IWC Big Pilot’s Watch

Big Pilot's Watch is the line of large pilot's watches from the Swiss manufacture IWC Schaffhausen. Its prototype is the large observation watch of 1940 (B-Uhr), and in its current form the series has been made since 2002. The brand's other pilot lines are Pilot's Watch and Pilot's Watches.

The line is recognised by three details: a large dial with high-contrast markings, a triangle with two dots at 12 o'clock and a large conical crown, originally designed to be turned by fingers in pilot's gloves. Within the line, the choice is made by size, functions and material. The large case is the hallmark of the series, but there are also 43 mm versions. Functions range from a simple three-hander to annual and perpetual calendars. Besides steel, cases have been made of bronze, ceramic and gold.

The classic Big Pilot runs on in-house calibres of the 52000 family with Pellaton winding: the winding parts are made of wear-resistant ceramic, and two barrels hold a seven-day power reserve. A power reserve indicator on the dial shows how much is left.

One example is the Big Pilot's Watch Annual Calendar Edition Le Petit Prince 46 mm in rose gold: a 46 mm case in 18-carat rose gold and a midnight-blue sunburst dial. The Le Petit Prince series is dedicated to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince". The annual calendar displays are placed at the top of the dial in the order month, date, day of the week. The power reserve indicator is at 3 o'clock and the small seconds at 9. Inside is IWC calibre 52850; the edition is limited to 250 pieces.