Short answer: The IWC Ceratanium Top Gun is the Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium, reference IW388106, launched in March 2022: the first 41 mm TOP GUN chronograph with its case, pushers and crown in Ceratanium, IWC's matte black titanium-based material. It runs on IWC's 69385 calibre with a 46-hour power reserve. On October 19, 2026 Bizak asked $12,870 for the IW388106 and $9,000 for the black ceramic IW389401. See every TOP GUN in our IWC Pilot's Watches collection.
Last reviewed on October 19, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Specifications are from IWC's press kits; Bizak prices are that day's asks, not quotes. Bizak & Co. is independent of IWC.
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What Ceratanium is
Ceratanium is based on a titanium alloy made to IWC's specifications. The machined case parts are fired in a kiln, where oxygen diffuses into the metal and a phase transformation turns the surface into ceramic. The result stays light and tough like titanium but gains a hardness and scratch resistance similar to ceramic, plus a matte black colour that IWC and Pantone call “IWC Ceratanium”. It is not a coating: IWC notes that coatings such as DLC can flake off, while the ceramic surface of Ceratanium is permanently bonded to the metal. IWC first used it in 2017 on the 50-piece Aquatimer “50 Years Aquatimer” IW379403, and in TOP GUN from 2019.
Ceratanium vs black ceramic: the two black Chronograph 41s
Most TOP GUN cases are black zirconium oxide ceramic, “IWC Jet Black”, the line's signature since 2007; IWC rates the material second only to diamond for Vickers hardness. IWC's specifications:
| Specification | IW388106 Ceratanium | IW389401 black ceramic |
|---|---|---|
| Case | Ceratanium case, pushers and crown | Ceramic; titanium pushers and case back |
| Size | 41.1 mm wide, 14.5 mm high | 41.9 mm wide, 15.5 mm high |
| Case back | Tinted sapphire, movement visible | Titanium |
| Movement | IWC 69385 automatic, 46 h | IWC 69380 automatic, 46 h |
| Soft-iron inner case | Not listed | Yes, against magnetism |
| Water resistance | 10 bar | 10 bar |
| Strap | Black rubber with textile inlay, Ceratanium pin buckle | Black rubber, EasX-CHANGE quick release |
| Launched | March 2022 | March 2023 |
| Bizak ask, Oct 19, 2026 | $12,870 | $9,000 |
Both have a day-date display and small seconds. The Ceratanium model is 0.8 mm narrower, 1 mm slimmer and shows its movement; the ceramic one adds a soft-iron inner case and costs less.
Every Ceratanium TOP GUN
| Reference | Model | IWC specifications | Bizak ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| IW371815 | Double Chronograph, 2019 | 44 x 16.8 mm; split-seconds 79420, 44 h; 6 bar | $15,210 |
| IW395505 | Timezoner, 2021 | 46 x 15.1 mm; 82760, 60 h; 6 bar; 500 a year | $18,000 |
| IW503604 | Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar, 2021 | 46.2 x 15.4 mm; 52615, 7 days; 6 bar; 150 a year | $57,499 |
| IW388106 | Chronograph 41, 2022 | 41.1 x 14.5 mm; 69385, 46 h; 10 bar | $12,870 |
The IW371815 was IWC's first all-black Pilot's Watch; even its pushers and pin buckle are Ceratanium. The IW503604 has IWC's first Ceratanium bracelet, about 30% lighter than steel. Ceramic TOP GUNs use Ceratanium too: the case back, crown and pushers of the SFTI IW389104 and Woodland IW389106, and the case ring and crown of the Timezoner Woodland IW395601. Outside TOP GUN, IWC also made the 1,500-piece Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium IW371631 in 2026 ($14,599).
The ceramic TOP GUNs: Colors of TOP GUN
Since 2019 IWC has added colours developed with Pantone and inspired by naval aviation: Mojave Desert sand (2019), Lake Tahoe white and Woodland green (2022), Oceana blue (2023) and TOP GUN Miramar light blue (2025), each made by mixing zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides. The chronographs:
| Reference | Chronograph | IWC specifications | Bizak ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| IW389401 | 41, Jet Black, 2023 | 41.9 x 15.5 mm; 69380, 46 h; 10 bar | $9,000 |
| IW389404 | 41 “Oceana”, blue, 2023 | As IW389401; blue dial and strap | $12,060 |
| IW389402 | 41 Mojave Desert, sand, 2023 | As IW389401; brown dial | $12,060 |
| IW389409 | 41 Miramar, light blue, 2025 | As IW389401; 1,000 pieces | Not quoted |
| IW389101 | Black, 2019 | 44.5 x 15.7 mm; 69380; 6 bar | $9,180 |
| IW389104 | “SFTI”, black, 2020 | 44 x 15.7 mm; 6 bar; 1,500 pieces | $11,999 |
| IW389105 | “Lake Tahoe”, white, 2022 | 44.5 x 15.7 mm; 6 bar; 1,000 a year | $12,060 |
| IW389106 | “Woodland”, green, 2022 | 44.5 x 15.7 mm; 6 bar; 1,000 a year | $12,060 |
| IW389103 | “Mojave Desert”, 2019 | 44.5 x 15.7 mm; 6 bar; the first sand-coloured ceramic; 500 pieces | Not quoted |
Automatics, Big Pilot's Watches and the Timezoner:
| Reference | Model | IWC specifications | Bizak ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| IW326901 | Automatic, black, 2019 | 41 x 11.4 mm; 32110, 72 h; 6 bar | $5,715 |
| IW328106 | Automatic 41 Mojave Desert, 2025 | 41 x 11.4 mm; 32112, 120 h; 10 bar | $8,225 |
| IW329801 | Big Pilot's Watch 43, black, 2022 | 43.8 x 13.9 mm; 82100, 60 h; 10 bar | $10,710 |
| IW506003 | Big Pilot's Watch Mojave Desert, 2021 | 46 x 14.6 mm; 52110, 7 days; 6 bar; 250 a year | $15,750 |
| IW395601 | Timezoner Woodland, 2023 | 46 x 15.1 mm; 82760, 60 h; 10 bar | $18,000 |
| IW503004 | Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Mojave Desert, 2021 | 46.5 x 15.6 mm; 52615, 7 days; 6 bar; 150 a year | $40,770 |
| IW503008 | Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Lake Tahoe, 2023 | 46.5 x 15.6 mm; 52615, 7 days; 6 bar | $40,770 |
Bizak also lists the IW326906 ($6,480) and Lake Tahoe IW328104 ($8,225) automatics and the Woodland Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar IW503101 ($57,499); we have no IWC specification sheet for these three.
