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WATCH FANS, listen up: Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen is bringing its iconic Big Pilot Roadshow to Sydney’s Circular Quay from the 24 – 27 August.
You’re likely familiar with the Big Pilot Roadshow, which the luxury Swiss watchmaker has toured all over the world since 2021. For fans of the IWC brand—and watch enthusiasts in general—the Big Pilot Roadshow will immerse guests into an interactive showcase of the rich catalog of IWC’s highlighted timepieces, including Big Pilot iterations new and old. Above all, it’s a great way to discover just why this collection is so important to the watch world.
Set amongst the dramatic backdrop of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House, the IWC Sydney Big Pilot roadshow will blend together history, hospitality, and culture in a way that is unique and engaging for all guests involved. You’ll find IWC’s now-iconic shipping containers on site, which have been converted into high-tech booths to bring to life the IWC world. Here, you will discover the story of the Big Pilot Watch; a timepiece that has evolved from its humble beginnings as a functional aviation timepiece from the 1930s to what is now a cultural icon that inspires creators across the arts, fashion, photography and design.
Visitors of the Sydney Big Pilot roadshow will gain a deeper understanding of the rich history behind the Pilot’s Watches collection, as well as the design and manufacturing expertise involved in developing such an iconic IWC timepiece. The exhibition includes a range of timepieces in the IWC Pilot’s Watches collection, from the classic Big Pilot’s Watch 43 and Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 to fine watchmaking complications, including IWC’s legendary perpetual calendars.
You’ll also find a mix of last year’s TOP GUN collection highlights, including Woodland, Mojave Desert and Lake Tahoe iterations which are engineered in unique coloured ceramics inspired by the uniforms and landscapes affiliated with the TOPGUN flight school.
“The Big Pilot’s Watch not only embodies IWC’s extensive experience in manufacturing precise and reliable instruments for the cockpit but over the years, it has transcended its utilitarian beginnings and turned into a cultural icon and expression of a distinct mindset,” – Christoph Grainger-Herr, IWC CEO.
The Big Pilot was introduced to the market in 2002 as an oversized 46mm watch that dared to bend the rules from the beginning. An instant hit, the Big Pilot impressed watch purists thanks to its functional design and striking conical crown, which has evolved into a modern legend of the watch world today.
Of course, there’s not a watch collector or enthusiast that won’t recognise the classic silhouette of the Big Pilot—its design will go down as one of the greatest feats in watchmaking, with its form and function presenting a clear expression of character and mindset.
The IWC Big Pilot Roadshow will be stopping in Sydney from the 24 – 27 August at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. The exclusive roadshow is a free event open to the public with no invitation required, however bookings are recommend and can be made here.
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