5 Iconic Pilot Watches of IWC HK

Introduction

IWC is an important player in the global luxury watch market. IWC was founded by American engineer and watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones in 1868. This iconic manufacturer from Schaffhausen in Switzerland offers a wide range of exceptional Swiss made timepieces for men and women. It is a market leader in the manufacturing premium tool watches and chronographs for the aircrew, divers, engineers, professionals and explorers.

IWC has a rich heritage in producing timepieces for pilots. In 1935, the company introduced Mark IX, its first purpose-made aviator watch. In the 1940s, the Big Pilot’s Watch 52 T.S.C. model with a whopping 55mm diameter case was introduced. The brand’s notable historical pilot watches also include the Mark X built for the British Armed Forces and the Mark XI – both were introduced during the Second World War. In the late 1980s, the company reinvigorated its pilot watch family by introducing a chronograph model. Since then, this remarkable series has been evolved tremendously and developed into a best-selling IWC watch collection.

Being one of the prominent manufacturers of Pilot watches, the brand boasts a comprehensive and diverse collection in this particular segment. It is comprised of time-only, three-hand with the date, chronograph, perpetual calendar, tourbillon, UTC and world time watches. From this series, the brand is also offering multi-complication timepieces like the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph and the Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon.

IWC also offers pilot watch models from the Le Petit Prince and the Antoine De Saint Exupéry editions. The TOP GUN series was born from IWC’s partnership with the legendary Navy Fighter Weapons School program of the US Navy. In addition to these models, the company manufactures various special edition pilot watches in partnership with prestigious Air force combat squadrons of the United States Air Force.

In this article, we call your attention to five popular IWC pilot watches from the current lineup. 

(1) IWC Big Pilot Automatic 46mm 

This Gent’s model draws its inspiration from the legendary Big Pilot’s Watch 52 T.S.C. launched in 1940 by IWC Schaffhausen. The present generation Big Pilot Automatic watch features a 46.2mm diameter case. This retro-styled model is equipped with the in-house 52110 self-winding movement. Equipped with Pellaton automatic winding mechanism and central hacking seconds, this 31-jewel calibre provides a power reserve of 168 hours (equivalent to seven days).

The IWC Big Pilot Automatic 46mm model displays time with three centrally positioned hands. Additionally, it features a date window at 6 o’clock and a power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock. Presently, the brand is offering stainless steel and titanium versions of this timepiece. Presently, three stainless steel variants are available. Among them, IW501001 features a black dial; IW501002 has a blue dial and IW501015 comes with a green dial. The IWC HK retail price of steel models is approximately HK $105,000 each. The 46mm Big Pilot’s Watch Heritage version (IW501004) features a titanium case. It costs around HK $107,000. 

(2) IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII

This is a minimalistic aviator watch inspired by the iconic IWC Mark XI. It features a 40mm diameter case. Equipped with the self-winding caliber 35111, IWC Pilot Mark XVIII features three centrally positioned hands for the hour, minute and seconds. It also displays the date window at 3 o’clock.

The regular stainless steel models are available with black (IW327015 and IW327009) or white dial (IW327012). The brand is also offering special edition models in stainless steel: The Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII “Antoine De Saint Exupéry” watch with a tobacco-brown dial (IW327003) and the IWC Le Petit Prince Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII featuring blue dial (IW327010/ IW327016). The models with leather strap retail at HK $35,300 each. The versions fitted with stainless steel bracelets cost approximately HK $42,800.

Costing about HK$37,000, the IWC Mark XVIII Heritage version (IW327006) comes with a titanium case, black dial and brown calfskin strap. Water resistant to 60 meters, every IWC Mark XVIII watch features screwed metal case back, screw-in crown and sapphire crystal front glass. 

(3)  IWC Big Pilot Automatic 43mm

This automatic aviator timepiece has a 43mm diameter stainless steel case. This model is inspired by a military observation watch of the 1940s. With Versatile and ergonomic design, it offers a water resistance of 100 meters.

