IWC Pilot’s Watches + Randolph Mil-Spec Aviator Sunglasses


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    IWC Big Pilot’s (Ref. 5009), Randolph Aviator Sunglasses (HGU-4/P)

  • IWC-Pilot-Lounger-535-Maidson-Avenue.jpg

    IWC Pilot’s lounge at 535 Madison Avenue in NYC

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    Randolph Aviators flanked by IWC Pilot’s watches

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    Aviation display at IWC Madison Avenue Pilot’s Lounge

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    IWC Big Pilot’s Perpetual Calendar Top Gun (Ref. 502902)

  • Fighter-Pilot-helmet-IWC-boutique-535-Madison-Avenue.jpg

    Fighter Pilot helmet on display at IWC Pilot’s Lounge

  • IWC-Top-Gun-Mirimar-Chronograph-and-Randolph-HGU-4:P.jpg

    Randolph Aviators and IWC Top Gun Miramar

  • Flight-logbooks-IWC-535 madison.jpg

    Flight equipment and books on display at IWC Pilot’s Lounge

  • Randolph-Aviation-sunglasses-HGU-4:P.jpg

    Randolph Military issued Aviator Sunglasses HGU4/P – 55 mm bright chrome frames, gray flash mirror lenses

  • Randolph-Engineering-Sunglasses.jpg

    Randolph Military issued Aviator Sunglasses HGU4/P – 55 mm bright chrome frames, gray flash mirror lenses

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    Randolph Military issued Aviator Sunglasses HGU4/P – 55 mm bright chrome frames, gray flash mirror lenses, IWC Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun Miramar (Ref. 388002)

  • IWC-Ceramic-Perpetual-Pilot-watch.jpg

    IWC Big Pilot’s Perpetual Calendar Top Gun (Ref. 502902)

  • Randolph-Aviation-sunglasses-HGU-4:P-and-IWC-Pilot-watches.jpg.jpg

    Three IWC Pilot watches and Randolph Aviators

  • IWC-Top-Gun-Mirimar-watch.jpg

    IWC Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun Miramar (Ref. 388002)

  • Case-of-Pilot-watches-IWC-535-Madison-Avenue.jpg

    Case of Pilot’s watches at IWC’s Madison Avenue boutique

  • Top-Gun-jacket-IWC-boutique-Madison-Avenue.jpg

    Top Gun Jacket on display at IWC Pilot’s Lounge

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    Flight Simulator in the Pilot’s Lounge at IWC 535 Madison Avenue

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Overview

Pilot’s watches are a very popular segment within the professional watches category. The Rolex GMT Master, which was launched in 1954, was the first watch that could simultaneously show two time zones. It was produced in collaboration with Pan Am Airways and is probably the wristwatch that is most widely associated with aviation. However, it is the “B-uhr” Pilot wristwatch, first produced in the 1940s, during WWII, that is considered to be the original Pilot’s watch.

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Pilot’s Watch Background

It is believed that in the 1940s, A. Lange & Sohne, a principal supplier of the time, could not deliver enough watches to supply German combat pilots. So, the German government demanded five manufacturers to build B-uhr (“Beobachtungs-uhr” or “Pilot”) watches which were both anti-magnetic and able to be chronometer certified. The five companies who produced the original pilot watches are: IWC, A. Lange & Söhne, Laco, Wempe and STOWA.

i-mpqVBrj-2262x1697.jpg Aerial photo of a Black Hawk helicopter my friend, Army Captain – John Desmedt II, was shot down in Iraq, circa 2006, everyone survived thanks to the skill of the pilot

Aviation Watches and Sunglasses

Today, we have paired an assortment of IWC Pilot watches, including their modern version of the original B-uhr style Pilot watch, with another wildly popular and closely related product: Aviation sunglasses. And while most people associate Ray-Ban with aviation sunglasses, we instead choose a US manufacturer. And with good reason.

Randolph Sunglasses

Randolph Engineering, is an American optical manufacturing company, which was founded in Randolph, MA in 1972, by Jan Waszkiewicz and Stanley Zaleski. They first started manufacturing Mil-spec sunglasses for the United States Air Force as a subcontractor in 1978.

By 1982, the United States Air Force contracted Randolph to produce the HGU-4/P (MIL-S-25948) Aviator Sunglass directly. At this point, they became the prime US military contractor of sunglasses.

Aircraft-Carrier-WWII-cropped.jpg Photo taken by my late grandfather, Navy Captain – William Scott, during WWII

In the late 1980s, Randolph expanded into the commercial sunglass market after civilians learned about the quality of its sunglasses and prescription frames through military channels.

In 1990, for Operation “Desert Storm,” the Department of Defense contracted Randolph to produce 70,000 optical inserts annually for the M17 chemical-biological mask. And because the D.O.D. requested an accelerated delivery of optical inserts, Randolph postponed its commercial program, working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to meet wartime demand. Randolph delivered 200,000 units before the conclusion of Desert Storm. Following Desert Storm, an Air Force Colonel personally visited the Randolph factory to thank its employees for the patriotic and timely support of the Armed Forces. A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the Chairman of Randolph Engineering.

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Fast forward to 2000, and Randolph was awarded their first contract for the Frame of Choice (FOC) spectacle program which provides soldiers with an alternative to current standard-issue military spectacles for Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and NASA.

Today, Randolph currently supplies the HGU-4/P (MIL-S-25948) to the US Army and Navy and allied Air Forces worldwide and maintains the “Frame of Choice” contract.

Impressions of Randolph Aviators

We tested the Randolph HGU4/P Aviators with 55 mm bright chrome frames with flash gray lenses. They are also available in larger and smaller, 58 mm and 52 mm sizes. The frames can be ordered in four other finishes including matt chrome, matte black, gun metal and 23K gold plated. And additional lens choices include gray polarized, gray and AGX.

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Summary

The frames, which are designed to fit securely underneath an airplane helmet, are very robust in comparison to most aviators I have tried, and the fit and finish is superb. The lenses are made of highly durable mineral glass unless otherwise specified. The frames have a lifetime-warranty on solder joints. Most importantly, they have the classy look of Aviators but with the build quality and durability of a much sportier pair of sunglasses. Pick up a pair.

The IWC Big Pilot’s (Ref. 5009), Big Pilot’s Perpetual Calendar Top Gun (Ref. 5029) and Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun Miramar (Ref. 3880) are shown. Currently, IWC also has thirteen other Pilot watches to choose from. And, if you are in New York City I highly recommend you stop into their flagship boutique at 535 Madison Avenue to check out the full selection.