Today marks the first day of the 2021 Watches & Wonders event (formally known as SIHH), arguably the biggest and most talked about event in the industry, which sees luxury watch brands from all around the world showcase their latest releases. For the second year in a row, the annual event has been unable to convene as usual due to the pandemic but thanks to the power of the internet, we are able to bring you all the latest Watches and Wonders releases here on Horologii. First up is one of the world’s most prestigious brands, IWC Schaffhausen.
For 2020, the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer delivered a stunning range of fresh and contemporary pieces from their Portugieser range including the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42, the Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph and the Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide. For Watches and Wonders 2021, however, the brand are stepping away from the timelessly modern Feuille hands and slender lugs of the Portugieser family and focusing on the robust and precise IWC Pilots collection. From their first ‘Special Pilot’s Watch’ (Ref. IW436) launched in 1936 to the Navigator’s Wristwatch Mark 11 in 1948, IWC are no strangers to the aviation industry. Today, their extensive expertise and experience in manufacturing durable instruments for the cockpit expands to four new models: the Big Pilots 43, the Pilots Chronograph 41, the Big Pilots Perpetual Calendar and the Pilots Top Gun Mojave Desert Edition.
IWC Big Pilots 43 Watch (IW3293)
For many, the IWC Big Pilots watch is the standard for every aviation instrument. First launched in 1940, it became renowned for its striking conical crown, four riveted strap and highly legible dial that delivered robust design and unbeatable performance in the cockpit. Now for 2021, IWC adds a new chapter to its success story with the new IWC Big Pilots 43 under reference IW3293. Measuring to 43mm in diameter, the design is engineered from classic stainless steel and will be available with either a clear black or blue dial now available with no date window or power reserve display.
As expected, the IWC Big Pilots 43 maintains its quintessential modern utility aesthetic with a 100 metre water resistance and sapphire crystal glass on both the front and back. Through the exhibition case back you can witness the IWC-manufactured 82100 calibre with a Pellaton winding system which delivers a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 60 hours. For now, there will be three new IWC Big Pilots 43 watches to choose from. Reference IW329301 comes complete with a steel case, black dial and brown calfskin leather strap while reference IW329303 showcases a steel case, blue dial and blue strap. Lastly, IW329304 delivers the same blue dial but on a stainless steel bracelet. Each variant is also equipped with the brand’s user-friendly EasX-CHANGE system making changing over the strap effortless.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 43mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: IWC manufacture calibre 82100, automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Jewels: 22
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black or Blue
- Strap: Calfskin leather or steel bracelet
- RRP: £7,200
- Release Date: May 2021
- References: IW329301, IW329303, IW329304
IWC Pilots Chronograph 41 (IW3881)
The chronograph complication has been a mainstay for the IWC Pilots watch collection since the very beginning delivering versatility, robustness and of course, additional timing functionality. For slightly smaller wrists, the IWC Pilots Chronograph 41 delivers a reduced 41mm case size compared to the 43mm diameters found elsewhere in the collection all while maintaining the iconic cockpit instrument design. The four new references are also fitted with the brand’s in-house 69385 calibre chronograph movement, which is visible through a sapphire glass back.
The four new additions differ only in their dial colour and strap design promising the same 41mm stainless steel profile, 100 metre water resistance, sapphire crystal glass and 46 hour power reserve. Reference IW388101 pairs the stainless steel case with a blue dial, rhodium plated hands and blue calfskin leather strap while IW388102 follows suit but with a stainless steel bracelet. We have no doubt the next two references will be favourites for their trendy green dials. Reference IW388103 delivers a green face with a brown calfskin leather strap and IW388104 chooses a stainless steel bracelet.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 41mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: IWC manufacture calibre 69385, automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, small seconds, 30 minutes counter, 12 hours counter, day, date
- Power Reserve: 46 hours
- Jewels: 33
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue or green
- Strap: Calfskin leather or steel bracelet
- RRP: £5,850
- Release Date: May 2021
- References: IW388101, IW388102, IW388103, IW388104
IWC Big Pilots Perpetual Calendar (IW503605)
The IWC Big Pilots collection is no stranger to the perpetual calendar complication. Since the first Big Pilots Perpetual Calendar watch in 2006, a limited edition of 25 pieces in platinum, no less than 37 versions of the iconic design have been issued. IWC continues this legacy with an all new IW503605 reference which delivers the mass of legendary complications on a nautical blue dial embraced by a classic stainless steel case and a matching blue calfskin leather strap.
