Centered around the The Spitfire designed by Reginald J. Mitchell —one of the most sophisticated developments in the history of aviation—, IWC launched several new watches in their Pilot’s Spitfire Watch collection to honor this aircraft and the Longest Flight Project. Just like the legendary British fighter aircraft which is the result of a perfectly functional design, so is the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight" ref. IW395501. While the watch doesn’t come with any elliptical wings like the plane in question, the Timezoner —originally launched in a Chrono version for the SIHH 2016— is also easy to maneuver with its unique silhouette and bezel that controls the world timer complication.

The patented Timezoner mechanism with an entirely automatic IWC in-house movement powers this great looking world timer that is not only very functional but quite good looking. Available in a limited edition of only 250 the IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight" is fitted with a 46 mm stainless steel case, a black ceramic bezel and a khaki fabric strap.

This special edition is dedicated to the "Silver Spitfire –The Longest Flight" project. It has been specially developed for pilots Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones to coincide with their flight around the world in a Spitfire. The color scheme of the watch design, with its stainless steel case, its black dial and its green-brownish textile strap, is reminiscent of the cockpit of a Spitfire. Can’t think of a better watch for these two pilots to wear while flying around the world in the Silver Spitfire. The Longest Flight will depart from the UK with 20 stopovers at different major landmarks around the world.

The beauty of the IWC Timezoner is that the world timer complication is totally controlled by the bezel and not the crown. All you need to do, is push the bezel down, turn it to the desired time zone and release. It’s as simple as that. The movement is conveyed synchronously to the hour hand and 24-hour indication aperture. The date display is also synchronized correctly, regardless of whether the watch is advanced or turned back, and whether the 24-hour hand passes midnight.

The watch movement and the advance of the minute hand, however, are not affected, which has the advantage that the watch shows the correct time even after repeated functional tests. Press, rotate and release: setting the world time with a mechanical wristwatch could not be easier than with the city ring.

The Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight" also solves the problem of summer time. It is often forgotten that not all time zones on the planet recognize summer time. There are countries that do not make the change. Some states in the southern hemisphere put their clocks/watches back at precisely the time those in the northern half of the globe are putting theirs forward. If you wish to see what the time is in Rio with a conventional time zone watch, it is almost certain to be wrong. For this reason, the rotating bezel has a small “S” to indicate the names of cities that recognize summer time, such as London and New York. IWC Schaffhausen has been awarded a patent for this particular display function.

The Timezoner Spitfire Longest Flight is equipped with a stainless steel case measuring 46 mm in diameter and when compared to its predecessor the Timezoner Chrono released in 2016, you will notice that the dial is closer to the sapphire crystal and that is because the 24-hour display has been designed as a rotating disc beneath the dial.

Powering the IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight" ref. IW395501 is the newly developed IWC automatic in-house calibre 82760 with Pellaton winding system with components made from wear-resistant ceramic and with a power reserve of 60 hours. The movement is protected by a case back with a ‘Silver Spitfire - The Longest Flight’ engraving. Really good looking watch for the money.

Details About the Watch

Case: 46 mm Stainless Steel with black ceramic bezel controlling the world timer complication and engraved with 24 world cities in white.

Movement: IWC automatic in-house calibre 82760 with Pellaton winding system. When fully wound provides a power reserve of 60 hours.

Dial: Black dial with 24-hour indication aperture at 12 o’clock, ‘ecru’ vintage looking superluminova and date at 3 o’clock.

Strap: Khaki fabric strap with folding clasp.

Limitation: 250-piece limited edition.

Sticker Price $12,400 USD. For more info on IWC click here.