Top 10 Facts About IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Spitfire
No other luxury timepiece has become synonymous with classic pilot’s watches than IWC Schaffhausen. Since introducing its very first pilot’s watch some 80 years ago, the brand has never ceased in evolving its collection to meet the distinct taste not only of those in field of aerial navigation but also of those ordinary folks who have come to love the eye-catching yet minimalist allure of the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch.
One of the most popular variations under this collection is the Spitfire series. Bringing the perfect blend of elegance and technical expertise, the timepieces under this line have become sought-after as well, thanks to the rich history and artistic and technical qualities that go with each watch. Revolution Watch Magazine unravels more interesting facts about the Spitfire and what makes it the timepiece to go for when you want a classic pilot’s watch that speaks volumes on style and technical allure.
1. Named After A Famous British Aircraft
With its longstanding history with aerial navigation, it was only a matter of time for IWC to recognise popular personalities or entities that had a great impact in the industry. There’s the TOP GUN series, which takes its inspiration from the elite fighters’ school, and the Antoine de Saint Exupéry, which is named after the famous French author of the “Little Prince” who was also a pilot.
In 2003, IWC was inspired once again to base its next timepiece on aerial navigation which gave birth to the Spitfire series of watches. The line was named after the Spitfire, the legendary single engine fighter aircraft commissioned by the Royal Air Force in the 1930s to the 1940s. Back then, the British aircraft became known for its aerodynamic wizardry and unparallelled performance.
2. The Highlight Of The Collection Is A Big Pilot’s Watch
Every series under IWC’s pilot’s watches contains a Big Pilot’s Watch model and the Spitfire is no different. For this line, the Big Pilot’s Watch version has an eye-catching 18-carat red-gold case, which is complemented with a brown Santoni calfskin strap. This Big Pilot’s Watch model highlights the entire Spitfire collection.
3. The Red Seconds Hand In The Chronograph Spitfire Is More Than Just A Design Detail
The chronograph version of the Spitfire is highlighted by the seconds hand in a red colour. It’s more than just an attractive detail, however. This seconds hand, located on the left-hand side of the dial, actually serves as a functional control.
4. The Chronograph Spitfire An Historic Detail
What’s more special than an everyday sports watch that boasts a significant historic detail? This is exactly what you can find on the Chronograph Spitfire, which is available in a NATO-inspired textile strap. NATO straps were straps that were specifically designed for NATO troops.
5. The Annual Calendar Model Has A User-friendly Feature
The Annual Calendar Spitfire has three separate displays for the date, day, and month, taking into consideration the differing lengths of each month. However, this mechanism doesn’t automatically make allowances for leap years, unlike a perpetual calendar mechanism. This can easily be remedied, though, by making simple manual adjustments using the crown.
6. The Annual Calendar Spitfire Has A Distinct Exquisite Look
Behind the complicated inner workings of the Annual Calendar Spitfire is a sophisticated façade that complements its appearance. The timepiece boasts a distinct look, thanks to the polished bezel, the satin-finished case, and the Santoni calfskin strap that is embellished with ornamental seams.
7. The Spitfire Has A Digital Model
Did you know that IWC had been ahead in the digital watches game as early as 1884? No wonder the brand has already mastered the art of fusing this particular feature with its mechanical watches. The Spitfire’s perpetual calendar version possesses this distinct quality, showcasing the date and month in large numerals.
8. A Spitfire With Unexpected Complications
The Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Spitfire is not just a “digital” watch but a perfect display of IWC’s technical expertise in complications. Apart from the digital display for the date and month, it also has, of course, a perpetual calendar mechanism and a leap year display.
9. There’s a Spitfire That Pays Homage To An Airline Company
In keeping with its tradition of taking inspiration from aerial navigation-themed entities, IWC dedicated a Spitfire model that pays tribute to a famous airline company. This is called the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “JU-Air”, which was designed to honour the contributions of the JU-Air airline company in preserving vintage aircraft.
10. The Chronograph Edition “JU-Air” The Perfect Modern-day Pilot’s Watch
The Spitfire tribute watch, “JU-Air”, is the modern-day pilot’s dream timepiece, thanks to its bevy of features. There’s a stopwatch with a flyback function (which allows the stopwatch hand to return to zero and start another timing sequence upon pushing the reset button), a date window that looks like an altimeter, and of course, a chronograph feature.
Get to know the IWC watches under the Spitfire collection in greater detail, as well as other iconic timepieces from the brand, such as the IWC Aquatimer, IWC Ingenieur, IWC Perpetual Calendar, and IWC Portofino when you visit IWC online. For more interesting features and videos on IWC timepieces, check out the Revolution Watch Magazine website.
