IWC Big Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Lake Tahoe ref IW 503008 Full Set

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe IW5030058 Full Set
Serial 64622**,2023

Case:
original case in ceramic in mint condition

Dial:
original black dial

Movement:
original movement with perpetual calendar complication

Case back:
original exposed
in excellent condition

Bracelet:
original strap + 2 additional original straps

Accessories:
box, warranty, booklet, 2 additional straps

Price 31.500 €

Do you know what the first ceramic watch was? Richard Mille, Hublot maybe? Definitely Rado? I am of course talking about those incredibly German Swiss watchmakers from Schaffhausen, IWC.

In 1985,IWC presented the first mechanical perpetual calendar (designed by the inimitable Kurt Klaus) and a year later the world’s first ceramic watch. In 2022, IWC presented the ‘Colors of TOP GUN’ collection, comprising several Pilot’s Watches in different ceramic colours. Ceramic is incredibly resistant to scratches and wear. It makes sense that it would be in something designed to be tough, to survive a serious impact, worthy of a military fighter pilot.

The new 46.5-mm Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe, ceramic colour: white, which IWC called ‘IWC Lake Tahoe’, is inspired by the winter landscape around Lake Tahoe. Located between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is a mountainous area that pilots from the nearby TOP GUN flight school often fly over.

The eye-catching design is complemented by a black dial with a black hand with white Super-LumiNova framed by a stunning anti-reflective glass, stainless steel crown and back ring, and a textured white rubber strap. White ceramic is emblematic of IWC’s extensive expertise in advanced performance materials. White ceramic is created in a complex production process in which zirconium oxide is mixed with other metal oxides and sintered at high temperatures in an oven. The ceramic is extremely scratch-resistant and extraordinarily light, making it the perfect material for a Pilot’s Watch.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Lake Tahoe is equipped with the legendary perpetual calendar complication. The movement’s intricate mechanical programme automatically recognises the different lengths of months and leap years and requires no manual adjustment until 2100. The patented dual moon phase display shows the moon as seen from the northern and southern hemispheres. Thanks to a special gear train, it is so precise that it will deviate by only one day after 577.5 years The calendar module is activated by a single night-switching impulse by the IWC-manufactured 52615-calibre movement with Pellaton winding system and a 7-day power reserve. The movement can be admired through the transparent sapphire glass back.
Watch also worn by Lewis Hamilton.