115 articles · 14 videos found · page 1 of 5
Monochrome
IWC’s Laureus watches have been available for some time now. Over the years, the brand has released them in different collections, from Pilot’s watches to Portofino models and even some more experimental pieces. What stays consistent over the years is the blue dial and the link to Laureus Sport for Good, a global initiative that […]
Fratello
To mark two decades of collaboration with the estate of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, IWC introduces five Pilot’s Watch models in the Le Petit Prince collection, available in 5N gold and steel. The collection spans multiple case sizes and complications, ranging from 36mm to 43mm, and includes both time-only and chronograph executions. The sixth novelty in […] Visit Flying Six IWC Pilot’s Watch Le Petit Prince 20th-Anniversary Editions to read the full article.
Monochrome
The Le Petit Prince editions have long been easy to spot within IWC’s Pilot’s Watch lineup; just look for the deep blue dial inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous novella. With the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Le Petit Prince unveiled at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, the brand gives this familiar formula a new […]
SJX Watches
IWC teams up with Vast, prospective constructors of the International Space Station’s private successor, with the IWC Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive, a uniquely astronaut-friendly take on a spacefaring watch that breaks new ground for IWC’s signature pilots watches. If all goes well, these watches pass the Kármán line next year when Vast plans to launch the Haven-1 commercial space station. Initial thoughts Vast is an American aerospace company hoping to develop modular commercial space stations (Haven-2), and, at a glance seems more promising than the average ambitious space startup. If all goes to plan, the Vast Pilot will launch with the Vast’s Haven-1 prototype space station in 2027. The Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive - which could easily have been called the “Vast Pilot” as a play on its popular Big Pilot - is among the most visually appealing watches from IWC in recent memory. Computer rendering of the Vast Haven-1. Image – Vast Pressroom The combination of white and dark gray, and a clean but technical look leans into the “NASA Punk” aesthetic. The minimalist industrial look calls to mind watches like the IWC Ocean 2000, designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. The gradated blue horizon around the dial is an inspired thematic choice, and is paired with a matching seconds hand. The lack of a chronograph is surprising, given IWC’s general affinity for them, as well as their domination of the space watch genre. I find that refreshing, sinc...
Fratello
Space - the final frontier. Well, with the recent launch of Artemis II and a host of space-related tech advances, there is a renewed cultural interest in exploring the stars. IWC has partnered with Vast, which is building the world’s first commercial space station, to develop its take on what a space watch should be. […] Visit Introducing: The IWC Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive - A Watch Made For Space to read the full article.
Video
On this channel, we review watches that are available for purchase on TeddyBaldassarre.com
Time+Tide
IWC releases a new Le Petit Prince range, including Mark XX Pilot's Automatic models as part of Watches and Wonders 2026.The post Le Petit Prince returns to the IWC Pilot’s line with new Mark XX models appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
WatchAdvice
In a slimmer 41mm case size, the time-only versions of IWC Schaffhausen’s TOP GUN Editions are great daily watches. We went hands-on with each to see which was the favourite! What We Love The white ceramic on the Lake Tahoe is super fresh. The size and lighter weight make these very easy-to-wear watches Both rubber straps are comfortable, and each has nice design touches. What We Don’t The Mojave Desert can blend into your skin depending on your skin type The anti-reflective coating on the slightly domed crystal does make it hard to take a good photo! The luminescence on the hands and dial could be better and of a higher grade. Overall Rating: 8.9 / 10 Value for Money: 9/10 Wearability: 9/10 Design: 9/10 Build Quality: 8.5/10 This article was originally published as IWC Pilot’s Watch 41 Automatic TOP GUN Editions Review First Impressions When I first saw the white Lake Tahoe Pilot’s Watch 41 Top Gun earlier this year, I was keen to get both it and the Mojave Desert model to compare them properly. My initial impression? They’re essentially the same watch, just in different colourways, with the Mojave on a fabric-inlaid rubber strap and the Lake Tahoe on straight rubber. But sometimes, that slight aesthetic difference makes all the impact, as I was to find out! The Lake Tahoe feels fresh and bold. With its all-white case and strap against a black dial, it jumps off the wrist. The Mojave Desert, with its sand-coloured case, strap, and matching indices on a gre...
Fratello
Good morning, and welcome to another Sunday Morning Showdown. We’ve had a couple of battles between dressy watches in the previous weeks, so we thought it would be good to return to our more regular program of proper sports watches. This week, Omega launched its updated Dark Side of the Moon collection, which we couldn’t […] Visit Sunday Morning Showdown: IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Ceratanium Vs. Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon “Black/Black” to read the full article.
