IWC Lineup Part 1/3 (Portugieser & Pilot)
History/Summary:
While IWC does not make the list as one of the oldest watch manufactures, they do have a deep rooted history dating all the way back to 1868 when the company was founded by Florentine Ariosto Jones. Florentine was a watchmaker from Boston who had planned to combine American automation/technology with Swiss craftsmanship to “produce high-quality pocket watches for the American market”. After setting up shop in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, the brand would go on to produce many beautiful time pieces throughout the years. The company would also transition through multiple private owners, each of whom gave their unique touch to the brand. Ultimately IWC would be acquired by the Richemont in 2000 and be under their ownership to this day, alongside many other reputable luxury watch brands.
Each of IWC’s stages in its long history have transformed the brand into what it is today, producing high quality luxury time pieces with iconic designs that have become a staple in the watch community. Along with the flagship pieces like the Big Pilot or the Portugieser watches, IWC has a vast amount of offerings, nearing 200 different variations throughout their current lineup. Rather than making this article lengthy covering all the offerings it will be segmented into three separate articles, each of which will cover two of IWC’s model families. Part 1 of 3 below will cover the Portugieser and the Pilot lineup, two of the most expansive models in IWC’s brand.
Models:
[Part 1 of 3] Portugieser: An iconic IWC watch with a classically styled dial, simple Arabic numerals, railway track chapter ring, and imposing size.
[Part 1 of 3] Pilot: Embodying the pilot watch spirit with large case sizes, big crowns, excessive legibility, for an all around bold watch.
[Part 2 of 3] Portofino: Minimalistic dress watches, roman numerals standard.
[Part 2 of 3] Da Vinci: Elegant design meets exquisite complications in dress watch style.
[Part 3 of 3] Ingenieur: Versatile pieces that blend together elegance and sportiness.
[Part 3 of 3] Aquatimer: Instruments designed for diving that are aesthetically styled.
Portugieser:
The Portugieser selection is vast, spanning many different watch complications through its various model offerings. All Portugieser watches are inherently dress oriented, coming mainly on a leather strap and having the classically designed Portugieser look with Arabic numerals, a railway chapter ring, on a fairly large dial (40mm-45mm). As we go through the various offerings in the Portugieser lineup you will begin to see the various model offerings and see where each fits into the lineup.
Chronograph (10 Offerings):
The Chronograph from the Portugieser collection is the model with the most variants, mainly coming in the form of dial color options offered across the two case materials, stainless steel and 18K gold. The pieces in this lineup are fairly large, having a case diameter of 41mm to harness the Calibre 69355 which is visible through the sapphire case back. For the chronograph function, chronograph seconds are on center with minutes added at the 12 O’clock sub-dial. Running time hours and minutes are on center with small running seconds at the 6 O’clock sub-dial. This piece is not only a practical and functional watch but also has multiple variants that are sure to fit nearly any preference.
Functions:
Chronograph w/seconds on center & minutes at 12 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Materials: Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
Components: 194
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 69355
Power Reserve: 46 Hours
Price Range: $7950 to $18400
Chronograph Classic (3 Offerings):
The Chronograph Classic at first glance looks similar to the standard Chronograph option above, but it is in fact a very different watch. This piece features a date display at 3 O’clock in addition to an hour & minute totalizer at the 12 O’clock position, which simultaneously counts hours and minutes for the chronograph function. Chronograph seconds are still on center and small running seconds are still at the 6 O’clock sub-dial on this piece. In addition to the added complications and functionality, this watch has an increased power reserve totaling 68 hours compared to the standard Chronograph having 46 hours.
Functions:
Chronograph w/hours, minutes, seconds & flyback function
Hour & Min combined in a 12 O'clock totalizer
Date display at 3 O’clock
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Materials: Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
Components: 299
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 89361
Power Reserve: 68 Hours
Price Range: $12100 to $20100
Automatic (9 Offerings):
The Automatic is a time/date offering in the lineup that features hours & minutes on center, a date window at 6 O’clock, and two separate sub-dials (one for seconds and the other for power reserve indicator). A sapphire case back is standard on this watch, looking into the Calibre 52010 movement which has an impressive 168 hour power reserve for a watch that will stay wound if it stays off your wrist for a few days. All in all this piece is a simplistic but elegant offering in both stainless steel and 18K gold that will wear well regardless of dress.
