The steel, black-dialed chronograph is one of the most popular watch types. it’s a versatile, utilitarian classic and almost every brand has the understanding of the theme. iwc’s is their everlasting popular pilot’s chronograph, a mix of military style and casual elegance. it’s a classic in reality as well in name.
should you have focused on the iwc over the past several months, you’ll have noticed it’s on a few of an aviation kick, refreshing the whole pilot’s family and adding some tantalising novelties like the limited edition ‘le petit prince’ edition of the big pilot and the ingenious timezoner. since these are really so impressive, they’re not the bread and butter of iwc’s pilot’s line. that falls to fresh faces like the mark xviii, and updated stalwarts like this one, the pilot’s chronograph.
when you see the watch at the first glance, you could doubt if it is the same watch. but take another look carefully, and numerous small tweaks become apparently different.
the most obvious is the removal of the altimeter-style triple date window, which in turn allows for the iwc branding to be moved back to the three o’clock position. also gone are the printed arabic minutes at the outer edge of the indices. all minor changes, but they add up to a dial that’s slightly simpler and certainly closer to the watch’s historical origins.
the other changes concern the strap. for the leather version, the alligator strap has been replaced with santoni calfskin – a nod to the watch’s utilitarian roots that doesn’t detract from the premium offering of the pilot. the stainless steel bracelet – always one of the best quality offerings at the price-point – has also received a makeover and is exceptionally comfortable, owing to the deployant clasp with micro-adjustment, which allows you to make small adjustments on the wrist, simply by pressing the iwc logo.
these changes aren’t earth-shattering in their magnitude, but all add up to a replica watch that is a marked improvement in my mind. the design is cleaner, more balanced and more comfortable to wear.