In the Ceramic: 2013 Limited Edition Top Gun Pilots

As many of you know, Harrods in London was the first to receive prototypes of 3 brand new ceramic limited edition pilots for 2013. Although not available for purchase until July 2013, there is a special 2-week preview at the famous department store.

Joined by 3 other forummers (one whom travelled all the way from Germany!) here are some ‘in the metal/ceramic’ shots of the watches.
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Many thanks to the IWC Harrods staff Olivia, Sophie and particularly Iunal who were incredibly accommodating.

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First one up, the Green Big Pilot Top Gun Big Pilot IW501903 - Limited Edition 500

Ceramic & Titanium Case; diameter 48.00 mm; height 15.00mm; sapphire crystal to the front and solid caseback.

Calibre 51111 Movement, self-winding; power reserve 168 hours.

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Secondly, the Blue Chronograph Top Gun IW388003 – Limited Edition 500

Ceramic & Titanium Case; diameter 46.00 mm; height 16.50mm; sapphire crystal to the front and solid caseback.

Calibre 89365, self-winding; power reserve 68 hours.

for those who are curious how the blue compares to the Los Angeles BP:

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Finally, the Red Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Top Gun IW502903 – Limited Edition 250

Ceramic & Titanium Case; diameter 48.00 mm; height 15.00mm; sapphire crystal to the front and solid caseback.

Calibre 51111, self-winding; power reserve 168 hours.

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My personal thoughts?

Well I must admit I was very pleasantly surprised since I was quite sceptical at first from the photos floating around the web. Seeing all three together on a single photos originally didn't help as it didn't make each one 'special'... but as you can see, each individual one is different and unique in their own way.

So how dare I think that IWC wouldn’t execute this with due care.

So in the metal they look impressive, and I can see the appeal for each one of them. (I myself am a Yellow fan - and if this Green Ceramic Big Pilot came in Yellow I think I just might be sold (yes I am aware of the LA/LV 5004-12 but the red sub-dials are a bit distracting)).

Of the three colours, personally I think the Green one stands out the strongest against the ceramic dial. The Blue one is certainly more legible than earlier blue-on-black versions as shown above. For me the Red Perpetual was the one that surprised me the most. I really thought it wouldn't work at all (dare I say a disaster) - but I stand corrected. (Part of it of course is that's a perpetual, period... as I am truly amazed by them all (hey pink would probably still have me oohhing and aahhing)).

Regards,
Thang

I can't warm up to the red. But the blue and green are a different story.
Thanks for the blue watch comparison. I traded my blue LA BP because the dial was difficult to read. This pilot version looks more legible.

I thought I would add a few pictures and my thoughts too.

They will clearly not appeal to everyone and are not designed to do so. I am sure they will find buyers and with runs of 500 and 250, they will not be that rare. They are clearly prototypes. The execution of these examples is not perfect so don't expect them to be perfect. They are taking orders for July onwards.

In a strange way, I thought the green Big Pilot was the most fascinating. The red and blue dials were too "flat" (for want of a better word) for my liking. Again, it is quite possible that the contrast between the black dial and the markers/hands/numbers will be better in the final production run.

This Pandora's box of colours has already been opened before. It is quite possible that one's imagination or courage will be the only limit to future runs.

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Not my thing, they´re a bit gimmicky IMO ...but really enjoyed the photos. thanks

I think your pictures show them to be more attractive than the first set of computer "photos" we saw on the internet.

I like the blue chrono, but I personally find the white date wheel to be a bit jarring. Less jarring on the green, as the date wheel is less prominent, but still not quite within my range of taste. Others, of course, can and will have different opinions.

PC looks like watch from hell...danger: "It can burns!"

Agree with You Dick! On computer photos they didn't look so attractive. But in real photos...ceramic is hypnotizing

Blue and Green works. The red might work if it was not on a perpetual, the dial is too busy and the color makes it difficult to read (but not unreadable).

There is no one watch that is for everyone, but someone will appreciate it and enjoy it and that is what matters. Not a bad modern concept given the use of high tech material like ceramic.

48mm? Really?

As you say, not for everyone.

If it were refitted as a desk clock....perhaps.

Thank you very much for the pictures. They strongly confirm my first impression.

Thanks for the reports and pictures. I like the blue (big surprise!). So, depending on how they are priced I could see the blue on my wrist for christmas.

Thanks again, look forward to the pics of the GTG.

Kevin

Well, while they are not for me, I start to become impressed. They fit in a different world of values, of what you want from a watch. If for instance younger people feel attracted to them, and are willing to buy them, just for the fun of it, this is great news. Maybe like the colourful Swatch watches some 20 years ago, but at a different price level.

One point of comment though: why are the date numbers white? They stand out, and I think it would be much nicer to give them the same colour as the rest of the watch.

Kind regards,
Paul

So given last year's calendar that means sometime this September? LOL

I was thinking Late July!

Kevin

Great report Thang and gents. I like the blue, and I have been thinking about the blue LA/LV edition for quite a while.

This are what Marketing people are good at - being creative and taking our most favourite of manufactures into an "additional space". Note, I say space as the fact IWC have put this series out there does NOT MEAN that IWC change direction - merily that the marquee can and will now have watches that apeal to a broader market.

For anyone believing that IWC "stray" from the heritage of still putting out really handsome timepieces based on classic looks from watches out of the heritage stable.....watch this space!

Maybe not today, or next month or even this year but for sure, IWC will manufacture new watches sometime in the near future, which will have lovers of classic looking watches going weak at the knees!

Thanks for report!! Looks better at "live" photos and hope to see it in flesh once.

Can't say I'm a big fan but I'll reserve my judgement till I see the real thing. In the meantime, I do find the white 'date'/'year' to be a little distracting...