Editor’s note: Like you, we are also excited for the Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties. Before we get to dive deep into them, here’s our preview & Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The New IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph In A Nutshell
IWC follows up the 2019 success of the sand-coloured ceramic IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert” with two new striking pieces, the white ceramic case and a black dialled “Lake Tahoe” ref. IW389105 and the dark green ceramic case and dial with pushers, crown and a case back in matte black Ceratanium® version named “Woodland” ref. IW389106.
The green version inspired by the shade of flight suits of naval aviators is our pick, simply because not only is it in the in-trend colour of green, but unlike the white-and-black “Lake Tahoe” version, it’s also more stealth looking that adds to the entire U.S Navy TOPGUN School vibe.
Ceramic was first debuted by the brand back in 1986 for the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar (Ref. 3755), followed by the 1994 Pilot’s Chronograph Ceramic (Ref. 3705). The brand informs us that they also “experimented with different colours and produced small series or prototypes in white, blue, green, or even pink ceramic”.
The production of coloured ceramic cases is not an easy task, and given IWC’s experimentation with ceramics is not new, it speaks volumes about the brand’s commitment to innovate and be on-trend. The use of only plain ol’ black ceramic case sin now a thing of the past; embrace the beauty of other ceramic case colours with the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph.
Though for those of you who still prefer the brooding dark aesthetics of a full blacked-out ceramic pilot’s watch, and also for those with slimmer wrists, the brand at Watches & Wonders 2022 also introduced the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium®. This ref. IW388106 features a smaller 41.1mm x 14.5mm full Ceratanium® case —a first for the brand — that presents the best of both titanium and ceramic: lightweight, robust, hard and scratch-resistant. It is more water-resistant than its coloured larger counterpart at 100m and is powered by the IWC-manufactured calibre 69385. It also features a display case-back.
Basic Specs of the Colourful IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph
Both the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph watches feature a 44.5mm diameter and 15.7mm thick ceramic case, with either a titanium case back for the “Lake Tahoe” version or a Ceratanium® case back for the “Woodland model. Both versions feature 21mm lug interhorn spacing, are water-resistant to 60m, and feature a soft-iron inner case to protect the movement from the effects of magnetic fields. Impressively, the front glasses are also secured to withstand sudden drops in air pressure. Small details like this go a long way in making a product desirable.
Inside the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph watches ticks the IWC-manufactured calibre 69380 which is a chronograph with a column-wheel design. It beats at the frequency of 4Hz, comprises 31 components and 33 jewels, and provides 46 hours of power reserve.
Retailing for 15’900 AUD, the limited to 1000-piece per annum new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph watches are announced as part of the Watches & Wonders 2022 March 30 to April 5 (both online and at the Salon). These watches are now eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and owners will benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.
Quotable
“These new chronographs not only underscore IWC’s longstanding and extensive experience in the fields of in-house chronographs and advanced materials. The white and green ceramic used for the cases also illustrates the current evolution of TOP GUN from a collection primarily focused on performance to a bold style statement and an expression of a distinct way of life”.
Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen
To find out more about the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph watches and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are ©IWC Schaffhausen. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties here.
