IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Racing Green
It was just last year that IWC Schaffhausen released their first “Big Pilot’s Watch 43” with the slightly smaller case, when compared to the standard 46.2mm sizing. But since then the collection has grown substantially with many references to choose from. This latest edition continues to showcase a classic type A flieger dial, now with the iconic British Racing Green hue.
The 43mm case is made of stainless-steel with radial brushed surfaces and polished accents. Unlike its big brother this model has a slimmer profile of only 13.6mm, which many seem to consider much more wrist-friendly, hence its instant popularity among the IWC crowd.
On the flip-side is a sapphire exhibition caseback that allows a view into the inner workings of the mechanical movement. It showcases several jewels, ceramic components, and a rotor decorated with a gold IWC medallion.
This case features a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields. It also comes equipped with a screw-in crown designed in the iconic IWC big diamond shape with a machined circumference, which provides a firm grip for quick-sets.
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 100 meters (328 feet).
Time is exhibited on a Racing 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. Circling around the flange is a white printed minute track.
This very specific “British Racing Green” hue has over a century of being linked to motor-racing, since it originated at the 1903 Gordon Bennet Cup, in Ireland. Recently we’ve seen this color pop up a lot in the horology scene. IWC has used it before and Girard-Perregaux also released an Aston Martin themed timepiece with a “Racing Green” dial.
Beside these essential indicators the dial has been left quite clear, making it a straight forward time-only watch. We get the brand logo on the upper-half and they’ve kept the “AUTOMATIC” lettering in a white font on the lower-half. Overall this is a classic IWC layout that provides a simple and highly effective reading at a glance.
The central rhodium plated propeller-style hands, Arabic numerals and minute index markers have all undergone a luminescent coating, for an enhanced legibility.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Racing Green
The “IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Racing Green” (Ref#: IW329306) is powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 82100 with 22 jewels and 28,800 vph. It comes equipped with a Pellaton winding system. Power reserve can last up to 60 hours, when fully wound.
Mounted to the watch is a green rubber strap with the exposed double-rivet design, while secured to the wrist by a steel folding clasp.
It comes with the EasX-Change system that makes swapping out straps quick and easy. For more up to date information visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here.
