Australian Watch Authority
WATCHSPOTTING: The IWC watch that had a starring role in Gossip Girl
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…
VIDEO: The history of the IWC Big Pilot and how it became a stone-cold classic
Can you fly a plane? Nope, me neither. So why the hell are pilot’s watches so enduringly popular? More specifically how has the IWC Big Pilot retained such a relentless grip on the watch-buying psyche? The origin story of the IWC Big Pilot began in 1940 when the brand produced 1000 military navigators’ watches. These oversized “B-Uhr” watches had distinctive dials and pocket watch movements converted to central seconds. Back then a pilot’s watch was a no-nonsense tool designed for…
HANDS-ON The IWC Big Pilot 43 shrinks in size but not impact
The evolution of an iconic design is interesting. How do designers keep something fresh, without losing the identity that made it an icon in the first place? Be it the iPhone, the Porsche 911 or the Nik Air Jordan sneaker, it’s a challenge that organisations around the world struggle with and this year IWC took up the challenge to modernise the Big Pilot. The result? You’re looking at the all-new IWC Big Pilot 43, with a more widely wearable case,…
VIDEO: The IWC Big Pilot 43 gives an iconic watch a modern upgrade
The IWC Big Pilot is not quite so big anymore. That’s right, the new IWC Big Pilot 43 is now a full 3mm smaller in diameter compared to the previous 46mm generation, but doesn’t lose any of the impact that it has on the wrist. The iconic pilot’s watch has been updated to become more accessible and easier to wear, with additional updates to the movement, straps and a slightly different dial layout. Ergonomic design is an area that is…
VIDEO: The IWC Pilot’s collection offers fresh sizes and a wider array of choice
Last year, IWC focused on revamping their impressive Portugieser line. In 2021, it’s the turn of the IWC Pilot’s collection that’s expanded to offer greater choice than ever before with a veritable squadron of new pieces. Highlights include a new Big Pilot that’s downsized from the slightly intimidating 46mm to a more wearable 43mm option. There are also a host of new options in the chronograph range, not to mention a new stainless-steel perpetual calendar with an eye-catching blue dial.…