Latest IWC Pilot Mark XVIII “Le Petit Prince” and Top Gun Miramar

Limited edition IWC Pilot Mark XVIII “Le Petit Prince” 327004. Since 2006, IWC has unveiled a series of Pilot’s Watch special editions in honor of the outstanding books and life’s work of the French author and great pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. No other writer succeeded in describing the excitement of those pioneering days of aviation more vividly than Saint-Exupéry. His fiction addresses universal values such as friendship and humanity; his most famous works “The Little Prince”, “Night Flight” and “Southern Mail” made him immortal. The limited edition “Le Petit Prince” has the exact same specifications of the MkXVII however what differentiates it is the gorgeous blue dial. Here we find also a brown Santoni calfskin strap (IWC Pilot Mark XVIII replica).

The IWC Pilot Mark XVIII Top Gun Miramar is the last addition to this year’s pilots line by the company. In 2007, for the first time, a watch bearing the name Top Gun joined the IWC Pilot’s Watch product line. The name comes from a special training course offered by the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known by the legendary accolade “Top Gun”. In 2012, named by IWC Schaffhausen as the year of the Pilot’s Watches, the Top Gun/Miramar collection established itself as an independent line in the IWC Pilot’s Watch family. In 2016 the Mark family acquires a Top Gun brother. Here as well we find similar tech specs, however we find also major differences from the other newly introduced models. The size is 41mm, the case is not stainless steel but polished ceramic, the dial is anthracite-colored and we have a green calfskin strap (embossed) with a titanium pin buckle. Clearly this watch is a fusion of the traditional and the avant-garde. By keeping all these elements that make the mark family of watches iconic, IWC apportioned high-tech details in order to make this model stand out from the crowd.

Related blog 2016 IWC Pilot Mark XVIII Watches

2016 IWC Pilot Mark XVIII Watches

In 2016, IWC introduces three new references of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII IW327001/IW327002/IW327011. Featuring either a black (Ref. IW327001/IW327011) or silver-plated (Ref. IW327002) dial, they have one thing in common: a reduction to essentials. More IWC Pilot Mark XVIII replica watches.

Personally I think that this is a great move since the triple date window (of the Mark XVII) was not in line with the classic design features that traditionally characterized the Mk series. Therefore, now we see a contrasting dial that come very close to the ideal of the classic pilot’s watch inspired from the 1930s Junkers Ju-52 cockpit instruments, which have served as the model per se for classic pilot’s watches. The displays are round, big and clearly arranged. It was from here that the cockpit design was subsequently to evolve. 

The Arabic numerals stand proudly in position, with just two exceptions: instead of a “12”, we see a white triangle with a single dot on either side for better legibility, and at “3 o’clock” a date window; a traditional date window. Engraved into the reverse side of the watch is a depiction of a Ju-52 airplane.

Cal. 30110 a workhorse movement with a frequency of 28,800 A/h. With 21 jewels, having a power reserve of 42h this calibre amplifies the character of the watch. A sturdy, reliable and above all, accurate time proven calibre (based on an ETA Ebauche). This new model also lost 1mm in diameter. Now being measured at 40mm and 11mm in height is I think perfect and another great move being made by IWC. The mark series of watches always have been worn larger on the wrist because they lacked a bezel. Now at 40 mm the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII dominates the wrist without being a caricature.

It features a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields and the front glass is secured against sudden drops in pressure. The sapphire crystal is convex, has an anti-reflective coating on both sides in order to eliminate unwanted reflections and to enhance legibility. The MkXVIII is water-resistant to 6 bar. Customers have also the choice of either a strap or bracelet. Two models (Ref. IW327001/IW327002) are available with a Santoni black calfskin strap, which is lined with orange leather on the inner surface. A third model (Ref. IW327011) is sold with a very high quality stainless-steel bracelet. Two-tone textile straps, inspired by the historic NATO straps, are now also additionally available for all Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII models.