In order to make a pilot watch, one must first understand the principles of flight and the special conditions that affect navigation, and incorporate these into the manufacture of watches. IWC has been committed to research in this area, in 1936 created the first "large" pilot watch. This gave birth to a period of universal pilot watch and flying history.
Whether landing on the moon, manipulating the International Space Station or taking a leisurely holiday in Tenerife, these human adventure takes just twelve seconds and the engine shoots fifty meters and instantly leaves the ground. On December 17, 1903, on a plot of cultivated land in Kitty Hawk, the United States, Orville and Wilbur Wright set off a historical generation-time human flight. At the time, the two followers of Icarus did not need a chart of pilots, but reported loudly on first flight: twenty-one, twenty-two
At that time, the 35-year-old IWC form company founded by American engineer FAJones in Schaffhausen was over. As the European rulers put it, the future of the world is the future of maritime transport and rail transport. As a result, the Schaffhausen precision pocket watch maker has made a significant contribution to the precise timing of the voyage and the on-time arrival of the train, and has also become an indispensable tool for navigation.
After that, aviation flight, the greatest human adventure, ushered in a period of turmoil. Although a series of flight tests and flight errors have led to the continuous improvement of aviation technology, many pilots paid their lives. However, people continue to pursue better flight experience. Gustave Délage, Raoul-Edouard Badin, Léon Moran, Charles Weymann or Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, these pioneers are constantly evolving to create new records of flying distance and flying speed. Blériot leaped on the English Channel in 1909. 1913 Swiss Oskar Bider, the first successful pilot powered aircraft flying over the Alps.
However, it was World War I that really brought about a large-scale development for this emerging movement. To a large extent, the sport of flying has attracted daring rich people. Post pilots also quickly entered the ranks of the army. In the 1930s, the first passenger jetliners were produced. As a civilian, Lindbergh, to some extent, can be regarded as a master of new transportation and mobile field, and in 1927 completed the most eye-catching initiative of flying over the Atlantic from west to east.
At the request of the German military, the IWC has started producing a remarkable military pilot watch since 1940, later known as the "large" pilot watch. Dial diameter 55mm, thickness 16mm, weighs only 183 grams, no doubt very suitable for military use. This watch is the highest watched IWC watch, especially for pilots flying at night and long-range reconnaissance enemy aircraft, and with high accuracy, in line with the navigation table and chronometer technical specifications. Its accuracy is much higher than the fighter fixed table, the timing performance of each watch in the Glashutte German Navy Observatory rigorous testing
Initial aviation flight requires reliable timing
The retrospective timing back to early history, the first pilot to control the aircraft can only use a pocket watch plus a small counter. Such tools are not precise, and the pocket watch is difficult to operate during flight, and the faint light on the counter is hard to discern in the dark. Fluctuations in pocket watches can become very sensitive when bumpy, hot, cold, and magnetic fields are encountered; their timing is even more pronounced in the cockpit. In response to these circumstances, the first temporary solution was to install a bracket on the counter plate to hold the pilot's pocket watch. Only in this way the pilot can fly out with both hands to control the plane to fly up.
Just as Harrison's precision sailing timers make accurate nautical positioning possible, precise timing also allows one to calculate flight speed, range and fuel consumption based on time of flight. And in the early days of the flight, people were using only maps, compasses, slide rules, and early pilot charts for manual calculations. In today's advanced technology, the precise computer and GPS positioning data is calculated.
The magnificent history of pilot watches goes back to 1936, and IWC's constant commitment to innovation is one of the first to meet the challenge and start working on the issue in the first half of the century. It can be said that at the time of the development of aviation watch technical specifications, and later adopted the military's technical requirements for such watches.
The world's largest pilot watch was born in 1940, during which the early days of immature aviation industry are long gone, and the mid-1930s have begun carrying regular passengers.
Those years, the legendary DC-3 or JU-52 and other models, began to shoulder important military tasks. The Second World War was the first large-scale war of armed conflict in human history. Fighters are involved in preparing for warfare, and countries widely use them as weapons or transport long-range weapons or military means of transport.
The war created the need for top watches, with almost all well-known Swiss manufacturers serving the immense demand - never even asked in the midst of world catastrophe what they were serving on the just or the evil side. At the request of the German military, the IWC has started producing a remarkable military pilot watch since 1940, later known as the "large" pilot watch. Dial diameter 55mm, thickness 16mm, weighs only 183 grams, no doubt very suitable for military use. This watch is the watch with the highest output of IWC and is especially suitable for pilot's night flight and long-range reconnaissance aircraft with extremely high precision and meets the technical specifications of the navigation table and the observatory's watch. Its accuracy is much higher than the fighter fixed table, the timing performance of each watch in Glashutte German Navy Observatory rigorous testing.
