Limited to 250 pieces, the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Racing Green sports a black zirconium oxide ceramic case, a Ceratanium crown, and a dial in striking racing green.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Racing Green is the latest calendar watch in the Big Pilot’s range. Limited to 250 pieces, it takes its name from the striking racing green hue of the dial. The 46-millimetre case is made of black zirconium oxide ceramic, a high-tech material pioneered by IWC in the 1980s. The engineering ceramic used ranks among the hardest substances on earth. The raw materials are polycrystalline powders. They are mixed with auxiliary substances to form a homogenous mass, shaped and then sintered at high temperatures in a kiln.

The conical crown and the case back ring are both made of Ceratanium, a ground-breaking new material developed by IWC. It is as light and robust as titanium and, at the same time, as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. Ceratanium is based on a specially formulated titanium alloy that is forged to IWC’s specifications. The components are machined from bars and then elaborately finished by hand. During the subsequent firing process, they take on ceramic properties and a striking matte black finish.

Developed during the 1980s by former head-watchmaker Kurt Klaus, the perpetual calendar automatically recognises the different lengths of the months and the leap years. The intricate mechanical program requires no adjustment until 2100. Thanks to the additional century slide included in the case, the four-digit year display can continue to function until 2499. The moon phase display shows the moon as seen from the northern and southern hemispheres. It is so precise that it will only need to be adjusted by one day after 577.7 years. The gold-plated hands perfectly complement the golden moons and add a touch of luxury to the dial.

Consisting of about 80 individual parts, the calendar module is driven via a single nightly switching impulse by the IWC-manufactured 52615 calibre movement. This high-end automatic calibre features a Pellaton winding system, which has been reinforced with components made of virtually wear-free ceramic and can accumulate a 7-day power reserve in two barrels. The decorated movement and the rotor with an 18-carat gold medallion are visible through the sapphire glass back.

Fitted with a black calfskin strap with a pin buckle, the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition Racing Green is available immediately through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online on IWC.com. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

THE BIG PILOT’S WATCH PERPETUAL CALENDAR TOURBILLON EDITION “LE PETIT PRINCE”

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition “Le Petit Prince” impresses with a deep blue dial with a sunray finish – the trademark feature of the special editions paying tribute to “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The 46-millimetre case and conical crown are manufactured from 18-carat Armor Gold. Thanks to an improved microstructure, this material has considerably higher hardness values than traditional 5N gold alloys. The blue dial is complemented with 18-carat gold appliques and gold-plated hands, all coated with luminescent material to facilitate readability at night.

The undisputed star on the dial is the flying minute tourbillon. The “whirlwind” is an ingenious horological invention and involves the balance wheel rotating around its axis in a cage. On the one hand, this provides a visual spectacle on the dial. On the other, the constant rotation reduces the influence of gravity on the oscillation system and improves the accuracy of the watch. Assembling a tourbillon is highly challenging as the delicate mechanism consists of 82 parts and weighs only 0.635 grams.

For the tourbillon to be visible at 12 o’clock, the calendar module’s advance ring was opened, and the moonphase integrated into the month display at 6 o’clock. IWC’s perpetual calendar was conceived during the 1980s by former head-watchmaker Kurt Klaus.

The intricate mechanical programme automatically recognises the different lengths of the months and the leap years. It will continue to function without any adjustments until 2100. Its perpetual moon phase display is so precise that it will only need to be adjusted by one day after 577.5 years.

The tourbillon and the perpetual calendar are integrated into the IWC-manufactured 51950 calibre movement. The automatic winding system uses an 18-carat gold oscillating weight. It takes the form of the Little Prince standing on his asteroid and can accumulate a power reserve of 168 hours. This 7-day autonomy is even more impressive considering that the tourbillon has a high energy demand. The beautifully decorated movement can be admired through the sapphire glass back.

Fitted with a brown calfskin strap with a folding clasp, the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition “Le Petit Prince” is available immediately through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online on IWC. com. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.