Functions:
7 day reserve display at 3 O’clock
Date display at 6 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Pellaton winding
Rotor w/18K gold medallion
Small hacking seconds at 9 O’clock
Materials: Stainless Steel & 18 Ct Gold
Components: 257
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 52010
Power Reserve: 168 Hours
Price Range: $12700 to $24900
Automatic 40 (4 Offerings):
The Automatic 40 is the smaller, somewhat less impressive version of the normal Automatic offering above. This piece has hours and minutes on center with seconds counted in the 6 O’clock sub-dial. Due to the smaller dial size, the power reserve indicator is done away with and rightfully so as this watch offers only a 60 hour reserve, significantly less than the 192 hours offered on the standard Automatic piece. The last notable subtraction on this piece is the date display, making it a true time only piece. Subtractions from the standard Automatic offerings aside, this piece has a minimalistic design que that is sure to wear nicely in either steel or 18K gold starting at a lesser $7250.
Functions:
Pellaton Automatic Winding
Small Hacking Seconds at 6 O’clock
Anti reflective coating
Materials: Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
Components: 189
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 82200
Power Reserve: 60 Hours
Price Range: $7250 to $16900
Yacht Club Chronograph (8 Offerings):
The Yacht Club Chronograph takes a bit of a design tip from the Classic Chronograph, and rightfully so as it shares the same movement. Similarly to the latter, hours and minutes are counted both in the 12 O’clock sub-dial and small seconds are counted on the 6 O’clock sub-dial with hour, minutes, and chrono seconds on center. Interestingly enough, within the Yacht Club lineup there are two variants, one being a 43.5mm case and the other being a 44.6mm case. Both variants share the same movement with the date displays being displayed in two separate locations; 6 O’clock inside the seconds sub-dial for the 44.6mm option and at 3 O’clock for the 43.5mm option. Likely this slight deviation is done to limit crowding on the smaller piece but it is an interesting distinguishing feature between the two. Lastly and most importantly the Yacht Club Chronograph’s has an increased water resistance rating of 6 Bar, making it superior over the 3 Bar water resistance offered on the rest of the offerings in the Portugieser lineup.
Functions:
Chronograph w/hours & minutes at 12 O’clock and seconds on center
Flyback function
Date display at 6 O’clock (44.6mm Case) or 3 O’clock (43.5mm Case)
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Screw down Crown for 6 bar water resistance
Materials: Stainless Steel & 18 Ct Gold
Components: 299
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 89361
Power Reserve: 68 Hours
Price Range: $12100 to $21800
Annual Calendar (3 Offerings):
The Annual Calendar is somewhat comparable to the Automatic offering in that it has a similar dial layout with the 168 hour power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock and small seconds at 9 O’clock. However this piece features an annual calendar complication at the 12 O’clock position in the format of month/date/day. Unlike a standard day/date watch that you have to adjust on months not ending in 31 days, the annual calendar only requires adjustment once a year and accurately keeps track for 364 days a year. A convenient offering if you want to have minimal adjustments on a piece whilst displaying the month, date, and day.
Functions:
Annual Calendar (month/date/day)
7 days power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock
Pellaton automatic winding
Small hacking seconds at 9 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Materials: Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
Components: 326
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 52850
Power Reserve: 168 Hours
Price Range: $20900 to $31000
Perpetual Calendar 42 (3 Offerings):
The perpetual calendar 42 is the next level of a set it and forget it watch. The perpetual calendar is meant to accurately keep track of time, date, day, month, and account for leap years. This means once this piece is set, so long as it stays wound it will not need to be adjusted (until century end as the scheduled leap year does not occur). Regarding the dial layout, date is shown at the 3 O’clock position, month & moonphase complication are at the 6 O’clock position, day is at the 9 O’clock position, and all time is centrally located. The complication of this piece is directly reflected in the price as these pieces start at $22900 for stainless steel and finish off at $32900 for the 18K gold variant.
