There is perhaps no more versatile complication than the chronograph.
From race cars to rocket ships, boats to battlefields, you are likely to find a chronograph being employed to measure a plethora of tasks and times. From the Greek khrónos (“time”) and gráphō (“to write”), a chronograph is a watch that has the ability to record time, generally via the addition of small sub-counters that register minutes and hours.
And what better use for a chronograph than within the confines of a pilot’s watch? IWC makes some of the finest pilot’s watches in the world, with a history stretching back to the early decades of the 20th century. Indeed, its contemporary takes on classic military aviator’s timepieces are so embedded in the horological zeitgeist, that chances are when someone says ‘pilot’s watch,’ it’s an IWC that comes to mind.
Since its introduction, ceramic cases have been used extensively by IWC and other manufactures, starting with the Reference 3705 in the 1990s. Recently, it has expanded within the lineup with new and clever iterations being released every so often — most of which fall within the Top Gun collection.
This particular piece, a Reference IW389404, is dubbed the "Oceana" for its brand new, all-blue construction, inspired by the uniforms of Navy Pilots.
This 41.9mm Pilot’s Chronograph features a blue ceramic case with a matching blue rubber strap with a blue 'denim' outer side and a signed steel pin buckle. Inside it has a luminous matte blue dial with printed 'Arabic' indices and a triple-register chronograph layout with a day/date at 3:00, a matching handset, and a signed steel crown with matching steel pump pushers.
With low production and a unique color-way, this Pilot's Chronograph is as functional as ever, this large tool watch by an industry leader in utilitarian timepieces is perfect for the outdoorsy type who wants a timing instrument that can stand up to hard use.
When you hear the term ‘pilot’s watch,’ there’s a healthy chance that what comes to mind is a timepiece from the International Watch Company.
