For 75 years, the historic Big Pilot's Watch (52-calibre T.S.C.) was the largest wristwatch ever made by IWC. This year, the Schaffhausen-based company is presenting its successor, the Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 55, whose case is an impressive 55 millimetres in diameter, thus equalling the 1940 record. Alongside this model, the company also presents the Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 48 (with a 48-millimetre case), inspired by the series progenitor but with a few new details in terms of design and comfort. The tradition of deck watches has been cultivated in Schaffhausen since 1940, the year IWC presented the aforementioned Big Pilot's Watch (calibre 52 T.S.C.). Building on this important heritage, the Swiss watch manufacturer is now launching two brand-new timepieces, the Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 55 (Ref. IW510401) and the Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 48 (Ref. IW510301), unmistakably inspired by their historic precursor. The Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 55, with a case diameter of 55 millimetres, is a direct descendant of the 1940 Big Pilot's Watch. This timepiece, offered in a limited edition of just 100 pieces, is aimed above all at collectors and aficionados of aviator watches. The Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 48, for its part, is being produced in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces and is a more suitable alternative for everyday use, while still reaching a sizeable 48 millimetres in diameter. But it is not only the size that makes the hearts of watch enthusiasts beat faster, but also the unmistakable look of these timepieces. From the structure of the dial to the colours of the luminescent numerals, from the helix-shaped hands to the conical crown to the vintage-style leather strap: Heritage watches take us back in time to the era of the great aviation pioneers, but with the latest IWC watchmaking technology. The hands are blued, a feature that is still synonymous with the highest quality. The number "9", which was eliminated in the Big Pilot's Watch models after 2002, has returned to its original position. The number '12' is replaced by a triangle with two lateral dots, which makes it possible to quickly identify the position of the hands even in the dark. Today, the black dial with the triangle is one of the distinguishing features of every classic aviator watch. Instead of integrating it into the chapter ring, IWC's designers placed it under the "12 o'clock" index: this, too, is reminiscent of the original 1940 model. In one respect, however, the dial of the Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 55 differs from that of its forerunner: it does not have a central seconds display, which, for military reasons, were present in the 52-calibre T.S.C. (which stands for Central Seconds). At the time, it was essential for the pilot and navigator to synchronise their watches to the nearest second, and to this end, the watch was stopped by a balance-stop device, operated by pulling out the crown. Today, the small seconds are at 6 o'clock, but the hand-wound IWC 98300 calibre still stops by pulling out the crown. The Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 48 (Ref. IW510301) makes a few more concessions to today's habits of comfort and design. And this, of course, starts with the dimensions: the 48-millimetre case stands out beautifully on the wrist, attracting admiring glances both in the office and on social occasions. At the same time, however, it is also extremely practical in everyday use thanks to its lightweight titanium construction and weight of just 120 grams. Wearers of the hand-wound IWC 59215 calibre will appreciate its exceptional 192-hour power reserve when fully wound, which guarantees eight days of high-precision running time before stopping automatically. The power reserve display, which can be viewed through a small sapphire-glass-covered opening in the case back, shows the energy remaining. Despite this opening, this model also has a soft-iron inner case that protects the movement from magnetic fields. Finally, both the Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 48 and the 55 are equipped with a torque limiter to prevent over-winding and a calfskin strap.
