Insider: IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Racing Green. Hands-on Review with Live Pictures.
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar comes in many different editions and the Edition Racing Green along with the Ceratanium one are the latest limited editions released by the brand. The new Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Racing Green comes in a limited edition of 250 pieces and without a doubt it is one of the coolest and sportiest perpetual calendars out there. This new edition takes its name from the striking racing green hue of its dial. Cased in a 46.5 mm black ceramic case, this new watch offers an unparalleled color combination with an incredible level of contrast between its green dial and the black ceramic case.
Things to Know About the Watch
The IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Racing Green features a 46.5 mm x 15.5 mm black ceramic case and a Ceratanium crown. Additionally, for the very first time, this Big Pilot’s Perpetual Calendar is equipped with a display case back that allows for full view of the movement. This Perpetual Calendar displays the date with a power-reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, a day of the week with running seconds at 9, the month at 6 o’clock, the year in four digits in a rectangular aperture at 7 and a perpetual moon phase for the northern and southern hemispheres at 12 o’clock.
The anti-reflective treated sapphire crystal is secured in a way were it prevents displacement by drop in air pressure. The IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Racing Green is delivered on a black aramid fabric strap with pin buckle in titanium.
The Movement
Powered by the in-house IWC calibre 52615 the watch features an impressive power reserve of seven days. The highly efficient winding system is a refined version of the 50000-calibre family with a bidirectional Pellaton pawl-winding system with two barrels and components made of black and white ceramic. These extremely hard high-tech materials make the automatic winding system practically wear-free. The perpetual calendar recognizes the different lengths of the months and leap years automatically and requires no correction until 2100. It can be set simply via the crown. The double moon display shows the moon correctly for both the northern and southern hemispheres and will need to be adjusted by one day only after 577.5 years. While the prototype we reviewed here came with a solid case back, the actual watch for sale features a display case back that allows for full view of the beautifully finished automatic movement. The movement is composed of 386 parts and 54 jewels and beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, the IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Racing Green ref. IW503005 wears true to its size and with incredible wrist presence. Depending on lighting conditions the dial is a true chameleon that goes all the way from a deep forest green to an electric green and every other hue of green in between. The fact that this rendition of the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar is fitted with a display case back makes the watch even better in our book. This watch is available in a limited edition of only 250 pieces.
Sticker Price CHF 37,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $40,000 USD. For more info on IWC click here.