The last 5 years have been absolutely miserable for IWC as far as I am concerned. The shit they are producing gets progressively worse as they seem to have been moving away from their identity. The product line is practically almost unrecognizable except for the IWC Pilot’s Chrono and the Big Pilot in Steel.
This year for SIHH 2012, IWC have released a watch reminiscent of their past with the new 48 mm Big Pilot Top Gun Miramar Chronograph. Miramar, is a place in California where the legend of the elite Pilot’s were created. This new watch pays homage to those elite proctologists pilot’s. According to IWC pusher CEO George Kern, “Back then, only wristwatches with the highest possible precision were good enough for navigators: the pilot and his crew would synchronize their watches to the navigator’s.”
What can I say, the watch is good looking, even though Hamilton makes something that looks similar for like $2,000 The only thing not so straight about it is that is has the Top Gun logo stamped onto the back of the watch case. Of course the dial is very military, where the arabic numerals read in the 24 hour variation. The case of the watch is dark grey ceramic, while the rest of colors used such as beige for the hands and chapter ring, together with green for the strap, achieve the desired look. The textile strap leans visibly on the tough webbing belts. It is complemented by two high-tech materials, typical for TOP GUN, that were introduced to watchmaking by IWC as early as the 1980s: zirconium oxide for the case, along with titanium for the pushers and caseback. The watch itself almost serves as a camouflage instrument and depicts a certain era and feel for that true IWC collector who can appreciate what a real Pilots watch has to offer.
The case of this watch is a robust 48 mm because it houses the largest chronograph movement IWC has ever conceived. The movement also happens to be the most advanced with flyback function and analogue display for stopped minutes and seconds.
Overall,I am impressed but not amazed by any means, this is a step in the right direction for IWC, now if the price would be somewhat affordable, that would be nice.
JOHNNY FLYBACK 