====== IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire ======

{{wst>author|[[Foskett, Stephen|Stephen Foskett]] ([[https://grail-watch.com/|Grail Watch]])}}

For most of its history, [[IWC]]'s signature model has been a [[pilot's watch]]. This series began with the legendary [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark IX|Spezialuhr für Flieger (Mark IX)]] in [[1936]] and continues through many models today. The **Spitfire** name was introduced in [[2001]] on a limited-edition [[IWC Mark XV|Mark XV]] and has blossomed into a full model line today.

===== Origin of Spitfire =====
In [[1936]], IWC developed a [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark IX|"Spezialuhr für Flieger" (Special Watch for Pilots)]], with a large 36 mm case, black dial with luminescent numerals, cathedral hands, and a rotating bezel. This watch was retroactively and unofficially named "Mark IX" to differentiate it from its successor, the famous [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark X|Mark X]] created according to British Ministry of Defense specifications after World War II. IWC introduced a civilian version in [[1993]], the [[IWC Mark XII|Mark XII]], with similar styling but an automatic movement.

As the [[IWC Pilot's Watch]] range expanded, the company began producing special models. In [[2001]], a "Spitfire" version of the [[IWC Mark XV|Mark XV]] was created as a limited edition for the British market. It resembled the original Mark IX with its cathedral hands and "railroad" [[chapter ring]]. Limited to just 1,000 examples, the Spitfire was such a success that an unlimited version with [[sword hands]], a pie pan dial, and applied numerals was launched in [[2003]]. A Spitfire version of the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph|Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph]] and the [[IWC Pilot's Watch UTC|Pilot's Watch UTC]] were also produced starting in [[2003]].

When the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVI|Mark XVI]] was introduced in [[2006]], an unlimited Spitfire model was part of the lineup once again. Indeed, all models of the Mark XVI adopted the Spitfire sword hands, though only the silver-dial Spitfire included the pie pan look and applied numerals. A similar-looking [[IWC Pilot's Watch Midsize|Spitfire Midsize]] was also launched at that time, though this only lasted in production for a short time. The Doppelchronograph was retired, but a new [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3717|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire]] was launched at this time. The Spitfire UTC stayed in production for four more years, now with the "home time" arc moved from the top to the bottom of the dial.

===== Spitfire as a Model Range =====
The Spitfire name was applied to a unique model in [[2012]] with the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph|Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph, Ref. 3878]]. This two-register chronograph would set the stage for the Spitfire model range to follow, with a deep and layered dial with applied numerals and chapter ring. The Spitfire Chronograph also used a new [[in-house]] movement, IWC's [[IWC 89361|Cal. 89361]]. Like the contemporary [[IWC Mark XVII|Mark XVII]], the Spitfire Chronograph also had the controversial "triple date" window at 3 00, though a special [[IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph|Chronograph Spitfire Collectors Forum CF3]] in [[2016]] had a small date window. A more exotic model during this timeframe was the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month|Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month]].

Three Spitfire sub-models were introduced in [[2016]] The [[IWC Big Pilot 5009|Big Pilot's Watch Spitfire, Ref. 5009]], [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3777|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire, Ref. 3777]], and [[IWC Big Pilot's Watch Annual Calendar|Big Pilot's Watch Annual Calendar Spitfire, Ref. 5027]]. All three remain in the IWC catalog as of 2019, even after the Spitfire model range was introduced.

No Spitfire version of the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVII|Mark XVII]] was produced, and it was left out of the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII|Mark XVIII]] introduction as well. But all this changed at [[SIHH]] in [[2019]] when an entire Spitfire model range was launched. The line was previewed in late [[2018]] with the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner Spitfire|Timezoner Spitfire Edition "The Longest Flight"]], a dual timezone watch with a rotating bezel inscribed with the names of world cities.

These three new models featured [[in-house]] movements and differed substantially from other products. The most basic model is the 39 mm [[IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire|Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire]], which uses the new IWC [[IWC 32110|Cal. 32110]]. It is styled like classic Pilot's Watches but features signature sword hands. The next big model line is the new [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire]], with a 41.1 mm case and [[IWC 69380|Cal. 69380]] three-subdial chronograph movement.

Two limited-edition models were also introduced in [[2019]]. The [[IWC Pilot's Watch UTC Spitfire|Pilot's Watch UTC Spitfire Edition "MJ271"]], with the UTC window again above the center of the dial, and [[IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Spitfire|Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Spitfire]] both have bronze [[titanium]] cases and green dials.

===== Models =====
==== Spitfire Sub-Models ====
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XV|Pilot's Watch Mark XV Spitfire Limited, Ref. IW3253-05]] (2001-2003), limited to 1,000 pieces
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XV|Pilot's Watch Mark XV Spitfire, Ref. IW3253-11]] (2003-2005)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch UTC|Pilot's Watch Spitfire UTC, Ref. IW3271-06]] (2003-2005)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph|Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph Spitfire, Ref. IW3713-09]] (2003-2005)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVI|Pilot's Watch Spitfire Mark XVI, Ref. IW3255-02/05]] (2006-2012)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch UTC|Pilot's Watch Spitfire UTC, Ref. IW3271-10/12]] (2006-2010)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3717|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire, Ref. IW3717-02/05/12]] (2006-2012)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Midsize|Pilot's Watch Spitfire Midsize, Ref. IW3256-02/05]] (2006-2007)
  * [[IWC Big Pilot 5009|Big Pilot Spitfire, Ref. IW5009-17]] (2016-present)
  * [[IWC Big Pilot's Watch Annual Calendar|Big Pilot's Watch Annual Calendar Spitfire, Ref. IW5027-02]] (2016-present)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3777|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire, Ref. IW3777-19]] (2016-present)

==== Spitfire Model Range ====
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph|Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph, Ref. IW3878-02/03/04/09/10/11/12]] (2012-2016)
    * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Chronograph|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire Collectors Forum CF3, Ref. IW3787-08]] (2016)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month|Pilot's Watch Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month, Ref. 3791]] (2012-2016)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner Spitfire|Pilot's Watch Timezoner Spitfire, Ref. IW3955-01]] (2018), limited edition of 250 pieces
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire|Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire, Ref. IW3268-01/02/03]] (2019-present)
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch UTC Spitfire|Pilot's Watch UTC Spitfire Edition "MJ271", Ref. IW3271-01]] (2019), limited edition of 271 pieces
  * [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire, Ref. IW3879-01/02/03]] (2019-present)
  * [[IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Spitfire|Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Spitfire, Ref. IW5036-01]] (2019), limited edition of 250 pieces

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


{{tag>Watch_models IWC IWC_models IWC_Pilot's_Watch_models IWC_Pilot's_Watch_Spitfire_models}}