====== IWC Big Pilot 5002 ======
The **Big Pilot Ref. 5002** is an over-sized [[pilot's watch]] produced by [[IWC]] from [[2002]] through [[2006]].

===== Overview =====
IWC created a "[[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark IX|Spezialuhr für Flieger]]" ("Special Watch for Pilots") in [[1936]] with clean black dial, large hands, and luminous numerals. Although the 36 mm case was fairly large for the time, pilots preferred an even larger dial and crown for extra visibility in the cockpit. In [[1940]], IWC responded with an official product, the prototypical "Big Pilot's watch". Created for the German Air Force, it had a massive 55 mm diameter case. The dial featured a luminous triangle at 12 flanked by two dots, plain numerals, and large luminous [[sword hands]]. Another essential element was a massive cone-shaped crown, allowing the watch to be operated while wearing gloves.

By the end of the 1990s, the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XV|Mark XV]] and [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3705|Pilot's Watch Chronograph]] had become signature models for IWC. Watch case sizes were growing rapidly, and consumers were responding to "heritage" models that recalled the past.

In [[2002]] IWC resurrected the oversized "Grosse Fliegeruhr" as the Big Pilot, Ref. 5002. It used the new [[in-house]] [[automatic]] [[IWC 5011|Cal. 5011]], which used the company's trademark [[Pellaton winding system]] and boasted a [[seven-day power reserve]]. Notable differences from the original are the smaller 46 mm case, [[central seconds]], a [[date window]] at 6 00, and a [[power reserve indicator]] at 3 00.

Limited-edition [[platinum]] versions were also created, with 499 of 500 units sold. 386 examples had a blue dial and strap, while 113 had a low-key black dial and strap. One unique aspect of the LE was the use of applied markers and numerals, a feature that carried over to the replacement Ref. 5004.

In late [[2005]], IWC updated the movement in the Big Pilot to the improved 21,600 A/h [[IWC 51110|Cal. 51110]]. These "transitional" models are similar to the Ref. 5004, which was introduced later in [[2006]].

IWC updated the movement and expanded the line in [[2006]] with the replacement [[IWC Big Pilot 5004|Big Pilot, Ref. 5004]].


<WRAP ud ud_mod>

**References:**
  * IW5002-01 (2002-2005) [[Stainless steel]] case, black dial, riveted brown leather strap
  * IW5002-02 "Platinum Blue" or "Jordan" (2002-2005) [[Platinum]] case, blue dial, riveted blue leather strap, limited to 386 pieces
  * IW5002-03 "Platinum Black" (2002-2005) [[Platinum]] case, black dial, riveted black leather strap, limited to 113 pieces

**Movement: **
  * [[Automatic winding]] calibre [[IWC 5011|Cal. 5011]] (late examples with [[IWC 51110|Cal. 51110]])

**Case: **
  * [[Stainless steel]], [[satinated]]
  * Ø 46.2 mm
  * Screw-down caseback in [[stainless steel]]

**Dial:**
  * [[Luminous]] applied or painted indexes (triangle at 12 o'clock)
  * Arabic numerals
  * Steel hours and minutes hand, coated with [[luminous color]]
  * Painted seconds hand

**Functions: **
  * Hours, minutes, [[central seconds]]
  * [[Power reserve indicator]] at 3 00
  * Date window at 6 00

**Bracelet: **
  * Leather strap

**Production: **
  * Production [[2002]] - [[2006]]
  * Predecessor [[IWC Big Pilot's Watch]]
  * Successor [[IWC Big Pilot 5004]]
</WRAP>
===== Watch video =====
  * [[IWC Big Pilot's Watch video]]

===== See Also =====
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch]]
  * [[IWC Big Pilot's Watch]]


{{tag>Watch_models IWC_Big_Pilot's_Watch_models}}