In a captivating revelation, IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces, a timepiece ignited by its collaborative ventures with U.S. Navy squadrons. This remarkable watch is distinguished by its fully luminous white dial, crafted from a solid disc of Super-LumiNova, emanating a vibrant greenish luminescence for optimal night-time visibility.
Elevating its allure, the timepiece boasts a black zirconium oxide ceramic case and is propelled by the IWC-manufactured 32100 caliber in-house movement, generously endowed with a 72-hour power reserve. It holds an exclusive online presence at iwc.com.
Navigating the Professional Pilot’s Watches Program
Emerging from IWC’s collaborative synergy with the U.S. Navy, the Professional Pilot’s Watches Program is a testament to the Swiss watchmaker’s dedication to crafting specialized timepieces for jet pilots. The genesis of the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces (Ref. IW326905) draws inspiration from a pilot’s watch designed for members of the renowned Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41), recognized as the “Black Aces.” Stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, the squadron’s origins trace back to 1950 at NAS Oceana. Affiliated with Carrier Air Wing 9, they bear the radio callsign “Fast Eagle.”
LumiCast Brilliance and Collaboration
The luminescent marvel of the fully luminous white LumiCast dial is a collaborative creation with the pilots of the “Black Aces.” LumiCast, a concentrated Swiss Super-LumiNova, can be meticulously shaped and sized in three-dimensional forms, a result of an intricate manufacturing process. This process involves blending superior Super-LumiNova pigments with a binder, casting them into a circular mold, and subsequently hardening through a curing procedure, imparting ceramic-like durability. The solid disc is then seamlessly integrated onto the soft-iron dial blank. It is adorned with black indices, numerals, and the distinctive “Black Aces” patch, resembling the ace of spades from a deck of cards. The dial’s luminosity, emitting a radiant greenish light for over 23 hours in dark chamber assessments, is a testament to its brilliance. The perpetual absorption and release of light energy, without aging or compromising its luminous capacity, define this innovative creation.
A Sleek and Stealthy Design
The 41mm case of the timepiece is meticulously fashioned from black zirconium oxide ceramic, a material IWC pioneered in the 1980s. Recognized as one of Earth’s most robust substances, ceramic’s qualities – lightness, hardness, and scratch resistance – render it ideal for the demanding environment of a jet cockpit. Furthermore, its matte-black hue prevents sunlight reflections, ensuring seamless focus for pilots. The caseback, composed of lightweight yet durable titanium, features an engraving portraying the Black Aces’ twin-engine jet against an intriguing backdrop of spades.
Precision in Motion: The Heart of Innovation
Driven by the in-house 32100 caliber automatic movement, this watch demonstrates unwavering precision. Bolstered by the anti-magnetic silicon escapement within a soft-iron inner case, it effectively combats magnetic fields. The innovative double pawl winding system achieves a substantial 72-hour power reserve within the mainspring. Adorned with a black textile strap featuring a sand-blasted stainless steel pin buckle, this timepiece melds comfort and functionality with sophistication.
An Exclusive Opportunity
The Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces finds its exclusive abode online at IWC.com. Additionally, this timepiece qualifies for registration under the My IWC care program, affording it a noteworthy extension of the standard two-year International limited warranty to a commendable six-year duration.
This First IWC Pilot’s Watch With A Fully Luminous Dial i think will be hot on replica watches market,because it was so simple in functions and it was also look good,simple functions means the replica watch can be 1:1,and the price should more cheaper.