Vintage Series IWC

[BigHat]

Anyone play with one of these?

Thinking either this or a BP FF instead of a bang around Sub or SD

[toph]

they look good but are they not around $10-$11000? or is that some of the other vintage style models .
I saw a few in an AD recently but did not pay to much attention unfortunately ast hey are too exensive for me, for that. nice watch all the same

[BigHat]

BP FF is about $10K and this is about $6.5K at reasonable discount pricing.

[Jedi]

Matt,

The IWC vintage range basically contain the same movements in all the time and date watches. The differentiating factor is in the case design and of course, with the Aquatimer, the internal bezel.

I believe that IWC is merely cashing in on the 'vintage' feel market with this one, while offering very little in terms of horological value apart from 'reviving' some designs. But it makes little sense to me why the Ingenieur which is supposed to be anti-magnetic, now has a display case and doesn't do what it was originally intended to do.

Fair enough other brands including Rolex (with the Milgauss) and JLC (with the Polaris) and Longines (with their dive watch and others) have gone vintage, but I can't help but feel that IWC is purely cosmetic in their approach.

If I had to get an IWC vintage, it would be the Aquatimer you've picked, but only if it comes with a solid case back.

[worktolivelife]

.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Jedi

Matt,

The IWC vintage range basically contain the same movements in all the time and date watches. The differentiating factor is in the case design and of course, with the Aquatimer, the internal bezel.

I believe that IWC is merely cashing in on the 'vintage' feel market with this one, while offering very little in terms of horological value apart from 'reviving' some designs. But it makes little sense to me why the Ingenieur which is supposed to be anti-magnetic, now has a display case and doesn't do what it was originally intended to do.

Fair enough other brands including Rolex (with the Milgauss) and JLC (with the Polaris) and Longines (with their dive watch and others) have gone vintage, but I can't help but feel that IWC is purely cosmetic in their approach.

If I had to get an IWC vintage, it would be the Aquatimer you've picked, but only if it comes with a solid case back.

Lee,
As always great input. Let me double check but I think it has a sapphire case back. Not in love with it (like I am with the JLC Polaris) but giving it some thought.

[Jedi]

Still no news on the Polaris yet, Matt. Getting a little disheartened. They keep pushing the date, now it's the end of this month!!! With my crap budgeting when it finally arrives, I'll be scraping pennies.

And here's something you already know, when it comes to watches, if you ain't in love with it.... walk away...

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Jedi

And here's something you already know, when it comes to watches, if you ain't in love with it.... walk away...

Amen to that.

I try to convey that point to new folks whenever I can. It's so easy to get excited by a purchase, review or pics here and buy another watch. You wear it for awhile and then ho hum.

I take a very hard look at what I have and assess how the new piece will fit in the mix. In a climate like this, if it's totally duplicative I take a pass.

Totally oppose ends of the spectrum, but looking at the BP FF and at the low end of the spectrum that pretty nice Oris regulator. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again for the advice above, I like the IWC (have owned them) but don't love it.

[leopardprey]

Bighat,

I bought the IWC Aquatimer, from the Vintage Collection, about 4 weeks ago and it has not left my wrist except for 3 days where I put the Glashutte Navigator back on the wrist.

After having owned many many watches over the years, I have to say with the IWC AT VC, I finally found my ideal Dive watch. Love everything about the actual watch itself. Lum is outstanding. Curved crystal and case fits great on the wrist. Very legible dial. Inner uni-directional bezel works great and like the dual crowns. Good 44mm Size. Very true to the original 1967 design (the year I was born, so another reason I like it). I have been swimming laps and using the Epiliptical Trainers everyday with it, as well as traveling around Thailand with it. Even survived the tear gas and bombs in the recent clashes in Thailand I was involved in, when my hotel was gassed last week.

I also own the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. While the FF is a incredible dive watch and I really like it, if I had to choose between the two, the IWC would win. Plus the IWC cost almost half of what the FF does. Matter of fact if I was forced to sell all of the watches I own and keep only one, the IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer would be the one I would keep.

Now, what I also like about the IWC VC Aquatimer, is the movement. Regular Aquatimers have ETA movement (which are proven work horses and good movements), but for the Vintage AT, the IWC Inhouse Caliber 80111 movement, same as used in the Ingenieurs is used. This movement has the superb engineered pellaton winding system and also integrated shock absorption system. I like the display back as allows me to see the movement. I have not been diving with it yet, just hard core lap swimming, but there is a good post on the IWC.com forums of a member who has been using his WIC AT VC for soem extensive diving in INdonesia (lots of good photos in the post as well).

The only thing I did not like about the watch was the rubber strap it came with. As for me it was too short on the buckle side. So I replaced the the strap with a Hirsch strap that fits me much better, and actually since is a Rally style strap with big holes on each side, breathes better and is more cool in the humid environment I am in now, and also dries really quick due to less surface area after pool workouts.

Cheers.

[leopardprey]

As for prices, the Aquatimer, Ingenieur, and the Da Vincis from the Vintage Collection have a MSRP of around $7300 US. The Portugese and Pilot have a MSRP of around $10,000 and the Portifino is a little higher. The Portugese, Pilot, and Portifino have IWC In house Hand wound movements. While the Ingenieur, Da Vinci and Aquatimer have the In house caliber 80111 Pelleton Auto Winding Movement with integrated Shock Protection system.

If looking for a dress watch the 44mm, 10mm thick Portugese is a very nice watch and wears great on the wrist. Tried one on at the AD, very nice.

[Jedi]

Chad, the guy who went diving with the Aqua is a friend of mine. I gave him heaps for not using the bezel underwater look closely and you'll see that the bezel set at 0000.

Glad to hear your account of in-world performance of the Aqua.

And as an aside, loved the article in WatchTime. Good to finally put a face to the name. If you like, PM me next time you're in KL. Drinks are on me.

[gaopa]

That IWC is a beauty! Cheers, Bill P.

[BigHat]

Chad,
Very nice assessment of the watch.

I too enjoyed the feature story on you in WatchTime. I managed to get the featured letter (regarding the IWC brand review) to the editor in Oct 2008 issue; were you in that one of the issue prior?

Matt

[leopardprey]

Thanks for the compliments on the article. Bighat, the article was for the Sep/Oct issue of watchtime.
Jedi, might be in KL in 2 months - will definately look you up. KL is one of my favorite cities, I usually stay at the Impiana KLCC. Up in Chiang Mai studying right now, was actually in Penang just 2 weeks ago for 4 days.

[TheDude]

My AD claims that the stainless 2008 Jubilee models will be about as rare or limited in production as an LV sub compared to other models in IWC's lineup.

They also claimed that they will be sold for a number of years, not just this year.

I have been on a list for the Ingenieur, but my AD doesn't have one yet. I just love the idea of that massive 42mm dress watch!