IWC Schaffhausen

More than 70 years after its maiden flight and 10 years after a greatly publicized relaunch, the Big Pilot’s Watch finally enters the jet age in 2012 thanks to the TOP GUN line. The Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Miramar reminds us of those magnificent men in their legendary flying suits.

Designed by IWC for professional pilots back in 1940, the Big Pilot’s Watch came with an original pocket watch movement and large central seconds. Together with the IWC Special Pilot’s Watch and the Mark 11, it established the cockpit-style design that has remained to this day. The black dial of the certified observer’s and deck watch came with a white chapter ring and arrowhead index at “12 o’clock”, striking luminescent hands and big luminescent numerals. Its legibility was exemplary.

In 2002, the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer IWC revived its own Big Pilot’s Watch heritage. The enormous timepiece created quite a stir, and unmistakably drew on its historic forebear with the 52 T. S. C. pocket watch calibre. Its classical design and the efficient movement with a 7-day power reserve and Pellaton automatic winding combine the tradition and innovation typical of IWC in the production of professional pilot’s watches.

Haute Horlogerie and high-tech materials
In 2012, yet another Big Pilot’s Watch will be taking its place among the other IWC giants: the Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN (Ref. 501901) in its ceramic case. It offers a more contemporary take on functionality with new materials and design elements. The clearly arranged dial with the striking black-and-white contrast remains, as do the power reserve and date displays. The most conspicuous addition to the popular cockpit look of the design is the small, signal red aircraft silhouette that serves as a counterpoise on the seconds hand and has established itself as one of the distinctive features of the TOP GUN line. Also typical of the TOP GUN are the high-tech materials: first, zirconium oxide, the tough, hard-wearing and scratch-resistant ceramic used for the case, which is water-resistant to 6 bar. Then there’s the extremely rugged titanium used for the crown. And finally the black soft strap used to secure the 48-millimetre case securely and comfortably to the wearer’s wrist.

The 51111 calibre is one of the largest automatic movements manufactured by IWC and, with its patented pawl-winding system, builds up a 7-day power reserve in virtually no time. But the power reserve mechanism is smart and allows it to run for only 168 hours before stopping the movement. This way, it is certain that the watch will keep perfect time for 7 days when it is fully wound. On the front, the sapphire glass has antireflective coating on both sides and is secured against sudden drops in pressure. And on the reverse side of the watch, the Top Gun insignia explains why: this watch has earned “airworthy” status.

Tribute to a legend
With identical specifications, the Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Miramar (Ref. 501902) is a tribute to the original Marine Corps Top Gun flight school in Miramar, California. It was from here that the reputation of the ultra-cool elite pilots in their even cooler flight gear spread all over the world. The new Miramar line picks up on elements of the military design. The shimmering metallic ceramic case and the anthracite-coloured dial lean on the typical colour and material repertoire as do the hands and chapter ring in beige and the green textile strap. The separate depiction of the minutes in the outer ring and the hours on a smaller inner ring is reminiscent of the deck watches of the 1930s and 1940s. Back then, the aircraft’s position and flight time were determined with the aid of octants and deck watches.

The Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Miramar is one of the very best of its kind. A claim underscored by the elaborate Top Gun engraving on the titanium case back.