Introducing The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Editions “Royal Maces”, “Tophatters” and “Blue Angels®” for U.S. Navy

After last week we saw the arrival of the first IWC watch in blue ceramic as part of the pilot’s watch collection, now comes the chronograph version integrated into a special edition along with two other variants, but in black ceramic. The three new chronographs that now arrive are limited editions that stem from the brand’s long association with the U.S. Navy, each dedicated exclusively to three distinct squadrons and which for the first time have the particularity of not being exclusive to Navy members but being available to the general public.

The three new chronographs integrate three editions, the “Royal Maces”, the “Tophatters” and the “Blue Angels®” which, in addition to being distinguished by their squadron emblem on the dial, also feature a set of details in the squadron tones.

But let’s start with the features common to all variants, they come in a 44.5 mm ceramic case, crown and pushers in Ceratanium, titanium case back, and 60 meters of water resistance. On the dial, Arabic hour indexes and hands-set filled with lume, central chronograph seconds hand, day-date aperture at 3 o’clock, small-seconds under squadron patch at 6 o’clock, 12-hour register at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute register at 12 o’clock. The chronographs are powered by the In-house automatic movement Caliber 69380, which offers up to 46 hours of power reserve, features a column wheel that controls the stopwatch function and a soft-iron inner case that provides greater protection from magnetic fields.

Moving on to each of the individual editions, starting with the edition “Royal Maces” which is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan and forms part of Carrier Air Wing 5. It features a black zirconium oxide case, a black dial with a “Maces” patch which stands out for its yellow tones, the color that extends to small-seconds hand, the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, day-date indication, rings on the pushers, and the stitching on the black strap. Finally, titanium case back engraved with the F/A-18E Super Hornet jet and the squadron denomination “VFA-27”.

The “Tophatters” edition is Naval Air Station Lemoore in California is the base of The Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (VFA-14), formed in 1919 is the Navy’s oldest active squadron. This edition also comes with a black zirconium oxide case and a black dial with its patch in red accents, which extends to the small second’s hand, the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, date indication, rings on the pushers, and the stitching on the black calfskin strap. The titanium case back is engraved with the classic top hat from its patch.

Finally, the “Blue Angels®” edition is the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron established in 1946 made up of 141 members of the Navy and Marines. This edition comes in a blue ceramic case and a blue dial with Navy Wings of Gold patch whose yellow tones stand out and that you can also find in the small-seconds hand, the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, day-date indication and rings on the pushers. The titanium case back is engraved with “Blue Angels” in characteristic lettering and is provided with a blue rubber strap with textile inlay.

The three variants are available from September 9th at the brand’s official stores and authorized retailers for a price of €12,100 and are limited by 500 units for each of the variants.

Read more here.

General Specifications:

Brand: IWC

Model: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “ROYAL MACES”, Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “TOPHATTERS”, Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “BLUE ANGELS”

Reference: IW389107, IW389108, IW389109

Dial: Black (IW389107, IW389108), blue (IW389109)

Lume: Yes

Case Material: Black ceramic (IW389107, IW389108), blue ceramic (IW389109)

Case Dimensions: 44.5 mm diameter, 15.70 mm thickness

Crystal: Sapphire Glass

Case Back: Titanium

Water Resistance: 60 Meters

Strap: Black calfskin strap (IW389107, IW389108), blue rubber strap with a textile inlay (IW389109)

Caliber: IWC69380

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day-date, chronograph

Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)

Jewels: 33

Components: 231

Power Reserve: 46 Hours

Price: € 12,100

Availability: Now

Limited Edition: Yes, 500 pieces/each