IWC

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN INTRODUCES THE BIG PILOT’S WATCH PERPETUAL CALENDAR TOP GUN LAKE TAHOE IN WHITE CERAMIC

Schaffhausen, 15^th June 2023: IWC Schaffhausen complements its “Colors of TOP GUN” collection with the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe. The new model features a 46.5-millimeter white ceramic case, a black dial, and black hands with white Super-LumiNova^®. Developed during the 1980s, IWC’s legendary perpetual calendar automatically recognizes the different lengths of the months and leap years. The timepiece is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52615 caliber, which can be observed through the sapphire glass case back.

In 2022, IWC unveiled its “Colors of TOP GUN” collection comprising various Pilot’s Watches in striking new ceramic colors. With the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe (Ref. IW503008), the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer now adds another model in white ceramic to the line-up. The ceramic color, which IWC and Pantone have specified as “IWC Lake Tahoe”, is inspired by white uniforms and the winter landscape around freshwater Lake Tahoe. Located between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is a mountainous area that the pilots of the nearby TOPGUN flight school frequently fly over. The eye-catching design is completed with a pitch-black dial and black hands with white Super-LumiNova^®, a stainless steel crown and case back ring, and a white textured rubber strap.

EXTENSIVE MATERIALS EXPERTISE

White ceramics are emblematic of IWC’s comprehensive expertise in advanced performance materials. The company experimented with this color as early as the 1980s, shortly after introducing its first wristwatch with a black zirconium oxide ceramic case. White ceramic is created in a complex manufacturing process in which zirconium oxide is mixed with other metallic oxides and sintered at high temperatures in an oven. Ceramic is extremely scratch-resistant and remarkably light, making it the perfect material for a Pilot’s Watch.

A HIGHLY ENGINEERED COMPLICATION

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe features the legendary perpetual calendar complication. It was developed in the 1980s by Kurt Klaus and since then, it has been steadily improved several times in terms of mechanics and functionality. The intricate mechanical program automatically recognizes the different lengths of the months and leap years and will require no manual adjustment until 2100. The patented double moon phase display shows the moon as seen from the northern and southern hemispheres. Thanks to a special reductionist gear train, it is so precise that it will only deviate by one day after 577.5 years. The calendar module is driven via a single nightly switching impulse by the IWC-manufactured 52615 caliber movement with a Pellaton winding system and a power reserve of 7 days. The movement can be admired through a transparent sapphire glass back.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe will be available as of July 2023. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

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I think I could / would wear that ...

By: cazalea : June 15th, 2023-14:50

Not that I need another IWC perpetual calendar, but it is Very Different from "this old thing." ...

Not to mention the size difference...😉

By: India Whiskey Charlie : June 15th, 2023-14:53

Oh My...

By: elliot55 : June 15th, 2023-15:17

... That one is fantastic. Love the colors.

If it is a perpetual

By: Thomas_3 : June 15th, 2023-15:23

where is the leap year indicator?

As per the press release...

By: India Whiskey Charlie : June 15th, 2023-15:34

"The intricate mechanical program automatically recognizes the different lengths of the months and leap years and will require no manual adjustment until 2100."

Well that is why it is a perpetual calendar 😀

By: dedestexhes : June 15th, 2023-17:07

Depending on how to set the date, an indication would be helpful though. Cheers, Dirk

My guess is that since it has a year indicator you don't have to think about it since the leap years are set in stone for the years to come, so that is basically the indicator.

By: doubleup : June 15th, 2023-19:44

Interesting….although I’d rather see something simple and rugged.

By: sludgeriff : June 15th, 2023-17:53

A Big Pilot 43 in Ceratanium has got to be on the way. Anyone know if we will see more Big Pilot 43 later this year??

With IWC anything is possible 😉

By: India Whiskey Charlie : June 15th, 2023-18:05

BP43 Perpetual Calendar

By: Koozy : June 15th, 2023-22:26

I really hope to see the 82650 calibre in the ceramic BP43. If it had the same colour scheme as the racing green BP perpetual calendar they could take my money now.

Why isn’t everyone more enthusiastic about this piece??

By: ArmisT : June 15th, 2023-20:01

When AP releases a ceramic piece, the internet nearly breaks 🤣

I think you/me know why....

By: Clueless_Collector : June 15th, 2023-20:53

It's the after-"math"

🤣🤣🤣

By: ArmisT : June 16th, 2023-08:19

That’s a funny pun in this case

By: Darron : June 19th, 2023-10:00

😂

Words cannot describe how complicated this is 😬

By: Clueless_Collector : June 19th, 2023-15:15

Too funny! In a serious note, I have

By: Darron : June 19th, 2023-23:05

Longed for a BPP (all black but most recently the blue dial ceramic) for awhile after hearing about the full control and synchronization of the indications with the crown, quite ingenious. One downfall though is if it is not often worn or not on a winder ...

Not sure how the crown integrates into the design. Aside from that, lovely.

By: aWtchslvr : June 15th, 2023-20:36

I will have a look at this intriguing piece in about two weeks.

By: MTR : July 4th, 2024-13:49

I'm looking for a nice ceramic watch and that would be a refreshing alternative to all the black and green. I'm not sure about the crown. No idea why it isn't made of ceramic too? Maybe too expensive/complicated to produce? The crown on the black sister m...