Functions:
Perpetual Calendar (date at 3 O’clock, day and leap year at 9 O’clock, month at 6 O’clock, and perpetual moon phase at 6 O’clock)
Antireflective coating
Pellaton automatic winding
Central hacking seconds
Materials: Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
Components: 326
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 82650
Power Reserve: 60 Hours
Price Range: $22900 to $32900
Perpetual Calendar (7 Offerings):
The standard Perpetual Calendar can be considered the bigger brother of the Perpetual Calendar 42 above. That being said, the perpetual calendar is a bit more complex watch when compared to the Perpetual Calendar 42, thanks to its added complications and 168 hour power reserve compliments of the Calibre 52610 and 52615 movements. Looking at the dial layout, the 3 O’clock sub-dial has date with the addition of a power reserve indicator on the 2nd register, the 6 O’clock sub-dial has month indication while the moonphase indicator is moved to the 12 O’clock sub-dial, and lastly the 9 O’clock sub-dial has day with an added small seconds hand. This watch also has a year in 4 digits between 7 and 8 O’clock position. Given the complexity and elegant stature of the perpetual calendar it is offered only in rare metals such as platinum, 18K armor gold, and 18K gold/white gold and starts at a whopping price of $40900.
Functions:
Perpetual calendar (date at 3 O’clock, day at 9 O’clock, month at 6 O’clock, year in 4 digits between 7 and 8 O’clock, and perpetual moon phase at 12 O’clock)
7 day power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock
Small hacking seconds at 9 O’clock.
Antireflective coating
Pellaton automatic winding
Materials: 18K Gold, 18K White Gold, 18K Armor Gold, Platinum.
Components: 383 & 386
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 52610 & Calibre 52615
Power Reserve: 168 Hours
Price Range: $40900 to $53300
Tourbillion Retrograde Chronograph (2 Offerings):
As we begin breaking into the tourbillion pieces, there is naturally a price increase due to the added complexity that comes with the Rube Goldberg style movement that is the tourbillion movement. This piece features a tourbillion cage at 6 O’clock with the chronograph function counting seconds on center and adding up hours and minutes in the totalizer at 12 O’clock. Date is shown in retrograde format, which means it operates on a linear mechanism moving from 1 to 31 rather than on a rotatory mechanism, a feature that is not typical to most pieces. Due to the watch complexity, rare metal offerings in 18K Armor Gold & Platinum, and being limited to 50 pieces, this watch is price on request.
Functions:
Flying Minute tourbillion with hacking at 6 O’clock
Chronograph w/hours & minutes at 12 O’clock totalizer, and seconds on center
Retrograde date display at 9 O’Clock
Rotor in 18K gold
Antireflective coating
Limited to 50 pcs
Materials: 18K Armor Gold & Platinum
Components: 375
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 82650
Power Reserve: 68 Hours
Price Range: Price on Request
Perpetual Calendar Tourbillion (2 Offerings):
The Perpetual Calendar Tourbillion is essentially the more complicated and more expensive version of the standard Perpetual Calendar offering shown earlier. Similarly, this piece features date and power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock, month at 6 O’clock, day at 9 O’clock, and year in 4 digits between 7 and 8 O’clock. For this tourbillion version the small seconds that were at 9 O’clock are now a flying minute tourbillion at the 12 O’clock position and the moonphase that was previously there is absorbed in the 2nd register at the 6 O’clock sub dial with the month. These models are also only offered in rare metals (18K Armor Gold & Platinum), are limited to 50 pieces, and you guessed it, are price on request.
Functions:
Flying minute tourbillion at 12 O’clock
Perpetual calendar (date at 3 O’clock, day at 9 O’clock, month at 6 O’clock, year in 4 digits between 7 and 8 O’clock, and perpetual moon phase at 6 O’clock)
7 day power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock
Pellaton automatic winding
Rotor in 18K gold
Antireflective coating
Limited to 50 pcs
Materials: 18K Armor Gold & Platinum
Components: NA
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 51950
Power Reserve: 168 Hours
Price Range: Price on Request
Tourbillion Mystere Retrograde (2 Offerings):
Another tourbillion offering from the Portugieser lineup is the Tourbillion Mystere Retrograde. This watch features slightly less complications than the tourbillion offerings above as it has a flying minute tourbillion at 12 O’clock, time on center, a power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock and a retrograde date display between 6 and 9 O’clock. The beautifully finished Calibre 51900 offers a 168 hour power bank and can be seen through the display back case. This piece is offered in rare metals such as 18K Gold and Platinum, is not limited like the above offerings, and starts at a price of $97800.
Functions:
Flying minute tourbillion at 12 O’clock
7 day power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock
Retrograde date display at 6 to 9 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Pellaton automatic winding.
