Home » The Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie » SIHH 2016 Review – IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Spitfire
In 2016, the year of the Pilot’s Watches, watch aficionados all over the world can look forward to a wide range of new and renewed Pilot’s timepieces. At SIHH 2016, IWC launches several new Pilot’s models. Among them there is IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Spitfire (ref. IW500917) in 18-karat red gold which is the highlight of the new Spitfire line.
This newcomer comes with a gorgeous slate-gray dial with a sun-ray finish, a characteristic cone-shaped crown and propeller-like hands. The hour and minute hands, the crown and the back of the watch are also made of red gold.
Underneath the convex sapphire crystal glass lies a slate-colored dial with the power reserve counter displayed at the 3 o’clock position and a date window at the 6 o’clock position. There is also a recognizable triangle at the 12 o’clock position below the chapter ring and the slightly bolder Arabic numerals as hour markers.
The reverse side of the watch reveals the engraved silhouette of a Spitfire, a British single-seat fighter plane that is actually named Supermarine Spitfire. This iconic British fighter aircraft was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries before, during and after the Second World War.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Spitfire is housed in a warm, glowing precious red gold case which measures 46mm in diameter and 16mm in thickness. The watch is constructed to provide water resistance of up to 60 meters (approximately 200 feet).
The new Spitfire is powered by the in-house manufactured caliber 51111 mechanical movement with the spring-mounted rotor and Pellaton pawl-winding system. The IWC-manufactured movement oscillates at the semi-rapid frequency of 21,600 alternations per hour (3 Hz) and it is capable to build up a power reserve of over 7 days (168 hours).
The complicated gearing of the power reserve stops the mechanism mechanically after 168 hours and thus eliminates the danger of diminishing torque in the mainspring in order to provide the same level of accuracy all the time the watch is running.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Spitfire is attached to a brown Santoni calfskin strap with orange lining, fitted with an 18-karat red gold folding clasp.
