WOTW: IWC Pilot's Automatic Spitfire Watch

If you’re looking for a compact design that oozes character, you wouldn’t be going wrong with the IWC Pilot’s Automatic Spitfire watch. Its ability to get you noticed is guaranteed thanks to its sleek black dial with green textile wristband inspired by the Spitfire’s cockpit colours. The timepiece is without a doubt a talking point. Not only is it designed entirely by one of the most prestigious watch manufacturers in the world, but it has been fitted with the new IWC-developed 32110 calibre, which features for the very first time inside this timepiece.

The 39mm IWC Pilot’s Automatic Spitfire watch is designed on the Mark 11 navigation watch – a rare and desirable purist timekeeping instrument made for the British Royal Air Force, which didn’t arrive until 1948 but when it did, it certainly made up for it. Its unique sweeping seconds hand differed from previous models offering a small seconds dial at 6 o’clock. The IWC Pilot’s Automatic Spitfire watch however, has a bidirectional pawl-winding system for building up an impressive 72 hour power reserve. You may therefore, want to seize the opportunity to alternative the watch with another IWC favourite if away on vacation or wanting to attend a special business event, and you certainly wouldn’t need to concern yourself with it loosing time whilst off the wrist.

As seen in many other IWC watches, this timepiece is made from a robust stainless steel case and features a sealed case back. Inside this rugged housing which is sure to be able to take blows, knocking and denting without a fuss, sits a soft-iron inner case which shields the 32110 calibre from damage caused by magnetic fields. IWC has for the first time ever, used silicone components in the development of this watch’s movement, such as the escape wheel and pallet lever. The movement also comes with a Pellaton automatic winding system. If you were wondering what that does – it winds the mainspring when the rotor is moving in either direction.

So, who was the IWC Pilot’s Automatic Spitfire watch made for and who will it appeal to you ask? Well, those drawn to the aesthetics of the Mark 11 watch in the first place will no doubt, favour the legibility of the dial with its luminescent coated central hands and red lettering draped across the blackness of its dramatic backdrop. The yellow triangle at the 12 o’clock location is a fetching and unusual feature, whilst the white Arabic numerals around the hour track help to bring the entire dial together within its unimposing 39mm polished steel bezel dimensions. Those who take a significant interest in any in-house manufactured movement, will appreciate IWC’s unwavering confidence in pushing technical boundaries in the development of this watch. It is a “first” in terms of the Maison’s material advancements and goes to show that the manufacturer will go to every length required in its quest to create the finest performing movements within the industry.

The vintage-style lume used in the dial of the IWC Pilot’s Automatic Spitfire watch is certainly in-fitting with aviation tools of the past and works well in conjunction with the green textile strap to further enhance a military-inspired look upon the wrist. To finish with, the back of the steel case has been delicately engraved with an image of the Spitfire itself, along with the company writing, the model number and indication of its 60 meter water resistant capabilities.

Find out more about the IWC Pilot's Spitfire Watches here.