IWC Big Pilot

The IWC Big Pilot's Watch can trace its history back to the oversized timepieces produced for military aviators in 1940. These enormous pieces were originally designed for maximum legibility in a cockpit setting, and were originally designed to be worn on the pilot's thigh! Today the Big Pilot's line is perhaps IWC's most identifiable collection, featuring a variety of case and dial configurations suited for any taste - provided your wrist can handle the oversized dimensions! This particular example is what you might consider to be the prototypical Big Pilot — a thoroughbred 46mm example cased in steel with an oversized 'onion' crown. It features a luminous matte black dial with printed white 'Arabic' numerals, a recessed power reserve indicator, and a date at 6 o'clock, a matching 'sword' handset, a  polished faceted bezel, and a sapphire crystal. Powering this beast is IWC's Calibre 51111 automatic winding movement with a massive 8-day power reserve. It comes fitted to a IWC black 'rivet' leather strap with a signed steel deployant clasp. When you hear the term ‘pilot’s watch,’ there’s a healthy chance that what comes to mind is a timepiece from the International Watch Company.... and that is because of the ancestors to this watch. That is to say: The Big Pilot represents the very essence of IWC.