Teddy Baldassarre
Few watch brands are as readily identified with aviation and the history of pilot’s watches than IWC, which not only gave the watch world two of the genre’s most iconic (and widely emulated) timepieces, the Big Pilot’s Watch and the Mark 11, but also has used both these groundbreaking models as foundations for a sprawling and diverse collection of contemporary aviation-inspired watches today. Here is the story of IWC Pilot’s Watches, from the Special Watch for Pilots to the Spitfire to the Top Gun, from simple three-hand to perpetual calendar, and everything in between. F.A. Jones’ International Dream (1860s - 1930s) IWC founder Florentine Ariosto Jones Other than the fact that he came to Switzerland in 1868, at the relatively tender age of 27, to become the first American-born founder of a Swiss watch company, little is known about the life of IWC patriarch Florentine Ariosto Jones. He was born in New Hampshire in 1841 and fought in the American Civil War for the Massachusetts Infantry. His postwar career at the renowned Massachusetts watchmaker E. Howard & Co. led to his European sojourn and the establishment of the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. From the outset, Jones’ business plan was to marry the generational watchmaking expertise of the Swiss with the then-new, assembly-line production techniques of the U.S.A. His decision to locate his factory in Schaffhausen, near Switzerland’s northern border with Germany, rather tha...
WatchAdvice
This year, IWC launched 41mm time-only versions of their Lake Tahoe and Mojave Desert Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN editions. In a slimmer case size, but still with the looks and feel of the bigger chronograph siblings, we had to test them out! What We Love The white ceramic on the Lake Tahoe is super fresh. The size and lighter weight make these very easy-to-wear watches Both rubber straps are comfortable, and each has nice design touches. What We Don’t The Mojave Desert can blend into your skin depending on your skin type The anti-reflective coating on the slightly domed crystal does make it hard to take a good photo! The luminescence on the hands and dial could be better and of a higher grade. Overall Rating: 8.9 / 10 Value for Money: 9/10 Wearability: 9/10 Design: 9/10 Build Quality: 8.5/10 First Impressions When I first saw the white Lake Tahoe Pilot’s Watch 41 Top Gun earlier this year, I was keen to get both it and the Mojave Desert model to compare them properly. My initial impression? They’re essentially the same watch, just in different colourways, with the Mojave on a fabric-inlaid rubber strap and the Lake Tahoe on straight rubber. But sometimes, that slight aesthetic difference makes all the impact, as I was to find out! The Lake Tahoe feels fresh and bold. With its all-white case and strap against a black dial, it jumps off the wrist. The Mojave Desert, with its sand-coloured case, strap, and matching indices on a grey dial, is far more subdued. It blen...
Video
A walkthrough of the entire IWC 2026 lineup with Chris Grainger-Herr, including the Pilot, Portugieser, and Ingenieur novelties.
Fratello
You have already seen the beige Mojave Desert, white Lake Tahoe, green Woodland, dark blue Oceana, and Jet Black fly by. Now it’s time for another Top Gun-inspired color. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Miramar is a limited edition of 1,000 watches, each in a light blue ceramic case. The matte dial […] Visit Introducing: The Limited-Edition IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Miramar In Light Blue Ceramic to read the full article.
Deployant
With two new references, the IWC TOP GUN Mirarmar collection is gearing up for the northern summer with a new blue shade developed by IWC and Pantone.
Monochrome
For quite some years now, IWC Schaffhausen has been playing around with colours and ceramics under the name of Colours of TOP GUN. Inspired by various elements of the famous US Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program, better known as TOP GUN, the sub-collection exclusively uses ceramic for its cases. Until now, that is, as […]
Time+Tide
IWC introduces TOP GUN Miramar, a summery new Pantone colour making its debut with two Pilot's Chronograph models in ceramic and steel.The post Seagazing with the new summer-ready ceramic IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Miramar appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
WatchAdvice
A chronograph born for the big screen, forged in gold, and fuelled by Formula 1. The latest IWC Pilot’s APXGP Watch Performance Chronograph 41 isn’t just a watch; it’s a celebration of performance, precision, and pure emotion. From the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG to the cinema, and now on my wrist, this is one experience I won’t forget anytime soon. What We Love The gold, black, and white perfectly reflect the colour palette of the APXGP racing team. The timepiece offers strong wrist presence with beautiful case finishing and a lively dial. From the film to the real-world F1 team, this is storytelling done right on the wrist. What We Don’t The smoked caseback adds to the stealth aesthetic, but slightly reducing the tint would’ve been better to showcase the beautiful movement finishing. And possibly a gold rotor to really nail home the APXGP ties! A touch less white on the dial (especially the minute track) could further enhance the legibility and let the gold accents shine even more. While 41mm is a signature size in IWC’s Pilot’s collection, the watch may still feel larger for slimmer wrists. Overall Rating: 8.8/10 Value for Money: 8.5/10 Wearability: 8.5/10 Design: 9/10 Build Quality: 9/10 This review is unlike anything I’ve written before, because the watch at the heart of it is unlike anything I’ve experienced before! The IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 isn’t just another Pilots Chronograph model; it’s a symbol of speed...
