Enduring Myth, IWC Big Pilot's Watch

       The Big Pilot's Watch also captivated watch enthusiasts in 2016 with its iconic clear aesthetic and modern craftsmanship. On the black dial, designers returned the triangular index and the number “9” to their rightful positions. On the pilot's chronograph, IWC designers omitted the triple date display and the small numerals on the outer minute ring.

       2016, IWC celebrated 80 years of producing pilot's watches — — 1936, the manufacture introduced its first “ watch specially tailored for pilots ”. This marked the beginning of IWC's passionate connection with the aviation theme. Just four years later, the first precision navigation watch (also known in German as a B-Uhr), the Big Pilot's Watch (52 T.S.C.), followed and debuted grandly, setting the template for all pilot's watches. This watch, with a diameter of 55 mm, was exceptionally large, designed to be worn over a flying suit thanks to an extended strap. The dial featured a black design with radium-coated large luminous Arabic numerals, along with minute and second track lines. The propeller-shaped hands and central sweep second hand were coated with luminous material. The large triangular index flanked by two dots, which has now become a typical design feature of pilot's watches, was placed beneath the minute ring at the “12 o'clock ” position. In 2002, IWC revived the tradition of the Big Pilot's Watch, with designers reintegrating this triangular index within the minute ring and omitting the numeral “9”

       In the new collection of 2016, IWC returned to the tradition of the Big Pilot's Watch, giving the Big Pilot's Watch (reference: IW500912) a classic visual design once again: the triangle symbol has been repositioned below the minute track, giving this reading aid more weight, and the numeral “9” has returned to its established position. Furthermore, the numerals have been slightly thickened, while the five-minute markers have become more slender. The entire timepiece is more harmonious in function and strikingly similar to the original model from 1940. The Big Pilot's Watch presents a classic cockpit style, inspired by designs from the nineteen-forties, when the watch served as a navigation aid for pilots. The instrument dial is characterised by its simplicity, clarity, and optimal readability. A typical example is the cockpit of the Junkers Ju 52 aircraft. This legendary aircraft, engraved on the case back of the Big Pilot's Watch, evokes the aviation myths of the past. In the current Pilot's Watch collection, this myth continues. The Santoni strap, crafted from black calfskin, pairs perfectly with this watch, complementing it beautifully. On this Big Pilot's Watch, IWC uses a calfskin strap from this renowned shoemaker for the first time.

      The IWC-manufactured 51111 calibre represents the pinnacle of watchmaking craftsmanship. The spring-mounted rotor and Pellaton pawl-winding system provide a power reserve of over 7 days in the shortest possible time; the power reserve display at the “3 o'clock ” position indicates the remaining time before the movement stops. The Big Pilot's Watch features a date display at the “6 o'clock ” position, as well as a central seconds hand, which is indispensable for aviation use —— The original Big Pilot's Watch (Type 52 T.S.C.) even incorporated the central seconds hand into its name ——“ Seconde Centrale ” (S.C.). The 46 mm case, which is water-resistant to 6 bar, contains a soft-iron inner case to ensure the movement is protected from magnetic field effects. Furthermore, the Big Pilot's Watch features a distinctive conical crown, reminiscent of the early days of aviation pioneering. At that time, pilots had to adjust and wind their watches while wearing gloves in unheated or open cockpits.

Chronograph drops triple date display

IW377709

IW377710

      Pilot's Watch Chronograph(Ref. IW377709/IW377710) adopted a single-day numeric date display in 2016, and designers decided to dispense with the triple date display. The small five-minute numerals on the outer minute track were likewise omitted. The reason is simple: IWC wanted to recreate the characteristic —— clarity of the classic pilot's watch on the dial, ensuring legibility in all lighting conditions.

        Equipped with the robust and reliable 79320-calibre chronograph movement, the watch can record split times and accumulated times of up to 12 hours. Its soft-iron inner case shields it against external magnetic fields. With a water-resistance of 6 bar, the Pilot's Watch Chronograph is available with a Santoni calfskin strap (Ref. IW377709) or a newly designed, elegant stainless steel bracelet (Ref. IW377710). Furthermore, the Pilot's Watch Chronograph models can now also be paired with two-coloured textile straps inspired by historic NATO straps.

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