Hublot or IWC

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by 2th DR

My choices are between these two...
Attachment 136238


The Hublot retails for $7300 and I can get it for $3595 +tax. The IWC retails for $4400 and I can get it for 3080 w/ no tax.

The Hublot in vibrant blue dial is very cool

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

Hows the 3227? I've been looking at one as a beater (well as beater as a watch that expensive can be) as they're so durable. (made to be indestructible)

Is it top-heavy or too heavy at all? The water resistance is 120m correct? The movement is in-house as in the newer (but much larger) Mission Earth?

Thanks in ahead, and sorry for all the questions, I'm quite curious about the watch!

I love my Inge and use it as my daily beater. It's also one of my most accurate watches. There are a lot of opinions regarding whether the movement is in fact in-house or an ebauche. I'm on the in-house camp. It's got the same movement as the Inge Mission Earch (Calibre 80110) and is 120m water resistent. The watch is very well balanced (bracelet helps a lot) for such a heavy chunk of metal - the iron core shielding is the big culprit - but I really don't notice the weight as my Panerais were much heavier. If you're worried about the weight, there was a titanium version made for AMG.

Some folks complain about the polished parts but after a while you stop noticing it. I've used it for diving, yard work, restoring a motorcycle, and with a suit. It just plain fits in any imagineable situation. The lume's not the best in the world but I strap on a Luminox if I need to see the time at night. The Inge was discontinued after a 3 or 4 year run (released in 2005 to 2009). Never was a big seller so there aren't many floating around out there. I also like the 42mm size vs the newer 44mm IWCs (too big for me).

[George Ab]

Gee Hublot or IWC? Well they both rework ETA 7750 for their chronos, how original.

Actually, Hobolt is soon to release a new in-house chronograph movement. http://www.finestwatches.com/blog/ar...r-HUB1240.html

I will say the IWC mesh band is the most comfortable I've ever owned, and their finish is incredible. However, rather than a manufacture that reworks movements (code for orders them special from ETA), I go for manufactures that make their own movements. Zenith, quality in-house movements, great finish, and dirt cheap (cheap is relative).

[George Ab]

Originally Posted by George Ab

Gee Hublot or IWC? Well they both rework ETA 7750 for their chronos, how original.

Actually, Hobolt is soon to release a new in-house chronograph movement. http://www.finestwatches.com/blog/ar...r-HUB1240.html

I will say the IWC mesh band is the most comfortable I've ever owned, and their finish is incredible. However, rather than a manufacture that reworks movements (code for orders them special from ETA), I go for manufactures that make their own movements. Zenith, quality in-house movements, great finish, and dirt cheap (cheap is relative).

Mark,

I was a tad harsh on IWC (it was late). IWC has “horological cred” after some 125 years in the business. The company has made perpetuals and other works of arts, so they are the real deal. They continue to move mechanical watch-making forward. I already mentioned their finish work (along with JLC) is probably the best in the business. So Hublot in comparison, been around for 10 years and they’re just releasing their first movement. So in comparison to “horological cred”, no contest.

IWC will sell parts to authorized watchmakers on an exchange bases. This is a similar policy to Rolex. It protects our investment, yet lets us get the parts we need from independent watch makers. Some companies (JLC for example) only provide parts to their service centers. So when you need a part of the caliber that only the company makes, and the company determines the case needs to be replaced as a ding is unacceptably large (in their opinion), you will care about this policy when you get a repair estimate for $2,750 with the caveat of “all or nothing”….. I believe service and parts availability should be taken into consideration when purchasing a watch.

The IWC representatives I have met, have been some of the coolest WIS I have ever met. I met a IWC company rep that was touring the states with their new releases from Basel in 1998, and he threw a $150K (one of eight made) skeleton perpetual on my wrist. I came to the event after hiking all day and didn’t have a chance to dress for the occasion. I wondered if he threw that watch on my wrist due to my 18K 1954 IWC I wore or was it the influence of my girlfriend (hot). In retrospect, my money is on the hot girlfriend. The IWC boutique in Las Vegas (Venetian I believe) is actually worth a stop if your vacationing in Vegas. The guy I talked to there, lit up when he came across a customer who was a fellow WIS. The point being he wasn’t just another sales person, but an enthusiast. Incredible selection there.