Materials: 18K Gold & Platinum
Components: 368
Frequency: 19800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 51900
Power Reserve: 168 Hours
Price Range: $97800 to $121000
Grand Complication (2 Offerings):
The Grande Complication is seen as the end all be all of watches due to its utter complexity sporting a ridiculous 659 components in a 45mm case. This piece has the standard perpetual calendar with date, day, month, 4 digit year, leap year, and perpetual moonphase, a chronograph function which tallies minutes and hours to 12 with seconds on center. But perhaps the most distinguishing features on this piece is the minute repeater for hours, quarters, and minutes. This feature creates an audible chime that is mechanically executed by the internal movement and controlled by the slide lever at the 9 O’clock position outboard the case. This piece is a truly complex masterpiece that is limited to 250 pieces offered in 18K Gold for $205000 and in Platinum for $235000.
Functions:
Minute repeater for hours, quarters, and minutes
Perpetual calendar (date at 3 O’clock, day at 9 O’clock, month at 6 O’clock, year in 4 digits between 7 and 8 O’clock, perpetual moon phase at 12 O’clock)
Chronograph w/hours at 6 O’clock, minutes at 12 O’clock, and seconds on center
Small hacking seconds at 9 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Limited to 250 pcs
Materials: 18K Gold & Platinum
Components: 659
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 79091
Power Reserve: 44 Hours
Price Range: $205000 to $235000
Hand-Wound Monopusher (1 Offering):
The Hand-Wound Monopusher is a bit of a stand alone offering in the Portugieser collection. As the name implies, it is hand wound and is a chronograph watch that has seconds on center with minutes totaled to 60 in the 12 O’clock position. This chronograph is a monopusher which means rather than a standard start/stop pusher and a separate reset pusher, all 3 functions are done on the same pusher outboard of the 3 O’clock crown. This watch additionally has running seconds in the 6 O’clock sub-dial, date at 3 O’clock and a power reserve indicator at 9 O’clock for the generous 8 day power reserve. This offering is limited to 500 pieces and is offered in stainless at a price of $16100.
Functions:
Chronograph function with minutes at 12 O’clock and seconds on center
8 day power reserve display at 9 O’clock
Date display at 3 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Limited to 500 pieces
Materials: Stainless Steel
Components: 281
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 59360
Power Reserve: 192 Hours
Price Range: $16100
Minute Repeater (1 Offering):
The minute repeater is another stand alone offering in the lineup, which on the surface it looks like a rather simple watch, having only hours and minutes on center and a small seconds sub-dial at 6 O’clock. However, this watch features a minute repeater complication, which similar to the Grande Complication above, gives off a fully mechanically derived chime sound actuated by the slide lever at the 9 O’clock position outboard the case. While this piece looks relatively basic it has 402 components in the Caliber 98950 which is beautifully finished and visible through the sapphire case back. This piece is limited to 500 pieces, comes in only 18K gold, and is a whopping $86500.
Functions:
Minute repeater for hours, quarters, and minutes
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Three-quarter bridge
Limited to 500 pieces
Antireflective coating
Materials: 18K Gold
Components: 402
Frequency: 18000 Vph
Movement: Calibre 98950
Power Reserve: 46 Hours
Price Range: $86500
Siderale Scafusia (1 Offering):
The last and the most unique offering from the Portugieser lineup is the Siderale Scafusia. This piece is an extremely complex work of art that features a tourbillion with a constant force mechanism, allowing the watch to have linear power transmission through most of the reserve range, leading to a more accurate time piece. In regards to the other complications on the dial, we are going to link this video below as it does more justice of explaining just how ridiculous this piece is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaXP2padNT0
Complexity aside this piece is fully customizable to the person who is purchasing, essentially making it a order on request piece that is build to the buyers specifications. That said the piece is of course price on request and will be based on the individual specifications given by the buyer.
Functions:
Tourbillion with integrated constant force mechanism at 9 O’clock
Perpetual calendar with leap year display and absolute day of the year
Power reserve display at 4 O’clock
Celestial chart showing horizon on back
Customized celestial chart on back
Sunrise and sunset w/ displays for day, night and twilight on back
Ecliptic and celestial equator on back
Sidereal time at 12 O’clock
Antireflective coating.
