The modern luxury sports watch market is embroiled in an arms race, with brands across the industry offering exotic cases made from carbon composites, ceramics, and lightweight titanium alloys for a broader range of watches than ever before. IWC has been at the forefront of this material boom for many years, particularly with its use of ceramics, but perhaps the most intriguing innovation in this field is the company's patented Ceratanium alloy.
Combining the lightness and impact resistance of titanium with the scratch resistance and durability of modern zirconium oxide-based ceramics, Ceratanium represents the best of both worlds in a hybrid that expertly covers the technical foundations for creating truly modern sports watches. Therefore, it is no surprise that this material has become the foundation for the aggressive TOP GUN pilot watch series, inspired by fighter jets, and in its latest release, IWC combines this patented material with one of its most interesting signature complications designed with air travel in mind. Combining ultra-modern robust construction with satisfyingly tactile and easy-to-use complications, the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium is a bold and stylish showcase of the brand's modern capabilities in a package sure to appeal to series fans.
There's no getting around the fact that the IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium is a very large watch. At 46mm wide and 15.1mm thick, it makes a formidable figure on the wrist, and the simple military-inspired geometry of the case does little to hide the overall bulk of the design. Conversely, like many other models in the IWC pilot line, this model wears its size as a badge of honor, embracing its status as a statement piece with a signature oversized conical crown and long tapering lugs.
However, IWC softens the sense of mass here in several ways, helping to make this boldly sized case more manageable for a variety of users. The most obvious component of this is the finish. Like clothing, black is slimming, and the matte charcoal gray finish of the case gives it a less monolithic presence than a polished or matte steel case. Another part of this less massive feel is that the mass overall is less.
Like more common types of titanium, the unique Ceratanium alloy, sintered from titanium and zirconium oxide powder, is significantly lighter than stainless steel, making this case design much more comfortable than one might expect. Despite the difficulty of machining this extremely hard material, the world time bezel engraving, executed in a coin-edge style, is also impressively sharp. It is done in a low-contrast battleship gray color that supports the contemporary military spirit of the design.
The bright red UTC marking adds much-needed life to this monochrome look and also makes it easy to navigate the terrain. IWC's decision to add a smoky gray tint to the sapphire display case back will likely be divisive, as it maintains the overall moody “tactical” look and noticeably reduces the visibility of the movement inside. Despite the ultra-tough, military undertone of this design, water resistance here remains a weak point: IWC rates the watch at just 60 meters.
The dial of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium follows the same subdued monochrome approach as the case, depicting the familiar IWC blend of broad flieger hands and rounded Arabic numerals in a matte black grainy finish and low-contrast sky gray color. However, where things get interesting is in the wide display window, arched from 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock. This 24-hour ring is the basis of IWC's Timezoner concept. Not strictly a GMT or a world timer, the Timezoner represents a streamlined concept focused primarily on ease of use for travelers.
Instead of displaying a second time zone, the 24-hour disk hand is directly linked to the main hour hand. The user can instantly adjust the watch to local time by simply pressing the bezel and aligning the current time zone (indicated by the corresponding city) with the triangular luminescent graphic at the “12 o'clock” position. While some enthusiasts may criticize the lack of a second time zone, in practice this instantly intuitive and tactile control is a pleasure to use, with a satisfying crisp and weighty click between each bezel position.
Its integration into the overall design is also surprisingly clean, with a gauge-like shape that pairs well with the aviation theme of the piece. However, using a black disk for this element creates a slight visual dissonance in the overall design. The traditional date window at the “3 o'clock” position has a pale gray disk, and on the wrist, the collision between these two elements seems a bit jarring. A Timezoner display done in a matching gray color would likely look smoother.
IWC equips the Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium with its in-house automatic movement 82760. The 82760 movement is a surprisingly unconventional powerplant, integrating a gear train directly with the rotating bezel to provide the unique Timezoner complication. The combination of finishes visible through the smoky sapphire glass deserves praise, skillfully combining matte, arabesque, and pearlescent elements, along with individual gear train components highlighted in deep black.
In terms of overall performance, the 82760 model is thoroughly modern, with the Pellaton winding system with ceramic reinforcement providing a reliable 60-hour power reserve at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
To complete the look of the Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium, IWC turns to one of its modern staples - a black fabric strap with a rubber lining. This durable and flexible combination helps to reduce the weight of the entire package, while providing a rugged look that matches well with the spirit of the TOP GUN series.
The new IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium, combining the brand's toughest patented material and most exciting unique complication, is an unabashedly bold and intoxicating mixture of the brand's most intriguing ideas. Although the watch release is not strictly limited, only 500 pieces will be produced per year. The MSRP for the IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium is 18,200 euros, and the watch is available now from authorized dealers. For more information, please visit the brand's website.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - IWC PILOT TIMEZONER TOP GUN CERATANIUM
Case: 46 mm diameter x 15.1 mm height - Ceratanium case (titanium alloy with black matte ceramic) - 24-carat ceramic rotating bezel with engraving - Sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating, protected against displacement due to atmospheric pressure changes - Screw-down crown - Sapphire case back - Water resistance to 60 meters
Dial: Matte black dial with black hands, all elements filled with light gray Super-LumiNova luminescent material
Movement: IWC Manufacture Caliber 82760 - Automatic with Pellaton winding system - 22 jewels - 60-hour power reserve - 28,800 vibrations per hour - Hours, minutes, seconds, date, time zone function for setting another time zone via rotating bezel, 24-hour display for Worldtimer function
Strap: Black rubber strap with textile inlay and clasp
Reference: IW395505
Availability: Limited edition of 500 pieces
Price: 18,200 euros