The Low-Down

By virtue of its history, tough engineering and design finesse, IWC is deservedly among the first names that come to mind when considering a pilot’s watch. Short of strapping on an actual cockpit instrument, the aesthetics of an IWC pilot’s watch comes closest to evoking the romance of aviation, refined for the wrist. And for the aviation enthusiast or consumer simply looking for a watch forged in the very demanding life-and-death realm of military aviation, IWC has served up an amazing array of pilot’s watches sporting a most comprehensive range of materials, complications, sizes, etc. For purists, IWC has produced Big Pilot watches descended from the saucer-sized knee clocks of aviation lore; concessions have also been made to present-day practicalities and sensibilities in the smaller case sizes filtering into its collections, an example of which being the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 which was introduced last year with 41mm case size to complement its 43mm siblings; and there has been a steady broadening of complications, from the requisite chronograph to perpetual calendars and world timers.

In good time for the return of Top Gun to the big screen after a 36-year break, the aforementioned Pilot’s Chronograph 41 has sprung a new bronze model. Besides a warm glow that isn’t gold (and without the attendant expense), bronze will generate a patina over time, meaning that each watch will be unique, patterned after the life of the wearer. IWC’s Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 in Bronze addresses some of the issues with bronze by including aluminium and iron in the alloy mix that achieves 50 per cent greater hardness over standard bronze, and also with an eye to biocompatibility. The blue dial and gold-plated hands matched with a blue textile strap that can be readily swapped without tools.

The crystal caseback reveals the IWC-manufactured Caliber 69385, a self-winding chronograph movement actuated by a traditional column wheel, with efficient bi-directional winding and a power reserve of 46 hours. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 in Bronze is available from April 2022 through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online, and is eligible for the My IWC care program, which adds a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

IMHO

Bronze is not quite an “aviation” metal, more nautical than aerospace; but it does plug a space for a warm-hued watch without the exorbitant price that gold in any shade commands. Bronze is great in principle and it is noteworthy that IWC is making it pleasant in practice, by using a brew that is kind on the skin, and hardened to better hold its edge. It also goes very well with blue.

Tech Specs

Movement: Self-winding IWC 69385, chronograph, beat rate 4Hz, power reserve of 46 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, registers for 30 minutes and 12 hours, small seconds, day, date.
Case: 41mm x 14.5mm, bronze, sapphire crystal display back, water-resistant to 100m
Strap: Interchangeable blue textile strap
Price: USD 7,300