Big Pilots IW502635

IWC Big Pilot’s IW502635 18ct Rose Gold Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar, Boutique Edition Ltd Edition of 250. Ref: IW502635. Automatic IWC Caliber 51614 movement. Case diameter 46.2mm and 16mm height. Water resistant to 60 meters. Glucydur®* beryllium alloy balance with high-precision adjustment cam on balance arms, Breguet spring, Rotor with 18-carat gold medallion featuring an engraving of the little prince. Power reserve of 7-Days (168 hours) hours. Black dial with Arabic Numeral hour markers. Small hacking seconds, power reserve display, date display, display for day, month, year, and moonphase sequence, rotor with an 18-carat “Probus Scafusia” gold medallion. See-through sapphire-glass back. Black croc leather strap with 18ct buckle.  Box and papers dated June 2012. Service papers dated March 2022.

RRP £36,000

IWC’s Perpetual Calendar history began in 1985, when master watchmaker Kurt Klaus developed an innovative, user-friendly complication for the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Unlike traditional perpetual calendars, which required multiple adjustments, Klaus’s mechanism was fully synchronized and could be set via the crown—without needing a correction pushers.

The system accounted for leap years and moon phases, remaining accurate for over 500 years. This breakthrough made high-end watchmaking more accessible and set a new standard in the industry.

Over the years, IWC expanded the perpetual calendar feature across its collections, including the Portugieser, Big Pilot’s Watch, and Ingenieur. The brand has also introduced advancements such as double moon phase displays and digital date-month indicators.

Today, IWC’s perpetual calendar remains one of the most respected in haute horology, blending mechanical ingenuity, legibility, and timeless design, making it a favorite among collectors and connoisseurs.