This Summer’s Buzziest Watch Brand Just Knocked It Out of the Park Again

IWC has been having one hot summer.

The Schaffhausen-based brand generated a ton of buzz through its involvement with the blockbuster F1 movie to kick off the season. IWC functioned as a sponsor of the movie’s fictional APX GP Formula One team and subsequently released several tie-in watches worn throughout the film.

Most notable of all, the brand collaborated with Brad Pitt on a custom vintage Ingenieur that’s worn throughout the film by his character, Sonny Hayes. IWC then launched a modernized version of the watch as part of its stellar modern Ingenieur line to great acclaim.

But as it turns out, Hot Girl IWC summer is just heating up, as the brand has just launched a new Top Gun color as part of its ongoing partnership with Pantone.

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Feeling Blue

For the past three years, IWC has been working with the custodians of color at Pantone to create original hues to use in its Top Gun line of pilot’s watches.

The series of colorful tool watches began in 2022 with the launch of white Lake Tahoe and green Woodland ceramic Pilot’s Watch Chronographs, both inspired by training grounds for U.S. Navy Top Gun pilots. The collection soon continued with the sand-colored Mojave Desert editions, followed by the dark-blue Oceana in 2023, the latter of which was inspired by the Navy’s blue overalls.

IWC

The latest custom Pantone color, announced today, is Miramar. Like Oceana, it’s based on a Navy-specific clothing item. In this case, the light-blue t-shirts worn by Top Gun instructors under their flight suits. The color’s inspiration may be a deep cut, but the end result sure is a pretty color.

To start, IWC has launched the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar with a dial, ceramic case and EasX-CHANGE rubber strap all in the same light-blue shade. Ceramic pilot’s chronographs are the backbone of this line, so this release isn’t too surprising. What is surprising is the watch debuting alongside it.

IWC

IWC has also released the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 in Miramar, marking the first time one of the brand’s normally Top Gun-specific colorways has been available in a stainless steel watch. The watch’s dial and strap are the same as on the ceramic version, but thanks to its stainless steel case, it costs significantly less.

The movements used in the two watches are also slightly different, though both are from IWC’s in-house Cal. 69000 family. The steel version uses the Cal. 69385, while the ceramic version houses the Cal. 69380. Both movements have the same number of parts and jewels, the same functions and the same 46-hour power reserve, so I’m assuming the only difference is in their finishing. The steel model has a display caseback, requiring fancier finishing, while the ceramic watch has a closed titanium caseback with a Top Gun engraving.

IWC

Pricing and Availability

It remains to be seen how popular Miramar will be for IWC, but if it takes off like Lake Tahoe and Mojave Desert have, then we could soon see a number of new references sporting the attractive shade, from time-only models to perpetual calendars.

For now, the ceramic Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Miramar is limited to 1,000 pieces and is priced at $13,500. The steel model comes in far cheaper at $7,200, making it the most affordable way to get one of IWC’s Pantone Top Gun colors on your wrist.

IWC

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Miramar

Specs

Case Size	41.9mm
Movement	IWC Cal. 69380 automatic chronograph
Water Resistance	100m

• $13,500 at IWC

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