Through innovation and the pursuit of technical excellence WC Schaffhausen company has won international recognition. At SIHH Exhibition 2016 IWC introduced the manufacture watches related to the aviation theme. Among the new two models of IWC Big Pilot's Heritage and 55 IWC Big Pilot's Heritage 48. On the creation of these two models the designers were inspired by clock with 55-millimeter case IWC Big Pilot's, which is a manufactory released in 1940 by a military request. A few years ago at SIHH Exhibition IWC company also introduced a collection of Pilot watches as a major aesthetic theme of the year. Then all attention was paid around fighters and were shown multiple versions of Top Gun IWC Big Pilot's.
In 2016, the manufactory has decided to refer to the historical heritage, in common with the Second World War, introducing two limited series of watches. The main difference between the IWC Big Pilot's Heritage 55 (reference IWC510401) and the Big Pilot's Heritage 48 (reference IWC510301) - is the size of the body. Diameter, respectively 55 and 48 mm. The second model has a more comfortable proportions to be worn on the wrist.
IWC titanium used for the production of the watch that little balance a decent size. IWC company also used the traditional style of aircraft watches in the design of the dial, which is very popular among many people.
Unlike the original model 1940 IWC Big Pilot with central second hand, new watches IWC Big Pilot's Heritage equipped movement with manual winding and small seconds. This decision refines the appearance of large clock, and, in addition, at the IWC had left a couple of mechanisms designed specifically for this purpose. Interestingly, the two clocks are not equipped with the same engine. Giving a "collector status" watch IWC Big Pilot's Heritage 55, IWC use slower manufactory caliber 98300 created "under the vintage." 98300 Mechanism thinner than 59215 caliber used in watches IWC Big Pilot's Heritage 48, but at the same time, it is more simple, its frequency is 18, 000 pcs / hour, and power reserve is 46 hours.
Do not be amiss to mention that both the water resistance of the watch is 60 meters. Also inside each enclosure is a Faraday cage that protects the mechanism from magnetic waves. Crowns are provided with protection that prevents excess factory watches. This option was a necessary measure, since pilots often wound up his watch without taking off the gloves, so there was a danger of excessive reoad of mechanism.
IWC Big Pilot's Heritage 55 larger in diameter than the model IWC Big Pilot's Heritage 48, but the thickness of the watch is 13.5 and 14.5 mm, respectively. Visually wider body clock seems thinner than it actually is.
Returning back to the dial, we note the classic design of aircraft timepiece, which generously used fluorescent coating beige, and a traditional triangle with two points in position 12 hours. The readability of the dial is excellent. Blue arrows different shades shimmer in the sunlight, emphasizing the excellent texture and finish clock face IWC Big Pilot's Heritage 55 and 48.
Inside the model with a diameter of 48 mm is manufactory IWC 59215 caliber with manual winding. Its power reserve is 8 days and the balance frequency - 28 800 pc / h. Both models IWC Big Pilot's Heritage completed with elegant brown leather strap with legendary rivets and stitching. IWC510301 with a diameter of 48 mm will be released in a limited edition of 1000 pieces and IWC510401 diameter of 55 mm will be released in a limited edition of 100 pieces.