Swiss watchmaker, IWC Schaffhausen, continues to showcase its mastery in the art of manufacturing colored ceramic watches with the introduction of two new striking models to its “Colors of TOP GUN” collection. The new watches include a Woodland Pilot’s Timezoner and a Mojave Desert Pilot’s Chronograph. The new pieces come on the heels of IWC’s first introduction of Colors of Top Gun in 2022, where the brand created ceramic cases in hues inspired by naval aviation and its affiliation with TOP GUN.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Woodland
The Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Woodland (Ref. IW395601) is the brand’s first Timezoner® with a colored ceramic case. Encased in a captivating Woodland green ceramic, this timepiece is inspired by the flight suits and uniforms worn by the elite pilots of the TOPGUN flight school, and the vast forest landscapes they navigate.
Every detail of this watch has been carefully crafted to maintain a harmonious monochromatic design. The dark green ceramic case is matched with a matte black Ceratanium® case ring and crown. Ceratanium® is a unique material developed by IWC, combining the structural integrity of titanium with the scratch-resistance of ceramic.
The highlight of the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner is its patented Timezoner® function, which allows users to effortlessly switch between different time zones. By simply pressing down and turning the rotating bezel, the hour hand, 24-hour display, and the date can be adjusted in one-hour increments, even when crossing the dateline, without losing a second. The city ring, featuring the names of 24 major cities representing international time zones, is made of green ceramic, while the outer bezel is composed of Ceratanium®. Powering this exceptional timepiece is the IWC-manufactured 82760 caliber, with a 60-hour power reserve, visible through a tinted sapphire case back. It retails for $17,400.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert
Adding to the excitement, IWC introduces the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert (Ref. IW389402), marking the brand’s first 41-millimeter Pilot’s Chronograph with a sand-colored ceramic case. The unique hue, known as Mojave Desert, is inspired by the flight suits of naval aviators and the desert landscapes around China Lake, home to the U.S. Navy’s renowned TOPGUN flight school.
The color theme extends from the sand-colored ceramic case to the dark brown dial, hands, printing, luminescent elements, and a rubber strap with a textile inlay. The crown, chronograph pushers, and case back are made of matte grey titanium.
Inside the Mojave Desert model beats the IWC-manufactured 69380 caliber, a robust chronograph movement with 242 individual parts. The vertical dial layout places the stopped minutes directly at 12 o’clock for enhanced readability. The movement is protected from magnetic fields by a soft iron inner case and features a power reserve of 46 hours. It retails for $11,700.
IWC Schaffhausen has long been a pioneer in the use of ceramic for watch cases, dating back to its introduction of the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph in 1986. This groundbreaking timepiece featured a case made of black zirconium oxide ceramic and was the world’s first wristwatch of its kind.
The “Colors of TOP GUN” collection continues to push the boundaries of ceramic technology by introducing different hues, from Woodland green to Mojave Desert sand, achieved by carefully mixing zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides. The manufacturing process, including temperature and sintering duration, is adapted for each color to maintain the highest quality standards.
Both the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Woodland and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Mojave Desert are available through selected IWC boutiques and are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, which extends the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty to 6 years.