Let’s start off with a very simple and clear statement: unveiling a new IWC Pilot’s Watch is a nice moment for any watch-enthusiast. Second statement: among the Limited Edition Pilot’s watches released by Schaffausen over the last years, the two counters Big Pilot’s watches are very rare and highly sought-after. Third and last statement: as far as I remember, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Edition “Patrouille Suisse” 500910 is the fourth Big Pilot’s Watch (after the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Tribute to Japan, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch DFB German Footbal Special Edition and the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Bartorelli) to be given this special layout. This very last statement, from an enthusiast’s perspective and a collector’s standpoint, is not a negligible thing but rather quite a unique one.
The IWC Pilot’s Watches, which are named after the prestigious aerobatic team “Patrouille Suisse”, are among the best neat-looking limited edition watches ever released by IWC. This is actually the third Pilot’s watch to sport the “Patrouille Suisse” insignia, after the brand’s recently released a limited edition IWC Pilot’s Double Chronograph that we reviewed in our magazine over one year ago (please click chronograph-edition-patrouille-suisse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here to view our June feature) and the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition "Patrouille Suisse". Aesthetically speaking, and in terms of look and feel, this timepiece fits perfectly well in between a classic brushed and polished stainless steel IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 5009 and a super tech-savvy matte black IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 5009 to which a seconds counter at nine o’clock has been added. The seconds counter is paired with the Power Reserve indicator placed at three o’ clock, a layout that makes this watch not just a Limited Edition, but that actually redefines it as a whole new model per se.
The case has originally been crafted in stainless steel and then subsequently blasted to give it the very same style of a Grade 5 Titanium big watch, while the dial has a sun pattern finish. These bold aesthetical clues can sometimes diverge our attention from the fact that the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Edition “Patrouille Suisse” also sports a very long list of technical features that have made Big Pilot’s watches a favourite among connoisseurs. These technical features include the glorious in-house-manufactured 51011 caliber, the biggest automatic movement ever conceived by IWC that includes some brand’s patented characteristics such as the spring-mounted rotor and the Pellaton pawl-winding system lending easily this watch an impressive 7-day-Power-Reserve. Right in the middle of the case back, three tiny aircrafts in the shape of a Northrop F-5E (the jet used by the aerobatic team) highlight, along with the 250 limited production run, the exclusivity of this collection. No pricing information is available yet but do expect to see a premium price in comparison to the standard model. If you are an IWC-addict or simply someone who is looking for a new collector's piece, don’t miss your chance to get your hands on the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Edition “Patrouille Suisse”.
(Photo credit: courtesy of IWC)
Gaetano C. @Horbiter®
@Gaetano Cimmino
