In an exciting addition to the Pilot's Watches family, IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled two new TOP GUN chronographs in colored ceramic.
IWC's TOP GUN line first launched in 2007 as part of its Pilot's Watches offerings, as a double chronograph with a black zirconium oxide ceramic case and titanium case back. Over the years, advanced materials have continued to feature in the TOP GUN collection, giving these timepieces their distinctive technical look.
In 2019, IWC first introduced the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert”, the first TOP GUN model in sand-colored ceramic. In 2022, two new chronographs in white and green ceramic complete the collection.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” (Ref. IW389105) was inspired by the Lake Tahoe, a mountainous area between the American states of California and Nevada which is frequently flown over by the pilots of the U.S Navy TOPGUN School. The winter landscape around this freshwater lake as well as white uniforms is mirrored in the 44.5-millimetre white ceramic case, paired with a pitch-black dial, and black hands coated with luminescent material. Together, IWC and Pantone have defined this ceramic color as “IWC Lake Tahoe”.
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.
Meanwhile, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Woodland” (Ref. IW389106) is an extension of distinctive green of the flight suits of naval aviators. The newly developed “IWC 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, Ceratanium® 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.
The annual production of the new models will be limited to 1000 pieces each.