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HANDS-ON: The IWC Big Pilot 43 shrinks in size but not impact HANDS-ON: The IWC Big Pilot 43 shrinks in size but not impact

HANDS-ON: The IWC Big Pilot 43 shrinks in size but not impact

Nick Kenyon

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, a cleverly engineered new strap system and a redesigned dial layout.

IWC Big Pilot 43

The case

IWC Big Pilot 43

The case of the IWC Big Pilot 43 is the big story here, even though it’s smaller than the older generation. The Schaffhausen based firm has shrunk the once hulking case from 46mm down to (you guessed it) 43mm, which is a significant step in the history of this iconic pilot’s design. The Rock famously makes a 46mm reference look tiny, but for the rest of us who aren’t 6’5″ and 120kg+ it was a watch that could wear you if you weren’t careful.

IWC Big Pilot 43

The new 43mm case is a welcome move by the brand that will undoubtedly make it significantly more wearable for us mere mortals, opening up whole new markets for IWC to tell the story of the Big Pilot to. At 13.6mm thick it maintains the serious wrist presence that you’re looking for if you’re in the market for a Big Pilot, and still has the instantly recognisable half-onion crown.

Also new this year for the IWC Big Pilot 43 is the sapphire crystal caseback, which offers a full view of the nicely finished movement within. If that wasn’t enough, the crown screws down, guaranteeing the watch to 100m of water resistance, putting it in proper sports watch territory.

The dial

IWC Big Pilot 43

The redesigned dial is partially due to the new movement within the watch, which we’ll get to shortly. On the 46mm references, the dial featured a power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock (a necessary feature in a watch that boasts seven days of power reserve) and a date at 6 o’clock.

IWC Big Pilot 43

In the new 43mm references, both of these are gone, leaving significantly more negative space across the dial, which actually serves to further emphasise the super-legible Arabic numerals around the dial.

IWC Big Pilot 43

Available in either a sunburst finished blue or a more evenly finished black, there’s something for everyone here.

The movement

IWC Big Pilot 43

Powering this new collection is the IWC in-house caliber 82100, which ticks away at 28,800 vph and is fitted with the efficient IWC Pellaton automatic winding system.

IWC Big Pilot 43

The main change here is the power reserve, which is now 60 hours compared to the 168 hours of the 46mm reference. Yes it’s less than the previous version, but 60 hours is more than enough if you wear your IWC Big Pilot 43 everyday, and unlikely to be vastly different from any of the other watches in your collection.

The bracelets and straps 

IWC Big Pilot 43

The bracelets and straps is another thoughtfully ergonomic step taken by IWC this year. For the first time ever the Big Pilot is available on a five-link steel bracelet, as well as the options of a leather or rubber strap, all of which are secured with folding clasps.

It is the new EasX-CHANGE system that this new collection features that is the real game changer, which allows you to swap between straps or bracelets with the click of a fingernail, instead of needing to mess around with strap changing tools or visiting your boutique.

The system is incredibly intuitive to operate, without sacrificing comfort or security when you strap the watch to your wrist.

The verdict

All considered, it’s an exciting step in the evolution of the IWC Big Pilot and one that many fans of IWC are thrilled to hear about if they had previously thought the size was too large. Updating such an iconic watch in a thoughtfully contemporary way is no easy feat, yet despite the more approachable size, it hasn’t sacrificed the impression on the wrist.

IWC Big Pilot 43 pricing and availability:

The IWC Big Pilot 43 is AUD$14,000 on steel bracelet or AUD$12,600 on leather strap. The collection is currently available from IWC Boutiques and Authorised Dealers.

Made in partnership with IWC. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with ourEditorial Policy.