The Season for Watches is Just Around the Corner

It has been two weeks since I took off my winter outerwear and sent it to the local dry cleaner. The recent warm sunlight feels as familiar and pleasant as meeting an old friend from my hometown after a long time.
‘Now the season for watches is coming’

Although I have not been into watches for a long time, I am increasingly eager to experience unique brands and models that I have never tried before within the limits of my bank account. The steel sports watch, Known as the epitome of coolness in the summer season, Is considered a classic. However, When I recall the battle scars left on the sports watches I have worn in the past, I now think a daily tool watch that I can wear more comfortably would be better for my peace of mind.

So, I decided to try out the IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire IW326801, Which I have been keeping an eye on for the past few months.

IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire 326801
© IWC

IWC has released many famous models and gained great popularity, But for some reason, I always thought of it as a brand for large watches like the Big Pilot. Since I have a thin wrist, I have not paid much attention to the brand until now.
Then, At a watch gathering, I learned about the Spitfire, Which is not part of the Mark series but was inspired by the Mark 18 (a remarkable 39mm!), Almost as if by fate.
Seeing it in person, I was reminded of what my seniors in the watch community used to say: “IWC is best appreciated in person.” (Of course, This applies to all watches.)
Now, I will give an honest and subjective review by each part of the watch.

Dial

The first advantage is its excellent legibility. The Arabic numerals and indexes on the black dial are expressed in crisp white, Making them stand out so clearly that I was honestly surprised. I suspect IWC aimed for the contrast of black and white, And it certainly has a different charm compared to just seeing it in photos.
Although a black dial can sometimes look plain, The beige hands and 3/6/9/12 indexes add a vintage touch, Which I personally like.

IWC Spitfire Dial © IWC

The hands are in a pastel beige tone and resemble a longsword, Giving a casual vibe. They are also rhodium-plated, So the hands glow in the dark, Adding to their appeal.
The red SPITFIRE lettering on the dial may divide opinions, But I think this color choice cleverly expresses the “FIRE” in Spitfire. It seems to reflect IWC’s thoughtful consideration in color selection.
The date window at 3 o’clock is simple and does not disrupt the harmony of the dial, Which is a relief. Personally, I think the dial would have looked more balanced without the date window, So that is a slight disappointment.

Glass

The glass is made of scratch-resistant sapphire and is domed, Adding a subtle three-dimensional effect. It is also coated with anti-reflective material on both sides and is safe even under sudden drops in air pressure, Showing IWC’s meticulous attention to detail for pilots.

Strap

The olive green NATO strap harmonizes perfectly with the hands and adds a military feel.
Along with the dial color, The olive green strap is said to be inspired by the original Spitfire cockpit. You can see this immediately in actual photos.

©IWC

Supermarine spitfire mk vc ©nationalmuseum

The buckle is engraved with IWC on steel, Which expresses the brand’s prestige even on a NATO strap that could otherwise look too casual. If you look closely, The buckle is also brushed, Showing IWC’s philosophy of attention to detail.

Before actually wearing it, I was worried that the NATO strap might feel rough against the skin. However, Unlike the outer surface, The inside of the strap is lined with leather, And I was impressed by the softness, As if I were wearing a leather strap.
As mentioned earlier, Since my wrist is thin, Adjusting the links is essential when wearing a steel watch. However, With the NATO strap, I can adjust it freely, And it even has a double lock, So it serves its role as a tool watch perfectly for me.

Case

The part I was most looking forward to was the case size and thickness, And fortunately, It met my expectations. Although it is a matter of personal preference, I like the 39mm size.

Since the NATO strap is attached under the case, I was worried it might stick out awkwardly on my wrist, But the 10.8mm thickness feels just right and not excessive.

The case is made of stainless steel, And the unique IWC curved brushing stands out. However, If scratches occur during use, It may be difficult to polish and preserve these unique lines, Which is already a concern for me. (Perhaps this is just my personality.)

Case Back

@carollinum @wikipedia

As you can see, The legendary Spitfire fighter plane is engraved on the case back. It was a fighter with overwhelming air power during World War II, But here, It somehow looks like an animated model, Giving off an unexpectedly cute vibe. The case back uses soft iron material, Showing special attention to durability.

Movement

Unfortunately, You cannot see the movement through the case back, But it is quite meaningful that the in-house 32110 movement, Developed to replace the ETA and Sellita calibers IWC previously relied on, Is installed. Of course, Those who are more sensitive about movements may criticize it as a simple modification of the ETA-2982, But I would still like to applaud IWC for this challenge. (“Imitation is the mother of creation” is not a saying for nothing.)

Although I could not see it in person, This is what it looks like below, So let’s take a look.

© watchswiss

Overall Review

The IW326801 Spitfire is a very satisfying watch overall. The 39mm case size was just right on my wrist, And the color scheme seemed to match my usual style well.
The legibility was better than expected, And the leather lining on the inside of the NATO strap made it comfortable to wear. Most of my acquaintances also responded positively, So I think it is safe to say the design is widely accepted.

However, While it seems comfortable to wear in the recent spring and early summer weather, I am not sure if I will wear it often in the heat of midsummer.
Since this watch has many attractive points, It is still not easy to find in the secondary market. At VIVER, There have been three transactions so far, And the reasonable secondhand price seems to be between 3.85 and 4.8 million KRW depending on condition. As it is a consistently popular model, Those interested should make a quick decision when one becomes available.

Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire IW326801

39mm, Black

Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire IW326805

39mm, Black

If I have the chance, I will return with another watch review.
I wish you a joyful watch life today and tomorrow.

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