IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilots Perpetual Calendar Ceralume® Limited Edition Watch IW505801

With the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume®, IWC Schaffhausen’s proprietary luminous ceramic technology makes its debut in the Pilot’s Watches collection. A watch of two entirely different expressions, it captivates with subtle shades of white and grey in daylight and transforms into a vivid blue-glowing instrument in the dark.

Limited to 250 pieces, the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume® features a 46.5mm case crafted from luminous white ceramic. IWC’s proprietary luminous ceramic marks the latest chapter in the brand’s pioneering work with this material and was developed by its in-house engineering division XPL in collaboration with Super-LumiNova® specialists RC Tritec. To create it, ceramic powders and Super-LumiNova® pigments are homogeneously blended through a dedicated ball-milling process. These photoluminescent pigments behave like a light-storage battery: they absorb energy from sunlight or artificial light, store it temporarily, and release it in the dark as a vivid blue glow that lasts for more than 24 hours. The white dial and white rubber strap are likewise enriched with Super-LumiNova® pigments, further intensifying the luminous effect.

In daylight, the watch plays with contrasting shades of white and grey and an interplay of matte and shiny surfaces. In darkness, the case, dial and strap radiate an intense blue light, while the numerals and the edges of the hands appear as dark shadows against the glowing dial. The luminous effect extends all the way to the case back: the “Probus Scafusia” medallion integrated into the rotor is also crafted from luminous material. The case back ring and crown are crafted from stainless steel, creating a striking contrast with the ceramic case.