Equipped with the IWC-manufactured 82100 mechanical self-winding caliber, it features a time-only dial configuration with three centre hands. Embellished with high horology finishes like Côtes de Genève and perlage, the 22-jewel movement has a power reserve of 60 hours. Endowed with the Pellaton winding mechanism, this calibre is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. Offered with leather strap or stainless steel bracelet, this timepiece features the innovative IWC bracelet quick-change system.

Presently, IWC Big Pilot 43 is available with two dial colors: Black (IW329301) and Blue (IW329303/IW329304). The IWC watch HK retail price of Big Pilot 43 is HK $66,600 (with leather strap) and HK $74,100 with a stainless steel bracelet. 

(4) IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Le Petit Prince

The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph is a popular series from the brand’s best-selling pilot watches family. It is available in various iterations and two case sizes: 41mm and 43mm. Depending upon the model, they feature black, blue, brown, green, grey or carbon dial. IWC offers stainless steel, bronze, ceramic, ceratanium and titanium versions from this series.

The best-selling model in this series is “IWC Le Petit Prince” edition. Presently two references are available: IW377714 and IW377717. Both feature 43mm diameter case made of stainless steel. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Le Petit Prince highlights the emblematic blue dial associated with the popular IWC watch series named after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s celebrated novella The Little Prince. The reference IW377714 features a brown calfskin strap where as IW377717 is fitted on a steel bracelet.

This timepiece is equipped with the IWC 79320 automatic self-winding caliber. It provides a power reserve up to 44 hours. In addition to basic time display, this movement drives chronograph mechanism with the centre stop-seconds hand, the 30 minute register at 12 o’clock and the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. It also powers the day-date display at 3 o’clock. Positioned at 9 o’clock, the small seconds hand is highlighted with the red color.

IWC’s Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Le Petit Prince model features screwed stainless steel case back engraved with the image of the Little Prince. This model is highly sought-after, because it pays tribute to the legendary military aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Moreover, its stylish blue dial attracts attention from luxury tool watch lovers. It has a water resistance of 60 meters. The selling price is about HK $44,600. 

(5) IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Top Gun

The TOP GUN pilot watch series celebrates the iconic brand’s enduring legacy in the manufacturing of military-grade aviator watches. IWC has been an official licensee of the US Navy since 2007, and this collection took its name from the legendary Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).

Most of the wristwatches from this collection have been exclusively created for the combat pilots of the US Navy. It also offers a number of civilian models, and among them, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic TOP GUN (Ref. IW326901) is the most minimalist, accessible and well-liked timepiece. This reference boasts a ceramic case measuring 41mm in diameter and a black dial. It houses the IWC-manufactured 32110 Caliber with the automatic winding. It has a power reserve of 72 hours. The 21-jewel movement incorporates a three centre hands layout with a date window at 3 o’clock.

Worn on a black textile strap, IW326901 has a retail price of HK $46,600.

Summary

Concluding this article, let us go through the distinctive features of IWC Pilot watches. Each of these rugged mechanical wristwatches is packed with lots of exceptional characteristics necessary for a reliable aviator watch.

Firstly, they are made of high-quality materials like 316L stainless steel, bronze, titanium, ceramic and Ceratanium. All of these watches feature scratch-proof, AR-coated sapphire crystal glass on the top for ensuring clear visibility of the dial. Usually, this glass is secured against displacement by drop in air pressure.

A stand-out feature of all IWC pilot watches is the large dial size, which ensures excellent readability. The indexes and hands are bold in size and embedded with top-grade luminescent coating for ensuring dial visibility even in the darkness. An equally crucial aspect is the large, grooved crown for enabling quick adjustment even though you are wearing gloves.

Blending functionality with cleanness, all IWC pilot watches are equipped with highly exceptional mechanical movements. Known for reliability and precision, they offer outstanding autonomy. In certain models, its power reverse can range up to 168 hours (seven days). To prevent disturbances due to magnetic interference, most of the watches are provided with soft-iron inner case.

Depending upon the reference, each IWC pilot watch fits on a metal bracelet, leather strap or textile wristband.