Turbine plus tourbillon.
One of IWC's more surprising models was a Big Pilot's Watch with two turbines unveiled in 2008 by Markus Bühler — a former carpenter who decided on a career change to become a watchmaker when he was almost thirty. At 28 years of age, Bühler became a watchmaker's apprentice at IWC.
It was in this role that he participated in the Prix IFHH de l’Horlogerie, a competition organized by the Richemont group's Institut de Formation à la Haute Horlogerie (IFHH). This tourbillon model with the barrel on its caseback side secured Bühler's victory in the competition. The specific challenge that was put to contestants was to open up a view of the barrel's mainspring.
Drawing on the connection between IWC's collection and the B-Uhr Big Pilot's Watch", Bühler decided to pair the watch engine with an aircraft turbine. The model made as the competition entry defined the look of the subsequent twelve-piece Big Pilot's Watch “Markus Bühler” Edition in 2008.
The watch was equipped with a simple Unitas movement and given an extra aircraft-style turbine. It was used to indicate the seconds on the dial. The watch wasn't an instant sensation, but would later become collector's bait.
Markus Bühler has since moved up the career ladder to become IWC’s Associate Director of Watch & Movement Assembly, and this year he's back with a re-edition of his famous watch. In his own words, Bühler decided to elevate the new version of his Big Pilot's Watch with turbines to showcase "the highest levels of detail and craftsmanship”.
What's changed? There’s only one turbine left — the one on the dial. But now it's been combined with a tourbillon. The classic case measuring 43 mm in diameter has been made of platinum for 2023. The transparent caseback opens up a view of the new movement.
The manually wound Unitas is a thing of the past. Time is now controlled by an automatic IWC 82905 caliber with a Pellaton winding system and an 80-hour power reserve. The plates, bridges and rotor have given a black PVD-coating to create a more impactful look.
The impressive novelty can be seen as proof of a self-made man's achievements — a model, limited f 51 pieces, that has grown with its creator’s career.