The new model features a stainless steel case in a compact size of 41 millimetres and is available with a blue or green dial. To underscore the brand’s expertise in the development of in-house movements, it is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre, which is visible through a sapphire glass back. With a new quick-change system and a choice of straps made of calfskin, rubber or stainless steel, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 is the ultimate sports watch.
For 85 years, IWC has been engineering Pilot’s Watches tailored to meet the functional requirements and specific needs of professional pilots. Initially conceived as precise and reliable tools for navigation, they are celebrated nowadays for their iconic cockpit instrument design, their extreme robustness and high versatility. A mainstay in the IWC Pilot’s Watches collection is the chronograph. The mechanical stopwatch function not only adds to the typical tool watch appearance but also offers virtually limitless applications in everyday life.
“Building on the success of our Spitfire chronographs from 2019, we are now introducing the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 into our classic collection. Thanks to the quick-change system and a choice of straps, the chronographs can be adapted swiftly to different surroundings. Combined with the now 10 bar water-resistant case, this versatility makes them perfect companions for adventures in the air, on the ground or by the water. To underline our ongoing commitment to innovation and technical excellence, we also fitted the new model with our in-house 69385 calibre chronograph movement, which is visible through a sapphire glass back,” explains Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.
All new models feature a quick-change system, which allows the wearer to quickly and easily change the strap or bracelet. Available as accessories in IWC boutiques or online on IWC.com is a choice of calfskin and rubber straps in attractive colours, as well as a new stainless steel bracelet with fine adjustment system and a slimmer shape for improved comfort and ergonomics. The reworked case construction ensures the chronographs are now water-resistant to 10 bar.
Manufacture movement visible through the glass back
Ensuring a precise measurement of stop times up to 12 hours is the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre. The mechanical chronograph movement consists of 231 individual parts and is engineered with a focus on robustness, reliability and precision. The stopwatch function is controlled by a column wheel, a complex component with two functional levels which is incredibly challenging to manufacture. A bi-directional pawl winding system supplies the movement with energy by efficiently converting the activity of the wearer’s arm into tension for the mainspring. It builds up a power reserve of 46 hours when fully wound.
