Most noteworthy special/limited edition Big Pilot’s Watches
Among the Big Pilot’s limited editions, the most notable is the Patrol de Suisse (IW500910), launched in 2015. This watch features a sandblasted stainless steel case, a grey slate dial and a small seconds hand at 9 o’clock, thanks to the IWC calibre 51011. This movement is best known as the power source of the Portuguese 5001 automatic watch, and was originally only equipped in the 5004 limited edition of the Big Pilot’s Watch. But the Patrol de Suisse marks the first time that IWC has combined this design with an aviation theme, aiming to pay tribute to the official aerobatic team of the Swiss Army.
The large pilot's Heritage 48 (IW510301) and Heritage 55 (IW510401) launched in 2016 are respectively equipped with 48 mm and 55 mm titanium cases, equipped with the brand's own 59215 and 98300 movements, becoming the first large pilot's watches with manual winding after the IW500301 Bühler watch. Both watches have a black dial and a small second hand at 6 o'clock, which is reminiscent of the Ref. 436 Mark IX watch launched by IWC in 1936.
It is worth mentioning that the 2017 Heritage Series Titanium IW501004 and Bronze IW501005 are the first to be equipped with the 52110 movement, which is equipped with ceramic parts and double barrels, providing a 7-day power reserve, earlier than the new stainless steel IW501001. Both watches have a black dial with blue hands, and the hour markers and hands are made of imitation vintage luminous material.
The 2018 IWC 5002 Safari Commemorative Edition (IW501007) was originally a limited edition watch created for IWC CEO Christopher Grainger-Herr, who wore it on a safari in South Africa. Due to the enthusiastic pursuit of enthusiasts, the brand decided to issue it in limited quantities. From the appearance, it is very similar to the original 5002 watch, but with some improvements: the hour and minute hands of the 5004/5009 are retained, the matte titanium case, and the date window with white numbers and a white outline on a black background. In the spirit of the original watch, it also uses the iconic "fish crown" instead of the Probus Scafusia crown design.
In 2019, IWC released 250 IW501012 Big Pilot’s Watches, a watch designed for right-handed wearers with a crown that flips up to 9 o’clock. The watch is made of stainless steel and is equipped with a 50210 movement and a black dial with a small second at 3 o’clock and a power reserve display opposite it.
A year later, IWC broke new ground with the IW506101, launching the first Big Pilot’s Watch with a carbon fiber composite case. This watch was limited to 100 pieces and features a “fish-shaped” crown that watch enthusiasts love. The project has evolved through turbulent times and is said to have been originally conceived during a design workshop held by IWC with 14 top collectors in Hong Kong in 2018. To commemorate the role they played, IWC has selected watches from the production batch and marked them with a red number “10” on the date disc to recognize those who originally participated in the conception.
