Anyone here got IWC pilot watch?

[TheVision]

Waiting for my ExpII gmt at my AD (4 months in..lol).

Been aching for a watch ...had the Omega speedy on my mind but after handling it in person, I was meh. The dial is printed and matte and lacks depth. The watch has single gasket for WR. Bracelet is really nice though. I appreciate the history and all that but it's not for me, unfortunately.

Then came across the IWC pilot (43mm). It's also printed dial but it has more depth plus date/day and screwed down crown. Fit really well on my 7" wrist.

AD was only offering 10% discount but I don't know what's the norm for IWC in general (don't know much about the brand).

This is a generic picture but same watch (might get it on bracelet).

Cheers!

[jed11]

I would look at the 41mm version of this…updated movement, display back, interchangeable strap system. Unless you prefer the size of a 43, I don’t see a reason to get the older version (price not an object of course).


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[collarcity]

This is far off from what you're considering but I wear a 36mm Pilot that I enjoy very much. I love the simple printed matte dial.

[denmanproject]

Yup

[crod]

I bought the 41mm version blue dial a couple of months ago and I love it!!! I used to own the prior version but it felt big on my wrist so I had to get rid of it. The new 41 version wears great, the blue dial is amazing, see through back with new in house movement, the quick change strap system works great!!

[Mach]

I have the 43mm Ref IW377724, which was strictly offered online before being discontinued after less than a year:


It originally came on a NATO strap, which I replaced with a custom ABP strap:




A word of caution for the smaller 41mm pilot's watches: Although they have a smaller diameter, the lug-to-lug length is identical to the 43mm editions:

[Ungucpho]

sent you a PM. but i have the IW377714 & IW388104

wonderful watches

[GolfJunkie]

I've been wanting this one for a while but just keep pushing it aside. I think this will be my next watch.

[Ungucpho]

I just picked this up for my wife, its a great watch, the green dial is very underrated. the ease of changing from bracelet to strap makes it very versatile

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

I've been wanting this one for a while but just keep pushing it aside. I think this will be my next watch.

[TheVision]

Originally Posted by Ungucpho

sent you a PM. but i have the IW377714 & IW388104

wonderful watches

Responded :)! How u liking the 43mm case size? With no dive bezel, does it wear obnoxiously big?

I like the newer 41mm version but from reviews, it appears the older 43mm version had solid caseback (and anti-magnetic protection) but the new one with the clear caseback doesnt have this anymore.

Cheers.

[Ungucpho]

I like the 43 more than the 41

The in house movement with the column wheel on the 41 feels nicer when the chronograph is started

The quick change strap is also nicer.

If you go with either option, Definitely go with the bracelet and add a leather strap/deployant buckle later

The price difference on bracelet vs strap is less than 1000 but buying the bracelet by itself is 1500+

The 41 fits fine until you try the 43. If you’re after the explorer 2. I’d venture to say you’re fine with a bigger watch.

Originally Posted by TheVision

Responded :)! How u liking the 43mm case size? With no dive bezel, does it wear obnoxiously big?

I like the newer 41mm version but from reviews, it appears the older 43mm version had solid caseback (and anti-magnetic protection) but the new one with the clear caseback doesnt have this anymore.

Cheers.

[Droolex]

I'm very close to acquiring a tribute to 3705. ��

[djtheot]

Just picked this one up.


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[crod]

I used to have the 43 and change it for the 41mm blue dial and I love it!!

[Steerpike999]

My wife just ordered this one on a bracelet. Absolutely stunning.
(Pic is on my wrist)



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[ChaseATX]

Big Pilot 43 owner/lover here. I have the bracelet, rubber, and leather. Quick change strap is such a clutch feature.

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by TheVision

Responded :)! How u liking the 43mm case size? With no dive bezel, does it wear obnoxiously big?

I like the newer 41mm version but from reviews, it appears the older 43mm version had solid caseback (and anti-magnetic protection) but the new one with the clear caseback doesnt have this anymore.

Cheers.

Lacks the inner case, but has a silicone mainspring- so still anti magnetic.
IWCs bracelets are magnificent- very comfortable & easy to size with a couple of toothpicks, the newest ones with the push button micro adjustment are probably the best on the market, bar none.

I've had a few of the IWC pilots, from the 42mm 3717, ( still a favorite), to the 3799 ceramic Top Gun doppel....
My favorite is one of the least loved Pilots, the 44mm 3718...

[DCheeta]

I’m a huge fan. I’m on my third one. I had a 3717 (42mm), a 3799 (46mm) and now found my sweet spot with a 3789 (44mm ceramic Top Gun).