The unique design of this watch, only four German manufacturers hand-made. Improved version 52 center second hand pocket watch movement, sophisticated gold 3/4 plywood movement, bimetallic screw balance and gooseneck fine tuning function, the basic models have been put into production for more than 40 years, and the implanted Maturities Lacquered steel case. Military version also added indirectly driven central seconds hand and stop the function of the central seconds to ensure full synchronization with the standard time. In addition to extremely user-friendly design crown, long strap is also a major feature of this large watch. When the pilot wearing a flight suit to perform the task, the watch can be worn on the arm or thigh.
For the first time, IWC uses a soft iron inner case for the watch, which effectively protects the movement from external magnetic fields. The upper part of the metal shell is a metal dial. This established principle has become a major feature of IWC pilots' watches and is also used by engineers.
Between 1940 and 1945, IWC produced about 1,200 improved movements for the first "large" pilot watch. Only a small part is used for military pilot watches, and the rest is ordered by the military for observatory clocks and watches. Some movement is also used for pocket watches - such as marine precision timer.
Watch industry uphold the principle of highly cautious. Military watch movement and case number will once again be used for civil table, customer information combined with letters and passwords by the factory records. The number of watches kept in war can not be determined. Today, collectors are out of the price is astronomical.
The history of the first Schaffhausen "large" pilot watch began in 1936 with a design rationale of pure black dial, luminous pointer with high contrast, revolving glass mirror ring with luminous sign, minute hand and legible Also left a small second hand). This watch Fifi overseas, much sought after, the use of the 83 hand-wound movement, with automatic damping function, has been anti-magnetic interference function, people call it Mark IX. This movement under extreme conditions and temperature changes have been rigorously tested and calibrated. Mark X was born in 1940 and is a military-prescribed improvement. Although it is not a pilot-only watch, it is also favored by today's collectors due to the same type of movement.
Immortal Classic - Mark XI watch
The most famous Mark XI watch of the IWC watches made between 1048 and 1984 is expensive to manufacture. This watch is mainly used for the British Royal Air Force, other countries Air Force and the global civil aviation routes. The compact, low-key, unobtrusive hand with three pointers (hour and minute hands and a large second hand with seconds-and-seconds) has been featured in recent years as an immortal classic in certain professional groups such as the advertising and creative industries . It is also a must have for collectors in the world. From the shape to the internal is extremely streamlined, it condensed the perfect clock technology, is one of the best of the best.
The latest development of hand-wound type 89 movement most attractive, most sophisticated, most accurate, the longest service life. This is because wristwatches manufactured in the 1950s and beyond can be easily calibrated after 50 years and meet the military requirements of the time. All timepieces in the Mark XI are available in a variety of styles (stainless steel case, chrome plate or nickel brass case, black or light dial) for contemporary "high end" quality positioning. Key words: Waterproof movement with barrel, supported by bearings on both sides; patented new drive for central seconds; glucyd balance with fine-weight compensation and screw-in fine adjustment; Breguet balance spring; balance wheel 18 000 semi-oscillating period; soft iron inner shell with anti-magnetic field effect; glass crystal screwed in accurately from the inside is assembled steadily to withstand the sudden pressure drop in the cabin without loosening; screw-in back plate; back plate and Crown decorated badge.
Each RAX-made Mark XI watch goes through a 44-day "navigation watch" test before it arrives. The RAF's sample dial for the RAF is labeled "Big Arrow" and the backboard is engraved with military graphics. The Mark XI's flamboyance is evident in the fact that after more than 50 years, its escapement remains intact for the 5000 Series and new large pilot watches.
The most famous Mark XI watch from the 1948 to 1984 manufactured by IWC was expensive to manufacture. This watch is mainly used for the British Royal Air Force, other countries Air Force and the global civil aviation routes. The compact, low-key, unobtrusive hand with three pointers (hour and minute hands and large second hand with second hand detent) has been featured in recent years as an immortal classic in certain professional groups such as the advertising and creative industries . It is also a must have for collectors in the world. From the shape to the internal are extremely streamlined, it embodies the perfect clock technology, is one of the best of the best
A new era of pilot watches
The postwar period of time established the position of the aviation industry throughout the twentieth century and mankind was thus free to travel around the world. In the twenty-first century, the history will be compared to that of the free and unbounded digital communication mode.
