IWC has introduced the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume, a limited edition of 250 pieces featuring a full-lume case made from proprietary Ceralume material. The 46.5 by 15.9mm watch glows with a ghost-like appearance in the dark, powered by the in-house calibre 52616 with a seven-day power reserve. Priced at CHF 65,000, it debuted ahead of Watches and Wonders 2026.
The new timepiece, model IW505801, uses Ceralume—a ceramic infused with luminous pigments—to create a completely glowing case, dial, hands, and even rubber strap. In daylight, it offers a matte and glossy white finish with subtle variations, but in low light, the numerals and hands stand out as darker silhouettes against the illuminated background. IWC tested the effect in a darkened room, describing it as strikingly eerie. A prototype appeared at Watches and Wonders 2026, leading to this production run of 250 watches. The automatic calibre 52616 includes IWC’s Pellaton winding system and drives a perpetual calendar originally developed by Kurt Klaus. Sub-dials show the date, day, month, and dual-hemisphere lunar phase, accurate for over five centuries, with a four-digit year display between 7 and 8 o’clock. The see-through caseback reveals a luminous “Probus Scafusia” medallion on the rotor, alongside perlage and blued screws. IWC positions the watch as an aviation-inspired stunt piece within the Big Pilot collection, emphasizing experimental materials alongside traditional complications. It comes with a matching luminous white rubber strap for a consistent look. The price stands at CHF 65,000, equivalent to US$76,300 or €78,200.