IWC Pilot’s TOP GUN in Colorful Ceramics

IWC is no stranger to using ceramics. In fact, they were one of the pioneers of using the scratch-resistant material for watches. The brand started utilizing it as early as 1986 with the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar 3755. In the same decade, IWC showcased its technical know-how in using ceramics with colorful prototypes in blue, white, green, and even pink.

In 2019, IWC brought back this trend with the Pilot’s TOP GUN Mojave in a sand-colored case. This year, they’re indulging fans with the release two new models in colored ceramic – the TOP GUN Lake Tahoe and Woodland.

Here’s a closer look into the new members of the IWC Pilot’s TOP GUN series:

The IWC Top Gun Edition

A popular offering of IWC, the TOP GUN collection consists of timepieces with a stealth treatment and technically advanced features.

First launched in 2007, it takes its name from the famous United States Navy Fighter Weapons School. Popularly known as TOP GUN, this program is where fighter and strike tactics are taught to select naval officers, who then return to their squads as instructors.

Meant to be the more contemporary, performance-oriented model in the Pilot’s Watches collection, the TOP GUN has always been engineered with high-quality materials – mostly in ceramic, but some in Ceratanium or a combination of ceramic and titanium.

Additionally, it was made available in various finishes, sizes, and complications ranging from chronographs and perpetual calendars. The TOP GUN series had been predominantly black throughout the years until IWC began releasing military-inspired colors in 2019 with the Mojave Desert edition.

IWC Top Gun Mojave Desert (2019)

The TOP GUN Mojave Desert is a subtle take on the classic pilot’s watch. Launched in 2019, it takes inspiration from the camouflage suits worn by pilots and the American desert landscape surrounding China Lake, where one of the US Navy’s stations is located.

Unlike the other watches in this list, it measures about 44.5mm only and features a unique, monochromatic look. A non-chronograph edition was later launched (Ref. IW506003), this time in a Big Pilot edition measuring 46mm across.

The Mojave Desert remains true to the Pilot’s watch design DNA with its large dark brown dial, printed hour markers, and luminescent hands. Its case is in a pleasing sand color, which was achieved by combining zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides.

A soft-iron inner cage makes it highly resistant to magnetic fields, while its sand-colored rubber strap offers a harmonious look and a convenient fit on the wrist.

IWC Top Gun Woodland (2022)

Next, we have the TOP GUN Woodland, which steals attention with its green-colored exterior. Much like the previous model, the Woodland is inspired by naval aviator flight suits of TOP GUN pilots and boasts a large 44.5mm case.

Its crown, pushers, and caseback are made of black Ceratanium – IWC’s proprietary material that combines the lightness of titanium with the incomparable hardness of ceramics.

IWC Top Gun Lake Tahoe (2022)

Unlike the Woodland model, its crown, pushers, and caseback are made of stainless steel instead of ceramic. A white rubber strap and 60-meter depth rating make this timepiece splash-proof.

Both the TOP GUN Woodland and Lake Tahoe will have an annual production of 1,000 pieces.