Without the pioneers of the aviation community and their sacrifices, humans can not overcome their natural limitations and fly into the skies. As the "people who voluntarily shape their lives" continue to grow and become the mainstay of the world in the 1980s, they began to recall the initial development of the aviation industry. Pilot watches become a myth, but also a symbol of love of life without space constraints era. They are the walker, is a new new homeless, its speed is closer to the speed of sound.
As a result, IWC watches have begun to celebrate the long tradition of the brand. In 1988, IWC resumes the manufacture of pilot watches, the first to restore the manufacture of "semi-mechanical" pilot timers. 630-type movement, was the smallest chronograph movement, the quartz power and mechanical timer combination to produce a practical modern daily aviation watch, but also shows the follow-up series of pilot watch all the new style: pure blood Powerful, watch value and innovative technology.
The 1992 Auto Chopper Timer with Chronograph Chronograph was introduced. The next generation of the Mark XII - Mark XI, long-awaited by the world in 1993, is finally available - with its automatic caliber and calendar. In 1994, a mechanical pilot timer showing the day of the week and the date became part of our rapidly growing collection of watches. It uses a stainless steel case and offers a ceramic shell version for a specific period of time. Schaffhausen again woke up the potential demand of many customers. The heyday of pilot watches is here. In 1999, the factory launched Mark XII's next generation - the large Mark XV, is well worth the candle.
UTC pilot watch
UTC gives the theme a broader meaning
After several years of research and development work, UTC pilot watch with a new design came out in 1998. UTC is an abbreviation for Coordinated Universal Time, meaning that time and date adjustments in any direction, with "World Time" as a constant - forward or backward - can be easily done with the crown. The time schedule for aviation schedules - World Time, or Greenwich Mean Time, is displayed in sync with the local time via the synchronized display window. For example, you can set the home time in the window and the second local time by the hour hand. In styling, UTC and pilots watch similar, such as the dial, and watch the so-called 1940 classic consistent.
Large pilot watch: large-scale watchmaking
The large pilot watch of 2002's innovative IWC meets the need for a large, masculine watch.
However, in the "watch wave" before the start, the gorgeous pilot plume hunting timer has begun mass production. Leveraging Schaffhausen's ambitious tradition, the large pilot watch once again combines high-performance movement, advanced watchmaking techniques with the notion of watchmaking that represents the highest quality and service of the new 5000 Series and the superior precision. The large pilot's watch automatic movement has the power of a seven-day power reserve, which is good for "large-scale watchmaking." Although it has a flight-specific shape, its design not only shows the mystery of the flight, its popular charm is irresistible.
Mark Seventeen pilot watch (model 326504)
Mark seventeen watch: legendary Mark eleven watch heir
Whether in appearance or function, the Mark 17 Pilot's Watch (model 326504) is the perfect interpretation of the essence of a traditional pilot's watch. Just like the cockpit instruments, the watch has a black dial and a white indicator. The design is concise and its main production goal is clear reading time. Compared with the early Mark 16 watch, its stainless steel case diameter increased by 2 mm to 41 mm. IWC designers have also changed the watch's date window to make it more cockpit-like, with its vertically-aligned numbers quite similar to those of the altimeter. The bright red triangle pointer shows the current date, which has also become a classic design for the IFC Pilot series, inspired by the red signal element of the aircraft's instrument panel. This watch waterproof depth of 6 bar, equipped with 30110 automatic movement, providing 42 hours power reserve. In terms of accuracy and robustness, the Mark 17 Pilot's watch, as in its early style, complied with a series of requirements for the Schaffhausen IWC watch. Like the legendary Mark 11 pilot watch introduced in the 1940s, the Mark 17 aviator's wristwatch also features a magnetically-protected soft iron inner case that is robustly mounted and withstands sudden pressure drops. Watch fitted in a special alloy case, which can quickly guide the magnetic force. As a result, the magnetic field generated by radio or post-radar instruments is dispersed around the movement.
Pilot World Time Watch (model 326201)
Air trapeze "hand luggage": Pilot World Time watch
For pilots, frequent flyers and international business people, the growing maturity of globalization makes it imperative that they always keep track of the movements in different time zones. The new Pilot World Time watch from Schaffhausen IWC addresses this dilemma in a stylish and elegant manner, even if the line is changed across international dates.
