Out of personal preference, at this year’s Watches and Wonders, IWC unveiled the new addition to the iconic TOP GUN series, instantly capturing attention. Especially as this classic piece celebrates its 15th anniversary, and with the brand’s official IG featuring content related to Pantone, it’s even harder to resist.
Born in 2007, the TOP GUN series was inspired by the US Navy’s TOP GUN program established in 1969, which primarily simulated the characteristics and tactics of hypothetical enemy aircraft. Later, it also incorporated military training content beyond air-to-air combat, renamed as the “Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program,” and in around thirty years later in 1996, joined the Naval Aviation Warfare Development Command (NAWDC) at the Naval Air Station Fallon (NAS Fallon) in Nevada for training. It wasn’t until 2007 when IWC announced the creation of a watch series of the same name made with black zirconium oxide ceramic.
Before the watch exhibition officially opened, the brand had already revealed that this year’s focus will be on the TOP GUN series. Recently, IWC officially unveiled two new chronograph watches made of ceramic and Ceratanium ceramic titanium metal. As the highlight of this year’s Watches and Wonders, the two new 44.5mm TOP GUN models are named “Lake Tahoe” and “Woodland,” both equipped with IWC’s in-house 69380 movement.
First, introduce the former Lake Tahoe, which is derived from the frequent flights over the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOP GUN) and the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe. It references its flawless natural scenery in winter days, as well as the all-white uniforms of TOP GUN trainees. Therefore, it is made with a white ceramic case matched by Pantone, paired with a white rubber embossed strap, creating a strong contrast through the all-black dial.
The latter Woodland, inspired by naval aviators’ flight suits, uses the newly developed Woodland Green color by IWC and Pantone for the ceramic case and dial. The numbers and hour markers are in a lighter shade of green, paired with a green rubber strap with fabric lining, creating a multi-layered green effect on the watch. The buttons and crown are made of Ceratanium® (ceramicized titanium) in matte black, created by IWC after five years of research and development, combining the lightweight of titanium with the hardness and scratch resistance of ceramic.
Since 1980, IWC has been an expert in colored ceramics. This time, the two new works are made of zirconium oxide ceramics, metal oxides, and crystal powders of minerals (silicates, aluminum oxides, or silicon carbides) in different proportions. They are mixed and shaped into blocks with special materials, and finally made into materials by high-temperature firing in a furnace. In addition to ensuring the correct proportion of each material in the production process, attention must also be paid to the fact that the sintering process will evaporate some materials, causing the ceramic to shrink by about one-third in volume. Therefore, each process relies on the cooperation of the watchmaking team and constantly overcoming challenges to achieve today’s results.
In addition, both watch backs are engraved with the classic TOP GUN Naval Air Combat logo, and equipped with the IWC in-house 69380 automatic winding movement, which features a soft iron inner case to reduce the impact of magnetic fields on the movement.
Two limited edition watches are produced each year, limited to 1,000 pieces, priced at HKD 83,900 each. The edition is now available for sale at IWC boutiques, authorized retailers, and the official IWC.com website. By registering for the My IWC program, watch owners can enjoy an additional six-year extension to the standard two-year international limited warranty period. Fans and enthusiasts of IWC or the TOP GUN series, be sure to visit the store early to learn more.
資料及圖片來源：Courtesy of IWC
