Watch Paparazzi

Actor Ewan Mcgregor spotted wearing IWC

Ewan McGregor stepped into the public eye on a high-profile day — the theatrical opening of a new Star Wars instalment — with an IWC Big Pilot reference IW500901 locked firmly on his wrist. The Trainspotting and Obi-Wan Kenobi actor chose a watch that, like the franchise itself, carries serious generational weight.

The IWC Big Pilot IW500901 is built around the 46mm stainless steel case that IWC reintroduced in 2002, drawing directly from the German Luftwaffe observer's watch, the IW431 of the early 1940s. At its heart sits the calibre 51111, a manually wound movement with a seven-day power reserve — 168 hours displayed via a dedicated subsidiary dial at nine o'clock. The movement operates at 21,600 vph and delivers genuine vintage-instrument character without sacrificing modern reliability. Cathedral hands, oversized Arabic numerals, and a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal complete a dial that prioritises legibility above everything else.

Among collectors, the IW500901 occupies a specific and well-regarded position. It is the entry point into the Big Pilot family in steel — no complications beyond the date at three o'clock and the power reserve — which paradoxically makes it one of the most desirable references. Purists appreciate the undiluted focus on the movement's core function. The 46mm diameter is large even by contemporary standards, giving it a commanding wrist presence that photographs exceptionally well.

McGregor has long demonstrated an interest in considered, classically oriented timepieces, and the IWC Big Pilot IW500901 fits that profile precisely. There is nothing trend-chasing about this choice — it is a watch that serious enthusiasts have respected for over two decades, worn by an actor who inhabits roles defined by quiet authority.

On the market, the IWC Big Pilot IW500901 retails in the region of $13,500 USD. Grey-market availability remains healthy given production volumes, with pre-owned examples typically trading between $8,500 and $11,000 USD depending on condition and service history — representing reasonable value for a manufacture-movement pilot's watch of this calibre and pedigree.