For the first time, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch dons a sand-coloured armour. Hooyah!
The latest collection of timepieces from IWC Schaffhausen have landed, and fans of the Big Pilot’s Watch will be pleased. Meet the fleet, fresh off the digital runway of the Watches and Wonders exhibition: the Big Pilot’s Watch 43, Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert”, and The Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert”. In this post, we take a closer look at the handsome “Mojave Desert” duo.
One need not be in the elite forces or a fan of the Hollywood epic – or male, for that matter – to appreciate the rugged appeal of IWC’s latest sand-coloured timepieces: the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert” (Ref. IW503004) and the Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert” (Ref. IW506003).
Long names aside, these new Big Pilot editions boast high pedigree, hailing from the IWC Schaffhausen Top Gun family, which is engineered to withstand maximum G-forces and the most gruelling duties of the US elite jet pilots. Each with a commanding presence, the two are now the largest in the IWC Top Gun collection, with case diameters of 46.5mm (Ref. IW503004) and 46mm (Ref. IW506003).
Named after the land where a large US Naval Air Weapons Station is installed, the “Mojave Desert” series first launched with the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition in 2019. This military-inspired timepiece had a ceramic case in the distinctive tan shade of sand dunes, reminiscent of desert camouflage uniforms – and for Star Wars fans, the dramatic backdrop of The Mandalorian.
Never has any IWC Big Pilot’s Watch been presented in sand-coloured ceramic until now. Joining the “Mojave Desert” ranks are two Big Pilot’s Watches, one featuring a grand complication, and the other proffering a cleaner aesthetic.
The complication is none other than the legendary Perpetual Calendar; an ingenious mechanical program that independently recognises different month lengths and leap years, and whose date, day, month, and moon phase displays are perfectly synchronised. Fitted with the in-house 52615 calibre and an automatic Pellaton winding system, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert” has a sapphire crystal case back that exhibits the movement in its full glory.
For the collector who favours purity of design, there’s the Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert”, which has an uncluttered dial with just a power reserve display, and as much stamina (7 days) as you’d expect from one with such a name. Its IWC-manufactured 52110 calibre with Pellaton winding is shielded against magnetic fields in its soft-iron inner case. Engraved on the timepiece’s tough titanium caseback is the Top Gun logo.
Both timekeepers exude the neutral, understated charm of the “Mojave Desert” series, with dark brown dials and rubber straps with textile inlay that match the sand-coloured case and hands. It may be tough to pick one, but don’t dally – production is limited to only 100 pieces per year for the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert”, and 250 pieces per year for the Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert”.
IWC Launches Mobile App with Virtual Watch Try-on
If you’re wondering how the 2021 IWC novelties will look on your wrist, here’s some good news: Now you can try them on virtually, using the all-new IWC App. Launched in time for Watches and Wonders, the IWC app brings the luxury watchmaker even closer to watch lovers, connecting the IWC global family digitally. Its most exciting feature is the Augmented Reality (AR) watch try-on, where all you need to do is point the mobile camera at your wrist to try your chosen watch on.
Images courtesy of IWC and Curatedition, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related links:
IWC 2021: Smooth Touchdown of the Highly-anticipated Big Pilot’s Watch 43
IWC 2021: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 is Right on Time
Understanding the Luxury Steel Sports Watch
IWC Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition “SFTI”: The Ultimate Wingman
IWC: Edition “150 Years” Top Picks
