£6,250.00
In stock
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 46mm represents the uncompromising embodiment of the historic navigational instrument for pilots, paying tribute to IWC’s legendary aviation heritage that dates back to the 1930s. This 46.2mm timepiece distils decades of pilot watch development into a contemporary instrument that combines exceptional legibility, robust construction, and the manufacture Calibre 52111 with an impressive 7-day power reserve. The Big Pilot’s Watch stands as one of IWC’s most iconic designs, instantly recognisable through its oversized crown, classic black dial, and commanding presence.
Crafted in stainless steel with distinctive black calfskin strap featuring riveted details reminiscent of vintage aviation equipment, this automatic timepiece delivers both authentic pilot watch functionality and refined aesthetics. The convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating ensures optimal legibility under varied lighting conditions, while the soft-iron inner case provides protection against magnetic fields encountered in aircraft cockpits. The central hacking seconds, date display, and power reserve indicator combine to create a comprehensive navigational instrument worthy of IWC’s aviation legacy.
Condition: Excellent pre-owned condition
Includes: Full box set
Warranty: Valid until 2027
Shipping: Free UK delivery
The Big Pilot’s Watch traces its lineage to IWC’s groundbreaking aviation timepieces developed during the 1930s and 1940s, when the manufacture created navigation watches for military pilots requiring absolute reliability and legibility under combat conditions. The original Big Pilot’s Watch of 1940 featured an oversized 55mm case designed to be worn over flight jackets, an enormous crown for manipulation with gloved hands, and exceptional anti-magnetic protection essential for cockpit environments filled with electromagnetic interference from aircraft instruments and communications equipment.
This modern interpretation honours that legendary heritage while incorporating contemporary manufacturing capabilities and refined aesthetics suitable for both aviation professionals and watch enthusiasts. The Big Pilot’s Watch represents IWC’s dedication to creating instruments that serve genuine pilot requirements rather than simply adopting aviation styling for commercial appeal. The Calibre 52111’s 7-day power reserve ensures the watch continues running throughout extended periods without winding, maintaining accurate timekeeping during multi-day flights or when the timepiece sits in a collection between wearing occasions.
The impressive 168-hour power reserve represents one of the Big Pilot’s most significant technical achievements, ensuring the watch continues running for an entire week without manual winding. This extended reserve proves particularly valuable for pilots who may not wear their watches during multi-day layovers or for collectors who rotate between multiple timepieces. The Pellaton automatic winding system, invented by IWC technical director Albert Pellaton in 1950, achieves this remarkable reserve through efficient bidirectional rotor operation and optimised barrel configuration.
The power reserve display at 9 o’clock provides constant visual reference for remaining reserve, eliminating uncertainty about when winding becomes necessary. This practical complication transforms the Big Pilot from simple timekeeping instrument into reliable companion that maintains accurate operation throughout extended periods of non-wear. The 7-day reserve also reduces wear on winding mechanisms by requiring less frequent manual intervention, potentially extending the movement’s service life while providing owners with confidence that their watch will continue running reliably between wearing occasions.
The soft-iron inner case creates Faraday cage effect that shields the movement from magnetic fields encountered in aircraft cockpits, where navigation instruments, communication equipment, and electrical systems generate electromagnetic interference capable of affecting watch accuracy. Soft-iron’s high magnetic permeability allows it to absorb and redirect magnetic field lines around the movement rather than through it, preventing the balance spring and other ferromagnetic components from becoming magnetised and causing timekeeping errors.
This protection proves essential for aviation applications where magnetic interference could compromise navigation timing precision. Modern aircraft cockpits contain even more electronic systems than their historical counterparts, making anti-magnetic protection increasingly relevant despite advances in movement materials. The soft-iron inner case represents IWC’s commitment to maintaining authentic pilot watch functionality rather than relying solely on aesthetic aviation references, ensuring the Big Pilot delivers genuine utility for professional pilots and aviation enthusiasts who appreciate technical excellence alongside heritage design.
The distinctively large conical crown represents one of the Big Pilot’s most recognisable design signatures, originally sized for manipulation by pilots wearing thick leather flying gloves in unpressurised aircraft at high altitude. The screw-in crown ensures water resistance while the conical shape provides excellent grip for time setting and manual winding when required. This functional design element has become synonymous with IWC’s pilot watches, immediately identifying the Big Pilot even at distance.
Beyond its practical origins, the oversized crown creates visual balance appropriate to the 46.2mm case diameter, ensuring proportional aesthetics that prevent the watch from appearing top-heavy or awkwardly scaled. The crown’s substantial size also facilitates comfortable operation for all wearers, not just those wearing gloves, making time adjustment and winding effortless daily operations. This attention to ergonomic detail demonstrates IWC’s philosophy that pilot watches should deliver genuine functionality rather than simply referencing aviation aesthetics through superficial design elements.
The substantial 46.2mm diameter creates commanding wrist presence that honours the Big Pilot’s heritage as oversized navigational instrument, though modern iterations remain significantly smaller than the original 55mm wartime models. The case diameter ensures optimal dial legibility, the primary requirement for pilot watches where quick, accurate time reading proves essential during navigation calculations and mission timing. The 15.6mm height accommodates the complex Calibre 52111 with its 7-day power reserve while maintaining reasonable proportions.
Despite its size, the Big Pilot wears more comfortably than dimensions suggest due to thoughtful lug design and relatively light weight considering the case diameter. The 22mm strap width creates harmonious proportions while providing stability that prevents the watch from rotating on the wrist. For those with larger wrists or who appreciate substantial timepieces, the 46.2mm diameter delivers authentic pilot watch character. However, potential buyers should ideally try the watch on before purchasing, as individual wrist anatomy significantly influences whether this bold sizing feels natural or excessive for regular wear.
The Big Pilot distinguishes itself through authentic connection to IWC’s military aviation heritage rather than fashion-driven pilot watch styling. IWC’s history creating navigation watches for military pilots during the 1930s-1940s established technical requirements and design elements that continue defining the Big Pilot collection. The combination of 7-day power reserve, soft-iron inner case magnetic protection, oversized crown, and exceptional dial legibility creates genuine pilot’s instrument rather than civilian timepiece with aviation aesthetics.
The manufacture Calibre 52111 with Pellaton winding system represents IWC’s in-house movement expertise, distinguishing the Big Pilot from competitors using modified third-party calibres. The power reserve display and central hacking seconds provide practical complications valued by pilots and watch enthusiasts who appreciate functional refinement. This combination of authentic heritage, manufacture movement, and uncompromising functionality positions the Big Pilot as ultimate expression of IWC’s aviation watchmaking philosophy—creating instruments that honour legendary history while delivering contemporary technical excellence.
For any purchases online, we offer a 14 day refund as long as they are returned exactly as sold. Any purchases in person are final.
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