IWC adds a pair of bold new all-black ceratanium timepieces to its Top Gun collection.
Watchmakers are constantly breaking with tradition as they create stunning new timepieces with innovative new materials and for its latest Top Gun collection addition, IWC has tapped Ceratanium, a material developed in Schaffhausen over five years for its lightness and structural integrity.
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Ceratanium is based on a special titanium alloy that is forged to IWC’s specifications. The case components are machined from bars to minimal tolerances using computer-controlled turning and milling centers and are then elaborately finished by hand. Afterward, the components are fired in a kiln at high temperatures, resulting in a ceramic-like hardness and scratch-resistance, and a striking matte black finish.
The collection takes its name from the legendary Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program, a rigorous course used by the US Navy to train its elite pilots in flying and tactical skills. TOP GUN watches are engineered to deliver ultimate performance and can withstand even the extreme strain pilots experience in the cockpit of a supersonic jet.
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The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Ceratanium (Ref. IW503604) features a case, crown, and, for the first time, a bracelet made of Ceratanium. As this material is based on a titanium alloy, the bracelet is around 30 percent lighter than a steel bracelet and extremely comfortable to wear. The black dial with gray numerals enhances the jet-black design.
The Perpetual Calendar model is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52615 calibre, visible through the tinted sapphire glass case back. The Pellaton winding system is fitted with components made of virtually wear-free ceramic and builds up a power reserve of seven days in two barrels. A single nightly switching impulse from the base movement drives the perpetual calendar. Its mechanical program automatically recognizes different month lengths and leap years and will require no correction until 2100.
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Another IWC specialty is the specific moon phase display, which depicts the moon as it is seen from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is so precise that it will only deviate by one day after 577.5 years. The annual production of this extraordinary timepiece will be limited to 150 pieces.
The Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium (Ref. IW395505) is the first TOP GUN model with a Timezoner complication. The watch can be set to a different time zone by simply pressing down and rotating the bezel. The hour hand, the 24-hour display, and the date will move forwards or backward in one-hour steps. This also works across the dateline and without losing a single second.
The new model’s case is made of Ceratanium, while the city ring is manufactured from ceramic. It contains the names of 24 cities, each one representing one of the international time zones. The numerals are printed in gray on the dial, while the numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9 are coated with luminescent material.
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The jet-black tactical design is complemented with a tinted sapphire glass case back and a black rubber strap with textile inlay. The IWC-manufactured 82760 calibre uses a Pellaton winding system reinforced with ceramic components to build up a power reserve of 60 hours in the mainspring. The annual production of the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium will be limited to 500 pieces.
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