IWC V FORTIS

[Suinimtao]

So as the title suggests and please excuse my ignorance (I'm still learning), but why do these watches look the same? Is it a rolex-Tudor or omega-tissot situation or is one copying the other? Given the cost of the fortis watches I can't see how they are copies of IWC and I would have thought that te expense of IWC would suggest that they are the real McCoy......???

I look forward to being enlightened!

Barry

[LukeBird]

They're not copying each other really, both have models that look similar that are inspired by pilot's watches from WW2 and from many other historical pieces.
You'll find many watches that look similar to pieces from IWCs and Fortis' ranges from many other manufacturers.

[ShadownINja]

Not sure they are very similar tbh. Post up some pics, please?

[andy tims]

The Fortis Flieger Chrono certainly bares a strong resemblance to the IWC 3717, but:-

1) That's because they are both Pilot Chronos.
2) They use the same movement, so the dial configuration is naturally similar.
3) The two makes are independent & the rest of there ranges are quite different IMHO

Edited by andy tims on Sunday 9th January 11:14

[Suinimtao]

Interesting - The watches that seem similar to me are..

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/Fortis/Flieger/Fliege...

and

http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/change-price-iwc-pi...

Also, http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/Fortis/B-42-Flieger/B...

I have had a look on the Fortis website and there are many other styles as well so maybe just a coincidence as you suggest Luke.

So the question I suppose now is which has the better movement if they look the same and are both original (although there must be an original, original)?

[Suinimtao]

andy tims said:

The Fortis Flieger Chrono certainly bares a strong resemblance to the IWC 3717, but:-

1) That's because they are both Pilot Chronos.
2) They use the same movement, so the dial configuration is naturally similar.
3) The two makes are independent & the rest of there ranges are quite different IMHO

Edited by andy tims on Sunday 9th January 11:14

So that answers my question and I agree on point 3. So is the IWC more expensive by almost double because of 'The Brand' then?

[ShadownINja]

In the watch world, I would not say they are the same. It's like saying a Micra looks like a Corsa. The hands are completely different, the hour markers and minute markers are different, the crowns are different, the straps are completely different, one has a black case, the case shapes are different, the bezel thicknesses are different and one has a tachymetre scale! Each will be preferred by different people.

Edited by ShadownINja on Sunday 9th January 11:21

[Suinimtao]

ShadownINja said:

In the watch world, I would not say they are the same. It's like saying a Micra looks like a Corsa. The hands are completely different, the hour markers and minute markers are different, the crowns are different, the straps are completely different, one has a black case and one has a tachymetre scale! Each will be preferred by different people.

Edited by ShadownINja on Sunday 9th January 11:18

Consider myself told, firmly put in my place and learned!!

Edited by Suinimtao on Sunday 9th January 11:23

[ShadownINja]

Suinimtao said:

ShadownINja said:

In the watch world, I would not say they are the same. It's like saying a Micra looks like a Corsa. The hands are completely different, the hour markers and minute markers are different, the crowns are different, the straps are completely different, one has a black case and one has a tachymetre scale! Each will be preferred by different people.

Edited by ShadownINja on Sunday 9th January 11:18

Consider myself told, firmly put in my place and learned!!

Edited by Suinimtao on Sunday 9th January 11:23

I hope my post didn't come across as condescending - apologies if it did.

Anyway, when you look at the watches, your eye prefers one over the others? Try to figure out why as initially I found I couldn't put my finger on it, then someone pointed out that X was different and then it clicked (by X, I mean an arbitrary detail rather than the Roman numeral for "10" ).

[Suinimtao]

Not condesending just fact, I was being facetious.
So I have been staring at the pictures for a while now and can notice a few subtle differences, I give up what is the main one that sets them apart?

Ah is it the '4' numeral?!

Edited by Suinimtao on Sunday 9th January 17:50

[C8PPO]

No, I *think* he's saying, if you look at both side by side, which one is your own eye naturally drawn to. That's the one you want!

[Spice_Weasel]

When I get a chance I will post up some pics of my IWC 3717-02 and Fortis B-42 Pilot Pro. Although the 3717-01 Pilot Chrono (black dial) would be a better comparison with the Fortis (or the Fortis B-42 Flieger with the 3717-02), the 3717-01 and 02 cases are the same. There are some quite significant differences between the IWC and the Fortis on top of the tachygraph comment made above.

[ShadownINja]

C8PPO said:

No, I *think* he's saying, if you look at both side by side, which one is your own eye naturally drawn to. That's the one you want!

Yes, it's a matter of personal taste and as it's on your wrist, in the end it doesn't matter whether the fonts clash or the hands are bizarre, if you like it, that's all that matters.