IWC Big Pilot views

[JOETHETOE]

I am just about to press the button on one of these. Whats everyones views?

Have been umming and arring for about 2 years re next purchase!! Looked at AP Ro but felt too dressy, JLC MCC2 but didnt like the buttons.

Only other I really like is the IWC port seven daye power reserve with blue hands but my bro has that so want something different.

I know the BP is a big watch, does anyone see them going out of fashion? Personally love the design.

Cheers all

[6th Gear]

Beautiful watch. On my list as well.

[andy tims]

Quality watch, but very big & as a consequence a bit "look at me" for my taste.

Edited by andy tims on Wednesday 31st August 13:15

[Arrive Alive]

andy tims said:

Quality watch, but very big & as a consequence a bit "look at me" for my taste.

Edited by andy tims on Wednesday 31st August 13:15

+1

[Spice_Weasel]

andy tims said:

Quality watch, but very big & as a consequence a bit "look at me" for my taste.

Edited by andy tims on Wednesday 31st August 13:15

+2


I love them but they do wear very big.

[kazino]

I bought one a year ago, love it to bits, wears nice and big but doesn't overwhelm. A big thumbs up for it, one of my favorites in my collection and gets lots of wrist time.

I have just bought an AP diver and will be back from holiday to collect it in the next few days so I can give you a comparison when that arrives. I'm really looking forward to it.

Edited by kazino on Thursday 1st September 05:11

[tuffer]

As a big IWC fan I love them, unfortunately I can't wear a BP as the crown digs into the back of my hand.

[TKF]

JOETHETOE said:

Have been umming and arring for about 2 years re next purchase

If you've waited that long why not try a £50 homage to see what it's like for size?

It's almost all face so even though it's big it wears even bigger.

[lowdrag]

I wear a Spitfire chrono daily, but while in the shop I tried on the Big Pilot. Looked like a soup plate on my wrist. I hope you have really big wrists because otherwise it'll look plain stupid. The lugs were way outside the edges of my wrists.

[CommanderJameson]

Lovely, but fahooking enormous.

I have a Chris Ward C8 Pilot, which is similar in overall design, particularly with reference to the size of the dial relative to the case.

It's 41mm across.

And it wears bigger than my Omega PO, which is 45.5mm across, simply because it's all dial.

The Big Pilot is 46mm, which means it's going to wear bd massive.

I reckon you're going to need a wrist that's 8.5" or more, unless you want it to look ridiculous.

[tertius]

Personally, of those you list, I would have the AP RO rather than a Big Pilot.

I feel that the Big Pilot was popular only briefly, and doubt if it will hold its value long term. Moreover there are an awful lot of quite same-y watches out there, many far, far cheaper. Not much looks like a Royal Oak.

[kazino]

I also feel value wise it will not hold up too well, being quite overpriced imho from the start (although bought mine very well so not worried about that thankfully).

tertius said:

Personally, of those you list, I would have the AP RO rather than a Big Pilot.

I feel that the Big Pilot was popular only briefly, and doubt if it will hold its value long term. Moreover there are an awful lot of quite same-y watches out there, many far, far cheaper. Not much looks like a Royal Oak.

[chris5150]

Not for me, always liked the dial on these, but hate the straps with the dual rivets in, awful. Also always thought the winder looks wrong on this watch, too big & too fancy..but heyho each to their own, the size was never an issue though

[JOETHETOE]

Ahh you sods now you've got me second guessing again!!

I am now concerned about the size although i defo like the rivets and crown. What else would lot you consider? I like the jlc master compressor extreme but that's also a46m lump, quite like the fact the straps are interchangeable. AP ro is lovely but I tend to like leather straps more, that said maybe this is the right choice it us a classic design and could be worn casually and smart whereas the BP Is really only casual.

Prob needs to be 40 m plus, like leather straps but not crucial.?.?

Any other ideas... Looked at panerais but both by biz partners have them so fancy something different.

So frustrated!

Cheers

[tertius]

You can get a strap cpnversion kit for the AP RO - in fact there is one for sale on TZ-UK right now including the conversion kit and a leather strap:

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

(I know it says "withdrawn" but worth a try for sure.)

Others I'd be considering:

IWC Portuguese 7 Day
JLC Reverso Duo
Dornblueth 99.1 or .2
Glashutte Original Sport Evo Pano Date

[JOETHETOE]

Thanks for your help, see below in caps

tertius said:

You can get a strap cpnversion kit for the AP RO - in fact there is one for sale on TZ-UK right now including the conversion kit and a leather strap:

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

(I know it says "withdrawn" but worth a try for sure.)

TRIED TO REGISTER BUT THE SITE WON'T LET ME, CAN ANYONE WHO IS REGISTERED FLIP ME THE SELLERS EMAIL.?

ALSO SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT PUTTING THIS ON STRAP WEAKENS THE PINS SO IT SHOULDN'T BE DONE. ANOTHER BOND ST DEALER SAID IT WAS SACRILEGIOUS TO CHANGE SUCH A CLASSIC, WAS GENUINELY OFFENDED

Others I'd be considering:

IWC Portuguese 7 Day -I LOVE THIS WATCH IT'S STUNNING AND WOULD BE MY CHOICE BUT MY BROTHER AND BUSINESS PARTNER HAS THIS WITH THE BLYE DIALS SO WANTED SOMETHING DIFFERENT

JLC Reverso Duo - WOULD HAVE ONE OF THESE BUT NOT TOP OF LIST

Dornblueth 99.1 or .2 - HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THESE, NICE BUT I THINK THE PORT 7 days IS BETTER,

Glashutte Original Sport Evo Pano Date

- NOT SOLD ON THIS ONE.

I THINK I NEED TO HIT SELFRIDGES AGAIN.

THANKS AGAIN

[jomcvelia]

I have bought and sold 2 big pilots (not at the same time) over the past few years and i regret selling the last one. There great watches and i wouldn't hesitate buying another if the opportunity arose, just buy pre owned as you will loose a bomb if you buy new.

[tertius]

JOETHETOE said:

TRIED TO REGISTER BUT THE SITE WON'T LET ME, CAN ANYONE WHO IS REGISTERED FLIP ME THE SELLERS EMAIL.?

His mail address isn't published, so I have sent him a PM.

[JOETHETOE]

Very good of you, thanks.

[Tidybeard]

Very nice watches but getting very steeply priced now. I had the itch, scratched it but ended up moving it on fairly quickly.

Lovely things to look at but they do wear very large and I was always a little paranoid about banging mine on something - at £10k it's not something you want to be denting...mine wasn't massively accurate either.

FWIW I also had a Big Inge for a while but never really bonded. Although it's a technical achievement, I don't think the IWC 7 day movement is all that solid.

I also had a Master Compressor Chrono (first model) and again liked it but not enough to keep it. I think I prefer the second one but I do agree that chronos can be quite busy.

Pics of each below, because, well, I like the pics . First one shows just how big the BP is...