IWC Big Pilot: Dark history?

[MILGAUSS88]

IWC is headquartered in Schaffhausen, in the German speaking part of Switzerland.
Of course they were going to sell to Germany.
How could they possibly make a military inspired watch, inspired from there past, that was not used by the Germans in WWII?

It would be similar to asking Lange to make a WWII military watch that was not inspired by one that was used by Nazi's.

Better not buy a VW Bug as well I guess. Or a BMW or a Mercedes.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Justindo

The problem with purity tests is that no one can pass them.

Nonsense. This is hardly a purity test, if it were, I'd be writing off the entire brand over that. This is about the decision about what model to specifically pay tribute to 60 years later.

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

IWC is headquartered in Schaffhausen, in the German speaking part of Switzerland.
Of course they were going to sell to Germany.
How could they possibly make a military inspired watch, inspired from there past, that was not used by the Germans in WWII?

It would be similar to asking Lange to make a WWII military watch that was not inspired by one that was used by Nazi's.

Better not buy a VW Bug as well I guess. Or a BMW or a Mercedes.

Again, not about them selling to the Nazis, or even designing for the German military during the war. It's about the decision to pay tribute to a model specific to the Luftwaffe by reviving its design (and then mimicking it exactly with the latest release, albeit smaller).

[bondtoys]

IWC and others made what they knew best: Make the best possible watch along certain specifications.
Yes, Navigators on board of Aircraft needed precise and well readable watches.

IWC and others reused the Beobachtungsuhr design because many people found the design pleasant and logic.

Everything else is just political and historical interpretation - many buyers have totally different motives to get one of them.

Are we now all stopping to watch James Bond because he‘s using a Walther PPK?

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

IWC and others made what they knew best: Make the best possible watch along certain specifications.
Yes, Navigators on board of Aircraft needed precise and well readable watches.

IWC and others reused the Beobachtungsuhr design because many people found the design pleasant and logic.

Everything else is just political and historical interpretation - many buyers have totally different motives to get one of them.

Are we now all stopping to watch James Bond because he‘s using a Walther PPK?

Do you not see a difference between supplying the Luftwaffe during the war and saying quite explicitly 60 years later “we’re bringing back the specific design we produced exclusively for the Luftwaffe” (genuine question here)?

That some elements of it endured through the years is quite understandable for the reasons stated. But to speak proudly of its heritage as a Luftwaffe watch gives me pause.

And I do enjoy a good Bond film, and I’ll continue to watch them. However the way he treats women and the portrayal of Black and Asian characters in early films gives me pause (though few franchises have down as much to redeem themselves in that regard, but I digress).

I would NOT, however, wear the Omega with the “007” insignia on it... but only because I think it’s stupid (adult equivalent of Mickey Mouse watch) .

[SS Oyster]

Lighten up Francis!


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[Db7566]

Danny,

You did not seem to get a lot of love on this thread. I agree with basically everything you said. Poor taste to bring back this very specific design and size. Might as well have called it the Big Nazi Watch. I could not purchase any watch with these design cues as they are very specifically calling on the exact design of the Luftwaffe pilot watches.

I hold no grudge against IWC or any company that supplied the Nazis, there are many. The problem is with the company using this very specific Nazi design today.


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[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Db7566

Danny,

You did not seem to get a lot of love on this thread. I agree with basically everything you said. Poor taste to bring back this very specific design and size. Might as well have called it the Big Nazi Watch. I could not purchase any watch with these design cues as they are very specifically calling on the exact design of the Luftwaffe pilot watches.

I hold no grudge against IWC or any company that supplied the Nazis, there are many. The problem is with the company using this very specific Nazi design today.


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Yea, though I do in some instances hold grudges... There was always a difference between supplying the Nazis and supplying the German armed services during a war.

I could even live with using design elements of a watch provided to the Luftwaffe. It's the tone deafness in thinking that having supplied the Nazis is something to brag about that has my jaw agape. Not unlike displaying a Confederate flag for "heritage" sake.

Most companies that had some tie there would do everything possible to hide it today, or acknowledge simply that it was a wartime supplier of the German armed services. It wouldn't be part of the marketing literature, paying tribute to Nazi Germany in its own way.

Recently noticed that Glycine has its KMU model - Kriegsmarine Uhren. So now we have the Goehring watch and the Doenitz watch proudly sold by notable Swiss watchmakers.

[ILoveFerrari]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I'd always loved the design of the IWC pilot watches. In fact, I own one, a Mk XVI, that traces its roots back to the watches supplied to the RAF during WWII. I'd always loved the Big Pilot design, too. Then, I learned a little more about it...

It seems that this series pays tribute to another military pilot watch, but one only supplied to the Luftwaffe. That IWC supplied any paying customer during WWII is what it is, but why bring back one designed for the Nazis?!?! Am I the only one who has a problem with that and would decline to buy said watch as a result (if it fit me in the first place, lol)?

For that reasoning, you may have troubles buying brands under VW as well - Porsche, VW, Lambo, or Hugo Boss like someone mentioned above. Let past be passed. You are not supporting Nazi, and in fact I don't think you are supporting US Air Force by buying IWC Top Gun series. I am sure you get my point.