With uncompromising legibility, the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces IW326905 watch makes history as IWC Schaffhausen’s first pilot’s instrument with a fully luminous white dial.
IW326905 - Credit IWC
IWC Schaffhausen is well known for its varying watch styles, but their Pilot’s watch collection has become a cornerstone in their portfolio. Their storied history in aviation began in 1936 when they launched their first pilot’s watch, the “Special Pilot’s Watch” Ref. IW436. Shortly after, their emblematic Big Pilot’s watch was launched boasting its striking conical crown.
In the 87 years since, IWC has attained fundamental expertise in the development of functional instruments for cockpit, reaching out to professionals in the field to understand the specific requirements of professional pilots. The collection now includes collectible designs like the Pilot’s Mark, Pilot’s Chronograph and the special “Le Petit Prince” editions to name just a few.
IW326905 - Credit IWC
Within their Professional Pilot’s Watches Program, which emerged from a long-standing partnership with the U.S. Navy, IWC has also created several specialised watches for fast jet pilots in various squadrons. The new IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces IW326905 watch is one of the same, taking inspiration from a design the Swiss watchmaker created for members of Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41), also known as the “Black Aces”.
The main novelty of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces IW326905 is the dial. Fully luminous, the white Lumicast dial has been developed in collaboration with the pilots from the “Black Aces” to ensure exceptional legibility in all environmental conditions. The dial is a result of a complex manufacturing process which involves taking high-grade Super-LumiNova pigments, mixing them with a binder and casting them into a circular mould. Once hardened using a specially developed curing process, the dial is given ceramic-like durability and fixed onto the soft-iron dial blank.
IW326905 - Credit IWC
We’re not kidding when we say this dial is bright. The high-tech Super-LumiNova ceramic compound acts like a light storage battery. Like some kind of hidden vigilante, it appears like a classic white dial during the day, secretly consuming light energy from both artificial and natural light. Then as soon as the sun goes down, the dial bursts to life, emitting a bright green Super-LumiNova-fuelled glow.
Contrasting fantastically against the luminous green or classic white dial – depending on the time of day – is a black minutes track, large black hour markers and black hour and minute hands. The hands have their own Super-LumiNova inserts across their propeller-shaped lengths for even more glow. There are also some very neat accents of red on the display, the first spotted on the tip of the slim black central seconds hand and the other on the Black Ace patch applied at 6 o’clock.
IW326905 - Credit IWC
Continuing with the monochromatic theme, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces IW326905 watch presents a black zirconium oxide ceramic case. Lightweight, scratch resistant and with a Vickers rating second to only that of diamonds, this material is well equipped for adventure. Its matte black finish is even dedicated to ensuring pilots are not distracted by reflections from the sun. Dimensions lie at 41mm wide and 11.4mm tall and on the titanium case back is an engraving of the “Black Aces” twin-engine jet against a backdrop of spades.
Hiding behind the case back is the manufacture automatic-winding IW32100 calibre. Alongside its time-only functionality, it boasts a double pawl winding system for a 72-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800vph. As is often the case with IWC’s pilot watches, the movement is housed within a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic forces. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces IW326905 watch is finished off by a black textile strap with leather lining and a sand-blasted steel pin buckle.
IW326905 - Credit IWC
This is one of those watches I like to call “talking point watches.” It’s an insanely cool novelty to own because you just know that when you’re wearing it out and about – especially at night – you’re going to get lots of comments on it. Just imagine being out in the dark with this one on your wrist; whether it’s in a club, bar or just walking the city. The brilliant glow of the dial is undoubtedly going to draw other watch enthusiasts straight to you.
As well as looking cool, it’s safe to say the IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces IW326905 watch is equipped for adventure. Its ceramic case will happily take some knocks and scratches without showing much wear and if you are someone that frequents a cockpit, you’ll have no problems with legibility or wearability.
Specifications:
- Ceramic case
- Diameter 41.0 mm
- Height 11.4 mm
- Screw in crown
- Water resistance 6.0 bar
- 32100 Calibre
- Automatic, self-winding
- 72 hours Power Reserve
- Frequency 28'800 VPH (4 Hz)
- 155 Components
- 21 Jewels
- Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields
- Sapphire glass, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
- Glass secured against displacement by drop in air pressure
- Central hacking seconds
- Price: £6,350
