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IWC

IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW500901

The IWC Big Pilot's Watch (reference IW500901) is a 46.2 mm stainless steel watch with a black dial. It runs on the automatic caliber 51111 with a 168-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 60 m. It was made from 2012 to 2016.

Specifications

Case

Reference
IW500901
Collection
Big Pilot
Case size
46.2 mm
Thickness
15.8 mm
Case material
Stainless steel
Case shape
Round
Crystal
Sapphire
Water resistance
60 m

Dial and bezel

Dial
Black

Movement

Movement
Automatic
Caliber
51111
Power reserve
168 hours
Frequency
21,600 vph
Jewels
42
Functions
Date, Power reserve indicator

Production

Production
2012–2016

How it compares within the Big Pilot family

Side by side with other references in the same collection, from the catalog.

ReferenceSizeMaterialDialCaliberYears
IW500901 (This watch)46.2 mmStainless steelBlack511112012–2016
IW32930143 mmStainless steelBlack821002021–
IW32930343 mmStainless steelBlue821002021–
IW329601—Stainless steelBlue826652026–
IW339601—White ceramicBlue826652026–
IW50040146.2 mmStainless steelBlack511102006–2011
IW503008—Ceramic——2023–
IW503101—Ceramic——2024–
IW506201—Ceramic Matrix Composite——2023–

About the Big Pilot family

The Big Pilot's Watch goes back to 1940, when IWC made a large 55 mm watch for aviators that could be read easily in a cockpit. In 2002 IWC introduced a modern version, ref. 5002, with a 46 mm case, a cone-shaped crown and an in-house automatic caliber with Pellaton winding and a seven-day power reserve.

The family now includes perpetual calendars, special editions such as Le Petit Prince and Top Gun in ceramic, and the smaller Big Pilot's Watch 43 of 2021 with caliber 82100. Cases come in steel, bronze, ceramic, gold and other materials. Dealers identify the size, movement and edition from the reference and check the strap and papers.

Quick answers

What size is the IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW500901?
The IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW500901 has a 46.2 mm case, 15.8 mm thick.
What movement does the IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW500901 use?
It uses the automatic caliber 51111, with a 168-hour power reserve.
How water resistant is the IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW500901?
It is water resistant to 60 metres.
Is the IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW500901 still in production?
No. It was made until 2016.
When did the IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW500901 come out?
It was introduced in 2012 and made until 2016.
What is the IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW500901 made of?
The case is stainless steel.

Catalog facts checked September 2026.