After recently introducing a pilot’s watch with a fully-luminous dial and the Big Pilot perpetual in white ceramic, IWC continues to grow its aviation-inspired offerings with the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Mojave Desert. First introduced as a limited edition in 2019, the sand-coloured ceramic chronograph is now regular production and in a more wearable size of 41 mm.

Initial thoughts

One of the standouts in the Top Gun collection has been the Mojave Desert with its beige tones – definitely an unusual colour for a oversized sports watch. However, the colour was only applied to larger models to date. The reintroduction of the Mojave Desert in a more compact size, and standard production to boot, is a good thing – though probably not such a good thing for owners of the limited edition version.

The smaller case helps with wearability, making this desirable colour combination available to a wider audience. Size aside, there is no major point of difference. The same can be said for price: the new Mojave Desert chronograph retails for US$11,700, mirroring the price tag of the other ceramic chronographs in the collection.

A new size, but same style

The Mojave Desert chronograph is the latest addition to the “Colours of Top Gun” collection that draws inspiration from the US Navy’s flight school. The colour choice for this model is influenced by the Mojave Desert that surrounds the US Navy’s TOPGUN fighter pilot academy, and its pilots’ distinctive flight suits. It was previously available only as a limited edition in 2019 but with a larger 44.5 mm case.

The primary feature of the new model are the updated case dimensions, now 41.9 mm in diameter and 15.5 mm high. It is notably smaller than the base-model Pilot’s Chronograph, with the case smaller by 2.6 mm though the thickness is only marginally smaller by 0.2 mm.

The colours remain the same as the 2019 limited edition. The beige ceramic case is neatly juxtaposed against the dark brown dial, accentuated by hour and minute hands of the same shade, with the lume matching the case colour.

As with other Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun models, this has a solid case back bearing the emblem of TOPGUN. Under the back is the cal. 69380, a part of the 69000 family of movements. It’s an automatic movement with a chronograph that features a column-wheel, as well as the Pellaton pawl-based winding system that’s an IWC trademark.

Key facts and price

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Mojave Desert
Ref. IW389402

Diameter: 41.9 mm
Height: 15.5 mm
Material: Beige ceramic
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. 69380
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date and chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 46 hours

Strap: Rubber strap with pin buckle

Limited edition: No
Availability: Available at select IWC boutiques
Price: US$11,700, or 17,300 Singapore dollars

For more information, visit IWC.com.