Resource links:
https://www.forbes.com/pictures/5697eb41e4b0ed854f5261f7/iwc-big-pilots-watch-spit-1/
http://www.gq.com/story/watch-of-the-week-iwc-shaffhausen-pilot-tff-2014-spitfire-chronograph
One of the most popular variations under this collection is the Spitfire series. Bringing the perfect blend of elegance and technical expertise, the timepieces under this line have become sought-after as well, thanks to the rich history and artistic and technical qualities that go with each watch. Revolution Watch Magazine unravels more interesting facts about the Spitfire and what makes it the timepiece to go for when you want a classic pilot’s watch that speaks volumes on style and technical allure.
1. Named After A Famous British Aircraft
 |
| The IWC Watch Top Gun Series |
In 2003, IWC was inspired once again to base its next timepiece on aerial navigation which gave birth to the Spitfire series of watches. The line was named after the Spitfire, the legendary single engine fighter aircraft commissioned by the Royal Air Force in the 1930s to the 1940s. Back then, the British aircraft became known for its aerodynamic wizardry and unparallelled performance.
2. The Highlight Of The Collection Is A Big Pilot’s Watch
 |
| IWC with 18-carat Red-gold Case |
Every series under IWC’s pilot’s watches contains a Big Pilot’s Watch model and the Spitfire is no different. For this line, the Big Pilot’s Watch version has an eye-catching 18-carat red-gold case, which is complemented with a brown Santoni calfskin strap. This Big Pilot’s Watch model highlights the entire Spitfire collection.
3. The Red Seconds Hand In The Chronograph Spitfire Is More Than Just A Design Detail
The chronograph version of the Spitfire is highlighted by the seconds hand in a red colour. It’s more than just an attractive detail, however. This seconds hand, located on the left-hand side of the dial, actually serves as a functional control.
4. The Chronograph Spitfire An Historic Detail
What’s more special than an everyday sports watch that boasts a significant historic detail? This is exactly what you can find on the Chronograph Spitfire, which is available in a NATO-inspired textile strap. NATO straps were straps that were specifically designed for NATO troops.
5. The Annual Calendar Model Has A User-friendly Feature
 |
| IWC Annual Calendar |
The Annual Calendar Spitfire has three separate displays for the date, day, and month, taking into consideration the differing lengths of each month. However, this mechanism doesn’t automatically make allowances for leap years, unlike a perpetual calendar mechanism. This can easily be remedied, though, by making simple manual adjustments using the crown.
6. The Annual Calendar Spitfire Has A Distinct Exquisite Look
Behind the complicated inner workings of the Annual Calendar Spitfire is a sophisticated façade that complements its appearance. The timepiece boasts a distinct look, thanks to the polished bezel, the satin-finished case, and the Santoni calfskin strap that is embellished with ornamental seams.
7. The Spitfire Has A Digital Model
Did you know that IWC had been ahead in the digital watches game as early as 1884? No wonder the brand has already mastered the art of fusing this particular feature with its mechanical watches. The Spitfire’s perpetual calendar version possesses this distinct quality, showcasing the date and month in large numerals.
8. A Spitfire With Unexpected Complications
The Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Spitfire is not just a “digital” watch but a perfect display of IWC’s technical expertise in complications. Apart from the digital display for the date and month, it also has, of course, a perpetual calendar mechanism and a leap year display.
9. There’s a Spitfire That Pays Homage To An Airline Company
In keeping with its tradition of taking inspiration from aerial navigation-themed entities, IWC dedicated a Spitfire model that pays tribute to a famous airline company. This is called the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “JU-Air”, which was designed to honour the contributions of the JU-Air airline company in preserving vintage aircraft.
10. The Chronograph Edition “JU-Air” The Perfect Modern-day Pilot’s Watch
The Spitfire tribute watch, “JU-Air”, is the modern-day pilot’s dream timepiece, thanks to its bevy of features. There’s a stopwatch with a flyback function (which allows the stopwatch hand to return to zero and start another timing sequence upon pushing the reset button), a date window that looks like an altimeter, and of course, a chronograph feature.
Get to know the IWC watches under the Spitfire collection in greater detail, as well as other iconic timepieces from the brand, such as the IWC Aquatimer, IWC Ingenieur, IWC Perpetual Calendar, and IWC Portofino when you visit IWC online. For more interesting features and videos on IWC timepieces, check out the Revolution Watch Magazine website.
Resource links:
https://www.forbes.com/pictures/5697eb41e4b0ed854f5261f7/iwc-big-pilots-watch-spit-1/
http://www.gq.com/story/watch-of-the-week-iwc-shaffhausen-pilot-tff-2014-spitfire-chronograph
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