Pilot’s Watches

Whether flying a plane or riding a motorcycle, piloting is about taking control of one’s journey and following one’s instincts. Our pilot’s watches perfectly embody this sense of independence and adventure. Originally conceived in the 1930s to help pilots with navigation, they have evolved into quintessential sports watches for modern explorers, featuring a distinctive design inspired by easy-to-read cockpit instruments.

Pilot’s Watches Conceived as navigation instruments for aviators, IWC Pilot’s Watches are the quintessential tool for modern-day explorers.

Watches 79

Sizes 36, 40, 41, 43, 44, 46

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Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar

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Size43, 43.8, 46, 46.2, 46.5

IWC Schaffhausen launched the Big Pilot’s Watch in 2002. Inspired by historical observation watches and characterized by its large case and oversized conical crown, the model has evolved from a “tool watch” to a cultural icon.

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Pilot’s Watches history

1936

IWC owners Ernst Jakob Homberger (right) along with his son Hans Ernst Homberger

1948

1949 Mark 11 navigator's wrist watch with black dial

1992

1994

2002

Big Pilot's Watch with black dial and brown strap

2007

IWC Pilot's Watch, black dial, white numerals, stainless steel case, day-date display, brown leather strap

2013

IW326506 Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII “Le Petit Prince” with blue dial, steel case, and brown strap

2019

Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Ceratanium® (IW371815) with black strap and dial

2022

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Lake Tahoe” IW389105 With Black Dial And White Strap.

2023

IW388306 Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team with black Ceratanium® case and black rubber strap

2025

IW357701 Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL with Black Ceratanium® case and black rubber strap

The First Pilot’s Watch

IWC Schaffhausen developed its first “Special Pilot’s Watch” (Ref. 436) in 1936. Featuring an antimagnetic movement and a shatterproof front glass, it was also resistant to fluctuations in temperature between -40 and +40 °C.

The Homberger Sons

The idea of developing a watch specifically tailored to the needs of pilots was conceived by the two sons of IWC Schaffhausen’s then-owner, Ernst Jakob Homberger. As both Hans Ernst and Rudolf Homberger were licensed pilots and passionate aviators, they knew exactly which technical features a wristwatch for the cockpit had to offer.

Mark 11

In response to a tender issued by the British Royal Air Force, IWC Schaffhausen developed the “navigator’s wrist watch Mk. 11- Stores Ref. 6B/346.” This service watch for pilots and navigators was powered by the highly precise calibre 89. A key technical feature was the soft-iron inner case, which effectively shielded the movement from the magnetic fields produced by the radar equipment of the time.

Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph

The Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph (Ref. 3711) heralded the era of civilian pilot’s watches in 1992. A team of engineers developed a double chronograph complication that enabled the simultaneous measurement of two short periods of time.

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Ceramic

With the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Ceramic (Ref. 3705), IWC Schaffhausen presented its first pilot’s watch with a zirconium oxide ceramic case. With a Vickers rating second only to diamond, engineering ceramic ranks among the hardest materials on Earth.

Big Pilot’s Watch

Under the direction of then-director Günter Blümlein, IWC Schaffhausen launched the Big Pilot’s Watch (Ref. 5002) in 2002. Inspired by historic observation watches, the model features an imposing 46.2 mm case diameter and an uncompromisingly functional design in the style of an easy-to-read cockpit instrument.

Oversized Conical Crown

A signature design detail of the Big Pilot’s Watch is its oversized, conical crown. It harkens back to the early days of flying, when pilots needed to be able to operate their watches while wearing flight suits with padded gloves.

Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN

The Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN was the first watch IWC Schaffhausen dedicated to the prestigious Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), where the US Navy trains its elite pilots in advanced flying and tactical skills. TOP GUN watches are made from durable and corrosion-resistant materials, including ceramic and titanium.

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII “Le Petit Prince”

In 2013, IWC Schaffhausen introduced its first Pilot’s Watch dedicated to “The Little Prince”, the famous novel by French aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. These watches are distinguished by their deep blue dials with a sunray finish and typically include an engraving of the Little Prince on the case back.

Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN Ceratanium®

The Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN Ceratanium® marked the first pilot’s watch crafted in Ceratanium®. Developed by IWC Schaffhausen, this patented and highly engineered material combines the lightness and structural integrity of titanium with a hardness and scratch resistance similar to that of ceramic.

The Colors of TOP GUN

With “The Colors of TOP GUN”, IWC Schaffhausen introduced a collection of colored ceramic watches. Developed with PANTONE®, colors like “IWC Lake Tahoe”, “IWC Mojave Desert” or “IWC Woodland” are inspired by the universe of naval aviation. Colored ceramic involves a complex and highly engineered manufacturing process.

Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph

The Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph, initially launched in titanium and Ceratanium®, is dedicated to IWC Schaffhausen’s motorsport partners. Each model is equipped with a black ceramic bezel featuring a tachymeter scale, allowing the wearer to calculate the average speed over a reference distance of 1 kilometer.

Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Tourbillon Skeleton

For the first time, IWC Schaffhausen’s engineering division XPL has combined its patented SPRIN-g PROTECT® shock absorber system with a tourbillon movement. The system utilizes a cantilever spring made from bulk metallic glass (BMG) to suspend the movement and protect it from the g-forces generated by impacts on the case.

Closeup shot of a wheel gun operator’s wrist changing tires of a formula one car

A collaboration for the big screen.

Building on two decades of involvement in the world of motorsport, IWC Schaffhausen is proud to collaborate with “F1® THE MOVIE” from filmmakers Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer. As one of the sponsors of the fictional APXGP team appearing in the film, the brand has also supplied the official team watches.

Inspired by performance

The dynamic, fast-paced world of motorsport and the collaboration with “F1® THE MOVIE” inspired IWC Schaffhausen to engineer a unique performance collection of pilot’s watches – ranging from robust chronographs and a perpetual calendar with digital displays to the first-ever shock-protected tourbillon watch from IWC.

Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41

IW388309

IW378009

IW388116

Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month

IW388801

Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL

IW357701

The Colors of TOP GUN

Color codes from the world of naval aviation, translated into eye-catching ceramic colors and striking monochrome watch designs: the “Colors of TOP GUN” collection combines the functional design and high robustness of IWC’s Pilot’s Watches with the company’s extensive know-how in advanced materials and case engineering.

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium®

IW388106

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert

IW389402

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar

IW389409

Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Oceana

IW389404

IW389401

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Woodland”

IW389106

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe”

IW389105

IW389101

Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN Ceratanium®

IW371815

Pilot's Watch Automatic 41 TOP GUN Lake Tahoe

IW328104

Pilot's Watch Automatic 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert

IW328106

IW326906

IW329801

Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Woodland

IW395601

Pilot's Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium®

IW395505

Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert”

IW506003

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert”

IW503004

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe

IW503008

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Woodland

IW503101

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Ceratanium®

IW503604

Pilot’s Watch Automatic

Sizes36, 40, 41

14 Variants

Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team

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Pilot’s Watch Timezoner

Sizes46

3 Variants

Pilot’s Watch Timezoner
Edition “Le Petit Prince”

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Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon

Sizes46.5

1 Variants

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince

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Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph

Sizes44

1 Variants

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Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar

Sizes43, 46.2, 46.5

8 Variants

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Rodeo Drive”

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Pilot’s Watch Tourbillon

Sizes43

3 Variants

Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince

Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler

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Pilot’s Watch Chronograph

Sizes41, 41.9, 43, 44, 44.5

31 Variants

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team”

Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team

Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 AMG

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Pilot’s Watch XPL Shock Absorber

Sizes44

2 Variants

Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team

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Big Pilot’s Watch Automatic

Sizes43, 43.8, 46, 46.2, 46.5

14 Variants

Big Pilot’s Watch Edition “Le Petit Prince”

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