To create this highly impressive limited edition IWC Big Pilot DFB (Deutscher Fußball-Bund / German Soccer Union, Ref. IW500432), the Swiss watchmaker has outsourced its huge automatic movement from their current "oversized" Portuguese collection. However, justifying its name, the new "aviator" is even bigger than its older siblings!
For the year 2012, the Swiss watchmaker Zenith offers the new Pilot Doublematic family that is available both in stainless steel (Ref. 03.2400.4046/21.C721, which is reviewed here) and more expensive 18-karat rose gold cases.
The 2012 hand-wound Zeno Basel Vintage Classic Chrono (Ref. 4100-i4) pilot's watch features all the usual stuff that you expect from a Valjoux 77xx-powered device. There is a chronograph, a rudimentary calendar, and an almost inevitable moonphase complication. Basically, everything that a gentleman needs in a vintage-style "aviator." Presented in a slightly oversized stainless steel body, the 4100-i4 is powered by a rare(-ish) version of the hand-wound caliber and features a somewhat eclectic, but pleasant to look at, dial. It was first unveiled during Baselworld 2012 show.
Renowned among watch enthusiasts for their huge, square-shaped pilot's watches, the Swiss watchmaker Bell & Ross has recently extended the model range with the new Bell & Ross BR 01 Horizon. Presented at Baselworld 2012 and modeled after a real navigational instrument, the new model sports the most unusual dial design.
The new Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Patrol (refs. H76556331, H76556131, and H76566751) looks like an evolution of the stealthy Khaki X-Mach Pilot that was presented almost exactly three years ago in February, 2009. The difference between the two? Well, preserving all the controls and being powered by virtually the same movement, the new version now lets you convert nautical miles into statute miles and back. And the watch has also become smaller.
The German watchmaker has recently upgraded its Terrasport line of pilot's watches with the new Muehle-Glasuette Terrasport II. Featuring the easily recognizable styling of the dial (although Muehle-Glasuette has several watches with radically different exteriors,) the timepiece is equipped with unusually thin, delicate-looking hours and minutes hands.
