Schaffhausen, 17th October 2023: IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled two new additions to its “Colors of TOP GUN” collection, showcasing the brand’s extensive expertise in crafting ceramic timepieces with captivating monochromatic aesthetics. Leading the way is the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Woodland, a groundbreaking creation as it becomes the inaugural Timezoner® to feature a colored ceramic case, boasting a rich dark green ceramic case complemented by a Ceratanium® case ring and crown. The patented Timezoner® function allows users to seamlessly switch between different time zones by simply pressing down and rotating the rotating bezel. Additionally, the collection welcomes the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert, marking IWC’s first-ever 41-millimeter Pilot’s Chronograph in a sand-colored ceramic casing.
In 2022, IWC Schaffhausen introduced the “Colors of TOP GUN” collection, an assemblage of Pilot’s Watches in ceramic hues inspired by the color codes prevalent in naval aviation, developed in collaboration with Pantone®. Today, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer enhances the collection with two fresh models.
The Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Woodland (Ref. IW395601) showcases a case constructed from Woodland green ceramic, inspired by the deep green shades of pilot flight suits and the expansive forest landscapes they navigate. The monochromatic design extends from the dial and hands to the rubber strap and luminescent elements, each meticulously matched to the ceramic case through a meticulous engineering process. Complementing the case, the case ring and crown are fashioned from matte black Ceratanium®, an IWC-developed material combining the structural integrity of titanium with the scratch-resistance akin to ceramic.
The integrated Timezoner® function allows effortless time zone adjustments by pressing down and turning the bezel. The hour hand, 24-hour display, and date smoothly advance or retreat in one-hour increments, even across the dateline, without losing a second. The city ring is crafted from green ceramic, while the outer bezel consists of Ceratanium® and displays the names of 24 major cities, each corresponding to an international time zone. Powering this timepiece is the IWC-manufactured 82760 caliber, an automatic movement utilizing a Pellaton winding system reinforced with ceramic components, providing a substantial 60-hour power reserve. The movement is visible through a tinted sapphire case back.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert (Ref. IW389402) introduces IWC’s third 41-millimeter ceramic chronograph to the collection. The case is formed from sand-colored ceramic, evoking the warm tones of the Mojave Desert and the flight suits worn by naval aviators. The dark brown dial, hands, printing, luminescent features, and rubber strap with a textile inlay harmoniously complement the case. The crown, chronograph pushers, and case back are made of matte grey titanium. Housed within is the IWC-manufactured 69380 caliber, a robust chronograph movement with a classic column-wheel design comprising 242 individual parts. Its distinctive vertical dial layout situates the stopped minutes at the 12 o’clock position, enhancing readability. The double pawl winding system efficiently accumulates a 46-hour power reserve in the mainspring by utilizing rotor movements in both directions. The movement is safeguarded from magnetic fields by a soft iron inner case, and the front glass is designed to endure rapid changes in air pressure.
IWC, renowned as a pioneer in the use of ceramic for watch cases, set the trend in 1986 with the introduction of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (Ref. 3755), the world’s first wristwatch featuring a black zirconium oxide ceramic case. IWC further led the charge in developing various ceramic colors, including white, blue, and green. The production of colored ceramic involves combining zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides, and the final hue results from the precise mixing ratio of these raw materials. Additionally, the manufacturing process, including parameters like temperature and sintering duration, must be tailored to each specific color.
Both the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Woodland and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert are available at select IWC boutiques. Furthermore, these timepieces are eligible for registration in the My IWC care program, offering a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.
For more information, please visit IWC.com.