Says Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen in explaining IWC’s intent for the year, “In 2016, we’re widening our range to include smaller Pilot’s Watches in the entry-level segment, without neglecting our traditional heritage.”

Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 55

Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 55 (back)

Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 48

Big Pilot’s Heritage Watch 48 (back)

Dial markings and indices on the 55 and 48 are in beige Superluminova, a nod to the original which had these slathered with a thick coat of beige-coloured radium.

Looks aside, the 55 and 48 are thoroughly modern and state-of-the-art. Both are cased in lightweight sandblasted titanium for comfort, weighing 150g and 120g respectively compared the original’s 183g cased in steel. Both also feature soft-iron inner cases for protection against magnetic fields, and their manual wind movements are protected against overwinding.

The 55 has a power reserve of 46 hours and is in a limited edition of 100 pieces. The 48 is issued to 1,000 pieces, and despite its inner case, features a sapphire window at its back that displays its power reserve of up to 192 hours!

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII (back)

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII (silvered dial)

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII (steel bracelet)

A handsome entry-level model that comes from a distinguished line of pilot’s watches that began with the Mark 11 issued to Britain’s royal Air Force from 1949. It’s dropped the triple date window of the preceding Mark XVII, and has had its steel case diameter reduced by 1mm, to 40mm. Self-winding, with 42 hours’ power reserve, available with Santoni calfskin leather strap or steel bracelet.

Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 (slate dial)

Silvered dial

Silvered dial

With bracelet

A more genteel entry-level watch than the Mark XVIII, it’s the smallest watch in IWC’s repertoire at 36mm – the same size as the Mark 11 – and is ideal for women as well as men with slimmer wrists. Automatic with 42 hours’ power reserve and soft-iron inner case, and three dial choices. A modest-sized watch with huge ambitions of bringing new clientele into the IWC fold.

Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph

(back)

Using bezel expertise from developing its Aquatimer collection, IWC has produced a watch that will tell the hour in any city simply by turning the bezel back and forth as desired, and the date will follow too. Self-winding with 68 hours’ power reserve, and there’s even a flyback chronograph. 45mm, in steel.

The tribute to “The Little Prince” by author and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the solid gold rotor that powers the watch is an asteroid on which the titular prince is standing, based on a drawing by Saint-Exupéry himself. Self-winding with 7 day power reserve, in 46mm red gold case. Limited to 250 pieces.

Big Pilot’s Watch

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII (back)

Big Pilot’s Watch. Soft iron inner case, self-winding with 7 days’ power reserve, in 46mm steel.

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph. Soft iron inner case, self-winding with 44 hours’ power reserve, in 43mm steel.

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII. Soft iron inner case, self-winding with 42 hours’ power reserve, in 40mm steel.

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar

(back)

Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph

(back)

Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition “Antoine de Saint Exupéry”. Self-winding with 44 hours’ power reserve, in 44mm steel with soft iron inner case. Limited to 1,000 pieces.