IWC – BIG PILOT’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Buhler Platinum Edition

IWC Schaffhausen – BIG PILOT’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler Platinum Edition 2023

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN PRESENTS
RE-EDITION OF THE LEGENDARY
“MARKUS BÜHLER” BIG PILOT’S WATCH

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Schaffhausen, 2nd October 2023: IWC Schaffhausen unveils the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler. The timepiece is the long-awaited successor to the Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Markus Bühler from 2008. This time, the characteristic aircraft turbine is integrated into a flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which proved a challenge for design and manufacturing.  

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Limited to 51 pieces, this new interpretation of the “Markus Bühler” watch impresses with its polished platinum case, a glossy black dial and a black Cordovan leather strap. The IWC-manufactured 82905 calibre with blackened components is visible through the sapphire glass back.

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The Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Markus Bühler Ref. 5003 from 2008 

Probably no other timepiece from IWC Schaffhausen’s Pilot’s Watches collection has achieved such a cult status among collectors as the Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Markus Bühler from 2008. 

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It was inspired by a unique piece Markus Bühler had created for a competition in the final year of his watchmaker apprenticeship at IWC. Its most striking visual feature was the aircraft turbine on the small seconds. 

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Fifteen years later, IWC presents an exclusive new interpretation. Like its predecessor, the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler (Ref. IW329901) features a small turbine on the dial. However, the characteristic aircraft engine has been integrated into a flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock this time. 

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“When I created my Big Pilot’s Watch with a turbine as an apprentice watchmaker, I would never have imagined I would lead the development of a second edition 15  years later – let alone that I would be responsible for all assembly processes at IWC. To meet the high expectations of our collectors, we decided to create something truly exclusive and integrate the signature turbine into a tourbillon. This new edition perfectly embodies IWC’s engineering spirit while showcasing highest levels of detail and craftsmanship”, explains Markus Bühler, Associate Director of Watch and Movement Assembly at IWC Schaffhausen.

SMALL TURBINE, BIG CHALLENGE

In a tourbillon, the balance and escapement are housed in a small cage that rotates around its axis once per minute. The higher its mass and inertia, the more energy it takes to keep the mechanism in motion. Weight reduction is, therefore, the primary focus in any tourbillon construction. 

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For this reason, the turbine was machined from a lightweight titanium alloy. Due to the complex geometry and the small dimensions, the milling process alone took several hours. After machining, each of the twelve minuscule blades was polished by hand and finished to an incredibly high level of detail and aesthetic perfection. 

To avoid the turbine adding additional weight to the mechanism, Bühler used it as the upper part of the tourbillon cage, replacing the regulator. As a result, the eye-catcher on the dial also has a technical function: the hairspring attaches to the underside of one of its blades, and the watchmaker can adjust the zero crossing of the balance by turning the turbine. 

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The state-of-the-art tourbillon consists of 56 parts and weighs only 0.663 grams. The pallet lever and the escape wheel were treated with Diamond Shell® technology, a special coating that reduces friction and improves the energy flow in the movement.

PRECIOUS PLATINUM CASE AND DETAILED FINISHING

The 43-millimetre case and the crown are crafted from platinum. Platinum is amongst the rarest, purest and most precious metal used for watches and jewellery. The case has been elaborately finished by hand with polished surfaces around the bezel and the horns. Thanks to this finishing, the whitish shimmer of the platinum is accentuated beautifully, giving the timepiece a refined, sophisticated appearance. 

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The black lacquered, glossy dial has been imprinted with white numerals and features applied indices filled with Super-LumiNova®. A black Cordovan leather strap with Markus Bühler’s signature printed on the inner side complements the design. Powering this Big Pilot’s Watch 43 is the IWC-manufactured 82905 calibre. Its Pellaton winding system has been reinforced with ceramic components and builds up a power reserve of 80 hours in the mainspring. 

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The plates, bridges and the rotor, visible through the sapphire case back, were blackened with a PVD coating, then laser-engraved and finally rhodium-plated in the engraved areas.

FROM APPRENTICE WATCHMAKER TO ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

The story of the Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Markus Bühler and its re-edition is also a testament to the strength of IWC’s apprentice programme. 

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  The first edition from 2008 was initially created as an entry for a competition organised by the “Institut de Formation à la Haute Horlogerie,” in which Markus Bühler won first prize. To this day, apprentices’ competitions and events like innovation challenges are a fundamental pillar of IWC’s strategy to foster the development of young talent, create new ideas and engineer cutting-edge watchmaking solutions. 

