The New BIG
PILOTS
IWC introduces a new generation of their iconic timepiece
I
WC Schaffhausen has been making luxury watches in the
visible through the sapphire crystal case back. Developed by Albert
northern Swiss town by the shores of the Rhine River for more
Pellaton, it is a highly efficient automatic winding system which uses
than 150 years. Known for the beauty and precision of its
the smallest movements in either direction of the rotor—a semi-cir-
watches, IWC is also highly regarded for their pilot’s watches. These
cular disc that rotates with each movement of the arm--to wind the
watches, also known as “tool” watches, were developed with se-
mainspring. There’s also an EasX-Change strap system which al-
rious functionality to serve a very real need. IWC’s expertise in pro-
lows the wearer to change straps, in rubber or calfskin and/or a
viding a tool to help aviators fly safely and accurately goes back to
stainless steel bracelet with a click. It comes with a blue dial or
World War II, when the company made military watches for the Brit-
black; either one offering a clean, clear, and classic design for sport
ish Royal Air Force. The original pilots watch, the 5002, was specifi-
or every day.
cally tailored to meet the functional requirements and specific needs of professional pilots. It sported a chronograph dial styled after the
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41
look of a cockpit’s instrument panel, with a generously sized, easy
The latest take on the beloved chronograph downsized the stain-
to view, and massively-sized 46.2 millimeter case.
less steel case to 41mm and offers the EasX-Change strap system. It’s upgraded the water resistance from 6 bars to 10, or 100 meters,
Over the years IWC has remodeled their iconic pilot watch in rewhich makes it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. It also sports sponse to new technologies and tastes, and this year three new an in-house 69385 calibre, visible through the sapphire glass back. takes on the classic beauty were designed to appeal to today’s watch lovers. The pilot watches launched this year feature sapphire
The movement is focused on providing reliability and precision. The dial comes in blue or green.
glass case backs to allow the wearer to see the watch’s intricate movement, and they come in slightly smaller sizes to increase wearability and ergonomics. And last, they’re now available with dazzling sky-blue dials, ready to take flight. Here are the latest models:
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar IWC excels with its perpetual calendars, and the latest version achieves a new level of technical engineering. It is so advanced it will not need any manual correction until year 2100. The four-digit year
The IWC Big Pilot 43
display—instead of the standard two—can show the year until 2499.
Inspired by a 1940s military observation watch, the latest take on
This is one of the easiest perpetual calendars to adjust—rather than
the Big Pilot sports an iconic oversized conical crown while a
play with multiple buttons, all the displays are mechanically synchro-
smaller, 43mm ergonomic stainless steel case. It excels both in
nized together, making the adjustment with a single crown ex-
function and fashion, featuring the IWC-manufactured 82100 cali-
tremely easy. The watch had previously been available in platinum,
bre. This marks the first time there is a fully in-house movement in-
but this year, for the first time, it comes in more approachable stain-
side a Big Pilot. Another plus: the IWC developed Pellaton winding,
less steel, ready to fly off the shelves and right onto the wrist.
