IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN DEDICATES A SPECIAL EDITION TO THE "BLUE ANGELS®"
Schaffhausen, 20 November 2019 – This year, IWC Schaffhausen became an official licensee of the "Blue Angels®" U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. To mark this occasion, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer is presenting the Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "Blue Angels®" in a case made from matte black ceramic with a blue dial. The design, featuring an outer dial ring which shows only the minutes, is inspired by early military observer's watches.
In 1946, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Chester W. Nimitz had a vision to create a flight demonstration squadron in the U.S. Navy. The “Blue Angels®” U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is made up from 141 members of the Navy and Marines. In addition to spectacular solo performances, the aerobatic repertoire also involves maneuvers in the challenging delta formation of six F/A-18 Hornet jets. Every year, the “Blue Angels®” demonstrate their skills in front of approximately 11 million spectators.
SPECIAL EDITION COMMEMORATES THE BEGINNING OF THE LICENSE
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Blue Angels®” was designed in collaboration with members of the flight demonstration squadron. The sporty chronograph is housed in a case made from matte black zirconium oxide ceramic and features a blue dial. The display of the minutes on the outer ring and the hours on the inner ring of the dial is inspired by early military observer’s watches. The watch is worn on a blue calf leather strap. The crest of the “Blue Angels®” is engraved on the case back.
The IWC-manufactured calibre 89361, a precise and robust chronograph movement, shows the timed hours and minutes together on a subdial at 12 o'clock. The flyback function allows the stopwatch hands to be reset by simply pressing the reset push-button, making it possible to instantly start timing again. The automatic winding system builds up a power reserve of 68 hours. An inner cage made from soft iron protects the movement to prevent magnetic fields affecting its precision. The front glass features special protection to ensure it stays in place even if there is a sudden drop in pressure.
The Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "Blue Angels®" will be available from November 2019 in IWC boutiques and from authorised retailers.
BLUE ANGELS
The Blue Angels are the United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron. Initially formed in 1946, it is the second oldest aerobatic team in the world. Its mission is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach. Hand-picked from the fleet, the team 141 members represent over 800,000 active, reserve and civilian Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Participating in air shows and flyovers, the Blue Angels perform for more than 11 million spectators each year.
IWC Schaffhausen is the Engineer of Watchmaking. In 1868, the American watchmaker and engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones established the ‘International Watch Company’ in Schaffhausen in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. By combining the best of human craftsmanship and creativity with cutting-edge industrial technology and processes, he laid the foundation for IWC’s unique engineering approach to watchmaking.
IWC’s distinctive and pure design is brought to life through collections ranging from elegant dress watches to sports and luxury sports watches, notably the Portugieser, Portofino, Pilot’s Watches and Ingenieur. Over its more than 150-year history, IWC has earned a reputation for creating professional instrument watches and functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust and easy to use.
A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramic, IWC specializes in performance materials such as Ceratanium®. IWC’s advanced engineering division XPL develops technologies that enhance the durability of mechanical watches and extend their applications to environments with extreme conditions such as jet aviation and human spaceflight.
IWC is a leader in luxury watchmaking, crafting timepieces built to last for generations and continuously improving every aspect of how it manufactures, distributes and services its watches responsibly. Empowering the next generation of engineers, the brand also partners with organizations that work globally to support children and young people. IWC. EngineeredTM.