====== IWC Big Pilot 5009 ======
The **Big Pilot, Ref. 5009** is an over-sized [[pilot's watch]] produced by [[IWC]] since [[2012]].

===== 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 [[IWC Big Pilot 5002|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]]. This was refreshed in [[2006]] with the updated [[IWC 51110|Cal. 51110]] as [[IWC Big Pilot 5004|Ref. 5004]].

In [[2012]], IWC refreshed the Big Pilot once again, switching from applied markers on the hours to luminous painting for a more traditional look. A new crown improved water resistance as well, though the [[IWC 51111|Cal. 51111]] movement remained largely unchanged. The 2012 models lost the numeral "9" on the dial in the quest for balance since the "3" was already taken up by the [[power reserve indicator]].

Another big introduction was the "[[IWC Pilot's Watch Top Gun|Top Gun and Miramar]]" editions of the Big Pilot, with a 48 mm ceramic case in black or grey and modern military-inspired dial in black or green. The **Big Pilot Top Gun** and **Miramar** lasted as regular-production pieces through [[2015]], with a special limited-edition Boutique version in [[2013]]. The non-Miramar Top Gun watches had an airplane design on the base of the seconds hand.

A vast number of limited editions were created for the Ref. 5004 and this was repeated for the Ref. 5009 over its short life. In addition to [[IWC Pilot's Watch Father & Son|Father & Son]] and "Le Petit Prince" versions, a "Patrouille Suisse" edition in [[2015]] had [[IWC 51011|Cal. 51011]] with [[small seconds]] at 9 00.

In [[2016]], the line was refreshed. The most notable difference is the return of the numeral "9" on the dial, with smaller and bolder numerals. The Top Gun was also refreshed at this time, downsized to 46 mm like the standard Big Pilot, gaining a more traditional dial with the "9" and triangle below the [[chapter ring]], and losing the airplane on the seconds hand. This design had been previewed a year before in a special "Rodeo Drive Boutique" edition of the Top Gun.

The successor, [[IWC Big Pilot's Watch 5010|Big Pilot's Watch, Ref. 5009]] was quietly introduced in [[2017]]. Changes include a new crown and updated [[double barrel]] movement. Most Ref. 5009 models were phased out in [[2018]], with only Ref. IW5009-17 "Spitfire" remaining in production as of [[2019]].

<WRAP ud ud_mod>
**References:**
  * IW5009-01 (2012-2016) [[Stainless steel]] case, black dial, riveted black leather strap
  * IW5009-06 [[IWC Pilot's Watch Father & Son|Father & Son]] (2012) [[Stainless steel]] case, [[rhodium]] dial, riveted black leather strap
  * IW5009-08 "Le Petit Prince" (2014) [[Stainless steel]] case, blue dial, riveted brown leather strap, limited to 1,000 pieces
  * IW5009-09 "Le Petit Prince Ref Gold" (2014) [[Rose gold]] case, blue dial, brown leather strap, limited to 250 pieces
  * IW5009-10 "Patrouille Suisse" (2015) [[IWC 51011|Cal. 51011]], [[Stainless steel]] case, anthracite dial, black textile strap, limited to 250 pieces
  * IW5009-12 (2016-2018) [[Stainless steel]] case, black dial with "9", riveted black leather strap
  * IW5009-16 "Le Petit Prince" (2016-2018) [[Stainless steel]] case, blue dial with "9", riveted brown leather strap
  * IW5009-17 "Spitfire" (2016-present) [[Rose gold]] case, grey dial with "9", brown leather strap
  * IW5009-23 "Le Petit Prince Bradley Cooper" (2019) [[Rose gold]] case, blue dial with "9", black leather strap, unique piece
  * IW5019-01 "Top Gun" (2012-2015) 48 mm black [[ceramic]] and [[titanium]] case, black dial with white markers, black textile strap
  * IW5019-02 "Top Gun Miramar" (2012-2015) 48 mm grey [[ceramic]] and [[titanium]] case, green dial with beige markers, green textile strap
  * IW5019-03 "Top Gun Boutique" (2013) 48 mm black [[ceramic]] and [[titanium]] case, black dial with green markers, black textile strap, limited to 500 pieces
  * IW5020-01 "Top Gun" (2016-2017) 46 mm black [[ceramic]] and [[titanium]] case, black dial with white markers, black textile strap
  * IW5020-03 "Top Gun Boutique Rodeo Drive" (2015) 46 mm black [[ceramic]] and [[titanium]] case, blue dial with white markers, black textile strap, limited to 250 pieces

**Movement: **
  * [[Automatic winding]] calibre [[IWC 51111|Cal. 51111]] or [[IWC 51011|Cal. 51011]]

**Case: **
  * [[Stainless steel]], [[satinated]]
  * Ø 46.2 mm or 48 mm
  * Screw-down caseback in [[stainless steel]]

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

**Functions: **
  * Hours, minutes
  * [[Power reserve indicator]] at 3 00
  * Date window at 6 00
  * [[Small seconds]] at 9 00 or [[central seconds]]

**Bracelet: **
  * Leather strap

**Production: **
  * Production [[2012]] - Present
  * Predecessor [[IWC Big Pilot 5004]]
  * Successor [[IWC Big Pilot 5010]]
</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}}