INTRODUCING: The new IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Racing Green
Borna BošnjakHaving released the first Big Pilot’s Watch 43 just over a year ago, IWC has already filled out the collection with many references. The BP43 brought a more wearable case size and a classic type A flieger dial, for an overall cleaner look as opposed to its big brother. The new Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Racing Green takes inspiration from British racing green, pioneered by Napier during the turn of the 19th century, before gracing racing legends like the Aston Martin DBR1, Jaguar D-Type and Bentley Speed 8 to name a few.
But wait, did you say… green? A green watch in the year of our Lord 2022? I thought that’s a 2021 thing, and that we’re all doing a baby-powdery-blue thing now?
The watch
Let’s cut right to the chase — the dial. With bold white printing and minimal fuss, the backdrop is an alt take on classic BRG. The renders are unlike most iterations of racing green, skewing slightly towards the blue end of the colour spectrum. If the sunburst finish is anything like the one found on IWC’s other models, it’ll offer a highly light-reactive experience. The sword hands are rhodium-plated, with large lume plots for enhanced legibility in low-light scenarios.
The case is a classic Big Pilot’s Watch affair, with circular brushing on the top side and a thin polished ring in the form of the chamfer atop a tall bezel. Naturally, it retains the oversized onion-shaped crown that has become a defining feature of IWC’s Big Pilot’s series. The crown is also screw-down, giving the BP43 10 bar of water resistance. While it may be named the 43, the BP is closer to 43.8mm in diameter, with a thickness of 13.6mm and a lug-to-lug of 52.6mm.
Turned over, we can see another headlining feature of this new release — straps. To celebrate this boutique (and online boutique) edition, IWC is introducing 10 new rubber strap colours, which will all feature the signature double-rivet design. Black, blue, red, brown, yellow, green, grey, orange, light blue and olive green make up the list. To help you play around with all your IWC straps is the EasX-CHANGE® system (fancy name, IWC), letting you use almost any strap with the same system, which will be helpful considering the non-standard 21mm lug width.
This view also lets us peer through the caseback, displaying the IWC manufacture calibre 82100. It features the Pellaton winding system, which helps protect the gear train from shocks, and allows for more efficient winding. With 60 hours of power reserve, the 82100 is the standard for all BP43 models.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Racing Green pricing and availability:
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Racing Green is an IWC boutique exclusive, and is available directly from IWC and their online store. Price: $12,900 AUD
| Brand | IWC |
| Model | Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Racing Green |
| Reference Number | IW329306 |
| Case Dimensions | 43.8mm x 52.6mm x 13.6mm, 21mm lug width |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 10 bar |
| Dial | Racing green |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Strap | Green riveted rubber strap with EasX-CHANGE® system |
| Movement | IWC manufacture calibre 82100, Pellaton winding system, 60-hour power reserve |
| Price | $12,900 AUD |