As the Watches and Wonders exhibition opens in Geneva, IWC Schaffhausen launches two new TOP GUN models in its Pilot’s Watches collection. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium® is the first 41-millimetre chronograph in this collection in full Ceratanium®. This ground-breaking new material is light and robust like titanium, and at the same time similarly hard and scratch-resistant like ceramic. The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 TOP GUN in black zirconium oxide ceramic is the first TOP GUN Big Pilot in a 43-millimetre case size. The novelties are powered by IWC-manufactured movements from the 69000 and 82000 calibre families.
2022 is the year of IWC TOP GUN. In addition to launching the new “Lake Tahoe” and “Woodland” editions in white and green ceramic, IWC completes the TOP GUN collection with two new models in Ceratanium® and black ceramic. These timepieces reflect the technical and performance-oriented design that has been the hallmark of IWC TOP GUN since the brand introduced the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN back in 2007.
Ceratanium® debuted in the IWC Pilot’s Watches collection with the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN Ceratanium® in 2019. Now, this innovative new material returns to the TOP GUN collection with the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium® (Ref. IW388106), the first 41-millimetre Chronograph in this collection with a case, pushers and a crown made of Ceratanium®.
In addition to offering outstanding material properties like reduced weight and high scratch resistance, the most striking feature of Ceratanium® is its matte-black colour, which IWC and Pantone have specified as “IWC Ceratanium®”. The dark and slightly metallic shade results from a unique manufacturing process: it develops on the surface of the material when the case components are fired at high temperatures in a kiln. Subdued white print and luminescence on the black dial and black hands underscore the all-black, stealthy design.
The IWCmanufactured 69385 calibre chronograph movement is visible through the tinted sapphire glass case back. The timepiece is fitted on a black rubber strap with textile inlay.
The Big Pilot’s Watch in black ceramic has been a staple in IWC’s TOP GUN line since 2012. Today, it becomes available in an ergonomic 43-millimetre case size for the first time. The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 TOP GUN (Ref. IW329801) features a case made of black zirconium oxide ceramic, a titanium case back, as well as black dial and hands. The engineering ceramic used for the case offers maximum protection against scratches. IWC and Pantone have specified the black ceramic colour as “IWC Jet Black”. The timepiece is powered by the IWCmanufactured 82100 calibre movement. The Pellaton winding system has been fitted with components made of virtually wear-free ceramic, and builds up a power reserve of 60 hours. The integrated EasX-CHANGE® allows to change the green textile strap effortlessly.
A soft-iron inner case protects the movement from the effects of magnetic fields, while the front glass is secured to remain in its place even if there is a sudden drop of air pressure.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium® Technical Specifications
REF. IW388106
Features
Mechanical movement – Chronograph function for hours, minutes and seconds – Date and day display – Small hacking seconds – Screw-in crown – Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure – See-through sapphire glass back
Movement
IWC-manufactured calibre 69385
Frequency 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Jewels 33
Power reserve 46 h
Winding Automatic
Watch
Materials Ceratanium® case, pushers and crown, black dial, black hands,
black rubber strap with textile inlay and a Ceratanium® pin buckle
Glass Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant 10 bar
Diameter 41.1 mm
Height 14.5 mm
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 TOP GUN Technical Specifications
REF. IW329801
Features
Mechanical movement – Pellaton automatic winding system – Central hacking seconds – Screw-in crown – Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure – Soft-iron inner case for magnetic field protection
Movement
IWC-manufactured calibre 82100
Frequency 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Jewels 22
Power reserve 60 h
Winding Automatic
Watch
Materials Ceramic case, titanium crown, titanium case back, black dial,
black hands, green textile strap with folding clasp
Glass Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant 10 bar
Diameter 43.8 mm
Height 13.9 mm
