IWC Schaffhausen Pilot's Watch Mark XX Patrouille Suisse
A Flying Tribute: IWC’s Latest Pilot Watch Honors Swiss Aviation Legends
Today, IWC hits the afterburners on its esteemed relationship to the exciting world of jet aviation with a fifth-in-the-series ode to the Swiss Air Force’s acrobatic team, the Patrouille Suisse (which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, by the way).
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
The Patrouille Suisse team got its start back in 1964, with the aim of publicly demonstrating the Swiss Air Force’s precision, readiness, and expertise in complex aviation maneuvers.
As such, the signature red and white livery of their F5 E Tiger jets has thrilled audiences at air shows and aviation events all around the globe with mind-boggling feats of airborne derring-do.
“Formation flying is pure manual work that requires utmost precision and technical perfection, qualities that are also essential in watchmaking,” explained Philippe Franke, Switzerland Brand Director at IWC Schaffhausen, in the announcement for the new watch.
He continued: “IWC has followed the achievements of the Patrouille Suisse for many decades. This new special edition watch pays tribute to the excellence, history, and legacy of the Swiss Air Force’s aerobatic team.”
The Historical Fleet
The high-flying special-edition commemorations started 30 years ago, in 1994, with the Fliegeruhr Mark XII Edition Patrouille Suisse time-only watch.
The Fliegeruhr Chronograph Patrouille Suisse followed in 2011, and the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph “Patrouille Suisse” arrived in 2014.
The following year, IWC tapped its Big Pilot model for the Big Pilot’s Watch Edition “Patrouille Suisse.” And while you can still find the 2015 Big Pilot limited edition on IWC’s website, the previous Patrouille Suisse limited edition timepieces appear to be, alas, sold out.
For this year, however, the watchmaker has gone back to basics with a time and date Mark XX execution in the new Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Patrouille Suisse timepiece, limited to just 250 editions.
However, please don’t let the seeming lack of horological complication translate into a vision of something any less than very, very special.
An Aerial Celebration
Given that it is the 60th anniversary of a flying team known for executing elaborate spinning formations with evocative names like “Matterhorn,” “Supercanard,” and “Shadow,” it is more than apt to honor the team with a watch construction that drives home the primary requirement of any pilot’s instrument: Legibility in extreme circumstances.
Powered by a 5-day power reserve, in-house 3211 calibre with a 10 bar water resistance rating, the 40mm sand-blasted, matte-finish titanium watch with its light grey dial and bold white indices and gauging is nothing short of a rock-solid, quick-glance, highly legible tool watch for aviators, period.
A screwdown crown next to the traditional 3 o’clock date aperture and a military-grade black fabric strap complete the authenticity equation for the Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Patrouille Suisse. If mil-spec isn’t your thing, you can quickly swap out the steel pin buckle strap using IWC’s unique EasX-CHANGE system.
However, the real special feature rides on the caseback: a dynamic engraving of three jets flying in tight formation, along with the engraved words “A Tribute to Patrouille Suisse,” pays an artful homage to these daring Swiss pilots and their six-decade heritage, soaring towards another 60 years of service.
Pricing & Availability
Announced today, and priced at CHF 6,300 in a limited edition of 250 examples, you will have to cool your jets until late fall when the new pilot watches hits IWC retailers globally. In the meantime, you can keep on course by checking out IWC’s website.
