IWC Schaffhausen may be an icon when it comes to pilot watches, especially having helped revolutionize the industry in the ‘30s and ‘40s with its aviation timepieces, but the Swiss firm’s passion for the automobile has been evident for some time as well. Aside from its nineteen-year-long partnership with Mercedes-AMG which has seen a handful of race-ready chronographs, the watchmaker also has its own team called IWC Racing, which launched back in 2018. Now, it’s unveiled a race-inspired version of its flagship Big Pilot’s Watch, but it may not be what you’d expect.
Almost every time a watch brand releases an automotive-themed timepiece, we’re treated to some version of a chronograph with a perforated leather strap — and we’re not complaining. However, IWC’s latest Big Pilot’s Watch, dubbed IWC Racing Works, is simply an understated three-hand automatic with a power reserve indicator and date window dial on the muted blue dial and adorned with a blue textured leather band. Manufactured in-house, the IWC 52110 caliber movement boasts a seven-day power reserve within the 46.2mm case size, which is the standard dimension for this oversized fan-favorite model.
As one of the first brands to use titanium in its cases back in the ‘80s, IWC hasn’t used the material much with its Big Pilot’s series. Here, the case gets grade 5 titanium, making it 45% lighter than its steel counterpart. The caseback has also been engraved with the IWC Racing Works logo and the edition size out of 500. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the release is the boosted water resistance, which is now rated at 100m (previously all Big Pilot’s Watches were 60m).
If you want to be one of the few hundred people to get your hands on this Big Pilot’s Watch IWC Racing Works, head over to IWC Schaffhausen’s website where you can purchase it for $15,300.
