IWC Big Pilot Big Date Spitfire Edition Mission Accomplished
Last year on August 5th, 2019, the British pilots Matt Jones and Steve Boultbee Brooks embarked on a flight around the world in an antique, restored Spitfire plane. Now that this mission has been accomplished, IWC have released a “Big Pilot” model with a “Big Date” and the “Spitfire Mission Accomplished” moniker, in a limited edition production to celebrate this milestone flight.
This record-breaking journey in the “Silver Spitfire”, by the two founders of the Boultbee Flight Academy covered almost 43,000 kilometers in four months, visiting over 20 countries. Besides this proper timepiece, IWC has also launched the “TIME WELL SHARED” initiative. The program has been conceived to uplift the social malaise due to the global health crisis by showcasing media from IWC’s brand ambassadors, employees, and partners.
The 46.2mm case is made of bronze with a titanium case back that includes a small sapphire opening, which allows to partially view the inner workings of the mechanical movement and a useful power reserve indicator. This titanium flip-side has been decoratively engraved with “Spitfire” aircraft and the inscription: “THE LONGEST FLIGHT” and “SILVER SPITFIRE”.
This case features a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields. It also comes equipped a screw-in crown designed in the iconic IWC big diamond shape with a riveted circumference, providing a firm grip for quick-set.
All topped by a convex sapphire glass with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. This crystal has also been secured against displacement by a drop in air pressure. Water-resistance on this watch can reach up to 60 meters (196 feet).
Time is exhibited on a matte green dial with white printed Arabic numerals and the iconic IWC “triangle” with a dot on each side, located at the 12 o’clock position. The 6 o’clock numeral is also missing and in its place is a sub-seconds counter.
While the “triangle” marker is a “big date” aperture. There is also a beige railroad motif minute track circling around the dial. The central gold-plated propeller hands, Arabic numerals and minute index markers have all undergone a luminescent coating, for an enhanced legibility.
IWC Big Pilot Big Date Spitfire Edition ‘Mission Accomplished’
IWC Big Pilot Big Date Spitfire Edition ‘Mission Accomplished’The “IWC Big Pilot Big Date Spitfire Edition ‘Mission Accomplished’” (Ref#: IW510506) is powered by the hand-wound mechanical movement, caliber 59235 with 30 jewels, 260 components, and 28,800 vph. Power reserve on this watch can last up to 192 (8 Days) hours, when fully wound.
Mounted to the watch is a brown calfskin strap with exposed white stitchings and broze rivets, while secured to the wrist by a bronze pin buckle. This is a limited edition watch with only 500 manufactured pieces. For more up to date information visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here.
MSRP: $15,800.00 USD
