IWC Colors of Top Gun

IWC Schaffhausen has consistently demonstrated a mastery of instrument watches, particularly those designed for the demanding environment of an aircraft cockpit. The brand's legacy is deeply intertwined with the history of aviation, having produced purpose-built timepieces for pilots since the 1930s. This long-standing expertise provides the foundation for its celebrated TOP GUN collection, a series that translates the high-performance, technically advanced world of naval aviation into wrist-worn chronographs. Now, the collection expands with a striking new hue, adding two new models that capture a specific and authentic slice of pilot culture.

The introduction of a new color, dubbed "TOP GUN Miramar," injects a fresh and summery character into the typically tactical and muted palette of the Pilot's Watch family. This specific shade of light blue is not an arbitrary choice but one rooted in the daily life of the world's most elite aviators. Developed in collaboration with the color experts at Pantone®, the hue is directly inspired by the light blue t-shirts worn by instructors at the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, famously known as TOPGUN. These individuals represent the pinnacle of skill and instructional prowess, and this new color serves as a direct nod to their status.



This expansion is materialized in two distinct chronographs. The first is a limited-edition piece that fully embraces the new colorway, featuring a case crafted entirely from the light blue ceramic. The second marks a significant first for IWC, bringing this specialized TOP GUN color to a classic stainless steel case, offering a different interpretation of the new aesthetic. Both watches are powered by robust, in-house chronograph movements from the 69000 calibre family, ensuring that their performance credentials match their compelling visual identity.

The history of IWC, or International Watch Company, is itself a story of engineering focus. Founded in 1868 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, by an American watchmaker and engineer named Florentine Ariosto Jones, the company's mission was to combine Swiss craftsmanship with modern American manufacturing technology. This engineering-led ethos has remained a core part of the brand's DNA. It explains their early and sustained interest in creating professional instrument watches that were not merely decorative but highly functional, robust, and reliable tools for professionals, including pilots.

Over its more than 150-year history, IWC has become renowned for its functional complications, especially chronographs, which are designed to be intuitive and durable. The brand was also a pioneer in the use of advanced materials, being among the first to successfully machine watch cases from titanium and, later, to master the difficult art of colored ceramics. This legacy of material innovation is on full display in the new TOP GUN Miramar releases, particularly in the full ceramic model.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar (Ref. IW389409) is a bold statement piece limited to just 1,000 examples worldwide. Its most defining characteristic is the 41.9 mm case constructed from a solid block of the new light blue ceramic. Visually, the effect is striking and monolithic. The matte, non-reflective surface of the ceramic absorbs light, giving the unique color a deep, uniform quality. This monochromatic theme extends across the entire watch, with a perfectly matched light blue dial and a supple, water-repellent rubber strap in the identical hue. The continuity of color creates a cohesive and modern look that is both casual and technically impressive.



Creating a watch case from colored ceramic is a significant feat of material science. The process begins with zirconium oxide, a fine powder, which is mixed with various metallic oxides in meticulously calculated ratios. This mixture is then shaped and placed into a kiln for sintering, a high-temperature process that compacts the material into a solid, hard form. The final color is only revealed after sintering, and a slight deviation in the oxide mix or temperature can drastically alter the outcome. Achieving the precise "TOP GUN Miramar" blue required extensive experimentation and testing to ensure consistency and perfection.

This challenge was compounded by the need to replicate this exact color across three different materials with unique properties and manufacturing processes. The dial's lacquered surface and the rubber strap's polymer compound had to be developed to match the ceramic case flawlessly. The result is a testament to IWC's rigorous attention to detail. The dial itself maintains the classic Pilot's Watch layout for superior legibility, featuring a vertical arrangement of the chronograph sub-dials with the crucial stopped minutes counter positioned at 12 o'clock for intuitive reading. Blue hands, coated with a generous application of Super-LumiNova®, ensure readability is maintained in dark conditions.

The case of the Ref. IW389409 measures 15.5 mm in height and is fitted with a screw-in crown, contributing to a substantial water resistance of 10 bar (100 meters). While the front features a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, the case back is solid titanium. This choice of material is practical, as titanium is hypoallergenic and comfortable on the skin. The back is engraved with the iconic "TOPGUN" logo, reinforcing its connection to naval aviation. More importantly, hidden beneath this titanium cover is a soft-iron inner case, which forms a Faraday cage to protect the sensitive mechanical movement from the disruptive effects of magnetic fields—a crucial feature for any true pilot's watch.



At the heart of this limited-edition ceramic chronograph beats the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre. This is a robust automatic movement engineered specifically for performance and longevity. It operates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and provides a healthy power reserve of 46 hours. The chronograph function is controlled by a column-wheel mechanism, a feature prized by watch enthusiasts for the crisp and precise tactile feedback it provides when the pushers are actuated. The movement's efficient bidirectional pawl winding system effectively harnesses the motion of the wearer's wrist to keep the mainspring wound.

