Meet The IWC Miramar Blue Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Watches

Earlier this year in the International New York Times, I wrote about the rise of blue ceramic watches and the extraordinary challenges involved in producing them. Brands like Chanel, Panerai and Zenith have all made impressive strides in this niche, blending technical expertise with color innovation. Now, IWC Schaffhausen joins the blue ceramic wave with a striking new hue called Miramar, adorning its beloved Pilot’s Chronograph.

Unveiled as part of IWC’s Colors of Top Gun collection, the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Miramar introduces a light blue ceramic case developed in partnership with Pantone®. The name “Miramar” is a nod to the elite naval air station in California, where the original Top Gun fighter school was founded, and with which IWC has worked for years. More specifically, the color takes inspiration from the light blue T-shirts worn by instructors under their flight suits—a subtle yet meaningful touch that connects this high-performance timepiece to the world of naval aviation.

Limited to 1,000 pieces, the ceramic cased version, IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Miramar  (Ref. IW389409) features a 41.9 mm case in the Miramar blue ceramic, paired with a matching dial and water-resistant rubber strap. The blue hands are coated in Super-LumiNova® to enhance visibility in low-light conditions. Like all colored ceramics from IWC, this material was produced by mixing zirconium oxide with metallic oxides in precise ratios, then sintered at high temperatures. Since ceramic color changes during the process, achieving the exact tone required multiple trials and expert calibration.

To accompany the ceramic model, IWC has also released a stainless steel cased version,  Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 (Ref. IW388117), with a Miramar blue dial and strap. This marks the first time IWC incorporates a Pantone® color into a steel-cased watch. The 41mm watch boasts rhodium-plated hands and a transparent caseback offering a view of the movement.

Both new chronographs are powered by movements from the IWC-manufactured 69000 caliber family, known for precision, reliability and robust performance. The column-wheel mechanism delivers crisp actuation, while the double-pawl winding system ensures a 46-hour power reserve. The vertical subdial layout places the chronograph minutes at 12:00 for intuitive reading—a signature IWC design. The ceramic model features a titanium caseback engraved with the iconic TOPGUN logo and an inner soft-iron case for anti-magnetic protection.

For added versatility, both watches include IWC’s EasX-CHANGE® system, enabling tool-free strap swaps at the push of a button. The ceramic Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar (1,000 pieces) retails for $13,500, while the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 in stainless steel with Miramar blue dial and strap sells for $7,200.

Building on IWC’s ceramic expertise—seen previously in colors like Mojave Desert, Lake Tahoe, Woodland, Oceana, and Jet Black—Miramar offers a refreshing, contemporary addition to the palette.