Materials: Platinum
Frequency: 18000 Vph
Movement: Calibre 94900
Power Reserve: 96 Hours
Price Range: Price on Request
Pilot:
The second model lineup we will cover is the Pilot series from IWC which is inherently different when compared to the Portugieser models above. The Pilot lineup offers various styles that have the general theme of large dials (40-46mm), large legible numerals, plenty of lume, and on some models the famous large crown for easy adjustment. Inside of this general theme there are various offerings from simple time/date only & chronograph watches to the highly complex perpetual calendar and tourbillion pieces. Without further ado, lets dive into the various offerings within the Pilot lineup.
Big Pilot (5 Offerings):
The Big Pilot is by far one of the most iconic pieces in the IWC brand. This watch dates back to the 1940’s to its use as a legitimate tool watch by pilots. While the case has shrunken in size and the overall look has changed through various iterations, the DNA still remains with the Big Pilot. The Big Pilot, as the name would suggest, is relatively large with a case diameter of 46.2mm offered in various materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic. All time is centrally located with a date window at 6 O’clock. A power reserve indicator is shown at the 3 O’clock position, displaying the generous 7 day power reserve offered by the Calibre 52110 which is not visible as there is a solid case back on these pieces.
Functions:
Soft Iron inner case for magnetic protection
7 day power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock
Date display at 6 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Pellaton automatic winding
Central hacking seconds
Materials: Stainless Steel, Titanium, and Ceramic
Components: 257
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 52110
Power Reserve: 168 Hours
Price Range: $12900 to $14800
Big Pilot 43 (3 Offerings):
The Big Pilot 43 is a smaller offering compared to the standard Big Pilot that shares many of the design ques but differs slightly in its offered features. The Big Pilot 43 has time on center, however both the date display and power reserve indicator are no more on the 43mm variant. This piece also has a reduction in it’s power reserve, only having a 60 hour bank from the Calibre 82100 which is visible through a sapphire case back. The last, and maybe most noticeable feature still on the Big Pilot 43 is the iconic big crown allowing the Big Pilot DNA to shine through. This piece is offered in stainless steel only and comes in at a reasonable $8400 to $9350.
Functions:
Antireflective coating
IWC quick change bracelet
Pellaton automatic winding
Central hacking seconds
Materials: Stainless Steel
Components: 192
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 82100
Power Reserve: 60 Hours
Price Range: $8400 to $9350
Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar (3 Offerings):
The Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar is one of the more complex offerings in the Pilot lineup. This piece features a full perpetual calendar with date at 3 O’clock, month at 6 O’clock, day at 9 O’clock, 4 digit date between 7 and 8 O’clock and moonphase at 12 O’clock. A couple of the sub-dials get multiple registers, the 3 O’clock sub-dial which gets a 7 day power reserve indicator and the 9 O’clock sub-dial which gets small running seconds. As with any of the watch dubbed “Big Pilot”, these pieces get the oversized crown and are offered in stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic. Unlike the standard Big Pilot, the perpetual calendar version does have a sapphire case back, allowing you to look into the immaculate Calibre 52615 with its 18K gold medallion inlayed on the rotor.
Functions:
Perpetual calendar (date at 3 O’clock, day at 9 O’clock, month at 6 O’clock, year in 4 digits between 7 & 8 O’clock, moonphase for north and south at 12 O’clock)
7 day power reserve indicator at 3 O’clock
Small hacking seconds at 9 O’clock
Rotor with 18K gold medallion
Antireflective coating
Materials: Stainless Steel, Ceramic, and Titanium
Components: 386
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 52615
Power Reserve: 168 Hours
Price Range: $29900 to $35000
Big Pilot Big Date (1 Offering):
The Big Pilot Big Date is a bit of a solo offering in the Pilot lineup that stays true to the DNA of the Pilot watches. Hours and minutes are centrally located with seconds in the 6 O’clock sub-dial. Unique to this piece is a dual register date which is displayed at the 12 O’clock position. This is the driver for the name “Big Date” due to the date being in fact much larger than a standard date display. The last unique complication that would normally not be considered as such is the 192 hour power reserve indicator. This is due to the position of the indicator being visible on the back of the watch through a sapphire window that interrupts the metal caseback, an interesting non-traditional offering from the Pilot series. This piece is limited to 500pcs offered in only bronze and has a list price of $15800.
