IWC Pilot's Watch Hand Wound Reference 3254

Pilots watch. In 2008, on the occasion of its 140th anniversary, Swiss watchmaker IWC took six iconic models from the company’s past and updated them as contemporary reinterpretations. One of the watches recreated was a pilots watch, with the contemporary model being named Pilot's Watch Hand Wound Referrence 3254.

Picture from European Watch Co.and is used with their permission.
 No republication of the same should be made without permission
 from the source.

In the early days of flying were used a navigation and precise timepieces were not secondary or back-up tools as they are today, but primary tools used as navigation aids. Pilots watches contend with strong vibrations, wildly fluctuating temperatures, magnetic fields and had to provide excellent legibility even in adverse or darkened conditions. Pilots needed precise, robust wristwatches that would satisfy these requirements. In 1936, IWC launched its first “IWC Special Pilot’s Watch”. With a black dial and luminescent hands and numerals, the watch drew unmistakably on highly legible navigating instruments and established the cockpit-style design that has become a standard feature of classical pilot’s watches. 

Pilot's Watch Hand Wound Reference 3254. The Pilot's Watch Hand Wound Referrence 3254 is a large 44mm watch with seconds displayed in a sub-dial at the 6-o'clock. a rotating bezel linked to a luminescent arrowhead index for measuring periods of time of up to twelve hours. The rotating bezel with its luminescent arrowhead index helped pilots to set their maximum flying time (in the same way rotating bezels are used in divers watches to indicate acceptable dive time). 

Picture from European Watch Co.and is used with their permission.
 No republication of the same should be made without permission
 from the source.

Inside is a hand wound IWC 98300 movement which produces 18,000 vibrations per hour and has a 46 hour power reserve. The case can be had in Stainless Steel, White Gold, Rose Gold or Platinum with a matching leather strap. The case is rated as water resistant to 60 meters. 

About IWC. IWC or the the "International Watch Co. Schaffhausen" was founded by an American engineer from Boston, Florentine Ariosto Jones, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland in the year 1868. IWC Schaffhausen is notable for being the only major Swiss watch factory located in eastern Switzerland, as the majority of the well-known Swiss watch manufacturers are located in western Switzerland.