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After finishing his apprenticeship as a watchmaker, Bühler remained loyal to IWC. Among other positions, he has been Department Manager of Industrialization and Head of Movement Assembly & Industrialization. Since 2020, he has been responsible for the entire spectrum of IWC’s assembly processes at the new Manufakturzentrum as Associate Director of Watch & Movement Assembly.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection:  BIG PILOT’s Watch 

Model BIG PILOT’s  43 Tourbillon Markus Bühler Edition 

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Ref. IW329901 - Platinum

FEATURES
Mechanical movement
– Pellaton automatic winding system
– Flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock with integrated aircraft turbine
– See-through sapphire glass back
– Glass secured against displacement caused by drops in air pressure
– Limited to 51 pieces

MOVEMENT 
Mechanical automatic movement
IWC manufacture calibre 82905
Frequency 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Tourbillon with integrated constant-force mechanism
197 Components
Jewels 25
Pellaton automatic winding
Hacking tourbillon mechanism
Flying minute tourbillon
Power reserve (80 h)
CASE
Materials Platinum case and crown
Diameter 43 mm
Height 14.6 mm
Crystal Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Water-resistance 10bar
DIAL
Black dial, rhodium-plated hands with luminescence 
Flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock
STRAP
Black Cordovan leather strap with Markus Bühler’s signature printed on the inner side complements the design
Platinum folding clasp
Strap width 22.0 mm

🔴 Price: retail price EUR 129,770  / $ 131,000 USD / CHF 125'000 💰 

🔰 Limited edition of 51 pieces


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Press releases - 2023
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IWC Schaffhausen
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CH-8201 Schaffhausen
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Fax +41 (0)52 235 75 01 ·
Mobile  +41 (0)79 957 72 52
E-mail  info@iwc.com
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PANERAI – Radiomir PAM01346 Guido Panerai & Figlio Platinumtech™ - Unique Piece

OFFICINE PANERAI – Radiomir PAM01346 Guido Panerai & Figlio Platinumtech™ 47mm Edition - Unique Piece 2023

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Panerai unveils the Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio timepiece, to be auctioned by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo.

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Panerai announces the launch of a fascinating reinterpretation of its iconic Radiomir model, the Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio, that draws inspiration from the legendary Angelus caliber found in the Ref. 3646 model from the 1960s. This collector’s timepiece will be offered for sale through a collaboration with the renowned Phillips auction house and their market leading Watch department in occasion of The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII on November 3, 2023 in Geneva, with all proceeds, including the whole Phillips’ Buyer’s Premium, benefitting Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO).

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    Our partnership with Panerai over the past two years has created heightened awareness about the ocean’s critical importance and the dire need for decisive interventions” says Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of IOC-UNESCO. “Now the synergy between Phillips, an esteemed auction house, and Panerai, a brand with a profound maritime heritage, and their generous donation will support UNESCO’s action on Ocean Literacy. Through collective action in education and empowerment of youth, UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission hope to harness innovative ocean-based solutions for a brighter and more sustainable future.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Phillips on the auction of our Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio timepiece,” says Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO of Panerai. “This exclusive timepiece embodies a significant chapter of our storied heritage, breathing life into our past through the legendary Angelus caliber and celebrating our rich history. This initiative with Phillips, and its support to the UNESCO cause, reflects our commitment to continuously push boundaries. We are thrilled to see our history and technicity celebrated and embraced.”

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Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant & Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches Europe and Middle East, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo said: “We are honored to offer this unique Panerai inspired by the brand’s beautiful vintage watches and featuring a vintage Angelus movement. We started speaking with Panerai close to two years ago and have had the pleasure of being part of each step in the creation of this timepiece and seeing it go from idea to a final physical object. For the past several years Phillips has been chosen by prestigious manufactures to auction prototypes and unique pieces that mark the history of contemporary watchmaking, and this unique Panerai is such a timepiece.”

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In the sixties, while it was the supplier of the Italian Navy, Panerai created the self-luminous Radiomir watch Ref. 3646, which would later become known as one of its most iconic models, the Radiomir. A transitional model, the Ref. 3646 featured elements that would come to define the Panerai aesthetic. Notably, the modified wire lugs that were replaced with robust lugs, meticulously welded to the case, represent a true transformation of the historic 47mm case of Ref. 3646 made in Florence at the time.