In IWC defense, sometimes it makes sense to improve upon something that can be readily purchased to keep cost down. Keep in mind that Rolex would of never developed the 4130 chronograph movement if LVMH (parent company of Hublot, Tag Heuer, and Zenith) would not of cut them off from selling El Primera movements to Rolex in 2000. It forced them out of their horological laziness.

I sold my IWC because I wanted to collect only in-house movement manufactures, and considered my IWC Flieger Chronograph to be just another ETA 7750. That watch was one of the nicest watches from a fit and quality perspective I’ve owned. Pic shows this.

[fc3s2k]

HUBLOT BIG BANG 44mm RG with Ceramic Bezel!!!!!!!!


_________________________
14060M
EXPLORER I
SS DATEJUST WG BEZEL
RG CELLINI DANAOS
PAM 177I
HUBLOT BIG BANG RG/CERAMIC BEZEL

[HL65]

Mark--Like the IWC myself--also being from Pittsburgh--great colors!!!

[rpryan55]

I thinks George has done a really good job of explaining that, in the company of true WISs, you'll get more respect with the IWC. I love, love, love one particular Big Bang but I don't think it's worth the money Hublot charges for their very cool looking watches. I just think they're putting an uninspired, if reliable, movement in a really sharp looking case. I'll get flamed for saying this, but I can't help but think that I'd be paying large money for what is essentially a fashion watch with the Hublot.

That said, it is a spectacular looking timepiece. But I'd have to go with the IWC just because of the wealth of history - and the fact that a recent poll of the top 500 wealthiest people in the world by Forbes magazine revealed that IWC was the watch most wore. Not being one of those 500, I figure they know something I don't. Or maybe a lot I don't.

[skyrider007]

IWC for life!

[R1@160@alltimes]

IWC over Hublot imho

Good luck, pal!

[Modernir Design]

both look nice

[Mockingbird]

The IWC divers are quite nice, and the brand has a huge amount of heritage unlike Hublot which is just beginning. (there's nothing wrong with that, I predict it'll become a great manufacture over time)

I'd personally go for the white dial IWC diver.

[arnisador]

For me.. as a Brand the IWC hands down.
The heeritage is there,and Hublot still have years to go..
However.. the BIG BANG "DARK" is one sexy piece of machinery.
G.

[boa2]

Originally Posted by George Ab

Mark,

I already mentioned their finish work (along with JLC) is probably the best in the business. So Hublot in comparison, been around for 10 years and they’re just releasing their first movement. So in comparison to “horological cred”, no contest.

Just an FYI...Hublot has been around for 30 years, not 10.

IWC makes outstanding watches, but having owned at least 5 of them, I cannot say their finishing ranks anywhere near that of AP, Patek, VC or Lange.

I couldn't pick between these two brands. Both have models that I would be overjoyed to own. The major plus with Hublot, and the energy behind their explosive growth these past 5 years, has much to do with the CEO, Jean-Claude Biver. No executive in the watch industry has more direct contact with so many owners or enthusiasts.

[dgr8dude]

I used to have an IWC Aquatimer and it was a bit difficult to sell and hold little re-sale value. Not sure about Hublot though...unlike my Rolex and Omegas, very flippable...

[boa2]

Originally Posted by dgr8dude

I used to have an IWC Aquatimer and it was a bit difficult to sell and hold little re-sale value. Not sure about Hublot though...unlike my Rolex and Omegas, very flippable...

Depends on the model. For the Aquatimer as well. The AT 3536 has more than doubled in price on the pre-owned market. In any event, the range is too widespread to quantify re-sale across the entire brand. Even Rolex and Omega have models that will languish in the classifieds unless heavily discounted.