After an 8-year engineering journey, the brands new engineering division, "IWC
Experimental", has now succeeded in pushing the limits of what is physically
possible in protecting the movement of a mechanical watch against shocks. The
Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL (Ref. IW357201) is the first IWC watch to
feature the patented SPRIN-g PROTECT system. At the heart of this system is a
cantilever spring that protects the movement against the g-forces generated by
impacts. It cushions the movement, allowing it to keep moving independently of
the case before bringing it to a stop more gently. The spring has been
designed with a perfect form to evenly spread the stress across its length and
width. Solving this challenge required advanced simulation tools and a
painstaking design process. A key factor is also the choice of an advanced
Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG) as a material. The sophisticated manufacturing
process gives BMG an amorphous microstructure, with the result that it is
significantly more elastic than conventional metals. An ultra-lightweight
titanium casing ring further reduces the mass that the shock absorber must
hold. Another innovation is a unique crown system with a winding stem that
allows the movement to displace independently of the case. The IWC-
manufactured 32115 calibre used for this watch is a custom-made lightweight
construction. Several of its components are made from a high-tech aluminum
alloy also used in the aerospace sector, which is light and extremely rigid at
the same time. The bidirectional pawl winding system builds up a power reserve
of 120 hours. To put the SPRIN-g PROTECT system through its paces under the
most realistic conditions, IWC collaborated with the Fracture & Shock Physics
group at the Cavendish Laboratory of Cambridge University in England, U.K. The
scientists used laser-based measurement methods and high-speed video recording
to analyze the effects that impacts show on the movement. During these impact
tests, protected movements have survived the extreme forces from accelerations
in excess of 30,000 g. To put this in perspective, if a pilot accidentally
hits his watch against a hard surface in the cockpit, accelerations are in the
range of 300 to 1000 g. The powerful case geometry takes the iconic shape of
the Big Pilot's Watch design to a completely new level by adding a futuristic
surface treatment and details throughout the entire watch exterior. The case
is made of Ceratanium®, an IWC-developed material based on a proprietary
titanium alloy. It is as light and robust as titanium but similarly hard and
scratch-proof like ceramic. The stealthy black design is complemented with a
black dial, a technical anti-reflective coating on the front glass, and a
black rubber strap with leather inlay. Due to the complexity of the
manufacturing process, the annual production of the Big Pilot's Watch Shock
Absorber XPL will be limited to 10 pieces.
