This article was originally published in the November/December 2022 Issue of the WatchTime print magazine.

The IWC name has been inextricably linked with pilots? watches for more than 85 years. The Schaffhausen-based company set standards in the development of this type of watch, which remains extremely popular today. IWC introduced its first ?Special Watch for Aviators? in 1936. This was followed in 1940 by the Big Pilot?s Watch and in 1948 by the Mark 11, which went on to achieve cult status. The variety of models continues to the present day. All of IWC?s Pilot?s Watches combine properties that also make them well suited for use in daily life, which is probably why they are so popular. Their useful traits begin with a simple, clear design, which results in optimum legibility. The list of advantages continues with highly precise timekeeping and uncommon robustness. For example, these watches are built to cope with impacts, temperature fluctuations, magnetic fields and sudden drops in atmospheric pressure.
Like our test watch, new models of the Big Pilot?s Watch 43 Spitfire are available with a titanium case and black dial, but are also offered with a bronze case and green dial. Regardless of the color scheme, all of these Spitfires are inspired by historical military watches. IWC built many such watches for the British military, along with deck watches for the Royal Navy. The most famous of these is the aforementioned Mark 11, a navigation watch designed fo...