The IWC Schaffhausen Pilot Family: Ready for Take-Off

Reviving a 1980s classic nearly 40 years later, Top Gun: Maverick is a sequel following the life of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, as he confronts the ghosts of his past and his deepest fears. It’s a film about bravery, loyalty, and, most importantly, aviation.

But whilst we’re a fan of Tom Cruise and can appreciate a good action-thriller when we see one, we’re not disillusioned into believing we’re film reviewers. We promise. Instead, as the Top Gun film tells the tale of the thrill of aviation, it’s fitting to re-introduce the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot watch family to our audience: timepieces fit for professional pilots. First introduced in the 1930s for civil engineering purposes, the collection has since established a reputation for precision timepieces with outstanding technology.

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire

Tough and yet somewhat modest, the Spitfire was introduced, for the first time ever for IWC Schaffhausen, with a movement from the 69000-calibre family – the IWC manufactured 69380 calibre with a rugged movement in a classic column wheel design. The colours of the functional chronograph were inspired by the Spitfire’s cockpit, and the stainless-steel case, black dial and brown calfskin strap echo this inspiration further.

Coming in a reduced case size of 41mm, the timepiece is water-resistant up to 60 metres and dons a bidirectional pawl-winding system that builds up a power reserve of approximately 46 hours.

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII ‘Le Petit Prince’ 40mm

No fuss. That’s how you would describe the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Mark XVIII timepiece. And if that rings true with yourself, then perhaps this would be a watch match made in heaven. Putting a firm focus on clarity, legibility and accuracy, the Mark XVIII reduces the functionality and design of a typical IWC Schaffhausen Pilot model down to the bare essentials: midnight blue dial, luminescent hands and hour markers, large rounded Arabic numerals and a date display.

Elsewhere, the timepiece is driven by an automatic 35111-calibre movement, approximately a 42-hour power reserve, and come accompanied with a leather strap.

Big Pilots Watch Perpetual Calendar

Striking and traditional: this timepiece, with a stainless-steel case and blue dial, continues the long-established theme of perpetual calendar watches in the Big Pilot’s collection. The perpetual calendar – which automatically recognises different month lengths and leap years – is allowed to dazzle on the large case size. The ‘Big Pilot’ certainly lives true to its name, measuring in 46.2mm in diameter and 15.4mm in thickness.

Featuring a Pellaton winding system fitted with ceramic components, the IWC-manufactured 52615 calibre is visible through the sapphire glass back.

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN

The king of aviation. This is the IWC TOP GUN – a collection that has grown and strengthened ever since the first release in 2007, and one that embodies action, adrenaline and fun.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN 44.5mm timepiece is driven by a 69380 calibre, automatic self-winding movement and protected from magnetic fields by a soft-iron case. Housed by a robust 44.5mm black ceramic case and presented on a black textile strap, the coordinating black dial is organised with luminescent Arabic numerals and hands, a date display, and three chronograph sub-dials. This versatile and powerful time instrument will not let you down.

Explore more from IWC Schaffhausen here at Watches of Switzerland.