First IWC pilot's watch with rotating bezel and arrow index

In 1936, the first IWC pilot's watch, a special watch for pilots, came onto the market.

It features sturdy glass, a rotating bezel with a register hand for short-term readings, an anti-magnetic movement, and highly contrasting, luminous hands and numbers.

From 1940 onwards, IWC manufactured the Large Pilot's Watch 52 TSC, designed according to military requirements for a navigation or observation watch - the most voluminous wristwatch ever built by IWC.

Its clear, extremely reduced dial design is based on the on-board instruments of aircraft of the time.

This instrument look also inspired IWC designers in the design of the Mark 11, produced from 1948 onwards. The Schaffhausen-based manufacturer's most famous pilot's watch was originally built for the Royal Air Force and was in service there for more than thirty years.

Since then, IWC has consistently continued the tradition and further development of pilot's watches, and has thus brilliantly managed to ensure that IWC pilot's watches continue to captivate and fascinate with their outstanding technology and their unmistakable instrument look.

Source: Muehlbacher.de