The Bauhaus movement celebrates its 100thanniversary this year and still today stands for functionality and aesthetics. Due to the industrialization, Bauhaus manifested a basic philosophy to preserve the artistic work and bring it in line with the raising engineering sciences. The aim was to grant a broad audience access to quality products. Typical design elements of Bauhaus are: well-designed, practical and straightforward. Everyone that likes to keep it clear and simple will enjoy the Bauhaus style. The first pilot watches (Mark XI) by IWC somehow remind us of this movement. Its external appearance is minimalistic and reduced to the essential; its technical approach is sophisticated and above all very functional. In 2003, the watch collection ‘Spitfire’ arose from the heritage of these Mark XI pilot watches. They unite Swiss craftsmanship with the art of engineering: aesthetic, functional and pure. For the first time, the new models surprise with IWC manufactured movements and a very attractive entry level price.
The ‘Big Pilot’ within the new Spitfire collection – with perpetual calendar and limited to 250 pieces
Focus on Functionality
IWC surely didn’t have the Bauhaus style in mind while designing their first pilot watches. But at the moment Bauhaus is to be talked of and it’s therefore not far to seek for parallels when it comes to a strong design and functionality. During war time, when the first IWC pilot watches were produced, they needed to be as functional as possible – precise and easy to read. Today, the focus is not so much on the military aspect any longer and therefore they take inspiration from design elements of past times and contemporary functions to have a reliable companion in the jungle of everyday life. Inspirations derive from the shapes of on-board computers or colours from cockpits of vintage airplanes. Just like the new IWC ‘Spitfire’ watches, of which seven new versions have been introduced at the watch fair SIHH 2019.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire (left)
IWC Pilot’s Watch UTC Spitfire Edition MJ271 (right)
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire (middle)
Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire
Looking at the presentation of their new ‘Spitfire’ collection we noticed that IWC is reviving their military background and the brand likes to draw a comparison between their own savoir-faire and other masterpieces of engineering. The Spitfire becomes the source of inspiration – the British fighter plane that became popular in the second world war due to its agility. IWC launches two new automatic models that build the basic line of the ‘Spitfire’ collection. Their design reminds us of the navigation watches Mark XI with their simple dials and well legible numerals. The triangle with its two dots at 12 o’clock is adopted from the original pilot watches – it offered the pilots a better orientation of the hands position.
The new Spitfire Automatic models are available in two versions – here with bronze case and calf leather strap
The Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire comes in two executions, with stainless steel case and black dial and a green textile strap, or with a bronze case and green dial and a tough calfskin leather strap in dark brown. The inspiration in terms of colour coding comes from the cockpits of old Spitfire fight planes. The 39mm case is slightly smaller then the usual pilot watches at IWC. Until now, most of them were powered by external Sellita or Valjoux movements. All new ‘Spitfire’ watches house an IWC manufacture calibre. The Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire runs with the calibre 32110 with a time and date indication from the new calibre family 32000 and a power reserve of remarkable 72 hours. Price: 4.900 Euro (in stainless steel), 5.500 Euro (in bronze).
The new Spitfire Automatic watches are available in two versions: here with steel case and NATO strap
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire
The choice of colour range of the new chronograph models is identically to the automatic ones. Due to their chronograph function the case is slightly more generous, however with a 41mm case they are the smallest chronographs at IWC. It surely will catch the attention of a broader audience, especially at a price of 6.290 Euro for the steel-model, and 6.990 Euro for the bronze-model. Inside the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire runs the IWC manufacture calibre 69380, which originates from the calibre family 69000 that was first introduced in 2016.
Both Spitfire Chronograph watches also come in a bronze or steel case
Pilot’s Watch UTC Spitfire Edition “MJ271”
In 1998 IWC introduced the first UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) with its typical timezone-mechanism. The second timezone is displayed in a window between 11 and 1 o’clock. The last UTC pilot watch by IWC was introduced in 2012. Now for the first time this mechanism is integrated into an in-house IWC movement, the calibre 82710 with a power reserve of 60 hours. The watch is named after the 80 year old Spitfire that will set off for a circumnavigation of the world this summer. It is limited to 271 pieces and only available with a bronze case, a green dial and a dark brown calfskin leather strap. Price: 9.900 Euro.
It returns after seven years – the UTC pilot watch with its typical timezone mechanism
Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition “The Longest Flight”
On their take off to the circumnavigation of the world this summer, the two pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones will most likely be wearing one of these limited watches – and probably use them as they are equipped with a classical worldtime function that is adjusted from the bezel. The new calibre 82760 has an automatic Pellaton bi-directional winding and ceramic clicks. To make it simple, the 1950 patented mechanism enables the winding of the hairspring no matter in which direction the oscillating weight moves. Ceramic is partially used to prevent abrasion. The Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition “The Longest Flight” is limited to 250 pieces at a price of 13.800 Euro.
