INTRODUCING: The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Spitfire Editions
D.C. HannayHas IWC finally created the perfect iteration of the Big Pilot? Well, perfect for those of us whose wrists don’t resemble a redwood’s trunk, anyway. You see, Flieger-style pilot’s watches have always been necessarily big, because of their origins as pocket watches adapted for wear on the wrist. One of the big advantages of having a large watch with an oversized crown is that it’s easier to wind with gloves on, perfect for the open cockpits of early aircraft. And the large cases could be worn outside the sleeve of a flight jacket for better visibility. But times change, and most of us don’t commute to work flying a Sopwith Camel.
The IWC Big Pilot’s watch has been one of the brand’s signature models for many years, and a definite statement piece for those that could pull off wearing a watch with a 46-plus mm diameter case. It’s an icon, for sure, but a bit much for my decidedly average wrist. Well, now there’s a Festivus for the rest of us. IWC released a more contemporary-sized version this past April, the Big Pilot’s Watch 43, and those three millimetres make a world of difference in terms of wearability. And while size has been reduced, it retains all of the badass wrist presence of its elder sibling. Now it’s time to say hello to the newest members of the family.
A fusion of the Big Pilot’s watch and the Spitfire range, the Spitfire Editions of the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 have just launched in two new versions, one in full titanium and one in bronze. IWC has characterized them as an evolution of their historic Mark 11 field watch, and named them after the famous WWII Spitfire fighter plane. And while the movement and dimensions are the same in both models, there are several key differences to note. We’ll get to those in a minute.
Shared specs between the two new models include a 43mm case diameter, a case height of 14.4mm, a domed sapphire crystal, 100 metres of water resistance with a screw-down crown, a closed titanium caseback, a soft-iron inner case to protect against magnetic fields, and the automatic IWC calibre 82100 movement. This in-house movement beats at 28,800 vph/4Hz, and features 22 jewels, a Pellaton automatic winding system, central hacking seconds, and a 60-hour power reserve. It’s from here that the two take very different paths.
Firstly, the Ref. IW329701 is fully cased in Grade 5 titanium for its strength and lightweight properties. The case is finished first by polishing, then sandblasting the titanium for a no-nonsense demeanor. The oversized fluted crown from the original Big Pilot’s watch remains (how could it not?), so timesetting is a breeze.
Personally, I absolutely love the dial, configured for practicality like a traditional observation watch. Since instinctively we can all suss out the hours at a casual glance, IWC has chosen to emphasize the minutes and seconds in white on the outer section of the black dial. The hours are printed in a subdued grey toward the inside, and it makes perfect sense from a design standpoint, evoking a purpose-built instrument in a very authentic way. The dial aesthetics are rounded out with fauxtina markings at 3, 6, 9, and 12, and everything is fully lumed for easy visibility, including the sword-style hands.
Classic Flieger-style looks remain intact, owing to the brown calfskin leather strap with contrast stitching. Additionally, the straps for both watches feature IWC’s EasX-CHANGE system, a cool innovation which allows you to change straps at the push of a button, without the use of any additional tools that could possibly damage the watch. I know my klutzy fingers will appreciate that.
The Ref. IW329702 takes a complete left turn stylistically from the titanium version, with its more rustic appearance, which will become even more personal to you as the bronze case ages with a warm patina.
About that bronze: the alloy used by IWC contains higher amounts of aluminium and iron, resulting in a formulation that’s 50% harder than your bog-standard bronze. The military green dial is just the right complement to the case material, and gold-plated sword hands complete the look. It’s bold without being too flashy, and should only get better with age and wear. The bronze version is supplied with a note-perfect green buffalo hide strap that utilises the same tool-free strap exchange system.
All told, the Spitfire Editions of the Big Pilot’s 43 are a refreshing take on a classic design icon, and best of all, their size makes it much easier to wear for the majority of enthusiasts. The biggest problem I have? Deciding which version I like best.
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Spitfire Editions pricing and availability:
$13,400 and the IFind out more at www.iwc.com