Welcome to the world of the International Watch Company, otherwise known as IWC. Since the dawn of aviation, the only watches pilots have worn are IWC. Many would argue that Breitling should be classed as the official aviation watch, and certainly Breitling cannot be denied their terrific credentials as specialist timepieces, however IWC, through the birth of the Pilot’s Watch, have concreted their place at the helm of air traffic control.
All IWC Pilot’s Watches contain the spectacular automatic movement which is made in house, yet the price tag is not worthy of any cold sweat. Today, a new IWC Pilot’s Watch will cost you from £10,900 and £13,900 for a “Big Pilot” with a 48mm case. But which one should you buy? Well the flagship of the Pilot’s Watch is the Spitfire. More Spitfires were built than any other British plane, so it was an easy choice as a rolemodel. If you are purchasing as part of a collection, then Mark 11 Pilot’s Watches, or any early Big Pilot’s from 1948 onwards are the collectors’ favourites. So now I see you sitting there, reading this and instantly googling “Buy Big Pilot” which I cannot recommend…..
How have IWC achieved their status? An American, by the name of Jones, had an idea to combine swiss watch making ability with his idea of marketing specialist wristwatches to the American market in 1868, and after collaborating with Schaffhausen native Heinrich Moser, IWC was born.
At the time, most pilots navigated through the use of pocket watches. IWC spotted the gap and created the first Pilot’s Watch in 1936, equipped with the first rotating bezel, which allowed pilots to monitor short periods of time. Over the years, the technology of the IWC Pilot’s Watch has developed, and now, a new Pilot’s Watch will have a ceramic case, with a titanium back and a soft inner case, all to protect against magnetism of course! So if you are Tom Cruise in Topgun, Denzel Washington in Flight, or even a regular commuter on the Belfast to Heathrow Easyjet circuit, the IWC Pilot’s Watch will definitely continue to work in the case of any unexpected turbulence!
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