IWC Big Pilot 43mm
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11739
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
IWC Big Pilot 43mm
IWC just announced a new 43mm Big Pilot with no power reserve indicator or date window, and a quick change strap system. Available in black or blue dial. $8400 on strap, $9350 on bracelet.
By far the best looking BP, IMHO, and actually wearable.
By far the best looking BP, IMHO, and actually wearable.
- Terpits
- Creepy Tudor Guy
- Posts: 6174
- Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 9:06 am
- Name: Peter
- Location: Hill Country TX
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
Love it. Hope lug to lug is less than 50mm.
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
Finally wearable Big Pilot. 46 combined with a buzz saw crown was unbearable
- JP Chestnut
- Posts: 17820
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 10:40 am
- Name: Jacob
- Location: Ithaca, NY USA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
The BP has always looked nice. Now there’s one that isn’t clown sized.
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
I’d wear this one.
- Jeep99dad
- Grand-père
- Posts: 32291
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:07 am
- Name: Brice
- Location: FlipVille, SC
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
I actually love it and I’d love the blue one bracelet. I like the lack of complications and clean look. But it’s just too expensive for what is a larger MKXVIII, no??
Merde Alors! Et Vive Les Francais!
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
IWC seems to be in great form as usual Andrew !
Can’t thank you enough for the news, along with look !!!
Can’t thank you enough for the news, along with look !!!
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11739
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
I don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
- JP Chestnut
- Posts: 17820
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 10:40 am
- Name: Jacob
- Location: Ithaca, NY USA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
Is IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11739
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
I'll bet you could easily get 20% if not more.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:32 amIs IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
- JP Chestnut
- Posts: 17820
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 10:40 am
- Name: Jacob
- Location: Ithaca, NY USA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
Watches are ridiculously priced in general these days, but after discounting this isn't any more outrageous than anything else. Of course, I'm not sure an in-house movement as a value add with IWC, given that they haven't had flawless performance.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:35 amI'll bet you could easily get 20% if not more.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:32 amIs IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11739
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
True, I just brought up the in-house movement because one generally pays more for it than a Sellita. So the price difference between the Mk. XVIII and the BP is theoretically justified. Whether going in-house on an IWC is a good idea, though, appears debatable.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:54 amOf course, I'm not sure an in-house movement as a value add with IWC, given that they haven't had flawless performance.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:35 amI'll bet you could easily get 20% if not more.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:32 amIs IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
- Jeep99dad
- Grand-père
- Posts: 32291
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:07 am
- Name: Brice
- Location: FlipVille, SC
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
The new small pilots use the in house mvt not sellita and are way cheaperlogan2z wrote:True, I just brought up the in-house movement because one generally pays more for it than a Sellita. So the price difference between the Mk. XVIII and the BP is theoretically justified. Whether going in-house on an IWC is a good idea, though, appears debatable.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:54 amOf course, I'm not sure an in-house movement as a value add with IWC, given that they haven't had flawless performance.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:35 amI'll bet you could easily get 20% if not more.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:32 amIs IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
Merde Alors! Et Vive Les Francais!
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11739
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
Yes, but they're not the BIG PilotJeep99dad wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:38 amThe new small pilots use the in house mvt not sellita and are way cheaperlogan2z wrote:True, I just brought up the in-house movement because one generally pays more for it than a Sellita. So the price difference between the Mk. XVIII and the BP is theoretically justified. Whether going in-house on an IWC is a good idea, though, appears debatable.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:54 amOf course, I'm not sure an in-house movement as a value add with IWC, given that they haven't had flawless performance.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:35 amI'll bet you could easily get 20% if not more.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:32 amIs IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
It's not just about the cost of materials, movement cost, etc. The BP is viewed as the pinnacle of pilot's watches in the IWC collection, so people are generally willing to pay a premium for it. It also bears a closer resemblance to the historic B-Uhrs, and that has significance to some buyers as well.
More desirable = more expensive, regardless of the actual cost to produce.
- Jeep99dad
- Grand-père
- Posts: 32291
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:07 am
- Name: Brice
- Location: FlipVille, SC
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
But In truth this is not really a big pilot anymorelogan2z wrote:Yes, but they're not the BIG PilotJeep99dad wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:38 amThe new small pilots use the in house mvt not sellita and are way cheaperlogan2z wrote:True, I just brought up the in-house movement because one generally pays more for it than a Sellita. So the price difference between the Mk. XVIII and the BP is theoretically justified. Whether going in-house on an IWC is a good idea, though, appears debatable.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:54 amOf course, I'm not sure an in-house movement as a value add with IWC, given that they haven't had flawless performance.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:35 amI'll bet you could easily get 20% if not more.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:32 amIs IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
It's not just about the cost of materials, movement cost, etc. The BP is viewed as the pinnacle of pilot's watches in the IWC collection, so people are generally willing to pay a premium for it. It also bears a closer resemblance to the historic B-Uhrs, and that has significance to some buyers as well.
More desirable = more expensive, regardless of the actual cost to produce.
Merde Alors! Et Vive Les Francais!
