First Flight 40

Rugged and purposeful, the First Flight is built for those who still chase the horizon. It takes its inspiration from the earliest instruments of flight — the dials, discipline, and daring of aviation's founding moment at Kitty Hawk.

Case: 40mm, stainless steel, brushed, 20mm lug width 

Dial: Matte blue, with luminous Arabic numerals and 24-hour track 

Strap: Genuine leather, handmade, brown with contrast stitching

Movement: Miyota 9039, automatic, individually regulated to ±10 seconds/day

Crown: Screw-down

Water Resistance: 100 metres (10 ATM)

CASE

The First Flight's case is machined from 316L stainless steel and finished with a brushed surface, built to be worn every day rather than admired from a shelf. A screw-down crown, signed with the 1903 wings mark, seals the case against water and dust while echoing the instrument panels of early aircraft.

CASEBACK

Every First Flight features a solid stainless steel caseback, engraved with a rendering of the Wright Flyer alongside "1903 WATCH CO." and "FIRST FLIGHT." Beneath the aircraft reads our founding line: "12 SECONDS. 120 FEET. THE REST IS HISTORY." The caseback also carries "Designed in Texas," the Sapphire crystal designation, and "Automatic Miyota 9039" — a small window into the watch's construction, worn on the wrist and carried on the back.

DIAL

The First Flight dial is designed in the tradition of classic pilot's watches — bold Arabic numerals, a 24-hour military track at the outer edge, and generous luminous fill on every hour marker and hand for legibility in any light. The "1903" wordmark sits above the center pinion, with "First Flight" printed beneath — a quiet signature of where the story began. 

HANDS

Syringe-shaped hour and minute hands, fully lumed, ensure the First Flight reads clearly day or night. In darkness, the dial glows a vivid green, numerals and markers alike, echoing the instrument panels pilots once relied on in open cockpits.

MOVEMENT

The First Flight is powered by a Miyota 9039 automatic movement. Each movement is individually regulated to ±10 seconds/day before casing, and every completed watch is pressure-tested to 100m water resistance prior to shipment — precision checked twice, not assumed once.

STRAP

The First Flight ships on a genuine leather strap, handmade with contrast stitching for a classic, worn-in look from day one. The strap is fitted with quick-release spring bars, so it can be swapped without tools for any strap of the correct lug width.

Customise

The First Flight can be fitted with any strap designed for its lug width, letting you adapt it from a daily-wear companion to a dress piece in seconds — no tools required.

PACKAGING

Every First Flight arrives in a hand-finished watch roll or upright holster, made from dark crazy horse leather, deboss-stamped with our propeller mark and finished with bronze snap hardware. Built to protect the watch as well as it protects your time.

INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED

Each First Flight is accompanied by a metal warranty card, individually engraved with the owner's name, model, serial number, and purchase date — a small, permanent record that this watch was built for one person, not mass assigned.

WARRANTY

The First Flight is covered by a 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects from the date of purchase, applicable to the original owner. As a small, solo-run brand, this policy allows us to provide direct, high-quality, and timely support to the backers who make our production runs possible. Full terms are available at 1903watchco.com/warranty.