10 posts tagged Top Gun

For the past few weeks, scaffolding surrounding the posh Zurich address Bahnhofstrasse 61 read: “Men, your time will come.” The building at this address was being renovated to become the newest IWC Boutique, and with the opening of its doors last week, the edict is now: “Men, your time has come!”

We are excited to announce the latest IWC branded store, in our home country of Switzerland. As we shared two weeks ago on the opening of our Miami location, the boutiques are a unique opportunity for us to bring our customers and fans exclusive product, events, and information about the brand. Situated at the heart of Zurich’s foremost shopping street - it is the place to go when you are in town.

The IWC Schaffhausen boutique at Bahnhofstrasse 61 as seen from the street

The building that houses the boutique was built in 1909, about forty years after IWC itself was founded. And while the site and its surroundings closely reflect our heritage, its design has been modernized to align with the masculinity and sophistication of our products and our customer.

Dark wood, glass, chrome, and leather evoke the rich texture one has come to associate with IWC, and are also elements and hues seen in our timepieces. These are present throughout the boutique.

Inside the store, the well appointed lounge area and presentation of each watch family

Also seen in the new environment is a display window concept, which creates a strong connection with the heritage and birth of each watch family. The history of aviation accompanies the Pilot’s Watch collection, and within this, a set of animated cockpit instruments surrounds our Top Gun line. In another corner, the Italian seaside town of Portofino shines around the collection of the same name. 

The IWC Boutique offers the complete line of timepieces

As with our other IWC Boutiques worldwide, visitors to the Zurich location can expect to find a unique offering of our handcrafted timepieces on display. For the man who finds himself on the Bahnhofstrasse, whether for business or pleasure, number 61 will be a destination replete with the comforts, exclusivity, and service he will be expecting.

The soon to be released film “The Bourne Legacy” gets your attention with the exclamation “There was never just one”. But while there may be multiple Bournes, there is only one IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun edition. This is the watch the lead character, Aaron Cross (played by Jeremy Renner) wears in the movie – an appropriate choice for around the world action and intrigue. You can also see Renner wearing the watch on the cover of Empire Magazine.

The IWC Chronograph Top Gun

Every aspect and function of this amazingly precise timepiece is fitted for an international spy, or for your own globe trotting adventures. Equipped with luminescent hands and display, the Pilot’s Watch performs outstandingly in poor light or visibility. And with a 68 hour reserve you can be trekking, biking, climbing, or (in Bourne’s case) plotting knowing you’ll always be keeping perfect time.

Luminescent hands give incredible visibility

Built with a mixed ceramic and titanium case, this Top Gun edition watch can withstand the shakes and knocks that a global nomad may give it, and ensures the precision movement is not affected. It also includes both stopwatch and elapsed minute functions, providing the ability to track your performance in a variety of measures.

Whether you need to plunge into icy water to evade pursuers or you are interested in diving to spot exotic sea life, the Double Chronograph is water resistant up to 6 bar.

The back of the Chronograph with its dedication to the Top Gun program

The Top Gun series is inspired by the United States Navy’s flight program and was created to exceed the needs of pilots. It is this level of excellence in craftsmanship that makes it a perfect watch for your own set of travel adventures, wherever they may take you. We hope the breathtaking scenery and globe-trotting in The Bourne Legacy inspires you to take your IWC watch on a whirlwind tour of its own.

Last night was quite a night. Here, we are pleased to bring you an exclusive behind the scenes update from last night’s grand opening of the IWC Flagship Boutique on Madison Avenue, in New York City.

A festive evening with many fans of the brand in attendance, including Matthew Fox, Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Evander Holyfield, Chris Hemsworth, Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurkova, Pedro Andrade - IWc’s opening was the toast of the Big Apple.

Actors Chris Hemsworth, Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello

As IWC was founded by an American, Florentine Ariosto Jones, the event marks a return to the United States with this beautiful flagship.

The store is segmented by collection, with each area decorated thematically. A favorite of guests was the Top Gun series (inspired by the U.S. Navy Flight School) — with lockers, flight suits, and a flight simulator. It was also possible to purchase watches during the evening, with some attendees- among them esteemed IWC Collectors and friends - sitting down to review novelties.

A special highlight was the tribute to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, recognized as the greatest athlelet of all time, through the special edition Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Muhammad Ali, produced in honor of his 70th birthday this year. In Ali’s honor, many of Ali’s friends and peers such as his Biographer- Thomas Hauser, his daughter- Miya Ali, and legendary boxers: Larry Holmes and Evander Holyfield were in attendance.  The entire event surrounded this tribute, at its zenith with a showcase of photographs taken of Ali by his longtime best friend and photographer Howard Bingham.

We had the chance to speak with Mr. Bingham about these photos and his relationship with Ali. In our conversation, he described how he first met Ali at a press conference in 1962, and later in the day bumped into him once more, offering him a ride. They struck a friendship, and the next year Ali invited Bingham to travel with him for two weeks, a trip which ended up lasting two months. 

The photos on display at the IWC store exhibit great moments in his life, casting light on the depth of the champion: in one image, Ali is photographed visiting impoverished Zaire. In another, 5 champs are immortalized again as great comrades— Frazier, Ali, Norton, Foreman, and Holmes (more on him in a minute). This group photo is Bingham’s favorite. With the exhibition on display at IWC Schaffhausen on 535 Madison Avenue through late May 2012, those of you in or visiting New York will have ample opportunity to see these first-hand. 

When asked for his shooting methods, Ali he responded two-fold: “I know what I like, as long as it’s focus.”, followed with a description of how he would let Ali walk ahead and capture the reactions of the people around him. In Bingham’s words: “Everyone loved him.”.

The aforementioned Larry Holmes was also at the event, and he discussed having a “unique relationship” with Ali. They were sparring partners for four years, and after Holmes went on to win the heavyweight championship the two kept in touch. Holmes, the only heavyweight to stop Ali (during their challenge match in 1980) offered that they remained friends “because of our personalities. We separated work and friendship.” Holmes then pulled out his phone and showed us photos of the bout between himself and Ali — never at dull moment.

Howard Bingham, Larry Holmes and Chris Hemswort

It was great to see the brotherhood and connection that had been forged between these men and Muhammad Ali, bonds that have lasted over 40 years. At IWC we are committed to delivering a quality and lasting relationship with you, as you join our brotherhood of the fine precision and craftmanship of a timepiece.

We look forward to sharing more stories and photos from the store opening, and to welcoming you at IWC on 535 Madison Avenue.