IWC Schaffhausen has introduced the TOP GUN Miramar – a new colour that joins the brand’s Colours of TOP GUN collection. This collection comprises of watches with ceramic cases featuring colours inspired by naval aviation, such as Jet Black, Lake Tahoe, Mojave Desert, Oceana, and Woodland, and created in collaboration with Pantone®, an American company that specialises in colour expertise for different industries and applications.
TOP GUN Miramar is a new shade of light blue named after the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, San Diego in California. It was the base of the United States TOPGUN programme before it was relocated to the Naval Station Fallon in Nevada. “It is inspired by the light blue t-shirts that TOP GUN instructors wear under their flight suits. Having gone through a rigorous selection and intensive training process, they are considered some of the most skilled pilots and instructors.”
Left: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar. Right: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41.
TOP GUN Miramar debuts in the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar, and Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar features this light blue shade in its ceramic case, dial, and rubber strap, whereas the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 features it on its dial and rubber strap. The latter is the first time the brand has incorporated a Pantone colour in a stainless steel watch.
Key Features
Functions
Image: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar. IWC Schaffhausen has considerable expertise in ceramic. Only a matter of time before the TOP GUN Miramar colour is rolled out on their Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 – the simpler hours-minutes-seconds-date model.
Hours and minutes. Small seconds with stop seconds function at 6 o’clock.
Chronograph: Central chronograph seconds hand. 30-minute counter on subdial at 12 o’clock. 12-hour counter on subdial at 9 o’clock.
Day of the week and date displayed via apertures at 3 o’clock.
Dial
Left: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar. Right: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41. Notice the vertical dial layout, a typical feature of the brand. A no nonsense pilot’s chronograph. The triangle with 2 dots is a pilot’s watch feature. Both are blessed with IWC Schaffhausen’s pilot’s watch pedigree.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar
TOP GUN Miramar blue-coloured dial. Blue hands and hour-markers are coated with Super-LumiNova.
TOP GUN Miramar blue-coloured dial. Rhodium-plated hands and hour-markers are coated with Super-LumiNova.
Case
Left: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar. The ceramic case and engraved TOP GUN logo are reason enough to seek this version. Right: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41. I prefer the open caseback of this version. The rubber straps on both versions are water repellent. Both straps feature the brand’s EasX-CHANGE system, enabling the wearer to change straps easily.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar
Made from TOP GUN Miramar blue-coloured ceramic. Case diameter: 41.90 mm. Thickness: 15.50 mm. Dial side features a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The glass is secured against displacement by drops in air pressure. Closed caseback. Screw-in crown at 3 o’clock. A soft-iron inner case protects the movement from magnetic fields. Water resistant up to 10 bar or approximately 100 metres. Watch comes with a matching blue rubber strap fitted to a pin buckle made from titanium.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41
Made from stainless steel. Case diameter: 41 mm. Thickness: 14.50 mm. Dial side features a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The glass is secured against displacement by drops in air pressure. Caseback features a sapphire crystal. Screw-in crown at 3 o’clock. Water resistant up to 10 bar or approximately 100 metres. Watch comes with a matching blue rubber strap fitted to a pin buckle made from stainless steel.
Movement
Image: Both the calibre 69380 and 69385 belong to the brand’s IWC-manufactured 69000 calibre family.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar is powered by Calibre 69380 and Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 is powered by Calibre 69385. Both are automatic movements that feature a column wheel chronograph and drives the hours, minutes, small seconds with stop seconds function, chronograph functions, and day of the week and date.
Parts: 242. Jewels: 33. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve: 46 hours as a result of the brand’s efficient double-pawl winding system. Movement finishing includes Côtes de Genève and perlage.
Our Thoughts
Image: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41. This version is my personal favourite among the two.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 is among the most iconic IWC Schaffhausen watches. It is offered in a range of metals / materials / dial / bracelet / strap options to satisfy most budgets and preferences. We featured two versions in our Watches and Wonders Geneva coverage.
The all-ceramic Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar and stainless steel Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 further enhance this incredible collection. Their pilot’s watch pedigree, good looks, choice of materials, versatility, a dependable automatic movement with a column wheel chronograph and a double-pawl winding system (among other features) makes them both a “horological bargain” at their respective retail price of CHF 11,500 and CHF 6,700. Either one makes a compelling addition to a watch collection.
Additional Details
Name: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar
Reference: IW389409
Limited to 1000 pieces
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 11,500 / United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 47,800
Name: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41
Reference: IW388117
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 6,700 / United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 26,400
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
