IntroducingIWC's TOP GUN Pilot's Chronographs Go Sky Blue With Two New 'Miramar' Models In Ceramic And Steel

IWC is back with more colorful ceramic options, which is something that always seems to get a good number of people pretty excited. On the heels of both a white and a sand-colored ceramic release in recent months, the Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar is the brand's smaller-diameter chronograph, now available in a light blue ceramic case with a matching dial and strap. The new Miramar release is inspired by the light blue t-shirts instructors wear under their flight suits at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, the original home of the US Navy's elite Strike Fighter Weapons School (TOP GUN).

If you need this to complete your collection of IWC's ceramic watches, you'd better move fast, because this 41.9mm by 15.5mm ceramic version (with closed caseback and soft-iron inner case for magnetic field protection) is limited to 1,000 pieces. For the limited edition styling, you pay a slight upcharge compared to the rest of the ceramic versions in the lineup (currently available in black, sand, and navy blue for $12,300), with a retail price of $13,500. However, in addition to developing this new color of blue with Pantone, IWC has had to spend time color-matching different materials, such as the rubber strap and metal dial, which they describe as an intense process. 

If the blue ceramic finish or the price point is too steep, or if you missed out on the 1,000-piece limited edition, a non-limited stainless steel version is also available. This model features a display caseback and measures a slightly thinner 41mm by 14.5mm, while maintaining the same 100m water resistance. That version is priced at $7,200. Both are powered by a variation of the same IWC-manufactured 69000 caliber family (calibers 69380 in ceramic and 69385 in steel), differentiated by whether they have a closed or open caseback. The automatic movements run at 4Hz with a 46-hour power reserve, displaying hours, minutes, running seconds, day, date, and featuring 30-minute and 12-hour counters for the chronograph.

If you like the idea of the blue dial but want to scale back the blue even further, the watches come on an easily changed light blue rubber strap with the EasX-CHANGE system, which allows you to mix and match other IWC straps. The watches are now available in boutiques and at select retailers.

This is another fun option for IWC, a brand that continues to build out its ceramic offerings at what feels like a record pace. Developing colored ceramics that match the exact hues the brand wants is quite challenging; AP can attest to that, as they released a bright blue Royal Oak first while perfecting their Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 color, which came later. Then there's matching the color across the dial and strap as well. In fact, this is where Pantone excels, as they help create standardized color references that can be used across multiple suppliers, where digital RGB values are of little help in the real world.

When I see new options like this, even if they're not to my taste, it reminds me to take another look at what else the brand has to offer. Other people might also feel similarly, which makes releases like this effective sales drivers—even if buyers ultimately choose a different model. Either way, I suspect the limited-edition ceramic version will be a hot commodity, despite what I think is a steep price premium.

Brand: IWC
Model: Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Miramar; Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41
Reference Number: Ref. IW389409; Ref. IW388117

Diameter: 41.9mm (ceramic), 41mm (steel)
Thickness: 15.5mm (ceramic with closed caseback), 14.5mm (steel with open caseback)
Case Material: Ceramic or stainless steel
Dial Color: TOP GUN Miramar blue
Indexes: Printed
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Light blue rubber strap with EasX-CHANGE® system

Caliber: 69380 (ceramic) and 69385 (steel)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, chronograph
Power Reserve: 46 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4Hz
Jewels: 33
Chronometer Certified: No

Price: $13,500 (ceramic); $7,200 (steel)
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: Ceramic version limited to 1,000 pieces; Steel not limited

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