Cracked ceramic IWC case

[sasha320]

I have managed to crack the ceramic case of my 2010 IWC Top Gun IWC Double Chronograph.

Does anyone know if IWC will still be able to supply and fit a new replacement case for this model?

I understand the cost could be as high as £4k (strip, fit new case, rebuild and service) as it is a new case that’ll be required (and I’m fine with that); but I’ve also read they don’t make them / stock them anymore and I won’t be able to find out until the IWC shop and repair centre opens.

Anybody have any ideas?

[Voldemort]

I'd e-mail IWC HQ first off to see if they have a stock of suitable cases.

How did it happen? Have you insurance to cover it?

[CardShark]

You're not the first and won't be the last, ceramic cases (and, more commonly, bezel inserts) are fantastically scratch resistant however they don't suffer well with hard and sudden shocks. I hope that insurance will cover it because, as you've said, it's not going to be cheap.

As above, I'd contact IWC directly.

[sasha320]

I had already spoken to IWC who are simply answering calls and providing basic information and customer support for online shopping.

All technical / service / repairs / parts / specialist queries will have to wait until the service centre(s) opened.

The watch case broke because I dropped it onto a hard floor.

Although I am comfortable with the case replacement cost, I am wondering whether an OEM replacement case exists In stock as this watch is no longer produced.

[Voldemort]

If you're comfortable with case replacement cost and you're guessing that could be around £4k then why not drop another grand at it for this:
https://www.chrono24.com/iwc/pilot-top-gun-double-...

[sasha320]

This is part of my thinking process. I guess the options are

1. Repair (£?)
2. Replace case (second hand case) (£1.5k plus labour to fit)
3. Replace case (brand new spare part case) (£?)
4. Replace watch (like-for-like) (£5k to £9k)
5. Replace watch (for latest model) (£11k)
6. Replace watch with something else
7. Do nothing (for now) and use another watch (£0)

So I figure I understand my options and I have a cost against all of the options except 1. and 3.

According to the internet a repair would be possible with some sort of filler / glue compound and visually the repair could be polished out to be almost invisible. However I can’t identify a supplier yet and I am unsure of the water resistance post any repair. IWC aren’t likely to want / be able to repair it, nor warrant the watch after any official service work.

Edited by sasha320 on Monday 8th June 12:06

[rog007]

Sell it for spares and buy second hand? Should hopefully be much less than repairing via the manufacturer.

[hvaerjeg]

Hi. What happend here? The same thing happend with my watch last week. How much to fix?

[sasha320]

Yep, IWC have the middle case in stock.

Total cost was

- c£2,200 middle case
- c£550 full service
- c£150 new hands and pusher

Covered by insurance thankfully.

I have since sold the watch as I couldn’t be bothered with the carryon should it happen again.

The IWC Ceratanium double chrono watch looks interesting if the case material is more resilient to sudden knocks / drops. But that watch is retailing for £10k+ which is too expensive for my tastes (until there are more second hand for c£5k).

[SpartacusF]

Glad I searched for this as was about to press the button on an IWC ceramic pilot’s chrono.

Any updates on longevity of these cases and have they improved them since 2021?

[sasha320]

I think the Ceratanium case is a good option if you like these watches.

There doesn’t appear to be a flood of reports on the fragility of the Ceratanium cases.