By Meor Amri Meor Ayob
IWC has been very active refreshing its key watch model lines with new revitalizing designs over the last couple of years. For 2016, new models for the Aquatimer line were added (click here to view the article I wrote on IWC’s new Aquatimer dive watches). This year, IWC will also be putting its effort to renew its famous pilot watch line.
In this article, I will only be focusing on the Pilot Watch Automatic 36 Reference 3240, the smallest 3-hand edition of the Pilot’s collection.
The dial arrangement is traditional with three hands. Unlike the typical all black dial, IWC opted for a sunray-brushed dial which makes it look lighter than black. The primary marker scale is located in a slightly recessed circle at the edge of the dial with the required Arabic numerals beside the hour markers. Apart from the brand name and the required “SWISS MADE” text, the word “AUTOMATIC” is permanently printed on the middle of the southern half of the dial.
As the name suggest, this watch has a diameter of just 36 mm with a thickness of 10.5 mm thick. For a pilot watch, such size does appear to be on the “tiny” side. However, from a consumer perspective, such sizes are demanded since a good proportion of people are more comfortable with watches that do not dominate their wrists. By catering to this category of consumers, IWC also opens up the possibility of appealing to female buyers.
Despite its size, it is still fully antimagnetic, with a soft iron inner case and dial. It also comes with a date function located in an aperture at the 3 o’clock position.
The watch is water resistant to 60 meters or 6 bars. The standard cap crown is a screwed down crown.
The movement powering the watch is a Sellita based design designated as IWC caliber 35111. Operating at 4 Hertz or 28,800 vph, it is an automatic movement with seconds hand stop. The main power springs has a 42-hour power reserve.
Buyers will have the option of either a bracelet, or a Santoni leather strap. The starting price for the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch 36 mm will be USD3,950.
I must admit that I am one of the consumers that would like to see a smaller IWC pilot watch. To me, a pilot watch is closer to a dress watch instead of a tool watch. As such, size is a fundamental criterion when buying watches. I believe this new model will be well accepted by the market. Coupled with a price that is not too exorbitant, I won’t be surprised that I’ll get one when it becomes available. For more info, please visit iwc.com
MEOR AMRI MEOR AYOB – CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Meor Amri is a passionate watch collector from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Having bitten by the horology bug in 2010, he has written extensively about the watch scene and has assembled a large collection of watches (excessively!!!) on his own free time. His blogs on the same subject are: Eastern Watch & Western Watch Read his articles here
