The Best Of | IWC Pilot
Published on 19 June 2020
The iconic IWC Pilots Collection upholds the ultimate union of vintage military with stylish contemporary aesthetic. The variations of each Pilot maintain harmonious design elements. Most notably the the legibly clean dial, which historically distinguished the Pilot, was originally created in 1940 to assist aviators and their navigators to clearly tell time. This functionality has carried through to the Pilot watches of today, with high contrast coloured dials, angular hands and hour markers.
For a casual sporty feel, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire embodies this near perfectly. This chronograph with a bronze case, an olive green dial and a brown calfskin strap has a unique character. Depending on the use to which it is put, bronze develops a patina in the course of time and darkens in colour, giving the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire its own unmistakable character.
Alternatively coming in a sleek blue dial with contrasting black calfskin strap is the Perpetual Calendar “Rodeo Drive” Edition. This refers to the address of IWC’s boutique in Los Angeles. The perpetual calendar independently recognises the different lengths of the months and the leap years. It will run without any correction needed until 2100. The double moon phase display depicts the earth’s satellite for viewers on both the northern and southern hemisphere and only needs to be adjusted by one day after 577.5 years.
For a truly vintage aesthetic, the Big Pilot’s Watch Heritage maintains various elements from its predecessor. The timepiece has an impressive diameter of 46 millimetres and features a striking retro look. The case is made from durable and light Titanium and weighs less than 150 grams. As on the famous original model, the chapter ring, the Arabic numerals and propeller-like hands are all beige. A soft-iron inner case protects the movement against the effects of magnetic fields. The watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52110-calibre movement.
A modern minimalist interpretation is embodied in the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII featuring a 40-millimetre stainless-steel case with a dial that is uncompromisingly reduced to the essentials. Not even a single line is unnecessary – everything is designed to be clear and legible. The brilliant white hands on the silver-plated dial have a luminescent coating and a black outline and guarantee optimum legibility by day or night.
Share