Ceramic watches have come a long way since the 1960s when brands like IWC, Rado, and Omega began experimenting with the material to create lighter and more durable alternatives to steel. While early models blended ceramic with steel, the true breakthrough came in 1986 with IWC’s Da Vinci ref. 3755, the first watch to feature a fully ceramic case. Fast forward to today, IWC has once again pushed the boundaries of innovation with the introduction of Ceralume — a groundbreaking material that combines ceramic powder with Super-LumiNova to create the first-ever fully-lumed ceramic case.
Enter the IWC Ceralume Pilot’s Chronograph, a watch that has turned the lume game on its head. Unlike other fully-lumed timepieces that rely on composite materials like resin or fiberglass, the Ceralume case remains bright and glowing for a staggering 24 hours in the dark. This revolutionary watch, which debuted on Lewis Hamilton’s wrist at the Monaco Grand Prix, features a striking all-white design with a 41mm case and a white rubber strap, both infused with Super-LumiNova pigment. While still in the concept stage, this luminous marvel is set to redefine night-time visibility and style in the watch world. Keep an eye out for its public release, as this is one timepiece you won’t want to miss.
