WATCHSPOTTING: The IWC watch that had a starring role in Gossip Girl

Sean Roberts

Last year, as I was relegated to the confines of a New York City apartment for weeks on end, binge watching shows became the best way to pass time. In all those months, I found no show did a better job of this than the original Gossip Girl. Rich teenagers, crazy plots and ridiculous cliffhangers provided a much needed distraction from the world outside. It also provided this horological addict with a bevy of watches to spot, with one of those watches leaving a “big” impression. That watch was the IWC Big Pilot IW500401.

Let me set the scene. It’s 2008 and IWC (International Watch Company) Schaffhausen is celebrating their 140 year anniversary. The company has just opened their second boutique in the United States on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Times are great and as the brand continues to make noise, it grabs the attention of of Eric Damen, the costume designer for Gossip Girl.

Eric is looking for the perfect watch for Nate Archibald, a character on the show played by Chace Crawford. Nate is the prototypical preppy athlete whose naivete made for many a good storyline. Starting in season two, his forearms started getting more wrist time and a pilot’s watch began adorning his wrist. The watch could be seen in multiple scenes and became a signature piece of the character. He never mentions it by name but when you take into account the year of filming, that watch could only be the IWC Big Pilot IW500401.

First introduced in 2006, the watch comes in at an immediately noticeable 46mm and bears all the design elements of a classic pilot. Coming on a black-on-black riveted alligator strap, it has highly legible hands and numerals and a large onion crown.  On the inside, you’ll find their in-house calibre 51111 movement beating at 21600 bph with a remarkable seven-day (168 hours) power reserve. To this day, the watch is one of the best and most loved pieces from the brand.

Recently, Gossip Girl was rebooted for HBO. Eric Daman has returned as the costume designer and will be creating the looks and accessories that will define this new group of characters. I can’t wait to see what he picks this time around. Another binge watching session awaits.