Driver8 did a fantastic review of his beautiful and popular IWC Big Pilot watch. This is one of the IWC’s that utilize their 5000 series movements with the 7 day power reserve. The movement is a beautiful work of art with a nice gold medallion inserted on the rotor, and uses IWC’s proprietary Pellaton Winding system that was developed in the late 40’s by Albert Pellaton. The watch measures an imposing 46.2mm, and calls back the days of yore in WWII when pilots wore these watches. The watch also uses a faraday cage to protect the movement from magnetic influences.
Beautiful watch, and Driver8’s review is top notch. Check it out:
Again, IWC has secured the top ranking of luxury watch brands performed by the LBSI. The index measures the value and equity of luxury brands across North America, using data collected by wealthy American consumers of these products. The information is from actual wealthy consumers, rather than non-consumers of luxury goods that only recognize names like Tag Heuer and Rolex.
The index uses factors such as “quality, social status and self-enhancement” in order to base their results. IWC’s blend of uniqueness and exclusivity, superior quality, self-enhancement and status gives them a unique place among consumer’s hearts.
This is not a huge surprise to me, but I agree that IWC is among my favourite watch brands and I am set on purchasing another IWC watch and adding to my collection soon!
Not the one I’m getting, but a little eye candy: The IWC Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere.
The IWC Portuguese is one of the most recognizable classics in the IWC line of watches, having changed very little from generation to generation, though new variations have been coming out such as the F.A. Jones, 7 Day 5000 series Portuguese with the Pellaton winding system, and the new Regulateur Portuguese. The Portuguese Chrono is probably the most commonly seen variation of this IWC, and also the entry level model.
The one I have here is a Steel case, with Opaline dial and Gold Arabics and hands. The Chronograph hands are blued steel to differentiate them from the ones that tell the time. The movement is a modified Valjoux 7750 which IWC calls the Caliber 79350. The date wheel has been removed, and the seconds subdial moved from the 9 o’clock position to the 6 o’clock position. The movement is also the all gold-colored version of the Valjoux 7750 as you can see below.
The dial is a beautiful peice of work, with Guilloche subdials and finely lacquered writing, and the three-peice case is very well crafted. The bezel is polished stainless steel with a domed Sapphire Crystall, and the case and caseback are mostly Brushed Stainless. The Crocodile strap that came with it is on the thin side, but still quite serviceable. The only thing the watch is missing is a Date, but the dial would likely suffer from the addition of a date window.
A rear shot:
The case is 41mm in diameter, almost the same size as the Breitling Navitimer, and it wears very similarly as well. The style of the watch lends itself to the slightly older consumer as it is less sporty and more classic. Overall, an impeccable peice, with tons of history and style. Wearing the IWC brand tells those around you that you are a watch aficionado, not just a casual wearer.
With the booming Swiss Watch industry there have been certain brands that are doing extremely well, among them, IWC is showing a very large increase in sales over the last few years according to the Richemont Group.
IWC has always been a player in the high end and midrange with their more affordable Aquatimer series of watches, which use modified ETA movements as well as their grand complications and tourbillons. IWC’s current lineup consists of: Portofino, Aquatimer, Ingenieur, Portuguese, Da Vinci and their Grand Complications. They also differ from much of the competition in that they only produce mens watches. There are one of very few watch companies that make that claim, whether or not it really is significant.
IWC Aquatimer Chrono
My passion for IWC first started with the new Aquatimer, and then the Ingenieur really caught my eye. I was also a sucker for the beautiful gentlemanly look of the IWC Portuguese Chronograph, and really would love to have one of the 8 day models with the display back showing the beautiful Pellaton rotor system.
IWC Ingenieur
When I found out that IWC was going to introduce a new Ingenieur in 2005 with a new 8000 series manufacture movement, I was quite happy. This meant that IWC would have a reasonably priced manufacture movement model. Unfortunately, the Ingenieur Chronograph did not also receive the same treatment and still uses a modified ETA/Valjoux 7750. Perhaps they will make a Chronograph version of the Ingenieur with an in-house movement soon. The good news is that this makes the current Chrono almost the same price as the standard model.
IWC has also expanded the Ingenieur series as I had mentioned in my other blog post on the Ingenieur. Hopefully they will follow suit with the rest of their watches and start introducing some in the 44-45mm size. I’d love to see a 44mm affordable Portuguese.
The new Da Vinci Chronograph with it’s unique Tonneau shaped case is definitely a beautiful piece for the more well-endowed WIS.
Whichever IWC you choose, they all have much to offer and the company is definitely moving forward quickly and picking up a lot of momentum in the process. My Favourites are the IWC Ingenieur, and Portuguese which I have just added to the collection. Look for a review soon.
Here’s one of my many videos, one that’s a Promo Video for the IWC Caliber 5000 movement:
IWC Watches have always held a special place for me… they have that men’s no-nonsense thing going on, and really make a nice, simple functional watch. They are the only company that is a manufacture and also makes many watches that suit my personal style. However, I do not own any of them. Why? Because they are simply too small.
I draw the line at 42mm. I do not buy any watches smaller than 42mm anymore simply because I won’t wear them. I still have some, such as my Navitimer and Chronomat that are under 42mm, and I wear the Navi, but not the Chronomat. IWC’s watches at their largest were 43mm with the Ingenieur, and that just simply did not cut it. I believe their Aquatimer Cousteau edition also was a bit larger like 44mm or something, but did not fancy paying the premium for it.
I’ve always wanted an IWC with their Manufacture movement, which is why I liked the 42mm Portuguese with the seven day power reserve. The Ref 5001. Caliber 50010 IWC movement.
Enter the IWC Big Ingenieur
A 45.5mm Ingenieur with a power reserve indicator. Utilizing a Calibre 51112 Movement also with a seven day power reserve! Wow. My dream watch.
Very nice. Utilizing the IWC Pellaton winding system, and … in case you missed it.. 7 day power reserve! This is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) automatic movements in production. Watch comes on Rubber or Crocodile, and not stainless in this size unfortunately.
I might have to settle for the new 44mm Ingenieur Automatic on steel, but only if they add a Chronograph to it. It looks a bit too plain without any subdials. The 44mm Ingenieur does not have the seven day movement, unfortunately!
