2021: The Year of the Pilots

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2021: The Year of the Pilots - IWC Schaffhausen
This year the brand puts the Pilot(s) in the spotlight

After a year dedicated to the Portugieser in 2020, IWC Schaffhausen is devoting 2021 to the Pilot. 

Not as big as before

With a name like “Big Pilot”, this new watch had to be imposing. While most Pilot cases usually measure around 46mm in diameter, IWC has breathed new life into its Pilot collection by offering a watch with a reduced diameter of 43mm. Christened the Big Pilot’s Watch 43, the desire was to get back to the basics and the essence of the model by offering a simple three-handed model with no date indication or power reserve. The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 is available in three models, with a black dial version with a brown leather strap, a blue dial version with a matching leather strap, and a blue dial version with a steel bracelet. 

2021: The Year of the Pilots

The return of the perpetual calendar

The most prestigious complication in the Big Pilot collection is the perpetual calendar and it is interpreted this year in the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar. Housed in a generous 46.2 mm case (the standard diameter of the Big Pilot), this new creation indicates the date, a seven-day power reserve, month, day, and double moon phase (northern and southern hemispheres), thanks to the in-house calibre 52615. The big bonus of this double moon phase lies in the fact that it only requires adjustment once every 577.5 years. Furthermore, it is important to note that this perpetual calendar allows the display of the years up to the year 2499 thanks to an additional century slider integrated into the movement. 

2021: The Year of the Pilots

The chronograph from the depths 

Following the success of the 2019 Spitfire Chronographs, IWC is now presenting the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 in its classic collection. Its compact 41mm case has been reworked to increase its water-resistance to 100 metres, which is an improvement on previous models.

2021: The Year of the Pilots

Like the Big Pilot’s Watch 43, this chronograph is available with a blue or green dial and comes with a choice of a leather strap or steel bracelet that can be easily exchanged thanks to a quick-change strap system. It is also possible to pair the watch with other straps and bracelets in leather, rubber, or steel by visiting one of IWC’s boutiques or IWC online.

A desert style

Continuing its tribute to the US Navy after the 2019 Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert”, IWC is unveiling two new models in the Big Pilot collection this year – the Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Edition "Mojave Desert" and the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Edition "Mojave Desert". This is the first time the brand has used a sand-coloured ceramic case for this collection and also for a perpetual calendar. Thanks to its extreme resistance, ceramic is the ideal material to be worn by pilots flying in narrow military aircraft cockpits where scratches are more likely to occur. 

2021: The Year of the Pilots

Limited to 250 pieces, the first watch is dedicated to the US Navy, whose headquarters are located in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles. This timepiece indicates the hours, minutes, seconds, date, and power reserve. The second timepiece is limited to 150 pieces and features a perpetual calendar indicating the day, month, year, and moon phases in both the northern and southern hemispheres. 

2021 : l'année des Pilotes

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