Functions:
8 day power reserve display (back)
Double date display at 12 O’clock
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Soft-iron inner for magnetic protection
500 pcs limited
Antireflective coating
Materials: Bronze
Components: 260
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 59235
Power Reserve: 192 Hours
Price Range: $15800
Pilot Chronograph (13 Offerings):
The Pilot Chronograph is the most expansive current offerings in the Pilot lineup with 13 different current variants. Within the chronograph group there are two separate movement variants that look very similar at a glance, these are the Calibre 69380 and the Calibre 79320. The Calibre 69390 has a chronograph function with seconds on center, minutes at the 12 O’clock sub-dial, and hours at the 9 O’clock sub-dial. Running hours and minutes are on center, small running seconds are in the 6 O’clock sub-dial, and a day/date display is at 3 O’clock, all in a 41mm case. The Calibre 79320 differs in that the small seconds sub-dial is at 9 O’clock position, and the chronograph hours switch to the 6 O’clock sub-dial, all while sporting a slightly larger 43mm case size. These pieces are offered in a fairly wide array of materials including stainless steel, bronze, ceramic, and ceratanium starting at $5500.
Functions:
Calibre 69390:
Chronograph w/hours at 9 O’clock, minutes at 12 O’clock, and seconds on center
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Calibre 79320:
Chronograph w/hours at 6 O’clock, minutes at 12 O’clock, and seconds on center
Small hacking seconds at 9 O’clock
Day & date display at 3 O’clock
Soft-iron inner for magnetic protection
Antireflective case
Materials: Stainless Steel, Bronze, Ceramic, and Ceratanium.
Components: 231, 240
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 69380, Calibre 79320
Power Reserve: 46 Hours, 44 Hours
Price Range: $5500 to $11900
Pilot Chronograph Blue Angels (1 Offering):
The Pilot Chronograph Blue Angels edition is a unique offering and has design ques that are directly reminiscent of the iconic Blue Angles flight squadron. This piece uses the Calibre 89361 which features a chronograph function with seconds on center, hours and minutes both totaled in the 12 O’clock totalizer sub-dial, and a fly-back function. Running time hours and minutes are shown on center with a small seconds sub-dial at the 6 O’clock position and a date display at 3 O’clock. This piece features the iconic blue and yellow color scheme used by the Blue Angels, uses a 0-60 scale for the primary indicators, and has a case back that features the Blue Angels logo.
Functions:
Chronograph w/hours and minutes counted at 12 O’clock totalizer and seconds on center
Flyback function
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Soft-iron inner for magnetic protection
Antireflective case
Materials: Ceramic
Components: 299
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 89361
Power Reserve: 68 Hours
Price Range: $10900
Pilot Double Chronograph Top Gun (1 Offering):
Another stand alone offering in the chronograph category is the Pilot Double Chronograph Top Gun edition. This piece features the calibre 79420 with it’s double chronograph function, allowing you to record split times, offering a more practical way of recording time accurately. If you have never seen a double chronograph operate, essentially what happens is two stacked second hands move around in unison when the chronograph is started, when the pusher at 10 O’clock is pushed one hand stops while the other continues moving. To return the “stopped” hand back to the current counting seconds, just press the pusher at 10 O’clock again and it will move to and continue on with the counting second hand. This feature allows you to accurately record lap times or split times, so the time can be stopped and refenced rather than accurately trying to record the time of a moving seconds hand. In addition to the more complex double chronograph movement, this watch comes in Ceratanium, a material with robustness of titanium but hardness (scratch resistance) of ceramic all for a price of $14600.
Functions:
Chronograph w/hours at 6 O’clock, minutes at 12 O’clock, and seconds on center
Split-seconds hand for intermediate timing
Small hacking seconds at 9 O’clock
Day & date display at 3 O’clock
Antireflective case
Soft-iron inner for magnetic protection
Materials: Ceratanium.
Components: 345
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 79420
Power Reserve: 44 Hours
Price Range: $14600
Pilot Chronograph 41 (4 Offerings):
This offering is the smaller version of the standard chronograph from IWC and shares many of the same design ques within a 41mm case size. The movement featured in this piece is the Calibre 69385 which has a 46 hour power reserve and a chronograph function with seconds on center, minutes in the 12 O’clock sub-dial, and hours in the 9 O’clock sub-dial. Standard running time is shown with hours and minutes on center, small seconds at the 6 O’clock sub-dial, and a date/day display at the 3 O’clock sub-dial. Two attractive items the Pilot Chronograph 41 has that the standard chronograph option does not is 10 Bar of water resistance (standard chronograph has 6 bar) and a sapphire display case back (standard chronograph has a metal case back). These pieces are offered in stainless steel only, start at a reasonable $6500, and are sure to impress.
