Three Ceramic Chronographs Make U.S. Navy Squadron Watches Finally Available For The Public

They are every collector’s dream, yet the challenges to obtaining them are daunting, a chronograph made for one of the premier squadrons of the U.S. Navy. As one of the most premier makers of pilot’s watches, IWC holds since 2018 the license to create timepieces for all U.S. Navy and Marine Corps squadrons. These unique watches are among the rarest, as a very limited number of them are made, and they are only available for those who are serving or have served at the particular squadron. Now, IWC is making the dreams of, at least some, watch collectors come true as they launch a squadron of their own, with three chronographs inspired by the collaboration with iconic squadrons.

They all three share the same dimensions and caliber. With a diameter of 44.5mm does IWC have plenty of space to create a very legible dial, despite the subdials of the chronograph. This makes it possible to read all the information on the dial in an instance, precisely what you need when flying through the sound barrier in your fighter jet. The watches are fitted with caliber 69380, a chronograph movement with a column wheel that IWC produces in-house. It is protected by a soft-iron inner case against magnetic fields, ensuring precision in high-tech environments.  The sapphire crystal not only has an anti-reflective coating on both sides but is also secured against sudden drops in air pressure, making these chronographs born to fly.

The Pilot’s Watches Chronograph Editions are dedicated to the “Royal Maces,” “Tophatters,” and “Blue Angels®”. The emblem of these squadrons is placed in the subdial for the running seconds at six o’clock. IWC further cleverly integrated the color codes of each squadron into the watch. The one for the “Royal Maces,” stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, combines a black zirconium oxide ceramic case with a caseback in grade 5 titanium. That is also the place where we find an engraving of the squadron’s F/A-18E Super Hornet jet. Yellow, the color of the “Royal Maces,” is integrated not only in the stitching of the strap and the hands but also on the day and date indication.

The chronograph for the “Tophatters” follows the same recipe, although red is the main color here, and the strap is made of black calfskin. This makes the third watch, for the “Blue Angels®,” stand out even more. This watch for the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron features a case in blue ceramic. A dial and strap in the same color complement this, making for a striking watch. A total of 500 pieces dedicated to each squadron will be made annually, ensuring that they will remain exclusive pieces, although fortunately now available without getting your wings.