IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 3777

The Pilot's Watch Chronograph (Ref. 3777) is a pilot's watch automatic chronograph produced by IWC since 2012.

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 Mark XII. But this was not the first civilian "flieger" from IWC. In 1988 the company introduced the Pilot's Watch Chronograph Mechaquartz model, with a Doppelchronograph added in 1992. The Mechaquartz was replaced by the Pilot's Watch Chronograph, Ref. 3706 in 1994, then the Ref. 3717 in 2006.

The 2012 launch of the Pilot's Watch Mark XVII spurred the release of two new Chronograph models. This Ref. 3777 continued with the ETA-based Cal. 79320 while the Ref. 3878 introduced a new in-house flyback movement, Cal. 89365. Like the Mark XVII, Ref. 3777 was moved to a larger case, now 43 mm, and had a revised dial with a "triple date" window at 3:00. This would prove a controversial addition across the IWC Pilot's Watch line and would be replaced by a conventional date window just four years later. Other changes to the Chronograph included the addition of numerals in the chapter ring at 5, 10, 20, 25, and so on, with bolder text for the hours as well. The added dial real estate allowed the addition of a red pointer at 3:00 for the "altimeter-style" date window.

The new case was 43 mm in diameter and slightly thicker at 15 mm. The lug width remained at 21 mm, so the lugs appear slightly stouter as well. The movement remains the same as before, an upgraded ETA 7750 with Triovis regulation and refinished with nickel plating to become the Cal. 79320.

The Pilot's Watch line, including the Chronograph, was updated again in 2016 to eliminate the "triple date" window. These new references remained numbered 3777, but most individual models were re-numbered. Also in this year, a Spitfire version was introduced.

References:

IW3777-01: (2012-2016) Stainless steel case, black dial with white markings, "triple date", black crocodile strap

IW3777-04: (2012-2016) Stainless steel case, black dial with white markings, "triple date", steel bracelet

IW3777-06: "Le Petit Prince" (2015) Stainless steel case, blue dial with applied white markings, "triple date", brown leather strap

IW3777-09: (2016-present) Stainless steel case, black dial with white markings, "single date", black leather strap

IW3777-10: (2016-present) Stainless steel case, black dial with white markings, "single date", steel bracelet

IW3777-13: "Antoine de Saint Exupéry" (2017-present) Stainless steel case, brown dial with white markings, "single date", brown leather strap

IW3777-14: "Le Petit Prince" (2016-present) Stainless steel case, blue dial with white markings, "single date", brown leather strap

IW3777-17: "Le Petit Prince" (2016-present) Stainless steel case, blue dial with white markings, "single date", steel bracelet

IW3777-19: "Spitfire" (2016-present) Stainless steel case, grey dial with white markings, "single date", steel bracelet

IW3777-21: "Le Petit Prince Red Gold" (2017-present) Rose gold case, blue dial with white markings, "single date", brown leather strap, limited edition of 250 pieces

IW3777-24: "Tribute to 3706" (2018) Stainless steel case, black dial with white markings, "single date", green textile strap

IW3777-25: "150 Years" (2018) Stainless steel case, white dial with black markings and blued hands, "single date", black leather strap, limited edition of 1,000 pieces

Movement:

Automatic chronograph calibre Cal. 79320

Case:

Stainless steel or ceramic

Ø 43 mm

H 15 mm

Screw-down caseback in stainless steel

Dial:

Luminous indexes (triangle at 12 o'clock)

Arabic numerals

Steel hours and minutes hand, coated with luminous color

Painted seconds hands