IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert"
It was back in 2019 that IWC Schaffhausen first brought us into desert terrain with a chronograph model. Now for 2021 they’ve returned with a pair of limited edition releases. Today we’ll focus on the simpler “Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition - Mojave Desert” option. One glimpse at this color-scheme and many of us my find ourselves recalling wars in foreign lands, but the actually inspiration behind these watches comes from the driest desert in North America.The 46mm case is made of beige colored ceramic with a solid screw-on titanium case back, which features an engraving of the “TOP GUN” logo with the inscriptions: “UNITED STATES NAVY” and “FIGHTER WEAPONS SCHOOL”; while circling around is the unique limited edition number of each individual timepiece and a “MOJAVE DESERT” reference.
It comes equipped with the iconic big onion-style screw-in crown; plus a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields.
All topped by a sapphire convex glass with an antireflective coating on both sides. The glass is secured against displacement by drop in air pressure. Water-resistance on this watch can reach up to 60 meters (196 feet).
Time is exhibited on a dark brown dial with beige Arabic numerals, followed by beige-toned minute index markers and slightly thicker markers for every 5-minute increment, except for the 12 o’clock position that features IWC’s iconic triangle with two dots.
The 3 o’clock numeral is also missing and in its place is a 7-day power reserve sub-dial indicator. While the 6 o’clock numeral has been omitted to allow for a date aperture. 
The central propeller hands are also colored beige for an almost faux-patina vintage look. Also both the hands, Arabic numerals and minute index markers have all undergone a luminescent coating, for an enhanced legibility.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert”
The “IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert”” (Ref#: IW506003) is powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical watch, caliber 52110 with 31 jewels, 257 components and 28,800 vph. It comes equipped IWC’s historic Pellaton automatic winding system, a central hacking seconds, plus winding system parts made from black or white ceramic. The movement is also decorated with a Côtes de Genève perlage finishing. Power reserve on this timepiece can last up to 168 hours (7 days), when fully wound.
Mounted to the watch is a beige rubber strap with textile inlay, secured to the wrist by a titanium folding clasp (matching the case back material).
This watch will be manufactured with an annual production limit of only 250 pieces. For more up to date information you can visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website here.
MSRP: $14.800.00 USD
