While the trend is toward smaller case diameters, the IWC Big Pilot's Watch, with a diameter of 46.2mm, would be considered a large watch. However, don't let its size alone put you off this watch. Not only does the Big Pilot's Watch offer excellent legibility due to its size, but the quality of its exterior and the performance of its movement are also impeccable. What's more, it's surprisingly comfortable to wear.
Photographs & Text by Yuto Hosoda (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published on January 8, 2025]
Are "Big Pilot's Watches" Too Big These Days?
Published last October,"What kind of watch would you like to take with you on a trip? Top 10 travel watches selected by the editorial team of Chronos Japan"I chose IWC's Big Pilot's Watch in the article, and had the opportunity to actually wear one.
However, I must confess that I wasn't all that keen on wearing the Big Pilot's Watch... The reason I chose the Big Pilot's Watch as my travel watch is because its high legibility makes it convenient for driving. When I imagined the extraordinary experience of enjoying a domestic trip in an inconvenient classic car that doesn't even have a clock, let alone a car navigation system, I thought it would be a great companion to have a genuine pilot's watch.
In other words, while it may be said that "big is good for this type of watch," it is by no means a watch that an editor would wear on a daily basis, sitting at a desk and typing away on a keyboard while enduring back pain.
However, the bottom line is that when it comes to pilot watches, "big is good." And at least with the Big Pilot's Watch, its size doesn't get in the way in everyday life.
Excellent construction that doesn't make you feel the size
Setting aside the question of when it might be worn, the Big Pilot's Watch, a direct descendant of the aviation chronometer that IWC supplied to the German Navy from the 1930s, is a masterpiece. The satin-finished case emphasizes its tool-like feel. The large onion-shaped crown is easy to operate even while wearing gloves. The black dial and white indices create a strong contrast. And above all, the thick hour and minute hands are designed for excellent visibility, and the long seconds hand is reminiscent of its origins as an aviation chronometer.
Automatic movement (Cal. 52111). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 168 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 46.2mm, thickness 15.6mm). Water resistant to 6 bar. Price: 1,061,500 yen (tax included).
Each detail, designed with ease of use in mind, is reflected in its functional beauty, making it an iconic watch that could be called "the pilot's watch."As a self-confessed tool watch lover, I can't help but love this watch.
Now, enough of the explanation, let's try putting on the Big Pilot's Watch. The first thing I noticed when I put it on was, "Huh, it's not as big as I thought it would be." The case itself is large and thick, but the watch's low center of gravity and large footprint on the wrist make it fit comfortably. Perhaps it's also because the case back is solid. At least on my wrist, which is 17.5cm in circumference, the watch didn't shake around much or feel uncomfortably heavy.
Also, without fear of being misunderstood, the Big Pilot's Watch is a watch that does not visually convey its size. The monotone dial color, which was designed for high visibility, gives an overall impression of compactness, and the minute and second hands clearly reach the indexes that are placed all around the outer edge of the dial.
When a general-purpose movement in the 20mm range is fitted to a large case in the late 40mm range, the design tends to be stretched out due to the length of the hands, the position of the date, etc. However, the Cal. 52111 used in the Big Pilot's Watch has a movement diameter of 38.2mm.
This allows the date window to be placed in an appropriate position, and the large torque generated by the twin barrels, which take full advantage of the large diameter movement, makes it possible to equip the watch with three thick, long hands. It also features a seven-day power reserve indicator at the 3 o'clock position. There's absolutely no sense of sluggishness that can be found in larger diameter models.
"Maybe a Big Pilot's Watch would be good for everyday use?" The thought suddenly crossed my mind. But there was still a part of me that couldn't believe it. "Surely it's not suitable for desk work, is it?"
No problem even when used for desk work
Big pilot's watches are surprisingly comfortable on the wrist and seem like they could be used in everyday life without any issues. However, they're not ideal for desk work. Generally, these types of watches have thick straps to support the large head, and the buckles tend to be thick to accommodate them. This means they often hit the desk when typing.
However, this was a complete miscalculation. The strap of the Big Pilot's Watch is slightly thick, but not particularly thick. The matching buckle is a simple D-buckle. It is also a very simple design, with a pin protruding from the buckle inserted into a hole in the strap to secure it in place. This means that it can be used without removing it, even when typing on a keyboard.
As an aside, the reason the strap and buckle are simple is probably because, as mentioned above, the head is designed to fit comfortably on the arm. In fact, I didn't have any particular issues with the strap, even with this volume.
However, due to the way the D-buckle is fastened, it often comes off unexpectedly when putting on or taking off the watch. This is the only point that I felt needed improvement during my impressions of this watch.
Of course, the Pellaton automatic movement, which IWC has carefully perfected, kept winding even during desk work. Since I wore it almost every day, the power reserve indicator always seemed to point to "7."
This is where we need to reconsider: aren't Big Pilot's Watches the best not only for travel but also for everyday use?
High-quality construction that you'll want to use every day
Now that I've reconsidered and amended my opinion, I can see that the Big Pilot's Watch is truly an excellent watch. As mentioned at the beginning, it offers excellent legibility and easy crown operation, and its ample power reserve of approximately seven days is a reassuring feature for enthusiasts who own multiple watches in their collections.
Furthermore, as previously reported in an impression article in Chronos Japan by Editor-in-Chief Masamasa Hirota (March 2009 issue), which showed that the watch achieved a high accuracy of +2.9 seconds per day over 10 days, the watch's stability in accuracy is outstanding, as it is based on an aviation chronometer and uses a large-diameter movement. If the time had to be adjusted too frequently, the long power reserve would be half as appealing. The long power reserve of approximately 7 days is what really shines with this accuracy. (At the time, it was equipped with the Cal. 51111, which vibrates at 21,600 vibrations per hour.)
Needless to say, the quality of the case is of a high standard. The satin finish emphasizes the tool watch feel, while the polished edges give the case a sense of definition and luxury. The sharp edges are also a point that I personally highly appreciate.
Of course, as a pilot's watch, it also had extremely high visibility in the dark. The luminous paint is applied only to the hour and minute hands and four indexes (at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock), but this actually makes it easier to read the time. The presence of the long, thick hour and minute hands, which are completely coated with luminous paint, is particularly impressive.
After wearing it, I was so impressed by the high level of perfection and the fact that the parts I thought would be a drawback were completely unnoticeable, that I ended up loving this Big Pilot's Watch to the point that I would call it the perfect watch. I must apologize for this completely, and I must say it loud and clear: "A Big Pilot's Watch has to be big, after all."
It's worth picking up even if you don't like it.
It's true that the size of the watch will depend on the wearer's wrist size and personal preference, but if you're someone who's been put off by the sheer size alone, I urge you to try out the 46.2mm Big Pilot's Watch.
In fact, it may actually fit your arm surprisingly well.
