Squadron Strike: The Latest Pilot’s Watch Releases from IWC Take Flight
IWC’s latest Pilot’s Watch models combine precision appeal with some flights of horological fancy, edgy design, and a cinematic intersection with car racing.
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
While the news surrounding IWC Schaffausen’s latest novelties has been dominated by the latest versions of its storied Ingenieur (particularly the 40mm green-dialed timepiece inspired by the watch worn by Brad Pitt in F1: The Movie, which will open in theaters at the end of June), its Pilot’s and Big Pilot’s Watch models will always play a BIG part in the watchmaker’s repertoire.
Last year, the brand’s Pilot’s Watch releases were more about the pure cockpit-ready, military-chic, aerodynamic mojo. Earlier this year, we saw IWC’s pilot watches lean into the brand’s F1-related territory.
Interestingly, the newest IWC Pilot’s Watch models tap both of these inspirations, along with a strong dose of horological elan and cutting-edge technicality.
Big Technical Flying
Leading the latest IWC squadron is the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL (Ref. IW357701). The model name is a mouthful, to be sure, but it covers all the bases on this masterful timepiece.
In a first for the brand, the IW357701 combines the watchmaker’s patented SPRIN-g PROTECT shock absorber system with a tourbillon. But it’s not just any tourbillon. The IW357701 features a flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which is even more dramatic given this piece’s exacting skeletonization.
Remarkably, the IW357701 makes room for all this without diverging too much from a familiar Pilot’s Watch format, with its protected oversized crown being the most prominent nod. At this point, it may not surprise you to learn that the “XPL” in its moniker is a reference to IWC’s advanced engineering division.
The 44mm case is made from deep black Ceratanium (a proprietary titanium alloy kiln-processed to develop a black color and pick up the lightness of ceramic) that balances out the prominent crown protection with a “winged” flange on the opposite side.
Once you add in the equally dark technical rubber strap, the IW357701 becomes the all-black “stealth fighter” of this air force, with the gleaming metal of the tourbillon and glimpses of the coppery elements of the shock absorption system lending some visual pops.
Lastly, the caseback gives a marvelous view of the manufacture calibre 82915 automatic movement, which delivers an 80-hour power reserve. The IWC Big Pilot’s Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL is limited to 100 pieces, and we have spotted pricing out there at about $185,000.
Air Show
If the XPL Ref. IW357701 above is the stealth fighter of the latest IWC flight team, the new, equally tongue-twisting Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (Ref. IW388801) is more like a tricked-out vintage Spitfire, leaning into horological expertise in a more classical sense.
Along with strong material trends, 2025 might go down as the “year of the perpetual calendar” in the watch world, with many new offerings sporting the complication.
This Pilot’s Watch’s calendar goes the extra nautical mile by digitally displaying the month, date, and leap year on gold-colored discs that rotate in the three traditional chronograph sub-dial positions at 3, 9, and 6 o’clock, respectively. Chronograph functions are handled by a central-sweep flyback seconds hand with an hour and minutes totalizer at the unexpected position of 12 o’clock.
Similar in colorway and materials to the XPL (with a black 43mm Ceratanium case, black Ceratanium link bracelet, and pops of metallic hue on the dial), the IW388801 carries a more technical, classic, pilot-ready design, with, of course, the addition of the innovative, modern perpetual calendar function.
Powered by the 68-hour power reserve manufacture calibre 89802 automatic movement, the new Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month lists for $81,900.
Flying & Driving
A trio of pilot chronographs round out the new IWC fleet. However, these timepieces build on the brand’s association with the upcoming F1: The Movie by honoring the film’s fictional “APXGP” racing team. Multiple characters in the movie wear IWC watches, and these chronographs either share some screen time or pick up the livery and logo details of the “11th” F1 team.
These special versions – the IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 (Ref. IW388309), Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP (Ref. IW378009), and Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP (Ref. IW388116) – all carry subtle differences to help define each variation.
Worn in the movie by actor Damson Idris, the 41mm Ref. IW388309 is crafted with an 18K 5N gold case, black-lacquered dial, black ceramic tachymetric bezel, and totalizers at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock.
The two “APXGP” labelled models are rendered in stainless steel, with a 43mm and 41mm case size, respectively. Expect deep black dials and gold elements from the fictional team’s livery, as well as APXGP badging on the case back and team logo details on the pair’s black rubber straps (which use the brand’s easy-swap system to change out the wrist gear, if desired).
Finally, all three share the manufacture calibre 69385 automatic movement with a 46-hour power reserve. The gold IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 (Ref. IW388309) is listed at $26,400, while the steel APXGP timepieces are $7,000 at 43mm and $6,800 at 41mm.
For more information, check out IWC’s website.