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11739
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
It's all relativeJeep99dad wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:16 pmBut In truth this is not really a big pilot anymorelogan2z wrote:Yes, but they're not the BIG PilotJeep99dad wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:38 amThe new small pilots use the in house mvt not sellita and are way cheaperlogan2z wrote:True, I just brought up the in-house movement because one generally pays more for it than a Sellita. So the price difference between the Mk. XVIII and the BP is theoretically justified. Whether going in-house on an IWC is a good idea, though, appears debatable.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:54 amOf course, I'm not sure an in-house movement as a value add with IWC, given that they haven't had flawless performance.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:35 amI'll bet you could easily get 20% if not more.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:32 amIs IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
It's not just about the cost of materials, movement cost, etc. The BP is viewed as the pinnacle of pilot's watches in the IWC collection, so people are generally willing to pay a premium for it. It also bears a closer resemblance to the historic B-Uhrs, and that has significance to some buyers as well.
More desirable = more expensive, regardless of the actual cost to produce.
The 46mm BP wasn't big compared to the original 55mm B-Uhr. The 43mm BP is big compared to most of IWC''s other pilot watches. In any case, it is in the spirit/style of the original B-Uhr (more so than even the 46mm model) and so is arguably more desirable than a smaller pilot watch with a date and a standard crown.
I would personally choose the 43mm BP over any of the other three-hand pilot watches in IWC's collection. I prefer the more historically correct vibe and the nicer movement - that you can actually see through the caseback. I think the premium is worth it.
To my mind, this is in a different league than the Mk. XVII and Spitfires:
- JP Chestnut
- Posts: 17820
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 10:40 am
- Name: Jacob
- Location: Ithaca, NY USA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
RAF > B-Uhr
Imagine talking watches with someone and being plainly clear about what's going on: "yeah I love this watch, it's so historically correct to the watches that Nazis wore while bombing civilians!"
Imagine talking watches with someone and being plainly clear about what's going on: "yeah I love this watch, it's so historically correct to the watches that Nazis wore while bombing civilians!"
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11739
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
Well, yeah, that's certainly something to consider.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:40 pmRAF > B-Uhr
Imagine talking watches with someone and being plainly clear about what's going on: "yeah I love this watch, it's so historically correct to the watches that Nazis wore while bombing civilians!"
- Jeep99dad
- Grand-père
- Posts: 32291
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:07 am
- Name: Brice
- Location: FlipVille, SC
Re: IWC Big Pilot 43mm
In truth, and all joking aside, I like the blue one a lot and may replace my Spitfire with it as I don’t want it back from IWC until they figure out the issue, which they’ll likely won’t or won’t disclose.logan2z wrote:It's all relativeJeep99dad wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:16 pmBut In truth this is not really a big pilot anymorelogan2z wrote:Yes, but they're not the BIG PilotJeep99dad wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:38 amThe new small pilots use the in house mvt not sellita and are way cheaperlogan2z wrote:True, I just brought up the in-house movement because one generally pays more for it than a Sellita. So the price difference between the Mk. XVIII and the BP is theoretically justified. Whether going in-house on an IWC is a good idea, though, appears debatable.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:54 amOf course, I'm not sure an in-house movement as a value add with IWC, given that they haven't had flawless performance.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:35 amI'll bet you could easily get 20% if not more.JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:32 amIs IWC still a "25% off MSRP" brand? If so, $6K new seems pretty reasonable. If not, buying slightly used is the answer.logan2z wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:16 amI don't think so. For one thing, the Mk. XVIII uses a base Sellita movement, the BP uses an in-house movement with Pellaton winding. The BP is also closer to the original B-Uhr design with a no-date dial and the original oversized crown. So, if you're looking for something closer to the original B-Uhr design with an in-house movement, then I don't think the Mk. XVIII is a substitute.
At $8K, the 43mm BP seems like a deal compared to the harder-to-wear and less authentic 46mm at $13K.
It's not just about the cost of materials, movement cost, etc. The BP is viewed as the pinnacle of pilot's watches in the IWC collection, so people are generally willing to pay a premium for it. It also bears a closer resemblance to the historic B-Uhrs, and that has significance to some buyers as well.
More desirable = more expensive, regardless of the actual cost to produce.
The 46mm BP wasn't big compared to the original 55mm B-Uhr. The 43mm BP is big compared to most of IWC''s other pilot watches. In any case, it is in the spirit/style of the original B-Uhr (more so than even the 46mm model) and so is arguably more desirable than a smaller pilot watch with a date and a standard crown.
I would personally choose the 43mm BP over any of the other three-hand pilot watches in IWC's collection. I prefer the more historically correct vibe and the nicer movement - that you can actually see through the caseback. I think the premium is worth it.
To my mind, this is in a different league than the Mk. XVII and Spitfires:
I also am a fan of the ceramic top gun and have never had a ceramic.
I’m just a bit put off but their auto mvt.
Merde Alors! Et Vive Les Francais!
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: AtomicTom, demer03, DocHollidayDDS, raf42 and 651 guests