IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun 'SFTI' (IW389104): Collector's First Look

India Whiskey Charlie · 2020-10-15T11:06:26Z

Explore the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition 'SFTI' (IW389104). Discover collector insights on its ceramic and Ceratanium case, in-house caliber, and design evolution.

India Whiskey Charlie

WPS member · IWC forum

29 replies4397 views3 photos

India Whiskey Charlie's initial post introduces the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition 'SFTI' (IW389104), a civilian version of a timepiece previously exclusive to Navy Fighter Weapons School graduates. This article delves into the community's first impressions of this limited edition, exploring its technical innovations and design choices. Readers will gain insight into how collectors evaluate IWC's evolving Top Gun series and its use of advanced materials.

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Here comes the Top Gun 'SFTI' Edition (LE): www.iwc.com l

From IWC: The first of an upcoming series of IWC Top Gun watches based on our US Navy exclusive professional watches. The civilian version of the SFTI features all of our latest pilot’s tech: In-house 69 calibre chronograph movement, ceramic case, Ceratanium case back, Ceratanium crown and pushers with red activation indicators, sapphire glass secured against sudden pressure drops and an olive webbing strap with Ceratanium clasp. Extensively tested and proven by elite Naval Aviators, IWC Top Gun watches are engineered for the modern fast jet cockpit - the most demanding operating environment on the planet. Available now on iwc.com and in stores globally. IW389104 RSP USD 9’150.00

Photo: IWC

Key Points from the Discussion

The full ceramic case and Ceratanium case back, crown, and pushers are significant technical highlights, offering the lightness and durability of titanium with ceramic's scratch resistance.
The chronograph's dial layout, while accommodating day/date functions, is noted by some as less preferred compared to simpler designs, with concerns about the proportion of the day/date window relative to the overall case size.
The 'SFTI' edition is seen as an evolution, incorporating desirable features like the jet plane counterbalance on the second hand and red Ceratanium pushers, which were missing in previous 44mm ceramic models like the IW389101.
Some collectors express a preference for a more vintage-inspired IWC pilot's watch, suggesting a 40-42mm stainless steel case, classic pilot hands, improved lume, and a slimmer profile, without 'pseudo novelty' elements.
Despite some reservations about the 'Top Gun' branding or specific design elements, the watch's technical advancements and its connection to the exclusive 'Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor' edition appeal to those with a personal connection to the program.
The price point of $9,150.00 for the IW389104 is a recurring point of discussion, with some questioning its value despite the advanced materials and in-house caliber.

The Discussion

India Whiskey Charlie

Oct 15, 2020

Here are some reviews: monochrome-watches.com www.revolution.watch www.watchtime.com

K-

K-Lo

Oct 15, 2020

Case & Dial I love ceramic watches, so, it is a huge plus for me that this watch case is in full ceramic. Seems like the chronograph pushers are also in ceramic. Additionally, the case back is made of some “new” IWC material which is a combination of titanium and ceramic, lightness of titanium and “like” hardness of ceramic, hopefully not as a brittle as ceramic. Dial wise, not my most preferred layout. I myself, and this is subjective, prefer a Daytona type chronograph layout. However, I do und

K-

K-Lo

Oct 15, 2020

To have more than 10 people on a forum dislike me, hopefully that is working but I can’t confirm, 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

Darron

Oct 15, 2020

Suits this black watch better. My favorite feature in this watch is the ceratanium and red accents on the pushers

997c4gts

Oct 15, 2020

I’d been watching theses evolve over the years, really liked jetplane counterbalance second hand but found the altimeter style 3 days visible not easy along with 46mm being too big. The 389101 released in 2019 was very classic in design but ceramic. Liked the 44mm, single date window, but no plane😔 Well then this is the answer, the extra money gets you the ceratanium red pushers and jetplane counterbalance👍 It’s quite a bit more BUT has all the best bits without trumping the full ceratanium dopp

India Whiskey Charlie

Oct 16, 2020

"In 2018, IWC launched the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor”, which is exclusively available to graduates of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). With the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “SFTI”, the Manufacture now follows up with a civilian version of this highly acclaimed timepiece. The chronograph is limited to 1500 pieces and housed in a case made of black zirconium oxide ceramic, one of the hardest substances on earth. The case back and the

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IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun 'SFTI' (IW389104): Collector's First Look

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