Finishing off the vast number of releases brought into the IWC Pilot’s collection over 2021, the Swiss watch manufacturer completes the year with two new Big Pilot’s watches as part of their Spitfire sub-collection. The first opts for a titanium case with a classic black dial and the second comes in bronze paired with a khaki green centrepiece. Meet the new IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire watches…
Despite its creation in 2003, the IWC Spitfire has a history going back much further. Like so many luxury watch names, IWC were responsible for creating pilots watches for the war. They famously created B-Uhren observation watches for Germany’s Luftwaffe characterised by large crowns and oversized dial markers as well as the original IWC Mark 11 watch designed for Britain’s Royal Air Force. The Mark 11 was a huge step forward for both IWC and the whole watchmaking industry with its manual winding Calibre 89 movement, soft iron inner case and bold dial entirely readable at night. After several decades, IWC would visit the Mark II again for inspiration for their IWC Spitfire collection bringing back the same large knurled crown, luminous hardware and vintage stylings.
IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire Titanium IW329701
Both IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire watches boast a vintage flair worthy of its namesake, but undoubtedly, the titanium edition comes closest in style to the original B-Uhren observation watches from IWC’s past. Its smooth matte black dial displays two outer tracks including an inner 12 hour scale for marking the hours and a second peripheral track for the minutes and seconds. This layout can be spotted on numerous old-school pilots watches as well as historical regulator clocks and allows for easier readability for pilots and navigators. The dial also features a large beige-coloured lume triangle and two dots at 12 o’clock, white numerals and grey coloured hands.
Of course, the biggest point of call on the IWC Big Pilots 43 Spitfire Titanium watch is its case which is now finished in dark grey matte sandblasted titanium. The case sits remarkably lightweight on the wrist at 43mm with a 14.4mm height, convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a closed case back, screw in crown, brown leather strap and 100 metre water resistant rating. As with all IWC Spitfire watches, the case back is engraved with an image of a spitfire plane. Behind it, the case reveals IWC’s in-house calibre 82100 with a Pellaton winding system, ceramic components and an impressive power reserve of 60 hours.
IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire Bronze IW329702
As for the IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire Bronze watch, the Swiss watch manufacturer has opted for a more classic Spitfire dial dressed in a dark green with bold white Arabic numerals. In contrast, the hours, minutes and seconds hands are gold plated and like the indices are treated to white Superluminova. We’ve always said khaki-green dials and bronze cases are the perfect match, and this new release proves us right again with the patina-pending 43mm bronze case warming up the khaki shade of the dial beautifully. Like the titanium model, the case of the bronze IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire has sapphire glass, a screw in crown and 100 metre water resistant rating.
The same IWC-manufactured 82100 calibre sits at the centre of the IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire Bronze watch powering the time-only display and a 60 hour power reserve. Both models are also equipped with the brand’s EasX-Change system which means you can easily swap out the straps for another depending on your mood. For now, the IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire Bronze watch is completed with a green buffalo leather strap with beige stitch detailing and a matching bronze pin buckle.
If you’d like to learn more about the new IWC Big Pilot’s 43 Spitfire watches, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
