IWC Officially Introduces its Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe Watch

First spotted on the wrist of seven-time world racing champion Lewis Hamilton this year, the 46.5 mm watch is a vision in white ceramic
IWC Officially Introduces its Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe Watch
June 21, 2023
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IWC Officially Introduces its Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe Watch

Ever since it was launched in 2007, the Top Gun collection has been one of the signature offerings from IWC Schaffhausen. The Top Gun Lake Tahoe watch was first spotted on the wrist of seven-time world racing champion Lewis Hamilton at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix. Now making the launch official, IWC has unveiled the new Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW503008) version of one of its most hallowed timepieces. 

Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton hugs Sebastian Vettel

It all started last year when IWC revealed three new colours for its Top Gun chronograph range — black ceratanium and ceramic, all-white ceramic and all-green. No surprise there because the brand is known for experimenting with new colours and case materials. The all-white ceramic version was named Lake Tahoe by IWC and Pantone because the colour is inspired by the service dress white uniform of the US Navy and the winter landscape around the freshwater lake.

Despite being one of the more complex and premium models within the brand’s modern lineup, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar frequently serves as the basis for thematic colorways and limited editions.

The 46.5 mm white ceramic watch has a pitch black dial and black hands with white Super-LumiNova®. On the outer periphery of the dial, there is a white minute track with Arabic hour markers. The indications include a double moon phase at 12 o’clock (indicating northern and southern hemispheres), a date subdial with an in-built power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, a month subdial with a black-and-white hand at 6 o’clock, a year window at 7:30, a date of the week with an in-built 60 minutes counter at 9 o’clock, and a upward moving flighter place at 10:30. At 3 o’clock, there is a large stainless steel, screw-in crown. The new IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe watch also features integrated, polished lugs.

The ceramic cases found throughout IWC’s Top Gun collection feature colors that are inspired by the landscapes surrounding the Top Gun Flight Academy.

The perpetual calendar automatically recognizes the different lengths of the months and leap years. Powering the IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe watch is Calibre 52615, delivering 168 hours or seven days of power reserve. The movement, which is based on IWC 52010, is large enough to fill the entire case. 

Sapphire crystals are fitted to both the dial side of the watch and its screw-down stainless steel display case back, and despite the complex functionality of its movement, all adjustments are made through the onion-shaped stainless steel winding crown at 3 o’clock.

Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire crystal caseback with the outer ring and the large openworked central oscillating weight. Introduced in 2015, Calibre 52615 on the watch is an updated version and  sports twin barrels to deliver the seven-day power reserve. The finishing on the watch includes Côtes de Genève and perlage. The watch is completed on a white textured rubber strap with a stainless steel folding clasp.

Image Credits: IWC and Lewis Hamilton

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