When my interest in mechanical chronographs started somewhere in the late 1990’s, the IWC Pilot Chronograph was quickly identified by myself as one of the nicer chronographs on the market (for me). At the time, the watch came either on a leather strap or on the nicely finished stainless steel bracelet. IWC used a nicely finished ETA/Valjoux 7750 work-horse movement for that model and the dial had that typical 7750 lay-out, sub dials on 12, 9 and 6 o’clock. It was their 39mm reference 3706 model, long-time out of production now. It was followed-up by a 42mm version (reference 3717) with small red seconds hand on 9 o’clock. Today it is a 43mm version (reference 3777) with the typical 3 date aperture frame on 3 o’clock but still very close to its pre-decessors. IWC decided to expand their collection of IWC Pilot Chronograph watches at some point, with special series like the Spitfire edition, Le Petit Prince edition, Antoine de Saint Exupéry edition and the watch I am reviewing today for you, the Top Gun with ceramic case. There are actually two ceramic Top Gun models, this one in full black as well as the Miramar edition with its anthracite dial and more ‘military’ look.
Review IWC Pilot Chronograph Top Gun Hands-On
