Having lived and worked a plane's length from Miramar

and owned a dozen IWCs, you would think I would be more excited by these Top Gun models. But I'm not, for several reasons.

First, Miramar is no longer a Naval Base, it's been given to the Marines. That doesn't negate the fact that Top Gun school started there, but still, it's a bit inaccurate nowadays to say Miramar, Top Gun, Navy on the back.

We lived on the base in a Quonset hut starting in 1951, and I worked nearby for 18 years, so it would be no less accurate for me to have that tatooed on my back than it is having it engraved into the back of the IWCs ... but more painful, I suppose.

Second, the watches, as others have noted, are large, and the only thing new seems to be their color schemes and straps. And while I appreciate the ceramic case must for some reason have a metal caseback, the metal on my (former) Top Gun Chrono just didn't click with me due to the contrast.

My favorite dial of the bunch is the perpetual calendar which I find very attractive, but the Big Pilot is too large for me. Alas, so I wait some more...

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SIHH 2012: IWC novelties - new Pilot's Watches

By: AnthonyTsai : January 16th, 2012-08:06

2012: the year of the high-flyers The new Pilot’s Watches from IWC Schaffhausen IWC Schaffhausen gets off to a powerful startin 2012: the year of the Pilot’s Watch. Withfive new models, the TOP GUN collectionestablishes itself as an independent formationw...

Again...

By: dxboon : January 16th, 2012-09:26

...I just don't respond to IWC's novelties. Pilot's watches are supposed to be supremely legible -- presenting the information needed with clarity. Why then a 3-day date window? The press material tells us this triple date arc is supposed to bring to mind...

I unfortunately agree 100%

By: emcquillan : January 18th, 2012-10:59

Too big, too self advertised and over the top..... gun. I would give a closer look at the world time pilot if it didn't have a triple date window though. This piece has some appeal for me ad would be very tempting with no date. Best,

Though im a big fan of IWC

By: Albert.J : January 16th, 2012-10:31

i was happy when i heard the news that IWC was going to come up with in-house movements, but im very disappointed with the design. since that triple date window was only for topgun, i personally think that's neither TOPGUN nor classic & spitfire. and ...

Very impressive lineup

By: fai9al_429 : January 16th, 2012-11:12

LOVE the new Spitfires! Though my favorite of the collection is the Pilot Double-Chrono Great stuff IWC

Love the Big Pilots.....

By: JMan : January 16th, 2012-11:43

Love all the Big Pilots including the Miramar which is gives it a vintage and military look at the same time. I have loved the movement in this series too. Yes, they are big but they wear smaller than they are. Now if you only IWC can do to make them a bi...

interesting Mix

By: Tony A.H : January 16th, 2012-12:16

but nothing jumps out at me. however. i like the last one. i'm a Huge Fan of the Grey Dial. thanks for posting

Hit and miss for me

By: AndrewD : January 16th, 2012-14:29

Here are my initial responses to the pictures. I reserve the right to change my opinion when I handle the watches in the metal! I like the colour schemes with the grey ceramic and red highlights. The ceramic case should provide the scratch resistance that...

Having lived and worked a plane's length from Miramar

By: cazalea : January 16th, 2012-17:08

The steel case back...

By: mikethw : January 25th, 2012-03:21

and the Stainless steel crown and pushers sticks out like a sore thump.....its neither stealthy or elegant. I'm a big fan a IWC Perpetual Calendar, especially the big pilots.....but this one does not have the same appeal to me. I have to say....its the cr...

I really like the old Top Gun Double Chrono...

By: patrick_y : January 16th, 2012-21:43

It's a high-flying year for IWC's pilot range; and there are some good looking offerings. Really interested in seeing the new pieces but I really like the old Top Gun Double Chronograph; and it's going to be difficult to convince me away from it. A split-...

Where to start?

By: aldossari_faisal : January 17th, 2012-15:21

the "I dont like" list on their collection is big , big to the point i have to fold the whole page of IWC new collection and just forget about it...so basically they've been working for the past year + on getting the cases bigger the dials busier and oh s...

IWC

Having lived and worked a plane's length from Miramar

SIHH 2012: IWC novelties - new Pilot's Watches

Again...

I unfortunately agree 100%

Though im a big fan of IWC

Very impressive lineup

Love the Big Pilots.....

interesting Mix

Hit and miss for me

Having lived and worked a plane's length from Miramar

The steel case back...

I really like the old Top Gun Double Chrono...

Where to start?

If they did more than that....

Would LOSE?

I really like the spitfire chrono perpetual in RG

agree on both counts

This is the one that stood out for me as well.