Having seen the latest Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN editions with colored ceramic cases (and they are beauties), IWC is giving us two more watches to round out what looks to be the year of the technical and performance-oriented TOP GUN collection: a 41mm Pilot’s Watch Chronograph in Ceratanium; and a Big Pilot’s Watch in a first-to-market size of 43mm.

Here again the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN comes out top trumps, as it has been chosen to be rendered entirely out of IWC’s most innovative material to date – Ceratanium. We first saw Ceratanium being used in the Pilot’s Watch collection with the coolest chronograph that IWC makes, the Double Chronograph TOP GUN Ceratanium, that uses a rattrapante movement designed by one Richard Habring.

Ceratanium, as its name might suggest, is an amalgamation of ceramic and titanium. And it indeed possesses the best qualities of both materials that are widely used in the industry. Titanium is lightweight and shatterproof. Ceramic is highly resistant to scratches. Both are resistant to corrosion. How are these amazing qualities combined into one seemingly perfect material? For one, they can’t simply be mixed together, for they go together like chalk and cheese.

The process starts with the smelting of a unique titanium alloy whose composition is a closely guarded IWC secret. Bars and flat sections of the alloy can be machined by high-precision, computer-controlled turning and milling systems to produce cases and their relevant components — casing rings, casebacks, crowns and pushers. The components are given an uneven, matte complexion through sandblasting done by hand. The prepared components are then fired in a kiln in precise conditions, and once certain parameters are met, oxygen diffuses into the material, resulting in a phase transformation and the component takes on the properties of ceramic. The firing process gives each component the matte black color so desired in Fliegerchronographs, and one of the central reasons why IWC pursued research into Ceratanium. IWC and Pantone have specified this particular shade of black as “IWC Ceratanium” (no surprises there). Since the ceramic layer is baked in, it will not chip or fall off like PVD or DLC coatings. And the material provides virtually unlimited freedom during the shaping of parts, regardless of size.

With this groundbreaking manufacturing process, it is possible to manufacture the 41mm chronograph’s case, pushers and crown completely out of it. With the exterior in an uncompromising all-black, stealth look, the black dial only has one other color on it — a very pale white, almost gray tone for the print and lume. For all that tool-watch styling, the caseback is paradoxically see-through, allowing you to admire the IWC in-house self-winding caliber 69385, a column wheel operated chronograph with 46 hours of power reserve and decent machine finishing. The watch comes on a black rubber strap with textile inlay and pin buckle similar to the 44.5mm “Woodland Green” release.

The other watch to receive the all-black treatment is the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 TOP GUN, now in an enlarged 43mm case for the very first time and befitting its moniker. IWC and Pantone have specified this shade of black as “IWC Jet Black”. The dial is also in black with black hands and starker white print and lume than the aforementioned chronograph. TOP GUN is also more clearly branded on the Big Pilot as a red logo graces the dial at six o’clock. The 43mm case is made of standard black zirconium oxide ceramic, but has a titanium caseback that is not see-through due to the soft-iron inner case that protects the in-house self-winding caliber 82100 from magnetic interference. Like the chronograph, it is rated to a depth of 100m. The caliber 82100’s Pellaton winding system is fitted with components made of ceramic that increases the wear resistance of one of the parts of the movement that sees the most use. When fully wound, you can expect 60 hours of power reserve. This TOP GUN Big Pilot also incorporates IWC’s EasX-CHANGE strap changing system so that you can swap out the included green textile strap with ease.

The EasX-CHANGE system was first introduced in the standard, non-TOP GUN versions of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 and Big Pilot’s Watch 43 in 2021 and is essentially a foolproof clip-on, clip-off system for both straps and bracelets. Having the system work on bracelets is a godsend — no more fiddling with pesky bracelet spring bars and potentially scratching the rear of the lugs.

IMHO

This honestly feels like a follow-up release to 2021’s watches, but in technical materials that are in keeping with the vision of TOP GUN. Additionally, we find it mildly amusing that IWC has gone to Pantone to define the colors of its technical materials. Could there be a legitimate reason of protecting the intellectual property of their research?

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph has a see-through caseback that detracts from its tool-watch roots and looks and yet this 41mm version is rated to a 100m depth while the 44.5mm versions are only rated to 60m. Regardless of the sapphire crystal, both versions have screw-down casebacks, so where is the difference in depth rating coming from? That’s a head-scratcher we hope to resolve once we are able to get ahold of the watches for a closer look. Lastly, IWC labels the Big Pilot case as 43mm when it is more like 43.8mm in the tech specs, which is closer to 44mm. Overall, if you like your IWC Pilots dark and mean, whether in a large or reduced case size, you can’t go wrong with either of today’s releases.

Tech Specs

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium

Movement: Self-winding IWC caliber 69385; 46 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, day and date
Case: 41.1mm x 14.5mm; Ceratanium; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Black with black hands
Special features: Soft-iron inner case for magnetic field resistance; crystal withstands drop in air pressure
Strap: Black rubber with textile inlay and pin buckle
Availability: May 2022 through IWC boutiques, authorized retail partners or IWC.com

---

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 TOP GUN Edition

Movement: Self-winding IWC caliber 82100; 60 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, central hacking seconds
Case: 43.8mm x 13.9mm; ceramic with titanium caseback; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Black with black hands
Special features: Soft-iron inner case for magnetic field resistance; crystal withstands drop in air pressure
Strap: Green textile strap and folding clasp
Availability: April 2022 through IWC boutiques, authorized retail partners or IWC.com
Eligible for My IWC care program, a six-year extension of the standard two-year International Limited Warranty.