Functions:
Chronograph w/hours at 9 O’clock, minutes at 12 O’clock, and seconds on center
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Day & date display at 3 O’clock
Soft-iron inner for magnetic protection
Antireflective case
IWC bracelet quick-change system
Materials: Stainless Steel
Components: 231
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 69385
Power Reserve: 46 Hours
Price Range: $6500 to $7200
Timezoner & Timezoner Chronograph (2 Offering):
Within the Timezoner category there are 2 watches, one of which is a the standard Timezoner that features the world timer display with date and the other which offers the addition of the chronograph function. The standard Timezoner uses the Calibre 82760 which features the 24-hour world timer function, allowing the user to rotate the locking bezel around the dial to select their geographic location, this will cause the hour hand to move in unison with the rotation, effectively allowing you to adjust time zones on the fly. The standard offering also has the date display at the 3 O’clock location and a 24 hour indication at the 12 O’clock position.
When transitioning to the chronograph version the purpose is similar, this watch still has the unique 24-hour world timer function. However this movement has the addition of a 24 hour hand (substituting for the 24 hour indicator on the standard Timezoner) and a chronograph function. The chronograph function counts seconds on center, and hours and minutes in the 12 O’clock totalizer. Running time is shown with small seconds in the 6 O’clock sub-dial and hours/minutes centrally located. The last detail is of course the date window which can be seen at the 3 O’clock position. Both of these pieces are rather large coming in at 46mm case diameter and both are offered in stainless steel for a price of $13800 and $11900 respectively.
Functions:
24 hour display for worldtimer
Antireflective coating
Date display at 3 O’clock
Timezoner:
12 hour display at 12 O’clock
Central hacking seconds
Timezoner Chronograph:
Chronograph w/hours and minutes at 12 O’clock totalizer and seconds on center
Flyback function
24 hour hand on center
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
Materials: Stainless Steel
Components: 323 (Chrono) & 284
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 89760 (Chrono) and Calibre 82760
Power Reserve: 68 Hours (Chrono) and 60 Hours
Price Range: $11900 (Chrono) to $13800
Pilot Perpetual Calendar (1 Offering):
Considered one of the more exclusive offerings in the Pilot lineup, the Pilot Perpetual Calendar is an 18K gold piece that is limited run to 250 pieces. The Calibre 89630 which is shared in some of the Da Vinci series watches has a full perpetual calendar with date in the 3 O’clock sub-dial, day in the 9 O’clock sub-dial, month in the 6 O’clock sub-dial, 4 digit year between 7 and 8 O’clock, and moonphase indicator at 12 O’clock. The chronograph function on this piece has seconds on center with hours and minutes counted in the 12 O’clock totalizer. Running time has hours and minutes on center with small seconds in the 2nd register of the 6 O’clock sub-dial. This piece is complex, limited run, made from 18K gold, needs minimal adjustment thanks to the perpetual calendar movement, and is sure to catch an eye, however it will cost you a whopping $38300.
Functions:
Perpetual calendar (date at 3 O’clock, day at 9 O’clock, month at 6 O’clock, year in 4 digits between 7 and 8 O’clock, perpetual moonphase at 12 O’clock)
Chronograph w/ hours and minutes in 12 O’clock totalizer and seconds on center
Flyback function
Antireflective coating
Rotor in 18K gold
Small hacking seconds at 6 O’clock
250 pcs limited
Materials: 18K Gold
Components: 399
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 89630
Power Reserve: 68 Hours
Price Range: $38300
Pilot UTC (1 Offering):
The Pilot UTC stands alone in the current pilot series with the edition shown below being the “Spitfire” edition. The Pilot UTC sports the Calibre 82710 movement giving this piece time on center, a date display at the 3 O’clock location, and a 24 hour indicator at the 12 O’clock location. The case of this piece is rather unique coming in bronze, a non-typical case material that offers a unique patina as the piece ages and sets it apart from the masses. The spitfire edition of the piece is limited to 271 pieces at a reasonable price of $8950.
Functions:
24 hour indicator at 12 O’clock
Date display at 3 O’clock
Central hacking seconds
Soft-iron inner for magnetic protection
Antireflective coating
Pellaton automatic winding
271 pcs limited.
