====== IWC Big Pilot 5010 ======
The **Big Pilot, Ref. 5010** is an over-sized [[pilot's watch]] produced by [[IWC]] since [[2017]].

===== 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]] and again in [[2012]] as the [[IWC Big Pilot 5009|Ref. 5009]].

The Big Pilot line was quietly updated starting in [[2017]] with a new [[double barrel]] movement, [[IWC 52110|Cal. 52110]], replacing the single-barrel [[seven-day]] movement used since [[2002]]. The first glimpse of the new Ref. 5010 came on Instagram, with IWC CEO Chris Grainger-Herr wearing a one-off Ref. IW5010-07 in [[titanium]] while on safari. This was introduced as a limited edition of 100 pieces later in the year along with an unlimited "Heritage" and limited "Heritage Bronze" models, both in titanium with beige markers. The regular-production [[stainless steel]] and "Le Petit Prince" models appeared in [[2018]] as corresponding Ref. 5009 models were phased out. As in the previous two generations, a special edition with [[small seconds]] at 9 00 has also appeared. Ref. IW5010-08 was limited to 138 examples for the London IWC Boutique.


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**References:**
  * IW5010-01 (2018-present) [[Stainless steel]] case, black dial, riveted black leather strap
  * IW5010-02 "Le Petit Prince" (2018-present) [[Stainless steel]] case, blue dial, riveted brown leather strap
  * IW5010-04 "Heritage Titanium" (2017-present) [[Titanium]] case, black dial with beige markers, riveted brown leather strap
  * IW5010-05 "Heritage Bronze" (2017) [[Titanium]] bronze case, black dial with beige markers, riveted brown leather strap, limited to 1,500 pieces
  * IW5010-07 "Tribute to 5002/Safari" (2017) [[Titanium]] case, black dial with white markers, riveted brown leather strap, limited to 100 pieces
  * IW5010-08 "London Boutique" (2018) [[IWC 52010|Cal. 52010]] [[Stainless steel]] case, blue dial, blue leather strap, limited to 138 pieces

**Movement: **
  * [[Automatic winding]] [[double barrel]] calibre [[IWC 52110|Cal. 52110]] (some with [[IWC 52010|Cal. 52010]])

**Case: **
  * [[Stainless steel]], [[satinated]]
  * Ø 46.2 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 [[2017]] - Present
  * Predecessor [[IWC Big Pilot 5009]]
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===== 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}}