I find them much more interesting than a Speedmaster or a Daytona (I’ll probably get banned for saying that). The one you’re looking at is great, as are the newer versions with the in-house movement and 41mm case. I recommend!

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

I’m a huge fan. I’m on my third one. I had a 3717 (42mm), a 3799 (46mm) and now found my sweet spot with a 3789 (44mm ceramic Top Gun).

I find them much more interesting than a Speedmaster or a Daytona (I’ll probably get banned for saying that). The one you’re looking at is great, as are the newer versions with the in-house movement and 41mm case. I recommend!

It’s interesting you posted this. I have a tritium Speedmaster, but this has turned my head. They are beautiful watches.

[ts3]

For more than a decade and until a few years ago the IWC Mark XV I got in 2001 has been my most worn watch.

Recently it has given me some grief though. It stopped running and I thought I'd do my fav AD a small favor and have them fix it. Told them not to polish and yet they polished it, like a Rolex too, just awful, and the auto winding didn't work properly when I got it back. Now it is in Schaffhausen to get fixed.

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by Droolex

I'm very close to acquiring a tribute to 3705. ��

You should. It’s an outstanding watch. I think it’s one of IWCs best ever. Period. Also, don’t go grey. IWC has a handful left which you can get directly from IWC. Do I think it's overpriced? Yes, by about $2-3K. Its really a $9-10k watch. That being said, look at the price on the grey market: $14-18K. I doubt anyone is paying that, but you never know these days. It's a watch that will very likely hold its value and interest over the long term. Buy it and don't look back. It's a wonderful watch.

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

It’s interesting you posted this. I have a tritium Speedmaster, but this has turned my head. They are beautiful watches.

I’ve had numerous Speedmasters and Daytonas over the years, they’re great watches. But I think maybe I just got a little bored with them and now I love IWC chronos the most.

Tritium Speedies are awesome, keep and enjoy that bad boy! But also check out IWC’s pilot offerings, I think you’ll love them as well.

[jed11]

Originally Posted by ChaseATX

Big Pilot 43 owner/lover here. I have the bracelet, rubber, and leather. Quick change strap is such a clutch feature.

Love the brown strap on this. I assume you got the IWC strap, the one that comes stock with the green dial?
Narrowing it down to either this or the blue dial IWC Portugieser 40....

[ChaseATX]

Originally Posted by jed11

Love the brown strap on this. I assume you got the IWC strap, the one that comes stock with the green dial?
Narrowing it down to either this or the blue dial IWC Portugieser 40....

Yep standard brown strap option from the factory.

Invite both if you can but this big pilot sells most when they see it in person.

[jed11]

Originally Posted by ChaseATX

Yep standard brown strap option from the factory.

Invite both if you can but this big pilot sells most when they see it in person.

I've always been a fan of the BP line...I've tried to convince myself so many times that I could pull off the 46mm BP...
I've actually owned the PAM422 and at 47, it wore significantly better on my 6.5 wrist than the BP.
There was a poster on this thread that mentioned an interesting point about the older 43mm pilot chrono having the same lug to lug measurement as the new 41mm chronos. Anybody have measurements of the lug to lug BP43? And while we're at it, the lug to lug of the Portugieser 40?

[raflunes]

Stunning piece in bronze...


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[Paka]

Yes I do:
- IWC Big Pilot 5002
- IWC Mark XV
- IWC Spitfire Mark XVI

All three great watches. But gotta say that 5002 is by far my favourite. And at the same time it is my favourite watch of all watches.

[Flying Clog]

Originally Posted by Mach

I have the 43mm Ref IW377724, which was strictly offered online before being discontinued after less than a year:


It originally came on a NATO strap, which I replaced with a custom ABP strap:




A word of caution for the smaller 41mm pilot's watches: Although they have a smaller diameter, the lug-to-lug length is identical to the 43mm editions:

Do you have a lume shot ?
Do you know if this is a full lume dial (numbers, hour markers and hands) ?
I've always been really disappointed of the lume on IWC's but otherwise really like this one.

[mikkemus23]

[Gebbeth]

I have both a 5010-04 BP Heritage model in titanium (46mm) and the Spitfire Chrono 3879-03 (41mm). Ironically, the 41mm wears big. The 46mm BP actually wears smaller than you think. Probably an expectation thing.

I love both watches. I would highly recommend both (the Spitfire for smaller wrists, the BP if you want the wrist presence).

One thing though, I think the IWC Pilot's watches look much much better on their leather straps. The are very good and thick and hearty. The bracelet style doesn't do it for me. The small links give it an aesthetic I'm not too fond of.