Football manager Dave Roberts spotted wearing a IWC Schaffhausen

Dave Roberts, Head Coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers, made a notable watch statement at the White House during a recent official team visit. The Dodgers' appearance brought Roberts into the spotlight wearing an IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Mojave Edition—a timepiece that underscores both technical mastery and contemporary design sophistication.

The IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Mojave Edition (Ref. IW502701) is the brand's answer to complex calendar watches in a large-diameter sports case. Its 46.2 mm bronze case houses the calibre 79650, an in-house automatic movement with 60-hour power reserve and a proprietary perpetual calendar mechanism. The dial layout combines traditional big pilot styling with subdials for the perpetual calendar, including day, date, month, moon phase, and a 24-hour indicator. The Mojave Desert–inspired bronze case develops a natural patina over time, while the tan fabric NATO-style strap reinforces the watch's aviation heritage and desert aesthetics.

What sets this reference apart is its perpetual calendar accuracy; the mechanism requires no manual date correction until the year 2100, a feature typically reserved for haute horlogerie dress watches rather than robust tool watches. The IW502701 debuted in 2025 as part of IWC's expanded Big Pilot collection, positioned as a limited release that bridges the brand's pilot-watch legacy with contemporary complications. Its bronze case material, rarely seen in perpetual calendars, appeals to collectors seeking patina-developing cases.

Roberts's choice reflects a trend among sports figures and public figures toward technically sophisticated timepieces that signal both professional achievement and refined taste. The Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar's 46 mm proportions and bronze finish command presence at formal events, while its dial complexity communicates watchmaking expertise to knowledgeable observers.

The IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Mojave Edition retails around $43,000 USD and currently commands modest premiums on grey markets, with waitlists reported in select regions. Its combination of limited production, perpetual calendar complication, and distinctive bronze case ensures steady collector demand.