Understanding the IWC Pilot’s family part 1 – the Top Gun collection
Time+TideIWC is famous for their pilot’s watches, and rightfully so — they’re instantly recognisable and a genuinely iconic modern design. And while the design born in the middle of last century was for a very specific purpose — as a navigational tool for aviators — the passing of time has seen the collection grow and evolve. Today, IWC’s pilot’s family consists of four distinct sub-collections: Spitfire, the Saint Exupéry watches, the Classics, and the boldly modern Top Gun selection. Over the next four weeks we’re going to explore each of these groups in detail, kicking off with Top Gun.
Top Gun, named for the Naval Air Station school in Miramar, is where IWC’s pilot’s watches look to the future. The collection is heavy on chronographs, with dark, modern aesthetics, and in more high-tech materials than elsewhere in the line-up. Andrew visited the brand’s Melbourne boutique to inspect three models in more detail.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Ceratanium
This 44mm watch made a big impression when it was released at SIHH this year. And not just because the double chronograph is a famous complication for IWC, but because of the novel use of Ceratanium, an alloy of titanium and ceramic that combines the best of both worlds, and also allows for the Ceratanium pushers and buckle.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun
With a black ceramic case clocking in at a hefty 44.5mm, it’s hard to miss this impressive chronograph on the wrist. The monochrome colour scheme offers a few telling pops of red: the Top Gun dial text and running seconds hand. The real story, though, is the movement, which is now the in-house Calibre 69380.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Top Gun
If you’re a fan of the blacked-out pilot’s aesthetic but don’t need the added complication of a chronograph, there’s the Pilot’s Watch Automatic Top Gun, a clean 41mm black ceramic case with white Arabic numerals on a super-comfortable black fabric strap. It’s an excellent daily wearer with a modern touch.
Made in partnership with IWC. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.