IWC Spitfire Chrono - Opinion?

[RedSpiseeBalls]

Been looking for my first proper watch.

I currently like the IWC IW371702 Spitfire Chrono. - http://www.iwc.com/en-us/collection/pilots/IW3717S...

Does anyone have this watch, would you recommend it, where did you buy it from?

Finally, for a £4k budget are there other watches of a similar style?

[Spice_Weasel]

I have one and love it. Used values are a little soft so best bet is to buy pre-owned. You should see change from £3K for a strap model though buying the bracelet and sourcing a strap (I have since bought 3 more for mine) may be the better buy. Blowers and SWC (watches.co.uk) seem to have a reasonable level of throughput

[RedSpiseeBalls]

Ok thanks.. been told the black dial is discontinued though.. silver still looks good.

[kazino]

Lot of other watches in your price range new and used opens up a whole new world.

Other brands with chronos in your price range that I can quickly think of : Vacheron Constantin (might be a bit out of range for the chrono but a basic oversesas should be), Rolex Daytona (again it is dearer but it won't depreciate) , Chopard mille miglia , JLC master compressor, Tudor, Breitling (chunky styling though), Ulysse Nardin maxi marine chrono (not very pilot like though,

Then you've got something a bit different from Corum/Cartier/Panerai/bell and ross. You could go to a store which stocks many brands and have a look around, nothing like seeing it on your wrist to help you decide.

Can't go wrong with a spitfire though, great watch.

[andy tims]

Nice watches, but don't buy new (or of you do haggle very hard) unless you plan to keep for ever, because they will depreciate quite heavily.

Here are some recently sold 3717's

http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

including my old watch

http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

[Adam B]

I have recently bought an IWC aquatimer and was looking at pilots too, and judging by my experience you shouldn't pay more then £3k for a NEW one. Actually preferred the spitfire to the normal pilot which is not how I started out, they are very nice though.

PM me for more details if you like

[RedSpiseeBalls]

andy tims said:

Nice watches, but don't buy new (or of you do haggle very hard) unless you plan to keep for ever, because they will depreciate quite heavily.

Hi Andy, how did you find the Spitfire/why did you choose to sell it?

With regards buy price I knw I can get str8 20% off from Heathrow duty free (as im going on a trip soon) making it come in at £3100, but in your opinion it that a good price to buy new at?

[RedSpiseeBalls]

kazino said:

Vacheron Constantin overseas... Lovely watch... but your right at nearly £9k little too much for me to start with for my first proper watch

[RichB]

As you asked for opinions, personally I wouldn't be spending £4,000 on a pilots watch, I would only spend that on a classic/dress watch. If it's a pilots watch you want then there are automatics for a fraction of that cost from many manufactures such as Christopher Ward - this one is around 200 quid!


If you want something a little more up market you could look at manufacturers like Frederique Constant who offer these at about £1,500.

A pilots watch is a bit of a fashion accessory unless you are one of the vintage warbirds crew. All IMO of course...

[RedSpiseeBalls]

@RichB

I do like the Frederique Constant.. do you know what model/range that is?

[RichB]

RedSpiseeBalls said:

@RichB I do like the Frederique Constant.. do you know what model/range that is?

That one's the Runabout Automatic Chronograph but the full range & website is here. I like the appearance very much but I dislike large watches and would not wear anything bigger than 38mm but that's just me. http://www.frederique-constant.com/en/watch_FC-392...

[andy tims]

RedSpiseeBalls said:

andy tims said:

Nice watches, but don't buy new (or of you do haggle very hard) unless you plan to keep for ever, because they will depreciate quite heavily.

Hi Andy, how did you find the Spitfire/why did you choose to sell it?

With regards buy price I knw I can get str8 20% off from Heathrow duty free (as im going on a trip soon) making it come in at £3100, but in your opinion it that a good price to buy new at?

Mine was the "non Sprifire" version. I sold it mainly because I'm a serial flipper & something else caught my eye. It was a lovely watch, except I always felt the chrono pushers were a bit thin / long & therefore a bit vulnerable - minor point I know.

20% off is just the VAT so I'd say it's not that spectacular a deal. The Swiss franc being de-valued today is possibly going to make any stock jewellers are currently holding, look (even more) expensive fairly soon.

[kazino]

Used I think you can get quite close to your budget, check out chrono24.com or such like.

RedSpiseeBalls said:

Vacheron Constantin overseas... Lovely watch... but your right at nearly £9k little too much for me to start with for my first proper watch

[lowdrag]

I've had my Spitfire a few years now and can thoroughly recommend it. Unlike so many watches, this is all face so you very nearly have the 42mm, and it makes it very easy to read at night. I chose the black face - just personal choice - and a metal strap because I have acid skin which eats a leather strap in no time. To start with the watch gained about a minute a month, but now that it has settled down, unless I change time zones it never needs adjusting. Another thing is that only people who know watches recognise it, and gently murmur their approval. So many watches shout at you I find, but this doesn't. It also slips nicely under a cuff if needed. Since it's my daily beater it has a few dings and marks, but the glass is completely unmarked, and unless I am workin on the car it never leaves my wrist, night or day, and it'll never be sold.

[RedSpiseeBalls]

@LowDrag

I kind of really have my heart set on it... I think a visit to a few shops just to firm that up as other have recommended is a good idea.

I'll post back with what decision i eventually make, all very exciting though :-)

[Madness60]

I was also a massive fan of the IWC chronos but in a fit of financial restraint ended up buying one of these second hand from TZ-UK
Its lovely

http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/Nav-B-Chrono-II-...

[HarryW]

andy tims said:

Nice watches, but don't buy new (or of you do haggle very hard) unless you plan to keep for ever, because they will depreciate quite heavily.

Here are some recently sold 3717's

http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

including my old watch

http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

I must say you've whetted my appetite with that little show, do they come up often, must resist.

[Adam B]

lowdrag said:

I've had my Spitfire a few years now and can thoroughly recommend it. Unlike so many watches, this is all face so you very nearly have the 42mm, and it makes it very easy to read at night. I chose the black face - just personal choice - and a metal strap because I have acid skin which eats a leather strap in no time. To start with the watch gained about a minute a month, but now that it has settled down, unless I change time zones it never needs adjusting. Another thing is that only people who know watches recognise it, and gently murmur their approval. So many watches shout at you I find, but this doesn't. It also slips nicely under a cuff if needed. Since it's my daily beater it has a few dings and marks, but the glass is completely unmarked, and unless I am workin on the car it never leaves my wrist, night or day, and it'll never be sold.

Isn't that a standard pilot with a steel bracelet rather than leather? I thought the pilot spitfire is the light face with extra detailing, mechanically identical though

[lowdrag]

As the thread starts out, this is the Spitfire Chrono, but is correctly termed the "Pilot's Watch Chrono Reference 3717" on the IWC site. See here:-

http://www.iwc.com/en-us/collection/pilots/IW3717/

Mine has the reference 371704, it seems

Strangely, when I log on to the site, I can only find rose gold and black, not the white dial. Probably just a glitch.

Edited by lowdrag on Thursday 8th September 06:08

[apotek]

Blowers have a white faced chrono with brown leather strap.It looks pretty good but not TZ price.