The history of pilot’s watches at IWC stretches back to the early years of aviation – a pillar that is extremely close to the Schaffhausen based watchmaker. With a simple mantra of manufacturing clean, refined, to the point pilot watches, it comes as no surprise that IWC is usually the pick of the lot when someone wants a pilot watch. Today, 85 years later, these watches are still developed in close collaboration with top pilots, just as they were in 1936. Feedback from the pilots about how the pilot’s watches perform in everyday use continues to help IWC engineers to improve and perfect their designs.
Building on the success of its Spitfire chronographs from 2019, IWC is now introducing 4 new Pilot’s Watch
Chronograph 41 references into its classic collection – Ref. IW388101 (Stainless steel case, blue dial, rhodium-plated hands, blue calfskin strap), Ref. IW388102 (Stainless steel case, blue dial, rhodium-plated hands, stainless steel bracelet), Ref. IW388103 (Stainless steel case, green dial, rhodium-plated hands, brown calfskin strap) and Ref. IW388104 (Stainless steel case, green dial, rhodium-plated hands, stainless steel bracelet).
All these models are offered in a reworked 41mm stainless steel case that ensures the chronographs are now water-resistant to 10 bar from the previous 6 bar. Visible through the sapphire glass back, is the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre – A mechanical chronograph movement that consists of 231 individual parts engineered with a focus on robustness, reliability and precision. This automatic movement is based on an integrated/column-wheel architecture – a complex component with two functional levels which is incredibly challenging to manufacture. A bi-directional pawl winding system supplies the movement with energy by efficiently converting the activity of the wearer’s arm into tension for the mainspring. It builds up a power reserve of 46 hours when fully wound.
A quick-change system allows wearers to quickly and easily change the strap or bracelet of the chronographs. Available as accessories in IWC boutiques or online on IWC.com is a choice of calfskin and rubber straps in attractive colours, as well as a new stainless steel bracelet with fine adjustment system and a slimmer shape for improved comfort and ergonomics.
Given how IWC has refreshed its Pilot’s line this year, wearer’s will be a little spoilt for choice as it really does cater to so many different tastes in one way or another.