@IWC Watches
In 2019, IWC introduced the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert”, the first TOP GUN model in sand-coloured ceramic. Today, IWC completes the collection with two new chronographs in white and green ceramic.
“These new chronographs not only underscore IWC’s longstanding and extensive experience in the fields of in-house chronographs and advanced materials. The white and green ceramic used for the cases also illustrates the current evolution of TOP GUN from a collection primarily focused on performance to a bold style statement and an expression of a distinct way of life,” highlights Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.
“The colour codes of US Navy uniforms and the landscapes used as training grounds by naval aviators have inspired our new chronographs. In an unprecedented engineering process, we have developed two completely new ceramic colours – ‘Lake Tahoe White’ and ‘Woodland Green’ – and matched meticulously all other components of the watches to these new shades,” adds Christian Knoop, Creative Director of IWC Schaffhausen.
Lake Tahoe is located not far from Naval Air Station Fallon, home to the US Navy’s legendary TOPGUN school. Straddling the border between California and Nevada, this mountainous area is frequently used as a training ground by the pilots of the Navy Fighter Weapons School. The winter landscape around this freshwater lake as well as white US Navy uniforms have influenced the design of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” (Ref. IW389105). The chronograph features a 44.5-millimetre “Lake Tahoe White” ceramic case, a pitch-black dial, and black hands coated with luminescent material. The pushers and crown are made of stainless steel, the case back of titanium. The matching white rubber strap with a distinctive embossing accentuates the eye-catching design. The use of classic military colours in the TOP GUN line goes back to the Miramar models with anthracite dials and olive green straps. The flight suits of naval aviators have inspired the distinctive shade of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Woodland” (Ref. IW389106). The newly developed “Woodland Green” is used for the ceramic case and the dial, while the numerals and hour markers are printed in a lighter hue. The pushers and the case back are made of matte black Ceratanium®. Developed by IWC, this material combines the lightness and structural integrity of titanium with a hardness and scratch-resistance similar to ceramic. A matching green rubber strap with textile inlay completes the design.
Both timepieces are powered by the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre, a robust and reliable chronograph with a column-wheel design. In addition, they feature soft- iron inner cases to protect their movements from the effects of magnetic fields. The front glasses are specially secured to withstand sudden drops in air pressure. Both watches are water-resistant to 6 bar and feature the iconic TOP GUN logo as an engraving on the case back. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Woodland” are available through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online at IWC.com. They are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, benefiting from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.
Mechanical chronograph movement – Date and day display – Chronograph function for hours, minutes and seconds – Small hacking seconds – Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields – Screw-in crown – Glass secured against displacement by drop in air pressure – Limited annual production of 1000 pieces
