchasing hmt products.

[atan]

I love these obscure/quirky watches, much more interesting to own and often cheaper

[whateva]

Thanks for this review. I have the same watch and I wear it almost everyday. Regarding the price, in India it costs only around Rs.700 which is roughly $10 brand new :)

[carlosdelacadiz]

one of my favorite watches and prefer it to alot of my more expensive watches.great watch for formal or casual wear as well.☺

[PromodhSridhar]

Spot on review- you hv a original and a great time piece .. I hv a few HMT's myself ..great quality.. but sadly India shut shop 😕on them !! Beware of EBAy though there are some fakes & frankenstines too there which they call hmt but are not - super fakes