2019 has been earmarked as the year of Pilot’s Watches at IWC. This has not translated into a complete overhaul of the collection (something that we applaud, as we think it is important to keep the classical models intact) but with the introduction of new models in sub-collections – mainly TOP GUN and Spitfire. Apart from all the […]
What started in 2005 as a source of inspiration developed into a true leitmotiv for the brand: a circle within a square, a watch inspired and built like an onboard instrument, straight from military planes to the wrist. More recently, Bell & Ross has been exploring new territories and new shapes but the BR01 and BR03 are still the backbones of the collection. As part of the Baselworld 2019 collection, the Parisian-based brand makes a comeback to the cool and much-praised instrument watches, with the new Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Bi-Compass.
As part of the Pre-SIHH 2019 novelties, IWC presented a new pilot’s chronograph with multiple reasons to fall in love: the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire Bronze. “Vintaged”, smaller than previous Pilot’s Chrono, equipped with a new manufacture movement and with a cool green dial/bronze case combination, it made quite an impression on us. However, bronze isn’t for everyone… And good thing is that the SIHH 2019 brings this same watch in a more classical material. Meet the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire 41mm Also in Steel IW387901.
This year is all about the pilot watch for IWC. As usual, there is a mix of standard, non-limited models as well as a couple of over the top limited editions. Like this Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “Le Petit Prince”. The watch we’re looking at today falls into this latter category, although it […]
If you’ve seen the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, you’re familiar with the Naval Fighter Weapons School for elite pilots, established in Southern California in 1969. IWC has paid homage to TOP GUN since 2007 and is releasing its latest three-hand automatic in the series with a new in-house movement and matte black ceramic case. Launched coincidentally with the new Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire, the TOP GUN model also shares the Spitfire’s IWC 32110 automatic calibre, although the case is larger at 41mm (from the Spitfire’s 39mm diameter) with a more modern aesthetic.
As the SIHH 2019 opened its doors, it is time for MONOCHROME to bring you the novelties of this year live, and not only with articles and photos, but also with videos. To start with a series of videos focusing on the main exposing brands, we have Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Watches, explaining all you need to know about the 2019 collection – which, you might have guessed, is focused on pilot’s watches.
Introduced a few years ago, the Zenith Pilot Type 20 is a tribute to the brand’s rich aviation history. Among other highlights, in 1909, the French aviator Louis Bleriot became the first man to fly across the English Channel and did so with a Zenith watch strapped on his wrist. Zenith subsequently crafted an array […]
As part of its thematic focus on Pilot’s Watches for the SIHH 2019, IWC resurrects one of its signature complications, a device that was used in the past on pilot’s watches, the UTC for “Universal Time Coordinated” – a watch also known as the TZC for “Time Zone Corrector”. A practical dual-time watch, which is easy […]
With its focus on military/pilot watches for the SIHH 2019, IWC just launched two new 3-hand pilot’s watches under the Spitfire sub-range – those could have been simple evolutions of the standard Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII, but there are multiple updates on the model and all models will coexist without the Mark XVIII being replaced. In the same vein as the Bronze Chronograph unveiled a few weeks ago, meet the smaller, manufacture-powered and vintage-inspired IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire Bronze or Steel for SIHH 2019.
When it comes to military-inspired watches, there are some names that need to be mentioned. Sinn certainly is one of them and Bell & Ross shouldn’t be forgotten either – and these two brands share more than just inspirations, as you’ll see later. Today, we’ve decided to give the brand a closer look, and with the help of two of the most back-to-basics watches in the collection – the BR 03-92 Horoblack & Nightlum – we’ll try to understand what Bell & Ross stands for. Let’s take off!