2019 IWC Big Pilot Spitfire Chronograph Bronze IW387902
Ref: IW387902
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Bronze
Warranty : Manufacturer Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original IWC presentation box and original IWC paperwork. The watch was purchased in August 2019 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the stunning MK IX Silver Spitfire (made of all Aluminium and unpainted hence the name Silver) could be seen before it started on an incredible 27,000-mile flight around the World. The watch is fitted on an IWC 20mm brown calf leather strap with a signed bronze buckle. The watch is in worn condition but is overall very good, as you can see the photos. The watch comes with its Manufacturer's Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 2019 IWC Big Pilot Spitfire Chronograph Bronze IW387902, the 41mm matte bronze case (made up of Copper 86%, Aluminium 10% and Iron 4%) has a soft iron inner case that protects the watch from a magnetic field similar to a faraday cage, the subtle curve of the case leads to a lug-to-lug length of 51.5mm and a case thickness of 15mm giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. Down the right side, we have the chronograph pushers and in the centre a screw-down signed crown, the smooth bezel holds a convex sapphire crystal AR coated on both sides, secured to be resistant to drops in air pressure. The iconic olive green dial has an outer minute track with large Arabic numerals lying just underneath luminance with the triangle and pips at 12 o’clock a characteristic seen on many pilot timepieces and at 3 o’clock a day/date window. The chronograph consists of a 30-minute register at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour register at 6 o’clock and finally, a continuous seconds register at 9 o’clock, each register has a concentric circular pattern. Elegant propeller hands coated in luminance complemented with a tapered chronograph hand, at 3 o’clock we have the IWC motif with “Spitfire” in red completing this military-inspired chronograph. On the reverse a screw-down Titanium case back with the “Spitfire” engraved in the centre, inside an automatic IWC Cal. 69380, 33 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour. The watch is fitted on an IWC 20mm brown calf leather strap with a signed bronze buckle and the watch also comes with its IWC presentation box and paperwork.
Personal Note
The way this IWC wears on the wrist is perfect, often I hear people refer to IWC as the "Big Watches", which is even referenced in the name of their models like this one, the "Big Pilot"... Whilst they do produce many large watches, they also produce ones like this that sit on the wrist incredibly well and look totally at home, so if you are holding out due to fear of the watch being too big, don't! Book an appointment and come see it for yourself.
The Brand
In 1867 Florentine applied for a European passport with the dream of creating watches using the American system of Watchmaking. This system was taken from the Federal Armories at Springfield and Harpers Ferry. Where armaments needed high-precision interchangeable parts. This was perfect to use in watchmaking and Florentine was a pioneer in introducing it to the Swiss. In 1868 Florentine and Charles Kidder ended up in Schaffhausen Switzerland. Originally called the company F. A Jones & Co which was later changed to IWC International Watch Company. In 1876 Florentine returned to the USA where he retired and sadly passed away in 1916. The spirit which he spent a lifetime perfecting carries on today in the modern IWC watches.