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Holiday thoughts... Buying a modern pilot Top Gun IWC IW389101 or IW388001?

Shabbaz
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So I'm lying here in the south of France, looking at the ocean. I've sold a couple of watches and I'm thinking what to add next to the collection. I dont have a IWC pilot watch yet and they are big as hell. But they are interesting. And I've always been a big fan of IWC. And the IW389101 features a in-house movement with a black ceramic case. You can get them between EUR 5600 and EUR 7000. But I'm still thinking about the dial. In one hand I love the simplistic, no fuzz, practical style. At the other hand, it is a bit dull. Not sure yet. What do you think about this watch?
 
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OmegaP99
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I think any IWC Pilot piece makes a great daily wearer and even travel piece for the very reason that they are understated. If you prefer a bit of flash you might prefer a blue dial or similar. These Fliegers make very useful tool watches and are quite practical.
Also, enjoy your time relaxing!
 
cristos71
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How many mm? To me it looks like a huge watch that @ €5-7K, and for a vintage lover, has buyers regret written all over it.

I have a PO for beach/pool time on my holidays, looks good and carries the heritage of my vintage pieces
 
scapa
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I’ve owned an LPP chrono, Big Pilot and a few Marks - the BP was huge but glorious - and now have a Spitfire Auto as my daily wearer. It’s beautifully-made, super legible, comfortable, accurate and easily lasts 75 hours on a full wind. I’m a fan and think their new offerings are generally decent values, and there’s a ton of inventory if you go used. Certainly some models need to be tried on for size, but they have grown on me as a brand.
 
pdxleaf
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Lying on a beach in the South of France and daydreaming about watches, you are a true enthusiast. For a brief moment I could visualize myself on the French coast. Ahhhh.

Have you considered Oris, in particular the Oris Big Crown ProPilot chronograph GMT that was only made one year, or the more recent Oris altimeters, world timers or propilots? You get a lot of watch for the money. I have not seen a worldtimer but i read that the worldtimer allows you to adjust the gmt hour by twisting the bezel.

The propilot chronograph gmt was discontinued because the eta movement had gotten too expensive for Oris to continue to offer the watch at the same price. This seems to indicate that the watch is a good value as well as a collectible, if that appeals to you. The prices for used watches (if you find one) are even cheaper, at least for now. You would need to want a chronograph though, which it looks like you do. The watch is good to 100m and stainless steel. Not a diver but surely good for a dip into the water off the South of France. Plus the GMT. I recently bought one, which is why I thought you might consider it.

Enjoy your daydreaming on the coast. Thanks for thinking of us!
 
Shabbaz
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cristos71 cristos71
How many mm? To me it looks like a huge watch that @ €5-7K, and for a vintage lover, has buyers regret written all over it.
Haha. Maybe you're right.

It's 44,5mm. My biggest watch at the moment is 42mm. Maybe the fact I need to ask others for their opinion is a very bad sign. But I want another sport/utility watch in the 42 to 45mm range. What's else out there?
 
Shabbaz
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I was looking at this one as well but somehow I dont connect with it. Dont know why
 
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Shabbaz
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
Lying on a beach in the South of France and daydreaming about watches, you are a true enthusiast. For a brief moment I could visualize myself on the French coast. Ahhhh.

Have you considered Oris, in particular the Oris Big Crown ProPilot chronograph GMT that was only made one year, or the more recent Oris altimeters, world timers or propilots? You get a lot of watch for the money. I have not seen a worldtimer but i read that the worldtimer allows you to adjust the gmt hour by twisting the bezel.

The propilot chronograph gmt was discontinued because the eta movement had gotten too expensive for Oris to continue to offer the watch at the same price. This seems to indicate that the watch is a good value as well as a collectible, if that appeals to you. The prices for used watches (if you find one) are even cheaper, at least for now. You would need to want a chronograph though, which it looks like you do. The watch is good to 100m and stainless steel. Not a diver but surely good for a dip into the water off the South of France. Plus the GMT. I recently bought one, which is why I thought you might consider it.

Enjoy your daydreaming on the coast. Thanks for thinking of us!
Thnx. I will check it out!

Edit: just checked but the design did'nt get me. Maybe it's something historical. For years I've been intrigued by the IWC pilot watches. Especially the miramar model. Dont know why.
 
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ConElPueblo
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Large chronograph?
Ceramic case?
(summer) holiday watch?

...Can there be any better choice than a White Side of the Moon?!?

Omega-Speedmaster-Moonwatch-White-Side-Of-The-Moon-Watch-6.jpg

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/omega-speedmaster-white-side-moon-watch/

I love that watch...
 
pdxleaf
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
Thnx. I will check it out!

Edit: just checked but the design did'nt get me. Maybe it's something historical. For years I've been intrigued by the IWC pilot watches. Especially the miramar model. Dont know why.

Well that is a beautiful watch that definitely says 'pilot.'

It's not exactly a summer watch being so dark hued. Love the prop-shaped hands and machine like pushers. The dial is very ledgible, not to mention attractive. The clean smooth bezel and case also have a plane's smooth fuselage asthetic. At that price point it is outside your original budget. Maybe that's what happens when you day dream on holiday.

EDIT: Darn, now I want one...
Edited:
 
Scarecrow Boat
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
For a brief moment I could visualize myself on the French *toast*. Ahhhh.
This is what I read and it made me realize I’m quite hungry...
 
pdxleaf
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
This is what I read and it made me realize I’m quite hungry...

This forum has great powers to influence, we must use them wisely. Consider all the watches we've purchased or wanted to based on this forum.

French toast is best with real Canadian maple syrup. Mmmmm, maple syrup....
 
Scarecrow Boat
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
This forum has great powers to influence, we must use them wisely. Consider all the watches we've purchased or wanted to based on this forum.

French toast is best with real Canadian maple syrup. Mmmmm, maple syrup....
So much truth and 100% the only syrup I use
 
pdxleaf
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rootbeer7 rootbeer7
Good Lord, that is truly horrific.

I didn't want to offend anyone but I tend to agree. This watch reminded me of these boots. Artic snow boots to keep soldiers feet warm. If you were in a situation where you needed to wear these boots then this watch would complement the outfit. Not so much in France.

Sorry, it's just one (or two) people's opinion.
military-surplus-ecwcs-mickey-mouse-boots.jpg
 
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