i am a fan - especially with price for in house as well. I am just sad that it doesn't come with bracelet, especially the black ceramic model.
So two things I learned from Wei Koh's interview with the IWC CEO: 1) The 41mm Spitfire Chronograph will not have the red text Spitfire in the production version, only the automatics will retain this text. 2) There will be Rake collaboration with IWC releasing a Mark XI tribute no-date bronze case LE though with some bizarre Russian leather strap, something to do with a Russian Frigate that sank near the English coast??? Full interview below: https://www.revolution.watch/first-look-iwc-at-sihh-2019/
I do like the IWC pilot's watches but find the new mix of ordinary and faux vintage lume rather odd...
That's a resounding .... From me I really like them all to be honest. The minute counters are a great time keeping/flying tool too!
Love my chrono, and not enough is said about how nice and comfortable this strap is. My IWC Boutique guy threw in another strap as well (my choice; I kept it informal with black fabric) to close the deal.
I love them.... then again not exactly impartial to Iwc pilot watches And adding the Bell&Ross because someone mentioned the similarities The TZC is, I believe late 80’s or early 90’s as is the Bell&Ross both I got from my dad. Someone at the IWC boutique in NYC offered me quite a bit of money for the TZC (UTC) I believe because one of their clients collected and was looking for one. I love the heritage with faux patina etc but then, wearing them, I get a little put off by them. It’s not an aesthetic thing, they just seem affected. Had a similar reaction to the heritage omegas etc. One day I’ll get over that because they are beautiful. On the wrist they are all fantastic IMO. The Big Pilot wears like a 42 mm.
I agree in part with your analysis about the new pilot collection by IWC... I think that they did a great job with the price segmentation of several of the pieces but I have to say that they always try to get a short cut, let me explain: when I went in Geneva for the SIHH 2019, IWC explain me that the new in house movement for the new pilot chronograph is heavily based on the cal 89000 family. Those calibers have, as standard, 68 hours power reserve then why the new pilot chrono has just 38 hours??? Why they couldn’t maintain the longer power reserve that is IMO one of the best features in the daily use of a mechanical wrist watch? Apart that, I like the new pilot collection very much!! I think that aesthetically and dimensionally they are fantastic timepieces!
I ordered the iw326801 a couple of month ago and it arrived yesterday. Pictures really don’t do justice. It looks amazing in the flesh
You have to see this watch in person to appreciate it. Size and dial proportion are perfect for me. The red spitfire adds a little contrast. Great job IWC!
Probably just me but wasn’t IWC a big supplier to the German Luftwaffe? Isn’t putting a big spitfire on the back of a German aviation watch bordering on being a tad distasteful?