Let me admit, I am going through a period where I have a hard time regaining my cinema habit, which was completely gone during the pandemic period. I don't know if the movies are getting poorer or if I'm getting moody over time, I've come to a point where I don't even wonder about the trailers of the newly released movies. Of course, there are a few exceptions. Top Gun Maverick is one of them.
I was finally able to watch Top Gun Maverick in the cinema after a multi-delayed release. I'm not going to give spoilers about the movie, don't worry. However, I can say that the ageless Tom Cruise still rode the motorcycle without a helmet, survived the crashing planes, and gave that characteristic smile.
After the extraordinary flight scenes and the action that never slowed down, especially in the second half, the thing that caught my attention the most was the watches used in the movie. As you can imagine, one of the main sponsors of the Top Gun Maverick movie is IWC. When we consider the collection prepared by the master of pilot's watches, dedicated only to the Top Gun flight school, which gave its name to this film, it’s not a surprise at all. In the movie, we see a lot of Strike Fighter Tactics Instructors, i.e. STFI codenamed chronograph and IWC Top Gun models with standard movements. The special STFI logo stands out on the dials of the ceramic cased IW324705 and IW389004.
Another IWC seen in the movie is a handheld stopwatch. The stopwatch, exclusively produced for this film by IWC, draws a lot of attention on the big screen. I must admit that this stopwatch, which is available with the STFI special set, is as attractive as the wrist watches.
The movie's protagonist, Maverick, wears a Porsche Design x Orfina Chronograph. Just like in the original movie. The watch, which has a black coated case measuring 40.8mm x 14.15mm, hosts an ETA Valjoux 7750-based movement.
Since the connection between Porsche Design and IWC dates back to ancient times, I see no harm in evaluating this watch in the IWC category.
I think the main star of the movie (for the watches) is the vintage Rolex worn by the character Penny, played by Jennifer Connely. Drawing a unique image with its Oyster bracelet and tropical dial, the Rolex Explorer 1016 is in perfect harmony with the character's classic Porsche 911. The scene in which the P51 Mustang, Aston Martin DBR1, and many classic motorcycles appear together with the hand-woven carpet(!) on the floor, which appeared in the last scenes, was one of the most appealing images of the whole movie.
Top Gun Maverick is a successful sequel that reflects the spirit of Hollywood to its audience with an action-packed visual feast. If you are interested in aviation, you should definitely see it.
