The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun IW389001 and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar IW389002 are very similar, using the same movement and having the dial arrangement with combined analogue totalizer for chronograph minutes and hours at the top of the dial. They both use the same in-house 89361 movement. They are different in dial design, the IW389001 reflecting the Type A B-Uhr layout and the IW389002 similar to the Type B.
Type A and Type B watches by Laco
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun IW389001 and Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar IW389002
The models have been in production since 2012, and for these two pieces in IWC’s 2016 pilot’s watch collection, the case diameter has been reduced from 46 to 44 mm, and the vertical triple-date window has been abandoned in favour of a small window with single date number.
The two models show an interesting development of the classic pilot’s watch theme. They preserve certain features of pilot’s watches, such as clarity of dial design, and a soft iron inner case protecting the movement from magnetic fields (this also means a solid caseback because the soft iron inner case obscures the movement from view, making a transparent sapphire caseback pointless). At the same time they add the chronograph complication, which is not part of traditional pilot’s watches but which is without doubt the most relevant complication for a pilot, providing the possibility of recording flight times with the most practical and legible layout, the “watch-within-a-watch” totalizer.
The IWC 89361 movement
The 89361 was developed by IWC as an in-house alternative to the ETA Valjoux 7750, and it is more refined than the 7750, with a column wheel controlling the chronograph function, a vertical clutch, free-sprung balance, excellent shock protection and high winding efficiency with a four-pawl Pellaton system. It also has the flyback function for instant stop, reset and restarting, and the stop seconds function for precise time-setting. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hertz) and provides 68 hours power reserve. In other IWC watches (it is used particularly in the Portugieser range) the movement is finely decorated with circular Côtes de Genéve, sunray brushing and circular graining.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun IW389001
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun IW389001 has a ceramic case with titanium pushers, and a steel caseback with the Top Gun engraving. The case is 44 mm in diameter and 15.5 mm thick, 6 bar water resistance. The strap is in black calfskin with an embossed fabric-type pattern reminiscent of NATO straps, and a stainless steel folding clasp. The watch costs €12,400 incl. tax, £8,650 incl. VAT. Available from April 2016.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar IW389002
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun IW389001 has a ceramic case with titanium pushers, and a steel caseback with the Top Gun engraving. The case is 44 mm in diameter and 15.5 mm thick, 6 bar water resistance. The strap is in green calfskin with an embossed fabric-type pattern reminiscent of NATO straps, and a stainless steel folding clasp. The watch costs €12,400 incl. tax, £8,650 incl. VAT. Available from April 2016.
