IWC Pilot Chronograph 41 Top Gun Miramar

You’ve already seen the Beige Mojave Desert, the white lake Tahoe, the green forest, the dark blue Oceana, and Jet Blackfly. Now, it’s time for another top gun inspired colour. The IWC Pilot Chronograph 41 Top Gun Miramar is a limited edition of 1,000 watches each, and is a blue ceramic case in each color. The matte dial and rubber straps are in the same sky blue tint, perfectly matching the blue shirt that the top gun instructor wears under the flight suit. Another newer model is the unlimited pilot’s watch chronograph 41. This comes with a steel case and comes with the same light blue dial and strap as the non-alloy version. This more sturdy version can be thought of as ungrounded (a completely wrong term) which is the reliable wingman of LE.

The inspiration that IWC has gained from Top Gun doesn’t seem to be over. The same is true of how you write that. It appears that “Topgun” is the official method. Still, it is the nickname for what began as a weapons school for US Navy fighters and therefore does not play according to the rules. Recently, the program that will make Elite Fighter pilots even better is called the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactical Instructor Program, located in Fallon, the Nevada Naval Aviation Administration. Known from the 1986 film, Top Gun is located at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in California, and describes beach volleyball. IWC uses “Top Gun” in all capitals, like in the film, but writes “Top Gun” because he doesn’t like non-good/non-neuristicism in every cap of Fratero. It’s not getting in the way, so let’s find out why light blue is the color of top gun/top gun/top gun.

IWC Pilot Watch Chronograph 41 Light Blue Ceramic Top Gun Miramar

Since introducing IWC-themed pilot watches, the Schaffhausen-based brand has assembled an impressive squadron of Top Gun Timing Instruments, a group of diverse watches of very different characters. Watches range from black to white and everything in between. Well, almost everything. Light blue is a new colour. Pilot’s watch chronograph 41 top gun miramar ref. The IW389409 (€14,100/us $13,500/£11,100) is a surprise with the 41.9 x 15.5mm ceramic case, complemented by the same fresh coloured waterproof rubber strap as the dial. The big blue hands on the watch received many Super Luminova to make it easier to read in low light conditions.

Also new is the unlimited pilot watch chronograph 41 ref. IW388117 (€7,800/US$7,200/£5,900). This watch is strongly similar to the LE, but has a smaller 41 x 14.5mm stainless steel case, with some differences in detail. It has a see-through case back, featuring a more common rhodium-plated case instead of blue hands. Of course, these hands are still filled with Super Luminova.

IW388117

Pantone dial

Like before, IWC worked with color specialist Pantone to create the sky blue tint. Until now, different Pantone colors were exclusively for ceramic models. But now, such colours are heading towards steel clocks. But where does the colour come from? Is it sky above Miramar in California, or is it the Pacific water that you can dive in after a beach volleyball game? No, the light blue and straps on the dial are inspired by the T-shirt. Of course, not just t-shirts, but also top gun instructors wear it under their flight suits.

I’ve never noticed or heard of these light blue t-shirts so I did some research. I came across the story on Skiesmag, “Inside the Real Topgun Fighter School.” Jamie Hunter wrote the story and photographed the fantastic action that came with it. One of the photos shows two instructors walking towards the flight line from the unexplained Top Gun Building. And in fact, under each pilot’s flight suit, you can see a light blue T-shirt.

Image: Jamie Hunter’s photo

Shared power

Both top gun-inspired chronographs feature the same automatic 4Hz caliber 69380. This column wheeled chronograph movement has a 46-hour power reserve, daily functionality, and a vertical subdial layout that has elapsed at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. As mentioned before, the stainless steel model has a display case back that gives you a glimpse into the movement. However, the ceramics feature a titanium case with a highly recognizable logo engraving for the flight school. Another thing worth mentioning is the 10 bar water resistant, both on the watch and the rubber strap with IWC’s Easx-change system.

IW388117

IW389409

Leave your thoughts on both light blue watches in the comments section. I will leave your own final comment. The matte light blue dial appears to be excellent when paired with a brushed steel case, and functionally “out” various models of the pilot’s watch with a colorful sunray finish dial.

View specifications