2022 IWC Pilot Double Chronograph ‘Top Gun’ Ceratanium 44mm

Here we have a 2022 IWC Pilot Double Chronograph ‘Top Gun’ Ceratanium 44 
The name takes inspiration from the renowned Navy Fighter Weapons School, a prestigious institution where the U.S. Navy trains its elite pilots in advanced flying techniques and tactical proficiency, made famous by the Tom Cruise “Top Gun” movies.
Made from a patented Titanium and Ceramic alloy IWC has developed called Ceratanium; it has the combination of lightness and strength with a hard scratch resistance and a stealthy black aesthetic. The curvaceous 44mm Ceratanium case curves over your wrist with thick tapered lugs, and its curved flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 53.5mm and a case thickness of 16mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. Down the right side, we have the chronograph pushers and a signed crown made of Ceratanium; on the left side, at 10 o’clock rattrapante or split-seconds pusher, the stepped smooth bezel holds a convex sapphire crystal AR coated on both sides above a dynamic black dial. An outer minute track has applied baton and triangle with pips surrounding grey Arabic numerals marking the hours, at 12 o’clock, a 30-minute recessed register, at 3 o’clock, a colour-matched day/date window, at 6 o’clock, a 12-hour recessed register and finally, at 9 o’clock a small seconds register, each with a concentric circular pattern and grey sword hand, the Hour and minute sword hands are filled with grey lume and complemented by a black split seconds hand with red tip and a grey tapered chronograph hand, at 3 o’clock we have the IWC motif completing this distinctive pilot's double chronograph. On the reverse, a Ceratanium screw-down case back with the iconic Top Gun logo engraved in the centre with the details of the watch engraved around its edge, inside a soft-iron inner case resistant to magnetic fields, an Automatic IWC Cal. 79420, 29 jewels, beating at 21,600 beats per hour, it has a base of the ETA 7750 with a Rattrapante/split seconds. The Doppelchronograph (Double Chronograph) was first introduced in 1831 by Joseph-Thaddeus Winnerl, who went on to develop a split-second mechanism heart cam in 1838. In 1923 Patek Philippe made one to fit inside a wristwatch, and today, they still make the smallest Rattrapante chronograph in the world in reference 5959. To activate the split seconds, you push the pusher at 10 o’clock this stops the lower hand, while the top chronograph continues on, when released, the lower hand catches up with the top hand, and when you reset, you reset both hands at the same time. This mechanism, consisting of a heart cam and roller, acts as a memory for the split-second wheel, which allows it to instantly catch up to the top chronograph hand. It comes paired with its original 21mm IWC black rubber strap with Ceratanium hardware and comes with its IWC presentation box and paperwork.

This watch is sold with an original IWC box & IWC paperwork, as photographed. It comes paired with its original 21mm IWC black rubber strap with Ceratanium hardware. The watch is from February 2022 and is in worn condition, but overall, it is in very fair condition, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

This IWC Pilot Double Chronograph 'Top Gun', reference IW371815, isn't for the faint of heart at 44mm, but for those with a wrist to support it, you're getting yourself an incredible watch. Cased in black 'Ceratanium' and boasting the automatic IWC calibre 79420, a 'split seconds' chronograph, it packs on a punch on the wrist. Coming in with a retail price of £12,300 the price difference buying pre-owned can't be ignored. I would not hesitate to book an appointment and try this one on for yourself!

Reference : IW371815
Movement : Automatic IWC Cal. 79420
Age : February 2022
Year : 2022
Case Size : 44mm
Case Thickness : 16mm
Lug to Lug : 53.5mm
Lugs : 21mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box and Papers
Case Material : Ceratanium
Warranty : Manufacturers Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

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.