View source for IWC Pilot's Watch Top Gun Chronograph 3891

The '''Pilot's Watch Top Gun Chronograph''' (Ref. 3891) is a [[pilot's watch]] [[automatic chronograph]] produced by [[IWC]] since [[2019]].

==Overview==
The legendary [[IWC Mark XI]] aviator's watch was a "cult watch". Produced from [[1948]] until the early eighties, the Mark XI was never available to the public. Sensing an opportunity in the 1990s, IWC introduced a civilian version in [[1993]], the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XII|Mark XII]]. But this was not the first civilian "flieger" from IWC. In [[1988]] the company introduced the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz|Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz]] model, with a [[IWC Pilot's Watch Doppelchronograph|Doppelchronograph]] added in [[1992]]. In [[2007]], IWC launched the blacked-out [[IWC Top Gun]] line with a version of the famous Double Chronograph in black [[ceramic]].

The [[IWC Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph|Top Gun Double Chronograph Ref. 3799]] was replaced in [[2012]] by the [[IWC Pilot's Watch Top Gun Chronograph 3880|Ref. 3880]]. This new model boasted an [[in-house]] [[flyback]] movement, [[IWC 89365|Cal. 89365]], with two registers. This was updated in [[2016]] with a smaller case as [[IWC Pilot's Watch Top Gun Chronograph 3890|Ref. 3890]]. The in-house [[flyback]] movement was quite expensive, however, pushing the cost of these watches over Euro 12,000.

IWC responded by developing a new [[in-house]] movement based on the basic architecture of their familiar [[Valjoux 7750]]-based [[IWC 7900|Cal. 7900]] family. Everything was re-worked, however, with a [[column wheel]] for smooth operation and [[small seconds]] relocated to 6:00. The result, [[IWC 69380|Cal. 69380]] is an in-house movement that is cheaper and smaller than [[IWC 89361|Cal. 89361]] but more advanced than [[IWC 79320|Cal. 79320]]. This same movement is also used in the new [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire|Chronograph Spitfire]], launched at the same time.

The Top Gun Chronograph has the familiar [[IWC Top Gun]] styling cues: A black [[ceramic]] case is complemented by [[titanium]] pushers, crown, and case back. The dial is black with white lettering, with the red running seconds hand adding a splash of color and movement. The new watch is priced under Euro 8,500.

The grey and green Miramar version of the Top Gun Chronograph went out of production three years before and was not replaced. Instead, a new '''Mojave Desert''' edition (limited to 500 unites) is added. This featured a brown ceramic case and matte brown dial with beige numerals and strap.

{{UD|
'''References:'''
:IW3891-01: (2019-present) [[Ceramic]] black case, black dial with white markings, black textile strap
:IW3891-03: (2019) [[Ceramic]] tan case, brown dial with beige markings, tan textile strap, limited edition of 500 pieces

'''Movement:''' 
:[[Automatic chronograph]] calibre [[IWC 69380|Cal. 69380]]

'''Case:''' 
:[[Ceramic]] and [[titanium]]
:Ø 44.5 mm
:H 15.7 mm

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

'''Functions:''' 
:Hours, minutes
:[[Chronograph seconds]] hand
:[[Day]] and [[date]] window at 3:00
:[[Small seconds]] at 6:00
:[[Chronograph hours]] at 9:00
:[[Chronograph minutes|Chronograph 30 minute counter]] at 12:00

'''Bracelet:''' 
:Textile strap

'''Production:''' 
:Production: [[2019]] - Present
:Predecessor: [[IWC Pilot's Watch Top Gun Chronograph 3890]]
}}

==See Also==
* [[IWC Pilot's Watch]]
* [[IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph]]
* [[IWC Pilot's Watch Top Gun]]

[[Category:Watch models]]
[[Category:IWC Pilot's Watch models|Chronograph 3891]]
[[Category:IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph models|3891]]