Since 2007, IWC has included the “Top Gun” edition watches in their Pilot’s watch collection. For fans of the epic blockbuster, it was certainly a welcoming addition. The “Top Gun” watches can be easily identified by their matte black ceramic cases, as well as the stealthy black watch dial that is contrasted with while hands and numerals.
For SIHH 2016, IWC has decided to make minor modifications to watches in the “Top Gun” collection. The changes, while subtle, are seemingly significant. These include a smaller case for the Big Pilot’s Watch, a new caseback logo for certain “Top Gun” watches, as well as the use of an embossed black calfskin strap for the new models.
Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun.
The first watch that we are highlighting is the Big Pilot’s Watch. The Big Pilot, as it is usually known, is one of the largest Pilot Watches in IWC’s repertoire.
This year, however, IWC has decided do some tweaks to the Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun. One of the most significant changes would be its case dimensions. Instead of 48mm, the watchmaker had reduced the size of the ceramic case timepiece by 2mm to 46mm. Another interesting but subtle difference would be the counterweight of the seconds hand, in which the emblem that features a red plane was removed. There were also slight changes in the indices and the triangular emblem at the 12 o’clock position, in which its purpose was to make the watch a little more legible and aesthetically pleasing.
The watch, similarly, is still powered by IWC’s Caliber 51111. This automatic movement features the famous 7 days power reserve, as well as a date indicator at the 6 o’clock position of the timepiece. The watch retails at SGD$21,100, and as mentioned, it will be fitted with the new embossed black calfskin strap.
Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun.
Next up, we have the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun.
Besides the fact that the watch is now fitted with an embossed black calfskin strap, there are no changes that were done to this massive 48mm timepiece. The retail price for this one is TBA, and we will update you as soon as we have received concrete details from IWC.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph, Top Gun Edition.
We move on to the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun. It is also, among the few novelties, the one that undergo the most changes and modifications.
First off, similar to the Big Pilot, the Chronograph Top Gun had a smaller case diameter this time. The ceramic case is reduced by 2mm, from 46mm to 44mm. Next, the “altimeter style” date indicator, which can be found in the predecessors, have been omitted and replaced with a single date window. We think that this is a welcoming move, as it makes the dial less cluttered and more clean in terms of its aesthetics.
In terms of the movement, the new Chronograph Top Gun is fitted with new IWC-manufactured Caliber 89361. This new movement features a flyback function, as well as a sub-dial arrangement which indicates both the minutes and hours elapsed on the same counter at the 12 o’clock position. The automatic movement has also got a decent power reserve of approximately 68 hours.
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun will retail at SGD$16,900. It will, as mentioned, be fitted with the new embossed black calfskin strap as well.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar.
We then look at the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar.
Similarly, the watch has undergone a reduction in case dimension from 46mm to 44mm. In addition to that, the “altimeter style” date indicator is also replaced with a single date display. The watch also utilizes the same movement as the Top Gun Chronograph above, which means that it also features the same integrated sub-dial at the 12 o’clock position and the flyback function.
The new Chronograph Top Gun Miramar is fitted with an embossed green calfskin strap, which is a reminiscence of the green nylon strap that was fitted to the Mark 11. This watch retails at SGD$16,900.
Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII TOP GUN Miramar
The Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Top Gun Miramar.
Finally, we have the new Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Top Gun Miramar.
The design of the timepiece, as per all Top Gun Miramar watches, follows the traditional observer’s watch. This means that the minute indicator (and seconds indicator) is placed on the outer ring. It is also fitted with a ceramic case, as well as the embossed green calfskin strap. Similar to the usual Mark XVIII, the Top Gun Miramar version is also fitted with the Caliber 30110. The automatic movement boast a power reserve of approximately 42 hours, and it is fitted with a date indicator.
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Top Gun Miramar is priced at SGD$8,350.
For more information, please check out IWC.
Technical Specifications:
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun
Features:
Mechanical movement, Pellaton automatic winding, Power reserve display, Date display, Central
hacking seconds, Glucydur®*beryllium alloy balance, Breguet spring, Soft-iron inner case for
protection against magnetic fields, Screw-in crown, Glass secured against displacement by drops
in air pressure, Special back engraving
Movement: IWC-manufactured calibre 51111
Frequency: 21,600 A/h | 3 Hz
Jewels: 42
Power reserve: 7 days (168 h)
Winding: Automatic
Materials: Ceramic case, black dial, black calfskin strap (embossed), stainless-steel folding clasp, blasted
Glass: Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 6 bar
Diameter: 46 mm
Height: 15 mm
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun
Features:
Mechanical movement, Pellaton automatic winding, Power reserve display, Perpetual calendar
with displays for the date, day and month, Perpetual moon phase display, Double moon phases
for the northern and southern hemispheres, Four-digit year display, Small hacking seconds,
Glucydur®* beryllium alloy balance, Breguet spring, Screw-in crown, Glass secured against
displacement by drops in air pressure
Movement: IWC-manufactured calibre 51614
Frequency: 21,600 A/h | 3 Hz
Jewels: 62
Power reserve: 7 days (168 h)
Winding: Automatic
Materials: Ceramic case, black dial, black calfskin strap (embossed), stainless-steel folding clasp, blasted
Glass: Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 6 bar
Diameter: 48 mm
Height: 16 mm
IWC Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun
Features:
Mechanical chronograph movement, Date display, Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and
seconds, Hour and minute counters combined in a totalizer at “12 o’clock”, Flyback function,
Small hacking seconds, Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields, Screw-in
crown, Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure, Special back engraving
Movement: IWC-manufactured calibre 89361
Frequency: 28,800 A/h | 4 Hz
Jewels: 38
Power reserve: 68 h
Winding: Automatic
Materials: Ceramic case, black dial, black calfskin strap (embossed), stainless-steel folding clasp, blasted
Glass: Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 6 bar
Diameter: 44 mm
Height: 15.5 mm
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar
Features:
Mechanical chronograph movement, Date display, Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and
seconds, Hour and minute counters combined in a totalizer at “12 o’clock”, Flyback function,
Small hacking seconds, Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields, Screw-in
crown, Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure, Special back engraving
Movement: IWC-manufactured calibre 89361
Frequency: 28,800 A/h | 4 Hz
Jewels: 38
Power reserve: 68 h
Winding: Automatic
Materials: Ceramic case, anthracite-coloured dial, green calfskin strap (embossed), stainless-steel folding clasp, blasted
Glass: Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 6 bar
Diameter: 44 mm
Height: 15.5 mm
IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Top Gun Miramar
Features:
Mechanical movement, Date display, Central hacking seconds, Soft-iron inner case for protection
against magnetic fields, Screw-in crown, Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure, Special back engraving
Movement: Calibre 30110
Frequency: 28,800 A/h | 4 Hz
Jewels: 21
Power reserve: 42 h
Winding: Automatic
Material: Polished ceramic case, anthracite-coloured dial, green calfskin strap (embossed), titanium pin buckle
Glass: Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistant: 6 bar
Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 11 mm