Materials: Bronze
Components: 205
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 82710
Power Reserve: 60 Hours
Price Range: $8950
Mark XVIII (7 Offerings):
The Mark XVIII is one of the cheaper and more simplistic pieces within the Pilot lineup, featuring time centrally located and a date display at the 3 O’clock position. The Mark XVIII is boiled down to the essentials giving it the essence of a true tool watch: legibility, wear-ability, and reliability. Offered in both stainless steel and titanium this piece utilizes the Calibre 35111 which has a 42 hour power reserve for an entry price of $4250.
Functions:
Soft iron inner case for magnetic protection
Date display at 3 O’clock
Antirefelctive coating
Central hacking seconds.
Materials: Stainless Steel & Titanium
Components: 163
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 35111
Power Reserve: 42 Hours
Price Range: $4250 to $5250
Automatic (4 Offerings):
The automatic is similar to the Mark XVIII in that it is a time and date only watch and keeps a rather simplistic tool watch design. The Automatic however uses the Calibre 32110 in a slightly smaller case size of 39mm with an increased power reserve of 72 hours. This piece is offered in a few different materials such as stainless steel, bronze, and ceramic and starts at a price of $4450.
Functions:
Soft-iron inner for magnetic protection
Date display at 3 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Central hacking seconds.
Materials: Stainless Steel, Bronze, and Ceramic
Components: 164
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 32110
Power Reserve: 72 Hours
Price Range: $4450 to $5600
Automatic 36 (2 Offerings):
The Automatic 36 is the smaller and somewhat less impressive version of the standard Automatic offering. The Automatic 36 uses the same movement as the Mark XVIII, giving it the reduced power reserve of 42 hours. However this time the Calibre 35111 is fit into a 36mm in diameter outer case. Offered only in stainless steel this piece starts at $4150.
Functions:
Soft iron inner case for magnetic protection
Date display at 3 O’clock
Antirefelctive coating
Central hacking seconds.
Materials: Stainless Steel
Components: 163
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 35111
Power Reserve: 42 Hours
Price Range: $4150 to $5150
Big Pilot Tourbillion (1 Offering):
The Big Pilot Tourbillion is a bit of a stand alone offering in the Pilot lineup as tourbillion movements are not all that prevalent in the Pilot lineup when compared to other IWC models. On this piece, a tourbillion cage is shown at the 9 O’clock location, utilizing a constant force mechanism for a more even distribution of power through the reserve, in turn improving accuracy. A sub-dial at 4 O’clock shows the 96 hour power reserve and another at 1 O’clock shows the south/north moonphase indicator. This piece is a manual wind movement that is viewable through the sapphire backing, contained within a 46.2mm Ceratanium case. Limited to 15 pieces this offering is price on request.
Functions:
Tourbillion with integrated constant force mechanism at 9 O’clock
Moonphase display at 1 O’clock
Power reserve display at 4 O’clock
Antireflective coating
Limited to 15 pcs.
Materials: Ceratanium
Components: 341
Frequency: 18000 Vph
Movement: Calibre 94800
Power Reserve: 96 Hours
Price Range: Price On Request
Big Pilot Shock Absorber XPL (1 Offering):
The last notable and one of the more recent offerings in the Pilot lineup is the Big Pilot Shock Absorber XPL. This offering is one of the most robust offerings within the Pilot lineup and has been tested to be able to withstand accelerations to upwards of 30,000 g. In order to achieve this the entire movement is surrounded by a cantilever spring which dampens any acceleration and spreads the force evenly across the movement. To allow the independent translation of the movement within the case the crown is designed such that it is not rigidly attached between the movement and the case. As you would imagine with a with a watch that is so durable, weight reduction plays a significant role in the durability of the piece. To make the watch as light as possible it is made of Ceratanium a light weight propriety titanium alloy from IWC and the Calibre 32111 is made from light-weight construction utilizing materials like aluminum alloy. Due to the complexity and manufacturing difficulty to make this piece, it is limited to 10 pieces annually and is order/price on request.
Functions:
SPRIN-g PROTECT system for 30,000g
Antireflective coating
Central hacking hands
Limited to 10 Pcs annually.
Materials: Ceratanium
Components: 164
Frequency: 28800 Vph
Movement: Calibre 32111
Power Reserve: 120 Hours
Price Range: Price on Request