The coolest thing about fighter jets is their speed. The supersonic speeds, the feats of aerial acrobatics these multi-million dollar machines can achieve, and the sheer power of the engines, if these are things you find appealing, chances are, IWC’s latest Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces may be right up your alley. Before we even dig into the rest of the watch, it just has to be said that this timepiece featured here represents the brand’s very first Pilot’s watch with a fully luminous white dial.
READ MORE Christian Knoop Chief Design Officer at IWC Schaffhausen in conversation
We are well aware that the concept is not exactly novel but when you put IWC’s attention to quality into the mix, well the results are nothing short of spectacular. To create this brilliant glow, dials are made up of solid Super-LumiNova disks. Yes, you read it correctly. IWC made the dial from a solid block Super-LumiNova, and not just a layer or paint of luminescent paint. In order to achieve this, the Super-LumiNova pigments are mixed with a special binder. Then, through a curing procedure, it becomes as durable as ceramic.
The Super-LumiNova material acts like a light battery, where the light from artificial or natural sources cause the electrons to move into a higher state of energy. As the electrons return to a normal state in the absence light, the stored energy will be released. IWC claims that, in testing, the greenish glow was bright for over 23 hours. This is due to the liberal use of this pigment.
The idea for this timepiece was inspired by a watch that IWC engineered for members of Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41), also known as the “Black Aces”. This explains the name – Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces – and the playing card logo at the 6 o’clock position is their insignia. The squadron is based in California and even has a cool radio callsign “Fast Eagle”.
The black zirconium dioxide ceramic case matches the dynamic and modern dial. It has a harder rating than a diamond. The Calibre 321100, manufactured by IWC, has a silicon anti-magnetic escapement with 72 hours of power. Additionally, the watch also comes with IWC’s double pawl winding system for better winding efficiency.
Watch Information
Movement Self-winding Calibre 32100; 72 hours power reserve
Case 41mm. Ceramic case. White full-lume Dial
Strap Black Textile
Price MYR 30,600
This article was first seen on WOW’s Autumn #70 Issue.
For the latest in luxury watch reads, click here.