Watch Paparazzi

Actor Thierry Lhermitte spotted wearing IWC

On the set of Michel Blanc's 2015 French comedy 'Nos Femmes', actor Thierry Lhermitte was caught wearing a timepiece that speaks louder than his tiger-print tee: the IWC Big Pilot, almost certainly the reference IW500401. The sighting is notable not for its ostentation — the Big Pilot is many things, but it is never flashy — but for the quiet confidence it projects on a veteran performer who clearly knows his watches.

The IWC Big Pilot ref. IW500401 is built around the in-house Calibre 51011, a manually wound movement offering a remarkable 7-day power reserve displayed via a subsidiary dial at 3 o'clock — one of the watch's most distinctive technical signatures. The 46mm stainless steel case houses a soft-iron inner cage that shields the movement from magnetic fields, a nod to the watch's aviation heritage rooted in IWC's 1940 Type 52 T.S.C. The matte black dial with luminous Arabic numerals, cathedral hands, and a simple triangular 12 o'clock marker delivers uncompromising legibility. The crown — oversized and knurled — was originally designed to be operated with gloved hands at altitude.

Among collectors, the Big Pilot IW500401 occupies an interesting position: it is the 'purist' reference in the Big Pilot lineage, predating the proliferation of complications and limited editions that have since expanded the family. Its single complication — the power-reserve indicator — is both practical and elegant. The black leather strap with contrast tan inner lining completes a period-correct aesthetic that resonates with tool-watch enthusiasts.

Thierry Lhermitte, best known internationally for the 'Les Compères' and 'Le Dîner de Cons' franchises, has long maintained a reputation for understated sophistication off-screen. His choice of the Big Pilot — a watch demanding wrist real estate and a certain sartorial indifference — aligns with the character's louche, hard-living energy visible in the film still.

On the grey market, the IW500401 has appreciated modestly since its discontinuation, trading consistently above its original retail price as the current 46.2mm successor commands a higher list. For collectors seeking an entry into vintage-adjacent IWC pilot watches with full manufacture credentials, this reference remains a compelling and increasingly sought-after proposition.