The Journal
DIAL UP THE LIGHT
Shipping and delivery conditions
I’M THE FIRST IWC TIMEPIECE WITH A FULLY LUMINOUS WHITE DIAL. THEY CALL ME THE PILOT’S WATCH AUTOMATIC 41 “BLACK ACES” REF. IW326905
— The Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 “Black Aces” Ref. IW326905
STRESS-TESTED BY THE BOLDEST PILOTS
Attention all pilots and night owls! Nice to meet you, I’m your new wearable guiding light.
Like a beacon showing you the way, I’m the first IWC Pilot’s Watch with a dial that is fully coated in Super-LumiNova®. As your trusty sidekick, my design was inspired by IWC’s close partnership with the U.S. Navy since 2018, and I’m their fifth child. I was engineered for the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, aka the Black Aces. Founded in 1950, this elite force is based at Naval Air Station - Lemoore in California.
Once exclusively reserved for active and former U.S. Navy personnel, special edition IWC squadron watches like me have been available to the public since fall 2021. Now you're invited to claim one of my limited models for yourself.
Think precision, think toughness – the very essence of squadron life.
For over 85 years, IWC watches have been a covert cockpit asset because the manufacturer crafts instruments that put the 'fun' in functional.
How?
IWC communicates with daredevils of the skies, who provide invaluable pilot insight. Their feedback is priceless and helps enhance the durability and quality of us watches. I have been stress-tested by the boldest pilots. In other words, this ongoing tête-à-tête with aeronautic pros has figuratively made me sharper.
Made of lightweight titanium, my case back is engraved with a Black Aces twin-engine jet surrounded by spades, and my luminous dial is emblazoned with an ace of spades in the squadron’s signature colors.
But let me get to the case of all things: I am made of black zirconium oxide, which is better known as ceramic. That means my case is lightweight, hard and extremely scratch-resistant. My matte black finish absorbs sunlight and eliminates any distracting glare. Made of lightweight titanium, my case back is engraved with a Black Aces twin-engine jet surrounded by spades, and my luminous dial is emblazoned with an ace of spades in the squadron’s signature colors.
Talk about attention-grabbing details!
I am also equipped with these top-notch IWC features:
• Soft iron inner case to protect against magnetic fields
• Black textile strap with pin buckle in sandblasted stainless steel
• 32100 caliber manufactured by IWC
• 72-hour power reserve
• High-efficiency bidirectional pawl winding system
I am the essence of IWC’s collaboration with the U.S. Navy Black Aces, and a testament to technical finesse.
The Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 “Black Aces”
Ref. IW326905 with black textile strap
The case back of Ref. IW326905 shows an engraving
of a jet against a backdrop of spades
The textile strap of the IW326905 is fitted
with a pin buckle in sand-blasted stainless steel
FUNCTION AND PURPORSE
But my standout trait is undisputedly a fully luminous white Lumicast dial.
High-grade Super-LumiNova® pigments mixed with a binder are cast in a circular mold and cured for ceramic-like durability. This solid disc is then affixed to a soft iron dial blank, and then imprinted with indices, numerals and the squadron’s patch.
In dark chamber tests, my dial emitted a bright greenish light for over 23 hours, dramatically enhancing legibility. Super-LumiNova® is a light-storing non-aging ceramic compound that glows after repeatedly absorbing and releasing energy.
You may be aware that IWC is known for using high-quality high-performance innovative materials. But did you also know that IWC was the first watchmaker to manufacture a zirconium oxide case in 1986? Back then, this was the best high-tech ceramic with extremely high levels of scratch resistance. To this day, ceramic watch cases like mine are fired in a kiln at almost 2000°C, so it can only be worked with a diamond.
I am the essence of IWC’s collaboration with the U.S. Navy Black Aces, and a testament to technical finesse. My luminous dial makes me a precision tool on nocturnal maneuvers as I illuminate their path with seamless function and purpose.
Ace out.
— The imprinted “Black Aces” patch on the IW326905 resembles the ace of spades from a card deck
