During the second half of 2019, two British pilots circumnavigated the world in a Spitfire for the first time in the history of aviation. The main partner of the “Silver Spitfire - The Longest Flight” expedition, IWC has now created an exceptional pilot’s watch to honour the record-breaking flight of Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones.

Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones
Steve Boultbee Brooks and Matt Jones

On August 5, 2019, Boultbee Brooks and Jones took off from the Goodwood Aerodrome in the south of England in a beautifully restored “Silver Spitfire”. On their four-month-long record flight around the world, they covered more than 43,000 kilometres and made stops in more than 20 countries.

The New IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished”
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished”

The Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished” (Ref. IW510506) is limited to 500 pieces. A unique engraving on the case back commemorates the successful completion of the “Silver Spitfire - The Longest Flight” expedition, which IWC supported as the primary sponsor and “Official Timekeeper”.

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished” Dial
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished”

This version of the Big Pilot’s Watch in the Spitfire design has a green dial and a case made of bronze, a material which develops a unique patina over time. The large-digit date at “12 o’clock” is represented by a double date ring, one for the 10s and a second one for the 1s.

IWC manufacture calibre 59235
IWC Calibre 59000

The hand-wound IWC-manufactured 59235 calibre offers a power reserve of 8 days. The power reserve indicator is located on the back of the watch and is visible through a porthole in the titanium case back.

 IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished” Case Back
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished”

A soft-iron inner cage effectively protects the movement from the effects of magnetic fields on the watch’s accuracy. The front glass is specially secured against any sudden drop of air pressure in the cockpit.

 IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished” Watch Review
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished”

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished”

Technical specifications:

Reference: IW510506

Features: Mechanical movement – Power reserve display on case back – Large, double-digit date display – Small hacking seconds – Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields – Screw-in crown – Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure – Sapphire glass porthole in case back – Limited Edition of 500 watches

Movement:

·       IWC manufacture calibre: 59235

·       Frequency: 28,800 vph/4 Hz

·       Jewels: 30

·       Components: 260

·       Power reserve: 8 days (192 hours)

·       Winding: Hand-wound

·       Côtes de Genève

Case:

·       Material: Bronze case

·       Glass: Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides

·       Water-resistant: 6 bars

·       Diameter: 46.2 mm

·       Height: 15.2 mm

·       Screw in crown

·       See-through sapphire glass back

Dial: Green dial with luminescence

Strap:

·       Brown calfskin strap

·       Strap width 22 mm

Matt Jones IWC Watch
Matt Jones

The price for the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished” is CHF 17,100 and is limited edition to 500 pieces.

For more information please visit IWC Schaffhausen Online.