IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler

IWC Schaffhausen’s Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler Limited Edition is a highly anticipated successor to the 2008 Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Markus Bühler. This exquisite timepiece integrates a unique aircraft turbine into a flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock, presenting a remarkable design challenge. Limited to just 51 pieces, this “Markus Bühler” watch boasts a polished platinum case, a sleek black dial, and a black Cordovan leather strap. The watch’s inner workings, including the IWC-manufactured 82905 caliber with blackened components, are visible through the sapphire glass case back.

The 2008 Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Markus Bühler, inspired by Markus Bühler’s watchmaking apprenticeship at IWC, gained iconic status among collectors. Now, 15 years later, IWC presents an exclusive reinterpretation with the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler (Ref. IW329901), retaining the turbine on the dial but integrating it into a flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

To achieve the desired weight reduction in the tourbillon, the turbine was crafted from a lightweight titanium alloy, requiring meticulous machining and hand polishing of its twelve tiny blades. The turbine serves a technical function as well, functioning as the upper part of the tourbillon cage, allowing adjustment of the balance’s zero crossing.

The tourbillon consists of 56 parts and weighs only 0.663 grams. Diamond Shell® technology reduces friction and enhances energy flow. The watch’s 43-millimeter platinum case and crown are meticulously finished by hand. The black lacquered dial features white numerals and Super-LumiNova®-filled applied indices. Completing the ensemble is a black Cordovan leather strap with Markus Bühler’s signature on the inner side.

Powering the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 is the IWC-manufactured 82905 caliber, featuring a Pellaton winding system reinforced with ceramic components and an 80-hour power reserve. The movement’s plates, bridges, and rotor are visible through the sapphire case back.