IWC Schaffhausen are renowned for many technological innovations but their perpetual calendar is arguably one of their most coveted. Developed by IWC’s former head watchmaker Kurt Klaus, the perpetual calendar automatically recognises different month lengths as well as leap years and requires no manual correction until the year 2100. Powered by the IWC-manufactured 52615 calibre fitted with a Pellaton winding system and ceramic components, the new IWC Big Pilots Perpetual Calendar IW503605 boasts a date display and power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, the month at 6 o’clock, weekday and small seconds at 9 o’clock and a colourful double moonphase display at 12 o’clock which needs to be adjusted by only one day after 577.5 years.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 46mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 60 metres
- Movement: IWC manufacture calibre 52615, automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, perpetual calendar with displays for the date, day, month, year in four digits and perpetual moon phase for both Northern and Southern hemispheres
- Power Reserve: 168 hours (7 days)
- Jewels: 54
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue
- Strap: Calfskin leather
- RRP: £25,400
- Release Date: TBC
- References: IW503605
IWC Big Pilots Top Gun Edition Mojave Desert (IW506003 & IW503004)
Last but not least in IWC’s line-up of 2021 Watches & Wonders releases is two new IWC Big Pilots Top Gun Edition Mojave Desert Watches. In 2019, the luxury watch manufacturer launched the first “Mojave Desert” watch in their Pilots range with a case made of sand-coloured ceramic inspired by the barren and dry landscape of China Lake. Now for the first time, the same sand-coloured ceramic is used in the Big Pilots watch in two editions, the first a classic three-hand model with a power reserve indicator under reference IW506003 and the second a IWC Big Pilots Top Gun Edition Mojave Desert Perpetual Calendar under model number IW503004.
The three-hand IWC Big Pilots Top Gun Edition Mojave Desert IW506003 watch measures to 46mm in diameter and comes equipped with a titanium case back, sapphire crystal glass, dark brown dial with sand coloured hands and a matching sand-coloured rubber strap with textile inlay. Inside, the IWC manufacture calibre 52110 delivers a 7 day power reserve presented on the dial at 3 o’clock. This classic reference is limited to 250 pieces. Coming in slightly larger at 46.5mm, the IWC Big Pilots Top Gun Edition Mojave Desert Perpetual Calendar IW503004 delivers an almost identical aesthetic but with the calibre 52615 at its core powering the famous perpetual calendar complication. This limited edition will be produced only 150 times.
Specifications: IW506003
- Case Size: 46mm
- Case Material: Sand-coloured ceramic
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 60 metres
- Movement: IWC manufacture calibre 52110, automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator
- Power Reserve: 168 hours (7 days)
- Jewels: 31
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Dark brown
- Strap: Rubber with textile inlay
- RRP: £13,600
- Release Date: TBC
- Limited Edition: 250 pieces
Specifications: IW503004
- Case Size: 46.5mm
- Case Material: Sand-coloured ceramic
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 60 metres
- Movement: IWC manufacture calibre 52615, automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, perpetual calendar with displays for the date, day, month, year in four digits and perpetual moon phase for both Northern and Southern hemispheres
- Power Reserve: 168 hours (7 days)
- Jewels: 54
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Dark brown
- Strap: Rubber with textile inlay
- RRP: £28,600
- Release Date: TBC
- Limited Edition: 150 pieces
