IWC Aquatimer

[matc]

I've been offered a deal on an Aquatimer 2000 that is almost too good for me to turn away, however it's the white/black model not the black/yellow that seems to be the more popular.

I've not yet seen this colour in the flesh, although I think it looks nicer in the photos; however I tried on a black/yellow a couple of days ago which has swayed me back the other way!

Does anyone on here have either and of the 2 colour choices what would most people go for?

Here's a couple of pictures:





I don't want to buy something that's not re-sellable in a couple of years time....I know that's not the point of buying them, but if I get offered the chance to buy something that meant the IWC had to go I don't want to be stuck with it because it's the wrong colour.

Sorry for rambling on!

Edited by matc on Wednesday 18th January 10:40

[bigrich4]

IMO the yellow one looks the best, the white looks a bit dull in comparison.

[Arrive Alive]

The white one and I'm not alone - the white faced Aquatimer has become a bit of a cult model with IWC forum members...

[andy tims]

I prefer the older versions, but of the 2 posted I like the white dial model best.

[Ray Singh]

White dial - its looks fresher and cleaner.

[andy_s]

If I had to have that model, the white one; but in reality, I'd go a few generations further back.

[CardShark]

Hmm... asthetically the yellow/black for me, though I've a feeling that the white would look better on the wrist than in the photo, and I'd also go for an older model over either.

ETA from a practical point of view the yellow/black would be the better choice for a diver which is another reason why I'd most probably choose that one over the white, not that I'm a regular diver or anything... Whilst asthetics are important, I also value the pratical reasons for why a watch is why it is.

Edited by CardShark on Wednesday 18th January 13:13

[matc]

Those saying to go back a few generations, any specifics?

Bit of a twist but how about a Galapagos special edition?

[Ikemi]

Yellow and black for me! However as others have said, if I was in the market for an Aquatimer, I'd be looking at the previous generation one too

ETA: This one: http://www.chrono24.com/en/iwc/aquatimer-iw372304-...

Edited by Ikemi on Wednesday 18th January 13:17

[Miguel Alvarez]

The white for me.

[andy_s]

For me, I'd look at the 3536 GST (mid-nineties?) models, they had a hardened titanium and a steel version, both were 2000m w/r, a push-to-turn bezel & had a lovely domed crystal but I think what set them apart was their design - very stark, smart and minimal, utilitarian and elegant, the size is reasonable at 42mm and (for me at least) the titanium one stood out due to its all-matte case (something quite hard to find). Definitely my favourite of the ATs.




For the next generation along, (mid-2000s?), IWC came up with the internal bezel design - again, simple, elegant and original plus lots of interesting things going on in the line up, from 2000m chronograph, depth meters etc to Ikemis suggestion of the split-minute chrono -

Ikemi said:

ETA: This one: http://www.chrono24.com/en/iwc/aquatimer-iw372304-...

I must admit I only learnt this today, but a small example of what thought went into an otherwise plain looking watch is the bezel/crown/pusher arrangement. Look at this one, the 3719, and spot the missing bit...



Normally there would be another 'crown' to operate the internal bezel, but IWC very cleverly made the bottom pusher dual-purpose so you could both operate the bezel and the chrono, simple.

Anyway, both these generations have their own white/black/yellow/steel/titanium/ varieties, so there should be something to suit most people if you like the general design.

I think this last generation was the peak of the aquatimer range in terms of engineering skill and design. I think they've held their values well over time too, I would expect them too anyway.

Andy T has had bucketfuls of these things, and I'm sure he'll be along shortly.

Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 18th January 14:35

Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 18th January 14:46

[CardShark]

andy_s said:

It was the titanium version that I had in mind. Lovely thing, and how a diver should be IMO. Simple face, hand and bezel design, nothing to distract from what it's supposed to do. The chronos look good, but they wouldn't be my choice.

[andy_s]

CardShark said:

It was the titanium version that I had in mind. Lovely thing, and how a diver should be IMO. Simple face, hand and bezel design, nothing to distract from what it's supposed to do.

Ditto. It really ticks a lot of my boxes, even down to the unsurrounded hour markers.

Perhaps it's the IWC/Sinn DNA...



(Sinn is now run by Lowthar Schmidt who used to be with IWC, he was a key player in designing the IWC GST...)

Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 18th January 15:39

[andibrook]

White dial all day long and you can also put the blue rubber strap on it (from the chrono model) just to change it up a little

[CardShark]

andy_s said:

Perhaps it's the IWC/Sinn DNA...

Wearing my EZM2B as I type, another no nonsense watch. It seems to have become my "beater", for the want of a better word.

[Adam B]

I have one of these



and for me the splash of colour makes it. The Galapagos model is essentially the same but White replaces yellow, takes away a lot of the character IMHO. But then I wanted a sporty looking watch so the colour helps

[andy tims]

matc said:

Those saying to go back a few generations, any specifics?

3538/3719 or 3536 for me



My old pair

[Paneraij]

I was going to go for the white model until I tried it on, it just didnt work as well as I had hoped,looks fabulous in the photo's but it became a little bland on the wrist where as the yellow and black really stood out its the one I choose.

But if you are going to use it for diving get the veclcro strap for extra length & it makes it look like a real tool!

[matc]

Just to update this thread, before the trip to the AD I had pretty much convinced myself that I was going to get the Galapagos as I liked the fact it looked a bit different and it was a special edition. However I can't believe how disappointed I was with it, it felt a lot lighter than the other Aquatimers and looked 'cheap' somehow. I also read a few horror stories of the rubber coating peeling off, which would lead to the watch having to go back to IWC for re-coating.

I also tried on an Aquatimer chronograph but to me they looked a little too fussy compared to the standard model, and I tried on what I thought was always a bit of a 'grail' watch for me - a black/black Portuguese Chronograph, but it was a lot thinner than I thought it would be and perhaps a bit 'too old' for me, I think I'd like the 7-day at some point in the future but not just yet.

So I ended up buying what I'd originally started this thread about - the white faced Aquatimer. It feels like a lovely quality watch with a really nice weight, I've been wearing it for a week or so now and I must say I love it so far, it goes better with a suit than I thought it would and it looks better than my Seamaster when worn with casual clothes. Overall I've got to say I'm really please with what I think will be my first of a few IWCs.

[Adam B]

Glad you find something you liked, had forgotten the Galapagos replaces the metal dial with rubber, looks far less classy IMHO