Presented at the SIHH 2016, all three models in the Top Gun line from IWC had undergone a few modifications. First, instead of a soft strap, the watches now feature an embossed calfskin strap. Optically speaking, the change is virtually unnoticeable, but leather is considerably more robust and harder wearing. Second, the Top Gun logo is now engraved on the reverse side of the case of the Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Miramar and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar. This is much more discreet than the previous blue and red colored imprint. The mirror polished ceramic case diameter has now been reduced by 2 mm, making it more wearable for those with slimmer wrists. The Big Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar ref. IW389002 case is now 44 mm in diameter with a thickness of 15.5 mm. This time at the SIHH 2016, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar is not only slightly smaller and neater than in previous years, but IWC has also fitted this chronograph now with the automatic in-house calibre 89361 with 38 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 68 hours when fully wound.
With their anthracite colored dial, cockpit-style design and attractive mix of materials, the Top Gun watches have carved out a name for themselves. It is impossible to imagine the Pilot’s Watch squadron without the military-look of the new IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar line, whose dial design was inspired by historic observer’s watches. The designers have made the dial easier to read with the addition of a simplified date display. The analogue display of stop times between one minute and 12 hours is now found at 12 o’clock in a totalizer that can be read like the time of day —just like a second watch within the watch. Times under a minute are recorded by the central seconds stop hand. The new IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar also features a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields, a screw-down crown and a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both side, that has been secured against displacement by drop in air pressure. A perfect timepiece for fighter jet pilots, that happens to also be water resistant to 60 meters.
Both watch lines are now supplied with an embossed black or green calfskin strap. Yes, that is calfskin and not fabric as most would've imagined. The strap is equipped with a nice bead blasted IWC folding buckle.
The Top Gun logo on the reverse side is now engraved on the case back and is considerably more understated than the color imprint.
On the wrist, the watch wears considerably better with the new 44 mm case size. The picture below shows the watch on our 7.25" wrist. The sporty military look of the new IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar is unparalleled and it's one of those watches that you can pair nicely with that old leather bomber jacket of yours, that you purchased back in 1986 when looking like Tom Cruise in the film Top Gun was the thing.
Sticker Price $10,900 USD. For more info on IWC click here.