Video
The new IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 in Pool Blue might just be my favourite Ingenieur yet. In this hands-on review, I take a closer look at IWC's latest integrated bracelet sports watch and explain why a simple dial ch...
Quill & Pad
IWC is one of the most recognizable names in the luxury watch market. They have multiple iconic models - one of them being the Pilot’s Watch Mark collection. The Mark series began with the Mark X in 1944 and has remained somewhat constant since then. The latest in the lineup is the Mark XVIII, released in 2016. While not the newest watch from IWC, the range is iconic enough to be still talked about.
Fratello
Most Fratello readers saw Top Gun, right? And something tells me most of you have also seen Top Gun: Maverick. Something also tells me that all who have seen those action-packed movies wanted to be Maverick or Iceman. Who wouldn’t want to fire the afterburners and just send their F-14 Tomcat? With a cool pilot’s […] Visit Introducing: The IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Top Gun Lake Tahoe And Mojave Desert Will Take You Places to read the full article.
Monochrome
IWC Schaffhausen continues to expand its “Colours of Top Gun” series with the latest Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert. This new iteration introduces a compact, sand-toned variant to the series, a colour normally found in large watches. Drawing inspiration from the arid terrain surrounding the U.S. Navy’s China Lake testing facility and the […]
Hodinkee
Move over Darude. IWC just dropped a new (smaller) Sandstorm.
Teddy Baldassarre
The pilot watch genre is a funny thing. These watches are marketed and sold for their connection to history and/or their usefulness within the field of aviation. This history has set a visual identity that defines the genre to this day, with complications like flyback timers and slide rules often featuring heavily. Of course, very few of the owners put these features to use, with fewer still serving as actual pilots. Thus, the pilot watch genre really serves as more of a vibe than any kind of practical watermark. There are exceptions to this, however, and ironically enough, some of the most practical everyday tool watches find themselves with the “pilot watch” designation, and there is perhaps no better example of this than the IWC Mark XX. The name of the game with any great tool watch is clarity. Ideally, there’s nothing superfluous to cloud the core goals of the tool, with a premium placed on simple legibility. One of the strongest templates based on this ethos is the IWC Mark XI from the late ‘40s. It wasn’t the first IWC Mk watch, but it is the one responsible for casting a die that persists to this day in the form of the Mk XX. There are important distinctions, which I’ll get to, but the underpinnings of the modern Mk XX collection are built on the same general formula that made the Mk XI great: it’s easy to use, easy to understand, easy to wear, and is exactly as stout as it needs to be. IWC enjoys a highly developed design language for its range of pi...
Video
It's taken nearly a decade, but it's finally here! Bulova have listened to watch enthusiasts and delivered the smallest Lunar Pilot yet in a 41mm size. But why has it taken so long? And what are the differences compar...
Monochrome
It is widely known that IWC has experience with ceramic watches since it was the first brand to release a timepiece made of zirconium oxide (the real name for ceramic) in 1985 with the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar. In recent years, the Schaffhausen-based brand has been playing a lot with colours, releasing Top Gun models […]
Monochrome
With its long-winded name, IWC’s new watch can best be described as the more complex brother of a Performance Chronograph released in 2023 for four-wheeled pilots. Equipped with the brand’s innovative perpetual calendar movement and its uncommon digital display, the Performance Chronograph IW388801 comes with a dashing black and golden colour scheme. Presented in 2023, […]
Fratello
There’s more than new Ingenieurs to see at IWC’s booth at Watches and Wonders 2025. Yes, there’s also a quintet of new IWC pilot’s watches. First up are three new pilot’s chronographs linked to Apple Original Films’ upcoming movie F1, which is set to release worldwide this summer. There’s also more complicated stuff - specifically, […] Visit A Squadron Of New IWC Pilot’s Watches Touches Down At Watches And Wonders to read the full article.
Fratello
Ceramic is a material that has been used in watches for decades. It comes with some significant advantages over more traditional stainless steel. However, there are also a couple of issues to consider. Recently, I spent a significant amount of time with the IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic RAAF (ref. IW3281-02). This is a modern interpretation […] Visit Looking To Buy A Ceramic Watch? Here Are The Benefits And Potential Downsides to read the full article.
Deployant
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team is a collaboration between IWC and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team. This timepiece combines precision engineering with a design that is ideal for daily wear.
Video
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