Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN, now in Mojave Desert Style
One of the boldest exexutions of IWC's Pilot's Watch range gets a reduction in size.
Under the moniker of the ‘Colours of TOP GUN‘, IWC is producing boldly coloured editions of its famous (Big) Pilot’s Watch collection, all inspired by nature. For the past couple of years, we’ve seen some fascinating styles emerge. Whether it’s the formidable Big Pilot or lesser gargantuan editions, all share a common theme; ceramics! So far, there’s Lake Tahoe White, Woodland Green, Jet Black, and Oceana Blue, but perhaps the boldest choice is sand beige, which received the name Mojave Desert for quite obvious reasons. Following its 46mm and 44mm siblings, it’s now the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 to embrace the Mojave Desert style.
The TOP GUN collection has been around for well over a decade now, as it was presented as a stand-alone collection in 2012 following multiple special series of watches designed for elite fighter pilots. The TOP GUN series has become well-known for its use of high-tech ceramic and ceratanium materials, as well as its stealthy look. This all changed when IWC started playing around with coloured ceramics a couple of years ago, with this beige outfit being inspired by the Mojave desert in the US.
This new addition to the Mojave Desert collection is basically a reduction in size. It uses the beige ceramic case we’ve come to know (and love!) and shrinks it down to the wrist-friendly 41mm size of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph. The crown and pushers provide a touch of contrast, as they are done in titanium. The sapphire crystal on top is protected against sudden drops in air pressure, and a soft-iron inner case protects the movement against magnetism.
Each Mojave Desert edition has come with a matte brown dial, and this one is no exception. It retains the beige indices and markings, as well as the brown and beige hands for all indications. All elements are luminous, which upholds the watch’s legibility even in low-light circumstances. The sub-dials for the running seconds, chronograph 30-minutes and 12-hour counters all have a snailed finish, with the day-date windows being stepped and bevelled. Both discs match the rest of the dial for colour.
IWC uses the same calibre 69380 as in the 44mm wide edition of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Mojave Desert. This automatic column-wheel chronograph movement is covered by a titanium caseback and runs at a frequency of 28,800vph. The rotor is fitted with a pawl-winding system, which winds the movement in both directions. The single barrel can store a maximum of 46 hours of running time.
Just as previous editions of the Mojave Desert sub-range, this beige IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN comes on a sand-coloured rubber strap with a textile inlay fitted to a titanium pin buckle. It’s not limited by number as it is added to the permanent collection. The watch retails for CHF 12,000, incl. VAT.
For more information, please visit IWC.com.