Earlier TOP GUN references
The line began in 2007 with the Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN IW379901 in black ceramic. Big Pilot's Watches joined in 2012, among them the Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN IW502902 and the TOP GUN Miramar IW501902. Miramar is the former San Diego naval air station where TOPGUN was founded in 1969; the school moved to Fallon, Nevada, in 1996.
| Reference | Model | Bizak ask |
|---|---|---|
| IW324702 | Mark XVIII TOP GUN Miramar | $4,299 |
| IW389002 | Chronograph TOP GUN Miramar | $6,999 |
| IW501902 | Big Pilot's Watch TOP GUN Miramar | $7,499 |
| IW379901 | Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN | $8,599 |
| IW389001 | Chronograph TOP GUN | $8,699 |
| IW502001 | Big Pilot's Watch TOP GUN | $11,899 |
| IW502902 | Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN | $29,099 |
Which TOP GUN to choose
- All black, slimmer, movement on show: the Ceratanium IW388106.
- Colour or anti-magnetic protection: a ceramic Chronograph 41 in Jet Black, Oceana or Mojave Desert.
- Lowest price: the Automatic IW326901 at $5,715, or an earlier Mark XVIII TOP GUN Miramar at $4,299.
Before you buy a TOP GUN
- Turn it over. The IW388106 and IW389401 look alike in photos; the Ceratanium model has a tinted sapphire back, the ceramic one a titanium back. The papers should show the same reference as the watch.
- Check the buckle. The IW388106 comes with a Ceratanium pin buckle, so a steel buckle is a replacement.
- Check the edition size. SFTI IW389104: 1,500 pieces. 2019 Mojave Desert IW389103: 500. Lake Tahoe and Woodland chronographs: 1,000 a year. Timezoner Ceratanium: 500 a year. Ceratanium and Mojave Desert Big Pilot perpetual calendars: 150 a year.
- Ask about the warranty. IWC's 2-year International Limited Warranty extends by 6 years when the watch is registered with My IWC; ask for the warranty card date and whether it was registered.
Quick answers
What is the IWC Top Gun Ceratanium?
The Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Ceratanium, ref. IW388106, launched in 2022: a 41.1 mm chronograph with case, pushers, crown and pin buckle in Ceratanium, a black dial, IWC's 69385 calibre with a 46-hour power reserve, and 10 bar water resistance.
What is Ceratanium?
A titanium-based material developed by IWC. Fired in a kiln after machining, its surface turns into ceramic, so it is light and tough like titanium, with a hardness and scratch resistance similar to ceramic, and matte black.
Is Ceratanium a coating that can wear off?
No. The ceramic surface forms in the metal itself during firing, and IWC says it is permanently bonded, so unlike a DLC coating it cannot flake off.
What is the difference between Ceratanium and ceramic TOP GUN watches?
Ceramic TOP GUN cases are sintered zirconium oxide, in black and five colours; Ceratanium is titanium-based and only matte black. Among the Chronograph 41s, the Ceratanium IW388106 is 1 mm slimmer with a sapphire back; the ceramic IW389401 adds a soft-iron inner case.
How much is an IWC Top Gun?
On October 19, 2026 Bizak asked from $4,299 for the Mark XVIII TOP GUN Miramar IW324702 to $57,499 for the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Ceratanium IW503604. The IW388106 was $12,870 and the IW389401 $9,000.
Is the IWC Top Gun Ceratanium water-resistant?
Yes, to 10 bar, like the ceramic Chronograph 41s. The 44 and 44.5 mm chronographs, the Double Chronograph IW371815, the Timezoner Ceratanium IW395505 and the larger Big Pilots are rated to 6 bar.
Why is it called TOP GUN?
IWC has made TOP GUN watches under licence from the US Navy since 2007. The name comes from the Navy Fighter Weapons School, known as TOPGUN, founded at Naval Air Station Miramar in 1969 and based in Fallon, Nevada, since 1996.
Related reading: Titanium vs ceramic watches · IWC IW388006 “The Last Flight” chronograph · Big Pilot's Watch 43 Tourbillon IW329501 · IWC's Lewis Hamilton editions.
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