IWC Big Pilot

[aztecknight]

Any thoughts on the 5002 v 5004 v 5009?

Any thoughts in general? The Big Pilot has caught my eye.

[blkgsl]

5004 and 5009 only differs in the stem assembly. So the premium on the latter is not worthy imo. Otherwise the only real styling difference is in the dial and subjective.

[aztecknight]

Thanks Z. If only the 5002 had a black date wheel.

Do 5002 tend to be older. Did they overlap or is the 5004 the 5002 replacement?

[blkgsl]

They're older. Some of the 5002s use the same movement, but they're all older manufacturing dates. 5004 replaced the 5002 like the 5009 replaced the 5004.

[slashd0t]

I love my Big Pilot. It's a staple of my collection. I have and prefer the 5004 over the 5002, but I know I'm the minority.

Try find a transitional 5002 if you like the 5002. It's really up to you which dial you prefer.

Regardless, the Big Pilot oozes quality and feels like a much more expensive piece than it is IMO.

[logan2z]

I love my Big Pilot. It's a staple of my collection. I have and prefer the 5004 over the 5002, but I know I'm the minority.

Try find a transitional 5002 if you like the 5002. It's really up to you which dial you prefer.

Regardless, the Big Pilot oozes quality and feels like a much more expensive piece than it is IMO.

It is an expensive piece Beautiful though.

[slashd0t]

It is an expensive piece Beautiful though.

True, but for around $8500 used, I can hardly think of a better piece!

[logan2z]

I have and prefer the 5004 over the 5002, but I know I'm the minority.

I'm with you on the 5004/5009 dial. I used to prefer the 5002 because it is closer to the original B-Uhr, but I've warmed up to the more modern dial and now prefer it.

[lilhoody]

I loved the BP. If only I wore short sleeves more often, it could have been a keeper.

[logan2z]

I'm very tempted to pick one up. It's been on my radar for something like 7 years

[aztecknight]

I'm very tempted to pick one up. It's been on my radar for something like 7 years

It's been on my must too, but something always gets in the way. But this time, I'm going to try to make it happen.

[dukerules]

I love them all, but of those three, I vote 5002. Harder to find, and it seems they command a bit of a premium, though.

[JP Chestnut]

Did iwc ever get the time keeping under control for the 5002? I remember people bitching up a storm about how inaccurate their big pilots were, when they first came out.

[logan2z]

Did iwc ever get the time keeping under control for the 5002? I remember people bitching up a storm about how inaccurate their big pilots were, when they first came out.

From what I've read, IWC have progressively improved the timekeeping in each generation of BP. I don't seem to hear anyone complaining about the timekeeping with the latest iterations. I'm not sure if the 5002s are getting similar improvements when they go in for service.

[lilhoody]

Did iwc ever get the time keeping under control for the 5002? I remember people bitching up a storm about how inaccurate their big pilots were, when they first came out.

From what I've read, IWC have progressively improved the timekeeping in each generation of BP. I don't seem to hear anyone complaining about the timekeeping with the latest iterations. I'm not sure if the 5002s are getting similar improvements when they go in for service.

That maybe, but, time keeping with that large of PR is never going to be what some people (falsely) expect.

[JP Chestnut]

I distinctly remember people having watches four minutes slow per day, after sending it in. It was crazy.

[slashd0t]

Most issues were with the BP running fast, not slow... I know my 5004 ran about +15 per day when I first got it.. It has settled down a bit to probably +8 - +9 per day ...

[lilhoody]

Most issues were with the BP running fast, not slow... I know my 5004 ran about +15 per day when I first got it.. It has settled down a bit to probably +8 - +9 per day ...

When averaging time keeping, it's hard to do when the spread is so large. I suspect if they went to a multiple barrel movement time keeping would improve. That said, who really cares? If you understand the reason why, it's not a big deal. All this BP talk makes me want another.

[slashd0t]

Most issues were with the BP running fast, not slow... I know my 5004 ran about +15 per day when I first got it.. It has settled down a bit to probably +8 - +9 per day ...

When averaging time keeping, it's hard to do when the spread is so large. I suspect if they went to a multiple barrel movement time keeping would improve. That said, who really cares? If you understand the reason why, it's not a big deal. All this BP talk makes me want another.

Agreed... I personally don't care... I love my Big Pilot

[Clem]

5004 and 5009 only differs in the stem assembly. So the premium on the latter is not worthy imo. Otherwise the only real styling difference is in the dial and subjective.

The 5009 also comes with a slightly "chunkier" clasp on the deployant