IWC Schaffhausen has launched the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar at the digital Watches & Wonders exhibition. The timepiece with a stainless steel case and a blue dial continues the long-standing tradition of perpetual calendar watches in the Big Pilot’s collection.

Developed in the 1980s by Kurt Klaus, IWC’s legendary perpetual calendar automatically recognizes different month lengths and leap years. Featuring a Pellaton winding system fitted with ceramic components, the IWC-manufactured 52615 calibre is visible through the sapphire glass back.

Since the first Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar was released in 2006 in a limited edition of 25 pieces in platinum, no less than 37 versions of the iconic Big Pilot’s design with a perpetual calendar have been issued.

With the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW503605), the legendary complication marks its return to the classic collection. The timepiece features a stainless steel case, a blue dial and rhodium-plated hands. The date display and power reserve are located at 3 o’clock, the month display at 6 o’clock. The weekday display and the small seconds share the subdial at 9 o’clock. The double moon phase display at 12 o’clock correctly depicts the moon phase for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and only needs to be adjusted by one day after 577.5 years.

Developed in the 1980s by IWC’s former head watchmaker Kurt Klaus, the perpetual calendar automatically recognises different month lengths as well as leap years. The ingenious mechanical programme will not require any manual correction until 2100 when the leap year due will be omitted based on an exemption rule in the Gregorian calendar.

Another distinguishing feature is the four-digit year display. An additional century slider is included within the case, enabling this timepiece to show the year until 2499. With all its displays perfectly synchronised, the calendar can be set easily via a single crown, offering a degree of user-friendliness that is unparalleled in the domain of mechanical calendars.

The IWC-manufactured 52615 calibre drives the calendar module using a single nightly switching impulse. The automatic movement comprises 386 components and was engineered with a focus on maximum precision and quality. The Pellaton automatic winding system builds up a power reserve of seven days in two barrels. Parts of the winding mechanism that are subject to high stresses are made of virtually wear-free ceramic. The decorated movement is visible through a glass back.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar is available from 7th April 2021 through IWC boutiques, authorized retail partners or online at IWC.com. The timepiece can be registered under the My IWC care program and thus benefits from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

Technical details

Model: IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar, Ref. IW503605

Functions
Power reserve display
Perpetual Calendar with displays for the date, day, month, year in four digits and perpetual moon phase for both northern and southern hemispheres
Small hacking seconds

Movement
IWC manufacture calibre 52615
Mechanical movement
Pellaton automatic winding system
Frequency: 28,800 vph/4 Hz
Jewels: 54
Power reserve: 7 days (168 h)
Winding: Automatic

Case
Stainless steel case
Diameter: 46.2 mm
Height: 15.4 mm
Glass: Sapphire, arched edge, anti-reflective coating on both sides
Glass secured against displacement caused by drops in air pressure
Screw-in crown
See-through sapphire glass back
Water-resistant: 6 bar

Dial
Blue dial, rhodium-plated hands

Strap
Blue calf leather strap

• Know more about IWC Schaffhausen watch brand and its history.

• Discover more IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN watches (from 2011 to 2022).

• Discover IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN watches archives from 1990 to 2010.