The second new release, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 (Ref. IW388117), offers a different but equally compelling take on the new colorway. This model represents the first time IWC has used one of its specialized Pantone®-developed TOP GUN colors in a non-ceramic, series-production watch. It features a 41.0 mm case crafted from stainless steel, which provides a fascinating contrast to the vibrant dial. The familiar gleam of polished and brushed steel frames the "TOP GUN Miramar" blue dial, creating a look that is more traditional in material yet thoroughly modern in its aesthetic.

The visual experience of the stainless steel version is distinct. The light plays off the metallic case surfaces, drawing more attention to the brilliant blue of the dial and strap. The rhodium-plated hands offer a sharp, silvery contrast against the blue background, further enhancing legibility. Like its ceramic counterpart, the hands are filled with Super-LumiNova®. The dial layout is identical, with the vertical chronograph counters, small hacking seconds at 6 o'clock, and a day-date aperture at 3 o'clock, maintaining the functional clarity that defines IWC's pilot watches.



Slightly slimmer than the ceramic version, the stainless steel case measures 14.5 mm in height and also features a screw-in crown and 10 bar water resistance. The most significant architectural difference is its case back. Instead of a solid, engraved back, this model is equipped with a see-through sapphire crystal, offering an unobstructed view of the intricate mechanical movement within. This feature appeals to those who appreciate the fine mechanics and finishing of a Swiss movement.

Powering this model is the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre, a member of the same 69000 movement family. It shares the core architecture of the 69380, including the column-wheel chronograph, 46-hour power reserve, 4 Hz frequency, and robust construction with 242 components and 33 jewels. Through the sapphire case back, the owner can admire the beautiful finishing applied to the movement, including circular graining (perlage) and Geneva stripes (Côtes de Genève) on the bridges and rotor. This level of decoration underscores the quality of the craftsmanship involved.

Both new models benefit from IWC's highly practical EasX-CHANGE® system. This innovation is integrated directly into the strap and allows the wearer to swap straps quickly and easily without the need for any special tools. By simply pressing a small button on the underside of the strap, the spring bar is released, and the strap can be removed. This system grants a level of versatility that allows the owner to effortlessly change the watch's character to suit a different occasion or outfit. Both watches come fitted with the 20.0 mm light blue rubber strap.

The shared movement architecture across both watches highlights IWC's commitment to in-house production and technical excellence. The 69000 calibre family was developed with a clear focus on building a reliable and precise chronograph "engine" that could serve as a workhorse for the brand. The use of a classic column-wheel is a nod to traditional watchmaking, while the efficient double-pawl winding system is a modern solution for power generation, ensuring the watch remains running reliably.



The introduction of the "TOP GUN Miramar" blue demonstrates a willingness to evolve the Pilot's Watch collection, connecting its historical military DNA with a more contemporary and expressive color palette. It’s a move that respects the brand’s heritage while simultaneously looking forward, catering to a new generation of watch enthusiasts who appreciate both technical substance and stylistic distinction.

For those interested in acquiring one of these new aviator chronographs, the details are straightforward. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 (Ref. IW388117) in stainless steel with the "TOP GUN Miramar" dial is part of the standard collection and is priced at $7,200. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar (Ref. IW389409), with its full light blue ceramic case, is a more exclusive offering. It is produced in a limited run of 1,000 pieces and is priced at $13,500. Both models are available through IWC boutiques, authorized retail partners, and the brand’s official website.

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar

Case: Light blue ceramic material. Diameter 41.9 mm, height 15.5 mm. Screwed-in crown, solid titanium case back with "TOPGUN" logo engraving. Water resistance 10.0 bar. Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields.

Movement: IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre. Automatic winding with 46-hour power reserve. Frequency 28'800 VPH (4 Hz). Column-wheel chronograph design with 242 components and 33 jewels.

Dial: Blue, matching the case color. Blue hands coated with Super-LumiNova®. Features a day and date display. Convex sapphire glass with antireflective coating, secured against displacement by drop in air pressure.

Strap: Light blue rubber strap with a width of 20.0 mm. Equipped with the IWC-developed EasX-CHANGE® system for tool-free changes.

Price: $13,500

Reference Number: IW389409

Notes: Limited to 1,000 pieces. This is the first IWC watch to feature a ceramic case in the light blue "IWC TOP GUN Miramar" color, developed in collaboration with Pantone®.



Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41

Case: Stainless steel material. Diameter 41.0 mm, height 14.5 mm. Screwed-in crown, see-through sapphire glass back. Water resistance 10.0 bar.

Movement: IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre. Automatic winding with 46-hour power reserve. Frequency 28'800 VPH (4 Hz). Column-wheel chronograph design with 242 components and 33 jewels. Features Côtes de Genève and Perlage decoration.

Dial: Blue, in "IWC TOP GUN Miramar" color. Rhodium-plated hands filled with Super-LumiNova®. Features a day and date display. Convex sapphire glass with antireflective coating, secured against displacement by drop in air pressure.

Strap: Light blue rubber strap with a width of 20.0 mm. Equipped with the IWC-developed EasX-CHANGE® system for tool-free changes.

Price: $7,200

Reference Number: IW388117

Notes: The first time IWC has introduced a Pantone® color in a stainless steel watch. The movement is visible through the sapphire case back, showcasing its decorative finishing.