The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Spitfire varies widely from all other models with a 46.2mm case. After all, it’s a Big Pilot and certainly needs the size to house the complicated calibre 52615 with perpetual calendar function. It is the only new ‘Spitfire’ model that shows its artful worked movement through an open case-back. 250 pieces are available at a price of 30.900 Euro.
Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Spitfire (left)
The only new Spitfire model with open caseback (right)
All sapphire glasses of the Spitfire pilot watches don’t mist up at higher air pressure. All movements are protected from magnetic fields. For our personal taste the hands should have been designed linear – at least for the basic models. Besides this the collection is overall well done and very aesthetic. Whereas some watch brands at the moment come up with unjust high prices, others surprise with high quality at a very attractive entry level price. Maybe not available for a broad audience, like the Bauhaus intended it to be – but surely for a new target group.
The collection Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet and its six models were introduced on this year's watch fair SIHH in Geneva. One of the new models is the Minute Repeater Supersonnerie. The 41 mm case of the new collection’s six models is round with an octagonal middle piece inside. The upper part of the openworked lugs is welded to the…
On 7 October 2024, Richard Mille unveiled its fourth watch developed as part of its ten-year partnership with McLaren. This watch aims to transfer the DNA of McLaren's super sports cars into watchmaking and be in every way as extraordinary as the cars that bear the title ‘1’. This year's creation is not only inspired…
From a Rockstar point of view, IWC’s ‘Big Pilot’ watch has at least two advantages. First: being on tour, you can easily turn it into a bedside table clock due to its size and strong luminous power. Second: if you’re looking at pictures from past gigs one day, it just takes one glimpse onto the…
The year 2022 was an impressive one for the Swiss watch industry. Exports set a new record of CHF 24.8 billion, an increase of 14% on 2019 figures, and the MoonSwatch embarked upon its unprecedented success story, with more than three million pieces now sold. But what about 2023? Which markets are strongest, which trends…
When John McEnroe and Björn Borg take to the stage at the gala event in Berlin on Thursday evening before the start of the Laver Cup 2024, it will be the last time the two eternal rivals introduce their teams. After seven tournaments since 2017 (the Laver Cup was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid),…
As any watch enthusiast will know, it is often not just the aesthetic of a watch that enamours us: it's the story behind it. Cue the Reverso Travelling Collection, which is currently making a stop at Jaeger-LeCoultre's boutique on the prestigious shopping street Maximilianstrasse in Munich. The story behind the Reverso is a tale well-told,…
For over 20 years, the collection ‘Historique’ by Vacheron Constantin is regularly extended by historically relevant watches of the Maison, models like the Cornes de Vache from 1955, the American from 1921 or the Fine from 1955. Since a crucial horological passion of founder Jean-Marc Vacheron has been in the technical making of calendar watches, it was about time in 2017…
It’s been another extraordinary year for us all, and the watch world is no exception. That is why the Swisswatches team sat down once more to comprise a list of our top watches of 2022. From anniversary models to world records, we are presenting you 24 special highlights to emerge from the ever-surprising Swiss watch…
In this world, markets regulate the price – but they cannot always reflect the true value of a product. This is probably going to be the case starting from November 29, when, as part of Sotheby's Luxury Week, something extraordinary will be auctioned on Sotheby's website until 14 December: a 911 S 2.4 Targa from…
In Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the King gives the White Rabbit some sage advice for storytelling: ‘Begin at the beginning,’ the King said gravely, ‘and go on till you come to the end: then stop.’ That’s exactly the plan for this ultimate yet digestible guide to the Rolex Submariner. Rather than filling this space…
GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLNR Last year, Rolex caused a small sensation with the return of the GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ (Ref. 126710 BLRO) and its long-awaited steel version. Will the brand score another coup with an unexpected novelty this year? There is no need – why should they not built upon a reliable product and instead…
What lies at the heart of H. Moser watches? They boast bold colours, harmonious shapes, and minimalist designs that can be daring yet are always exquisitely crafted. These timepieces provide a refreshing alternative to ostentatious status symbols, oversized logos, and the extravagant luxury often associated with many Swiss watch brands. Remarkably, they have even chosen…
When Zenith presented a diver's watch at Watches & Wonders in April this year, my first assumption was that the brand wanted to expand its range, which is quite logical. After all, diver's watches – at least their mostly strikingly masculine design elements – have been in demand amongst watch enthusiasts for decades, fuelled not…