IWC Pilots Mark XVII Automatic Midsize Men's Watch IW326504

The countdown to the start of EURO 2012, the UEFA European Football Championship, in Poland and Ukraine has already begun. As part of its agreement with the German Football Association (DFB), Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen is launching a special edition - for the third time. This represents a hat-trick for the Big Pilot's Watch Edition DFB in the run-up to EURO 2012, in which it will be the "OFFICIAL WATCH OF THE GERMAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM". By the way, "special" edition also means limited: only 250 will be made.

"German football has forged ahead in recent years," says Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen. "The team aren't just fresh, dynamic and clever in their tactics. They love the beautiful game. It's a source of absolute pride to me that the German Football Association (DFB) and IWC Schaffhausen have renewed their partnership." While the DFB team have been working flat out on preparations for the final tournament in Poland and Ukraine, the Schaffhausen watch manufacturer has just unveiled the third edition of the "OFFICIAL WATCH OF THE GERMAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM". The limited Big Pilot's Watch Edition DFB will accompany Germany's best footballers in their attempt to lift the EURO 2012 trophy. The team went into the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland equipped with the Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition DFB. This was followed by the Big Ingenieur Chronograph Edition DFB, which was selected for the World Cup in South Africa. And now, with the Big Pilot's Watch Edition DFB, IWC Schaffhausen launches yet another very masculine timepiece.
When technology and tactics meet
Under national coach Joachim Löw, the German national team have worked hard to achieve the confidence needed to cement their claim to success. The Big Pilot's Watch Edition DFB is an acknowledgement of this inner strength. With its size of 46 millimetres, it is a power pack that combines effortless superiority with precision, robustness and reliability. The enormous IWCmanufactured 51011 calibre integrates all the best features of a self-winding watch. The highly efficient Pellaton winding system, 7-day power reserve, date display and Breguet spring of the Big Pilot's Watch Edition DFB demonstrate that greatness is not merely a question of size.

Thanks to the light-coloured, rhodium-plated dial with a sun-pattern finish, the small seconds at "9 o'clock" and the power reserve display at "3 o'clock", the watch radiates harmony and a surprising simplicity. Both features that are highly prized by national coach Joachim Löw, a prominent advocate of the beautiful game. "The core qualities of modern football are mastery of the simple skills and the ability to think faster than your opponents," he explains. Play low, score high: that's the German team's philosophy. But, at EURO 2012, they will be up against tough competition. Their opening match against Portugal on 9June is followed by a game against the Netherlands on 13 June, and the third encounter on 17 June against Denmark will bring the German team's group stage to a close.
"We want the trophy and this watch"
Big Pilot's Watch Edition DFB IWC's watch designers decided to have certain elements on the DFB edition's dial reflect the German team's national colours. The indices, for instance, are black while the small seconds hand and the indicator on the power reserve display are red. The yellow "1" inside the power reserve display is a reminder that the movement urgently needs winding. A black stamped leather strap rounds off the colour mix. The designs were submitted to the German Football Association team during the development process. Their feedback could not have been clearer: "Dear IWC," wrote the German squad on the product data sheet of their favourite version, "we want the trophy and this watch."

Dedicated to the passion for the game No one disputes that the German team are among the favourites at EURO 2012. The rear view of the watch leaves no doubt as to whom it is dedicated. The engraving on the case back, depicting the DFB logo with the eagle and the words "OFFIZIELLE UHR DER DEUTSCHEN FUSSBALL-NATIONALMANNSCHAFT" ("official watch of the German national team"), is a fitting tribute to the team's achievements and passion for the game. The Big Pilot's Watch Edition DFB, limited to 250 pieces, is not only intended for football fans who wish to demonstrate their support for the German national team on their wrists. Every purchase supports a good cause: a portion of the proceeds will go to the Laureus Foundation Germany. Apart from its numerous other projects, the Foundation has established a street football league in seven cities that supports disadvantaged children. The focus is on social and cultural interaction, and allowing young people to assume an active role in their lives.