It’s first and foremost a manufacturing quality, a movement, and a character. Then, the Big Pilot by IWC is a sort of proof of authenticity. While the Second World War was breaking out, IWC was put in charge of equipping pilots. A pioneer in the matter with no example to follow, IWC did the unthinkable and came out with a watch capable of resisting pressure at high altitudes, thick gloves, and flight suits. This is why the watch was so enormous at first. With a desire to make the watch as readable as possible, IWC didn’t use any sort of exotic material or add any additional functionalities; the Big Pilot was just for telling the time of the next raid or to test a flight plan at 20,000 feet, nothing more. And yet its irreproachable fabrication and timeless charm have raised the Big Pilot up to the highest ranks. It’s an extreme piece whose quality has long satisfied its lucky acquirers. This is perhaps due to the exceptional finishing of the casing.
With an alternance of polished/brushed surfaces and sharp angles, the Big Pilot captivates the eyes. Exclusive in its fabrication, the Big Pilot is also unique in that its large dial opening and long horns make it seem even bigger than it already is (46.2 mm to be exact). The onion crown signed “Probus Scafusia” is worth the trip all by itself. The dial itself is purified; within this sleek and slick beauty, nothing can disturb the reading of essential information from hours to minutes, reserve life, and, the only concession made for civilian use, the date. Diurnal reading is thus optimal. Conceived and fabricated within the manufacturer’s workshops, the timepiece also includes a highly sophisticated interior mechanism. Without a doubt, the Big Pilot is watch for heroes – regardless of the era and its demands.
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