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  Modified ref. 3646, mid 1960s.

Although this timepiece was powered by 16-line mechanical caliber, Panerai made the decision to adopt, starting from the GPF 2/56 model - The Egyptian 1956 - a caliber that ensured a lower frequency of recharges that favored a longer lifespan of the waterresistance standard. This caliber was the Angelus SF 240. 

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 With its 8-day power reserve, the manual-wind Angelus 240 movement allowed the watch to run continuously without the need for winding for a duration of 8-days. Another creation ahead of its time is the transparent case back that offers a clear view of the watch’s mechanical heartbeat. It was a daring choice made by none other than Giuseppe Panerai himself, with the sole purpose of showcasing the movement’s impressive long power reserve.

 Giuseppe Panerai

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The historical Angelus caliber, discovered in the Panerai archives, prompted the Maison to create the unrepeatable one-of-a-kind Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio, named in honor of the first model produced in the original Panerai Laboratory. 

 

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At the heart of this unique timepiece lies a very rare historical example of the Angelus SF240 movement, with a Glucydur® balance wheel, the very same deployed in Panerai’s watches 62 years ago. A caliber, specifically built for G. Paneraie Figlio, whose manufacturing dates back to June 1961 as evidenced by the original engraving on the movement’s plate.

 

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 More than just a simple reproduction of the original, the exclusive timepiece is a celebration of Panerai heritage and history. Key features of this special edition watch include solid welded lugs, a sandwich dial, the Marina Militare logo, Officine Panerai inscription, goldcolour hands, small seconds at the 9-hour mark, and a domed sapphire crystal.

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These particularities stand out as they are inspired by the form and aesthetics of the transitional model Ref. 3646, an important milestone of Panerai’s continuous innovation in improving its instruments to meet the ever-changing needs of the military. The 47mm case is crafted from Panerai Platinumtech™, a Panerai material created to maintain platinum’s deep luster that is harder and significantly more resistant to scratching than traditional platinum.

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The Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio also comes with made-in-Italy calf straps with Swiss-made screw trapezoidal white gold buckle. The second strap features a vintage construction that is longer in size with no taper and is crafted by Cuoierie Meccaniche Brelli, the original leather strap maker for the historical Officine Panerai. Adding a touch of versatility and a nod to historical authenticity, the timepiece comes with two case backs, one in modern see-through sapphire crystal and a second one in Plexiglas®, available upon request, as a homage to the original material.  

 

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This unique timepiece is presented in a packaging inspired by historic Panerai boxes, featuring a Radica wood exterior and an internal tray lined with black Alcantara. The box includes a storage space for the second vintage strap.

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The box set that contains the heir to the Ref. 3646 “Modificata” is strongly inspired by that of the first Special Edition, the famous PAM21 Radiomir 47mm. Famous reference born in autumn 1997, with platinum case and historic movement from the late 1930s.

Panerai is partnering with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) since 2021 to develop ocean literacy activities as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The collaboration between IOC-UNESCO and Panerai focus on developing a program of work around ocean literacy to ensure that citizens, stakeholders, and institutions understand their interaction with the ocean and can use this knowledge to develop transformative solutions toward building a more sustainable and equitable society.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Name: Panerai Radiomir Guido Panerai & Figlio

Availability: Lot 24 in Unique piece for Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII  

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Reference: PAM01346

Case
Material: Panerai Platinumtech™
Diameter: 47mm
Panerai Platinumtech™ bezel
Glass: Sapphire crystal
See through sapphire crystal and Platinum caseback
Water-resistant to 50 meters (5 bar)
Dial and hands
Black Sandwich dial with historical numbers 3/6/9/12 and indexes with SLN beige, white texts engraved at 6 and 12
Movement
    Hand-wound mechanical, SF240 calibre, created by Angelus
    Diameter: 16 ¼ lignes
    Thickness: 7 mm
    Glucydur® balance
    Frequency: 18'000 vph (2.5 Hz)
    Incabloc® anti-shock device. One barrels.
    Power reserve of 8 days
Functions/Indications
Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds
Strap and buckle
Vintage oiled brown calf strap 27/22, BA.
White gold buckle.

🔰Edition Unique piece for Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII👉 Phillips Website

🔴 Price :  Estimate of CHF 60,000 - 180,000 💰

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Press release - 2023
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