IWC Schaffhausen, the renowned Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, is making headlines in the world of horology with the introduction of two new additions to its coveted “Colors of TOP GUN” collection. Demonstrating their unmatched expertise in creating colored ceramic watches, the company has unveiled striking monochromatic designs that are set to captivate watch enthusiasts and aficionados alike.
The Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Woodland
This remarkable timepiece represents a groundbreaking achievement as the first-ever Timezoner® watch with a colored ceramic case. The watch boasts a dark green ceramic case inspired by the iconic flight suits and uniforms worn by TOPGUN flight school pilots, as well as the expansive forest landscapes they navigate. The meticulously engineered monochromatic design extends from the dial and hands to the rubber strap and luminescent elements, all impeccably matched to the ceramic case color. The case ring and crown, crafted from matte black Ceratanium®, offer both the structural integrity of titanium and the scratch resistance of ceramic.
One of the standout features of the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner is its patented Timezoner® function, enabling effortless switching between different time zones with a simple press and turn of the rotating bezel. The hour hand, 24-hour display, and date seamlessly adjust in one-hour increments, even across the dateline, ensuring precise timekeeping. The city ring, made of green ceramic, features 24 major city names, each representing an international time zone. The watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured 82760 caliber, an automatic movement equipped with a Pellaton winding system reinforced by ceramic components, providing a generous 60-hour power reserve. The movement’s exquisite craftsmanship is visible through the tinted sapphire case back.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert
IWC’s expansion of the “Colors of TOP GUN” collection also introduces the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 in a captivating sand-colored ceramic case, aptly named Mojave Desert. This earthy tone, evoking shades of beige and khaki, draws inspiration from the flight suits of naval aviators and the desert landscape around China Lake, home to the prestigious U.S. Navy’s TOPGUN flight school. The watch’s dark brown dial, hands, printing, luminescent elements, and rubber strap with a textile inlay harmoniously complement the ceramic case. The crown, chronograph pushers, and case back are constructed from matte grey titanium.
Within the Mojave Desert timepiece lies the IWC-manufactured 69380 caliber, a robust chronograph movement featuring a classic column-wheel design comprising 242 individual parts. The vertical dial layout, a signature of IWC, situates the stopped minutes directly at the 12 o’clock position, enhancing readability. The watch employs an efficient double pawl winding system, harnessing rotor movements in both directions to accumulate a 46-hour power reserve in the mainspring. The movement is shielded from magnetic fields by a soft iron inner case, while the front glass is engineered to withstand rapid changes in air pressure.
IWC’s Ceramic Watchmaking Heritage
IWC Schaffhausen has been at the forefront of ceramic watchmaking since 1986 when they introduced the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, the world’s first wristwatch with a black zirconium oxide ceramic case. The brand has continually pushed the boundaries of ceramic technology, pioneering various ceramic colors, including white, blue, and green. Achieving these distinct ceramic hues involves combining zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides, with the final color determined by precise mixing ratios. Furthermore, the manufacturing process parameters, such as temperature and sintering duration, must be tailored to each unique color.
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