The Swiss masters of time at IWC Schaffhausen have added two ceramic watches to their iconic lineup. Sculpted from ceramic and inspired by the legendary U.S Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), the designs take center stage at the newest activation in our GATEZERO shop in the Zurich airport.
The drop hinges on two signature timepieces: The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert” and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN. The “Mojave Desert” edition is one of IWC’s newest designs and premiered at 2021’s digital Watches & Wonders exhibition. Representing the first usage of sand-colored ceramic in a Big Pilot’s Watch for IWC, it takes its inspiration from the arid climes of China Lake, a U.S Naval landholding in the Western Mojave Desert. The model features a subdued, dark brown dial with luminescence and sand-colored hands and a beige rubber strap with textile inlays. The connection between the watch and its geographic inspiration is evident in the timepiece’s earth tones and the technologies implemented.
The special Perpetual Calendar Edition puts to use the ingenious mechanical program first developed in the ‘80s by IWC’s former head watchmaker Kurt Klaus. The mechanism automatically recognizes different months and leap years and correctly depicts the moon phase for both hemispheres. It only requires an adjustment after a cool 577.5 years. Production of this watch is limited to only 150 pieces per year.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN, first introduced in 2019, is also crafted from ceramic with a 69380 caliber IWC-manufactured movement. Featuring both a chronograph function and a display for the day and date, it incorporates the legendary TOP GUN logo engraved on its case back.
A central mission of GATEZERO is to uplift and amplify Swiss brands, so it only makes sense that IWC be our newest protagonist. IWC will take over the central space of the store with an installation that pays homage to the brand's rich history while also celebrating one of the newest additions to its catalog.
For its installation in the GATEZERO store, Highsnobiety and IWC are teaming up to create an experience that evokes the landscape represented by its new Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert”. The accompanying campaign video and photoshoot will draw inspiration from China Lake and IWC’s storied history as a watchmaker spanning centuries. The in-store product display will feature IWC’s timepieces as well as a video and sculptural installation that takes you right from the Zurich airport and drops you off in the Mojave Desert, no travel necessary.
Learn more about IWC here and head to the online hub for all things GATEZERO.
