If you are looking for a watch that will remind you of both US Navy and Tom Cruise’s early career, than IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN (with the referent number IW379901) is the perfect choice for you. For this pleasure you must have a bigger pocket because it comes with the retail price of $12,000.
This military-styled timepiece is housed in a round case crafted from black scratch-resistant and high-tech ceramic combined with a crown, push buttons and a case back cover made from matt gray titanium. The large-sized case measures 46 mm in diameter and 17.8 mm in thickness and it might look really huge on an average-sized wrist, so I recommend this enormous timepiece to those who have larger wrists.
IWC Pilots Watch Double Chronograph Edition Top Gun Front
Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN is powered by the Caliber 79230 mechanical chronograph movement which is actually a modified version of the famous ETA Valjoux 7750. The self-winding movement, built on 29 jewels, provides 44 hours of power reserve when fully wound and produces 28,800 vibrations per hour. The impeccable movement is equipped with the legendary soft-iron inner case for the protection against magnetic fields of up to 80,000 amperes per meter. For example, the one more exquisite IWC’s timepiece – Ingenieur Double Chronograph Titanium boasts the same movement.
IWC Pilots Watch Double Chronograph Edition Top Gun
The case of this special edition watch incorporates three push buttons instead of the usual two. Those situated at 2 and 4 o’clock positions do their usual duty: start/stop and reset the chronograph, while the pusher located at the 10 o’clock position operates with the split-seconds function, or in other words – the rattrapante. With the split-seconds hand, you can measure as many intermediate and lap times as you wish, while the stopwatch hand continues to run. By a simple push on the button at the 10 o’clock position, the two hands will start running synchronously again, which means that the user can alternate between intermediate and aggregate times as often as desired. The function may be useful if you plan to record two separate events that start at the same time, for example.
The Dial with Aircraft Altimeter-Style Markings and Hands
Although the matte-black dial looks like it is overloaded with the information, it is still perfectly legible. The real nature of the watch is reflected in the aircraft-inspired design elements, such as propeller-like hour and minute hands and a luminescent arrowhead index situated at the 12 o’clock position. The dial features three sub-dials. Two chronograph counters are aligned along the vertical axis of the watch. As it is usual for IWC watches, the counter which is located at the 6 o’clock position measures time up to 12 hours, while the one placed at the 12 o’clock position counts time up to 30 minutes.
IWC Pilots Watch Double Chronograph Edition Top Gun Detail
The third totalizer is set at the 9 o’clock position and it is used for small hacking seconds. The altimeter-like date display and the cockpit-style day aperture are situated at the 3 o’clock position, and since it is the usual spot for the brand’s logo – the logo has been moved to the 9 o’clock position. The small seconds hand and counterpoises of the two central stopwatch hands are colored in a striking bright red color and they definitely stand out clearly. The higher grade of legibility is assured with white colored Arabic numerals and luminous hands.
The Watch that Pays Tribute to the Fearless Pilots
For the long life of the Top Gun, IWC Schaffhausen shielded its case on both sides by convex sapphire crystals with antireflective coatings. The Swiss manufacturer also secured it against displacement by drop in air pressure. The case is well constructed to resist water pressure up to the usual 60 meters (200 feet) for the Pilot’s watches. As I already mentioned, its screw-down case back is made of titanium. This material, among the other features, is extremely pleasant to wear and skin-friendly since it cannot cause skin allergies. Its case back is decorated with the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School’s TOP GUN logo.
IWC Pilots Watch Double Chronograph Edition Top Gun Back
For the best comfort of the wearer, IWC chose to attach this military-styled watch with a black soft fabric strap which is secured to the wrist with a tongue buckle.
At the end of the review I am obliged to warn you about an extreme fragility of the case. As it is reported by several owners, even on IWC’s official site, the case may break if the watch accidentally slips from your hands and hits on hard surface.
- IW379901
Ref. No. IW379901
Gender Men Shape Round Case Material Matt grey titanium Case Size 46 mm Case Thickness 17.8 mm Crystal Sapphire Bracelet/Strap Black soft fabric strap Dial Black Movement Caliber 79230 Shock-Proofing No Bezel Fixed Calendar Yes Chronograph Yes Moon Phase Indicator No Dual Time/World Time No Alarm No Display Analog Water-Resistance 60 meters Altimeter-Depth Meter No Power Reserve Assembly Style Price
IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN review was published on Watchalyzer on January 31, 2012
Top Gun is my favorite movie from my youth. I was thrilled when I saw this watch on your site. It looks amazing! The back side of the case is very nice and it has a fine design. Every real fan of the movie Top Gun will love this watch and every real fan will have this watch in his collection. I`m a real fan of this movie, so I need to have this watch, am I right?!
This watch has an incredibly nice dial. It has interesting split- seconds hands. Calendar is nice also.
I don`t know how much this watch costs. Can somebody tell me that?
Rex, I thing you can find this watch on Amazon for about $10300.
You are right, Kenny, I`m a fan and I have order this watch. I hope you will do the same very soon if you are a real fan.
Kenny Graham
Of course! Although I do not have the money for this watch right now, I will have it very soon. Then I will buy it.