Brian Aure

Founder, BYOP Watches

Brian, can you take us back to where your journey with watches began? Was it your love for aviation that first inspired BYOP Watches?

After spending time in group homes and foster care as a kid, I eventually spent the rest of my childhood living near an airport. It was during this time that my mother gave me my first watch. Wearing that watch made me feel like I had a co-pilot with me wherever I went. I spent many days watching airplanes fly overhead, which grew into a deep love for aviation and planted the dream of becoming a pilot. That feeling inspired me to be my own pilot the pilot of my own life. I learned to be brave, to be independent, and to stay true to myself, especially during times of turbulence and rough landings.

Aviation showed me that the world was much bigger than what I saw as a kid. It taught me that I could go anywhere both in the world and in life. My hope is that the BYOP brand inspires others in the same way: to be the pilot of their own life.

I often share a story from my childhood about being further inspired by a popular WWII aviation TV show at that time  Ba Ba Black Sheep. Many kids in class wanted to be the squad leader, Captain “Pappy” Boyington. We created our own air squadron, made paper insignia to designate our pilot ranks, taped them to our sleeves, and rushed outside during recess. We ran straight to the swings, shouting flight commands as we jumped into our “cockpits.” We flew as high as we could before bailing out of our planes and soaring even higher into the air. The flight wasn’t over until we each landed safely back on the ground — after all, we were pilots.

What does BYOP stand for, and what message or philosophy lies behind the name?

BYOP stands for Be Your Own Pilot. I didn’t want to simply create another watch brand — I wanted to build a brand with meaning. A brand rooted in aviation that inspires people the same way I was inspired as a child. Your past does not define you. You can be your own pilot in life: create your own flight plan, be free and independent, fly through turbulence, and land safely on the other side.

This is also why I started the BYOP Flight Club for kids who grew up in foster care or had similar backgrounds to mine. I’m proud that BYOP is the official Timekeeper of the Silk’s Bash for Operation Open Arms — a nonprofit supporting children in need and connecting them with families who care.

How has your experience as an aviator influenced the design language of BYOP Watches?

BYOP watch designs were originally inspired by aviation cockpit instruments. I wanted wearers to feel like they were sitting in their own cockpit constantly reminded that they are the pilot of their own life. I also wanted BYOP watches to be true pilot tool watches, built with quality, purpose, and functionality.

Because of this, BYOP collections include internal rotating timing bezels, GMT functions, and chronographs all designed with pilots and precision timing in mind.

Aviation watches have a long legacy. What unique touch does BYOP bring to this classic category?

My goal with BYOP is to inspire others through the meaning behind the brand: Be Your Own Pilot. It’s not just a logo  it’s a reminder that you don’t have to be a passenger in life. When someone looks at their BYOP watch, I want them to feel like they’re in their own cockpit, making their own decisions, flying their own flight plan.

I personally design every BYOP model, drawing inspiration from cockpit dials and classic pilot watch aesthetics. My mission is to inspire others while producing high-quality pilot watches at the most affordable prices possible.

Do you design with pilots in mind, or do you aim for a broader audience who admire aviation aesthetics?

I design with pilots in mind — as well as watch enthusiasts. With my passion for both aviation and horology, I try to bring the best of both worlds together. You don’t need to be an actual pilot to appreciate a BYOP watch. If you are navigating your own life, you’re already the pilot.

What key design elements make a watch distinctly “BYOP”?

BYOP watches are functional tool watches with aviation-inspired elements, clean layouts, and minimalist design — all with maximum legibility for quick and easy reading. I also incorporate generous luminescence on the dials and hands for nighttime clarity. Legibility has always been central to traditional pilot watch design, ensuring pilots can rely on accurate timing functions during missions. Precision at a quick glance is essential when navigating the skies.

As both a watch enthusiast and aviator, what do time and precision personally mean to you?

In our digital age, technology often distracts us, and we become overly dependent on our devices. For me, there’s something refreshing about wearing a mechanical timepiece  feeling the energy behind every tick as it lives on your wrist. That’s when the watch becomes a co-pilot. I enjoy the dependability and the practicality of reading and calculating time with a simple turn of the wrist.

Building an independent watch brand is no easy feat. What have been some defining challenges or breakthroughs along the way?

With every watch I create, I challenge myself to chase perfection. From design concepts and sourcing quality manufacturing to customer service and website design — I do everything myself. I’ve never used crowdfunding or investors; I’m 100% invested in my brand. Every dollar earned goes straight back into growing BYOP Watches. 

I’m incredibly grateful for the positive reviews BYOP has received. I see each customer as a breakthrough because it shows that the message resonates that people connect with the idea of being their own pilot. That connection has been the most rewarding part of building BYOP.

How do you position BYOP in today’s crowded watch market dominated by heritage brands and microbrands?

I don’t compete with other brands. True to the message of Be Your Own Pilot, I fly and navigate my own path. I believe there’s plenty of room in the sky for everyone. I’d rather fly alongside others than try to fly higher or faster. 

Finally, where do you see BYOP Watches in the next five years both in the air and on the wrist?

I want to continue inspiring as many people as possible to be their own pilot in life. The BYOP Flight Club for kids is close to my heart, and I’m excited for it to grow even further to support more children in need. Every pilot needs a co-pilot to fly higher and farther, and although Be Your Own Pilot is where it all began, I’m grateful for every customer, ambassador, and collaborator — they are all my co-pilots. I truly believe the sky is not the limit.

Thank you to Watch Circle Magazine for sharing my story and helping others discover the BYOP brand. Experiences like this motivate me to keep inspiring others. Don’t be a passenger in life — be the pilot you are meant to be. Bwe Your Own Pilot.