IWC reveals 4 of its newest watches for 2019
Iconic navigation technology has been blended with modern chronographic craftsmanship to create IWC Schaffhausen’s newest Pilot’s Watches collection.
The Swiss watchmaker revealed its latest collection of characteristic timepieces ahead of the highly anticipated Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) being held in Geneva in January 2019.
"We will be presenting a full fleet of Pilot’s Watch novelties that exemplify our engineering prowess and our material expertise," IWC Schaffhausen CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr says. "Our new Spitfire line is made using exclusively IWC-manufactured calibres.
"In the new TOP GUN line, we are using Ceratanium for the first time in a Pilot’s Watch, giving rise to a completely jet black double chronograph.
"Last but not least, our special editions honouring the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry novella Le Petit Prince demonstrate our top-flight skills in the field of haute horlogerie."
Spitfire line
Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition The Longest Flight
Combining form and function, the special edition timepiece celebrates the unique engineering expertise of the Spitfire designers (the brains behind one of the most sophisticated aviation developments in history).
The patented Timezoner mechanism with an automatic IWC-manufactured movement is the first of its kind for the Swiss company.
Aviation is reflected throughout the timepiece with its stainless steel case, black dial and green textile strap mirroring the cockpit of a Spitfire.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire
As the backbone of the Spitfire collection, this timepiece is the first IWC Pilot’s Chronograph with a movement from the 69,000 calibre family – a feature first introduced in 2016.
The robust piece is highly precise with a classic column wheel design. Stopped hours and minutes are displayed on two subdials and the pawl-winding system winds both sides, with an impressive power reserve of 46 hours.
Complemented by a stylish olive-green dial and a brown calf leather strap, the dial is ensconced in a bronze case that develops a special patina over time, making each piece unique.
Top Gun line
Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Ceratanium
Inspired by the US Navy’s Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program, the Top Gun line is specifically designed to meet the requirements of elite jet pilots.
The matte black case ensures pilots aren’t distracted by sun reflections while the hard, scratch-resistant ceramic withstands extreme G-forces, humidity and salty sea air.
IWC used ceratanium (an innovative lightweight material as unbreakable as titanium and as scratch resistant as ceramic) for the first time in a Pilot’s Watch to create the striking jet-black piece boasting 44 hours of power reserve.
Le Petit Prince
Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition
As the first Pilot’s Watch to feature a constant-force tourbillon, the highly sought-after timepiece will be in demand with only 10 available.
The limited edition is the first IWC piece produced in hard gold – a new version of red gold that is up to 10 times more wear-resistant than traditional red gold.
The IWC-manufactured calibre 94805 combines a constant-force tourbillon with its moon phase display that takes 577.5 years to require adjustment by one day and enough power for 96 hours.