The Most Iconic Iwc Pilot's Watches

By Author: Deepika Mahajan
Total Articles: 5
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The 1930s were uncertain times. Europe was about to be shattered and no one had a clue. The economy was struggling with the aftermath of the Great War. The same could not have been said about the watchm aking industry. The late 1930s stood witness to various European nations strengthening their armies, air forces, and navies. This, in turn, brought up the need for precision chronometers for pilots and soldiers. Of course, watchmakers such as IWC rose to the occasion and came up with some of the most iconic timepieces. These would later on become benchmarks for modern day devices. One of the prodigies, which was born out of this era was the coveted Pilot's Watch. IWC did not waste any time and launched its first specialized watch for pilots in 1936. The watch had a big dial for legibility, big Arabic numerals, and extreme temperature resistance and a shatterproof glass to ensure durability in the toughest conditions. In 1940, this prototype made way for the first IWC Big Pilot's watch, ref. 431 B-Uhr. Ref. 431 was a 55mm observer's watch that was built for the German Airforce. This marked the beginning of the legacy that IWC ...
... would leave in the form of Pilot's Watches.
IWC Pilot's Watches
IWC has released several timepieces in the Pilot's Watch family with numerous lines of semi-independent watches that have the potential of starting their own collections under the IWC banner. The Top Gun and Spit Fire are very good examples. Nevertheless, every watch in the Pilot's Watch collection is unique in its own way. But at the end of the day, there are ones that truly deserve to be applauded. They are not only pioneers in the watchmaking world but they also raise the bar for others in the competition. This write-up will ponder upon the creme de la creme of IWC Pilot Watch collection.
IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII
The IWC presented the Pilot's Watch Mark XI in 1948 to the Royal Air Force. It took inspiration from its predecessor, the Mark X which was not exactly a pilot's watch as it was designed for the Army. That being said, the Mark XI was a perfect fit for the pilot's wrist at 35mm with superlative readability and sturdiness. Fast forward to the present and we have ourselves the Mark XVIII. The watch is simple and carries a whole lot of history with it.
In fact, another reason why the IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII is so popular is the history that is attached to it. As a watch enthusiast, you would love this watch on your wrist. It is clean, clear, and super easy to read. To top that off, the watch has an inner iron case that grants it anti-magnetic properties. There is something romantic about the watch that gradually grows on you. Maybe that's why it is often dubbed as 'every non-pilot's favourite pilot's watch'.
The watch looks axiomatically tough with its 40mm wide and 11mm thick case. Just like the case, the leather strap too has a substantial presence which is rigid at first but then begins to settle in as you keep using it. The dial has a date display at 3 o'clock which personally is a great addition to the timepiece. Additional features like the ETA calibre 30110 movement, 60 meters water resistance, and a 42-hour power reserve make the timepiece a lovely device. The Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII is not exactly an avant-garde design from the Swiss watchmaker but it successfully encapsulates the heritage of the decades-old collection.
IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner Chronograph
Launched in 2016, the Pilot's Watch Timezoner Chronograph was a technological feat achieved by IWC. Engineers at IWC came up with the world timer function that allows the watch bearers to adjust the time according to the time zone they are in. The watch is truly something out of a science fiction movie. The bezel has names of popular cities on it, it rotates and is thicker than the usual Pilot's Watch. The leather strap is tight but similar to all other leather straps, it too becomes supple over time.
The complication was originally designed and patented by watchmaker Michael Vogt with his first complete watch launched at the Basel expo 2014. It wasn't long before IWC bought the patented technology from Vogt and started working on it. Finally, in 2016, IWC released the Timezoner on one of its most prestigious watch collection, the Pilot's Watch. The watch utilizes an in-house movement calibre 89760 and boasts an impressive 68 hours power reserve.
As opposed to what might be obvious, the Pilot's Watch Timezoner is surprisingly user-friendly. The local time can be changed as per current time zones by simply pressing down the bezel and then rotating it till the correct time zone clocks in at the 12 o'clock position.
The watch is a true marvel from IWC. No wonder IWC was so quick in buying the patent from Vogt. It does not make for the ideal dress watch or portray the sturdiest sports watch, but what it does is give your friends the look of envy.
in essence, this watch is a perfect gift from IWC to people who fly quite frequently. People who travel frequently to other time zones are often caught up in changing the time or simply wearing different watches. The Timezoner Chronograph simply eliminates this issue by facilitating a smooth transition to different time zones.
IWC Big Pilot's Watch: Perpetual Calendar Spitfire
When enlisting names of the most remarkable Pilot's Watches ever made, the IWC Big Pilot watch cannot stay very far behind. The Big Pilot's watch is nothing short of a legend in the world of horology. As the timepiece that set the tone for subsequent pilot's watches to come, IWC Big Pilot's has achieved a lot since its 1940 release and 2002 re-release. In 2019, IWC Schaffhausen paid homage to the iconic fighter plane Spitfire with the launch of Big Pilot's Perpetual Calendar Spitfire.
The watch triumphantly manages to exhume the vibe of greatness. Similar to the Top Gun collection under the Big Pilot's banner, the Perpetual Calendar Spitfire takes subtle cues from the 2002 model. What watch connoisseurs might not know is that it also takes certain pointers from the 1948/49 Mark XI Pilot's Watch.
Needless to say, the Swiss watch house has come up with a multitude of Big Pilot's watches over the years. But the thing that sets this watch apart is that for the first time we have a Big Pilot's and Spitfire watch in a bronze case. Well, not exactly. The case makes use of a bronze alloy which changes colour over time. Now, how cool is that?
This bronze and green bad boy packs a powerful punch with a calibre 52615 movement and a see-through sapphire case back. With a case size of 46.2mm, the watch is definitely not for those who prefer petite designs. The best and perhaps the most obvious feature of the watch is the perpetual calendar complication. Apart from a hint of old school military look, which never runs out of style, the watch also provides a masculine presence on the wrist. If that doesn't make you skip a heartbeat, then what will?
In conclusion, it would only be fair to mention that IWC Schaffhausen has done an excellent job in expanding the Pilot's Watch squadron. Stating that the Pilot's Watches today are merely an iteration of the originals would be false as well. With time, they have grown, adapted, and become far more superior than their predecessors ever were. Check out the IWC watches price in India at KWC stores.

Deepika Mahajan is a writer from 7 years who has the best knowledge of lifestyle, fashion & jewellery watches.