ReviewA Sublime Sandstorm: The IWC Top Gun ‘Mojave Desert’
A vision in beige, the IWC Top Gun Edition ‘Mojave Desert’ is a true visual treat. This Pilot’s Watch Chronograph takes sand-coloured ceramic as its foundation and really flies with it
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Among all the aviation and aviation-inspired watches that have been released in recent years, in the midst of a massive surge of the trend, one watch that really stands out from the crowd is this IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition ‘Mojave Desert’. A complete departure from the imposing silhouettes, the vintage inspirations, massive details, and sharp contrasts of most aviation watches, this is a beautiful timepiece that’s truly one of a kind.
Sophistication In Ceramic
The palette, which creates such visual harmony that it becomes undeniably soothing to look at, is realised primarily through the unique ‘sand-coloured’ ceramic that makes the 44.5mm case. This colour is created by the combination of zirconium oxide and other metallic oxides. Complementing this sublime hue is the darker brown dial that forms the perfect canvas for the hour markers, hands and other details that match the case.
The nuanced details, such as the edges on the day and date windows and the snailed finishing of the sub-dials, are the icing on the cake. Also pairing well with the case is the textile strap in the same hue. The only elements on the face of the watch that offer significant contrast are the crown and the chronograph pushers, which are more in line with the titanium caseback, engraved with the Top Gun emblem.
Professional Perfection
The gorgeous palette that this watch offers the eye is actually inspired by the colours of the uniforms worn by US Navy pilots. In fact, the eponymous Mojave Desert in California, USA, is the location of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, which is the largest area on land occupied by the US Navy. A perfect addition to the Top Gun collection of IWC’s Pilot’s Watch family, this watch is named after the US Navy’s Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor programme. The programme trains the finest US Navy pilots, equipping them with flying and tactical skills. These pilots spend prolonged periods of time on US Navy aircraft carriers, and through rigorous flying hours, are subjected to conditions such as maximum acceleration forces. And this Mojave Desert watch is built to be as robust as their other equipment, ready to withstand it all.
Inside the stunning and resilient watch—water resistant to 60m—is an IWC– manufactured self-winding chronograph movement, the calibre 69380, which can run for up to 46 hours when fully wound.
A performer through and through, this watch is an excellent addition to IWC’s Top Gun portfolio. Moreover, this timepiece is even unique enough to become a real collectible, especially given the fact that it’s a limited edition of 500 pieces.
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