In 1986, IWC became the first watch manufacturer in the world to produce a watch in a high-tech ceramic case made of zirconium oxide. This superb material is several times harder, more scratch-resistant and more expensive than stainless steel and is painstakingly milled from a single blank to ensure maximum breaking strength. The ceramic case offers perfect all-round protection for the new Pilot?s Watch Double Chronograph, which is limited to 1000 examples. It features a number of discreet highlights: the case, dial and soft strap are matt black, the crown and buttons are made of titanium, the numerals, indices and hands are luminescent white. Only the small permanent seconds hand is finished in eye-catching red, to ensure that it can be read off at a glance. The vertical three-day display, reminiscent of the altimeter in an aircraft cockpit, gives the dial its unmistakable design. A powerhouse with an impressive case diameter of 44 mm, it is driven by a 79230 calibre automatic chronograph movement with the tried-and-tested split-seconds mechanism. The button at 10 o?clock enables the wearer to record intermediate times.