A Quick Look at IWC Pilot Watches
IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph ‘Top Gun’ Ceratanium / Credit: @MonochromeWatches
IWC got its start back in 1868 in Schaffhausen thanks to founder Florentine Aristo Jones. Since then it has become known for its pilot watches, although it is a very complete watchmaking house. Today we’ll explore the origins of some of its most important pilot watch models. And no, Tom Cruise isn’t in this story.
IWC launched its first ‘Special Watch for Pilots’ in 1936 at the urging of Ernst Jakonb Homberger’s two sons. Homberger, IWC’s Managing Director at the time, had two sons who were very passionate about flight and decided to design and manufacture the company’s first pilot watch model. The watch was especially robust and featured: shatterproof glass, an antimagnetic escapement, luminescent hands and numerals, and a rotating bezel for recording takeoff times. Following the success of the first pilot watch, IWC was commissioned by the Luftwaffe to participate in the development of the first Flieger watches. They made 1000 editions of the Big Pilot’s Watch for the Luftwaffe in 1940; the watches were massive, measuring 55 mm in diameter. They again featured highly legible, luminescent hands and a large crown for easy adjustments. More recently, IWC launched the world’s first automatic split-seconds chronograph at Baselworld 1992, their Double Chronograph was not only the first automatic but also the world’s first mass produced split-seconds chronograph. This was followed up by the introduction of another IWC favourite, the Double Chronograph ‘Top Gun’, in 2007. Named so for the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor course at the US Navy Fighter Weapons School. It’s usually recognized for its all black design and was eventually made an independent watch line in 2012.
Overall IWC has had a huge impact on the world of pilot watches, being one of the 5 exclusive manufactures to participate in the design of the original Flieger watches, and the only Swiss company. Also producing what is probably the world’s most recognizable line of pilot watches today, or at least according to John Mayer.