THE HOME OF WATCH CULTURE

VIDEO: 6 standout watches from IWC’s 2018 collection – from Pilot’s to Pallweber VIDEO: 6 standout watches from IWC’s 2018 collection – from Pilot’s to Pallweber

VIDEO: 6 standout watches from IWC’s 2018 collection – from Pilot’s to Pallweber

Andrew McUtchen

It’s IWC’s 150th birthday this year and to celebrate they’ve released 27 watches across five different collections – Portugieser, Portofino, Pilot’s, Da Vinci and Pallweber – that represent some pretty exciting firsts and evolutions for the brand. We’ve chosen one watch from each collection to highlight, as well as two from the Pilot’s Collection, because, well, Pilot’s watches.

Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Edition “150 Years”

What’s new?
This is the first Big Pilot’s Watch from IWC with a big date display.

How many of this version are available?
Two limited-edition models are available, each restricted to 100 watches, one with a blue lacquer dial and one with a white lacquer dial. Both are in stainless steel, the blue dial with rhodium-plated hands and the white with blued hands.

Talking point?
The lacquer on the dial is applied in 12 layers, with the last being hand-finished. It gives a glossy depth to the dial that’s a dramatic change up from the standard BP and the Le Petit Prince version.

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition 150 years

What’s new?
The dial. White lacquer. Arctic. Glossy. Glorious.

How many of this version are available?
1000

Talking point?
Like on all models in the Jubilee collection, pricing is less than 5% more than on current like models.

Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase Edition “150 Years”

What’s new?
The moon phase module has been added to the Calibre 59000. It will deviate from the actual cycle of the moon by just 1 day every 122 years.

How many of this version are available?
150

Talking point?
This is the only gold watch in the Jubilee collection with a blue dial. The hands, as well as the moon and stars in the moon phase display, have been gold-plated to match.

IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”

What’s new?
This is the first time a digital hours and minutes display is being offered by IWC in a wristwatch. Behind the blue lacquer dial is the new Calibre 94200 movement which took five years of work to develop. It comprises of two barrels; one automatic and one hand wound, as well as two gear trains – one for the single minute disc, the other handles the other display discs. It has a 60-hour power reserve.

How many of this version are available?
500

Talking point?
The Tribute to Pallweber harks back to when IWC started using this form of time display in pocket watches in 1884.

Da Vinci Automatic Edition “150 Years”

What’s new?
The newly developed automatic IWC-manufactured 82200 calibre.

How many of this version are available?
250

Talking point?
Movement components in this watch that are subject to particularly hard use, such as the pawls or the cam, are made of virtually wear-proof ceramic. The skeletonized rotor features circular graining and Geneva stripes.

Portugieser Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “150 Years”

What’s new?
This is a new movement –  the IWC-manufactured hand-wound 94805 calibre with a power reserve of 96 hours.

How many of this version are available?
15

Talking point?
This model combines a constant-force tourbillon with a simple moon phase display that only needs to be adjusted by 1 day after 577.5 years.