The new pilot world time watch (Model 326201) no longer show the time of a semicircular window, the designer instead of a 24-hour outer ring. To facilitate the identification of day and night time, the design is divided into black and white two areas. 24-hour circle through the crown quickly set. All 24 time zones, including UTC international coordination time, are clear at a glance. For example, pilots can use UTC time to coordinate their flight time. Passengers who frequently travel to and from other places can check the time of their original place of residence. International businessmen can know the time of business partners' headquarters. In addition to the 24-hour circle, 23 regional names are listed in the city circle, each representing a specific time zone. This ensures that users can see the time around the world at a glance. Signals Red The words "UTC" and "DateLine" also facilitate simultaneous reading of the International Coordination Time and local time.
Spitfire fighter chronograph watch
Down to earth, fly high: Spitfire fighter chronograph
Since its launch in 2006, the Spitfire Chronograph watch built by Schaffhausen IWC has gained popularity. Today, the watch shows a new look, with a blue-gray dial and homemade watch IWC 89365-style movement, the perfect ultimate.
As early as the 1930s when the first fighter jet design, the RAF also formed a wave in society - here has become a group of passionate young clubs, they were born rich, dressed without losing the elegant fashion, regardless of attendance at any event Have attracted the attention of others. Classic elegance and technological innovation are the hallmarks of the new Pilot Fighter Series. IWC launches first standard jet fighter chronograph with 18K red gold case. Models 387802 and 387804 watch models are equipped with stainless steel case. Case surface are polished to high gloss or smooth matte effect, magnificent appearance. Sun decoration to the sun reflected in the blue-gray dial, emitting a glittering glittering light. Exquisite exquisite spray table fighter engraving patterns, and polishing and matte surface decoration each other. Dark dial and date display fusion altimeter design, making it closer to the classic pilot's watch "instrument" shape. This chronograph stopwatch has a water resistance of 6 bar and a slightly increased case diameter of 1 mm to 43 mm, making the reading clearer.
Large pilot series TOP GUN naval air force Miramar watch
Extraordinary tradition, reinterpretation: large pilot series TOP GUN naval air force Miramar watch
The first large-scale pilot watch was first introduced more than seventy years ago, a grand reverberation when re-launched a decade ago. By 2012, this series of TOP GUN naval air combat force watch with the times, into the era of jet. The large pilot's TOP GUN naval air force Miramar watch, reminiscent of the aviation elite wearing a classic flight uniform.
The Miramar watch (model 501902) is a tribute to the Marine Corps TopGun Flight School, formerly based in Myramaca, California. It was once the birthplace of elite pilots and advanced aeronautical devices and is famous everywhere. The new Miramar series incorporates military design. Shiny metallic ceramic case and charcoal dial, beige hands and minute bezel, and green fabric strap, taken from the classic colors and materials of military equipment. Separated from the minute outer ring and small inner circle, reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s, precision watches. At the time, the fighter's position and flight time were determined with the aid of octants and precision watches.
Equipped with a 51111-type movement is one of the largest automatic movement ever made by IWC. Its patented pawl-type winding system provides a 7-day power reserve within a short period of time. The clever power reserve device, the movement to 168 hours after running automatically stop working, so as to ensure watch full chain, you can run accurately seven days. Large pilot series TOP GUN Naval Air Force Miramar watch is the leader in the same series. Titanium engraved engraved TopGun badge is the perfect proof.
Whether in appearance or function, the Mark 17 Pilot's Watch (model 326504) is the perfect interpretation of the essence of a traditional pilot's watch. Just like the cockpit instruments, the watch has a black dial and a white indicator. The design is concise and its main production goal is clear reading time. Compared with the early Mark 16 watch, its stainless steel case diameter increased by 2 mm to 41 mm. The designers of the IWC have also changed the date window of the watch to make it more like a cockpit instrument. The vertical alignment figures are very similar to those of the altimeter. The bright red triangle pointer shows the current date, which has also become a classic design for the IWC Pilot series, inspired by the red signal element of the aircraft's instrument panel
The large pilot watch of 2002's innovative IWC meets the need for a large, masculine watch. However, in the "watch wave" before the start, the gorgeous pilot plume hunting timer has begun mass production. Leveraging Schaffhausen's ambitious tradition, the large pilot watch once again combines high-performance movement, advanced watchmaking techniques with the notion of watchmaking that represents the highest quality and service of the new 5000 Series and the superior precision. The large pilot's watch automatic movement has the power of a seven-day power reserve, which is good for "large-scale watchmaking." Although it has a flight-specific shape, its design not only shows the mystery of the flight, its popular charm is irresistible.