2008 Noveauties

It has been more than 6 months now, since the last SIHH, and only 2.5 months to the next SIHH and I often find myself spending a lot of time thinking about the future rather than the past.

We had some very exciting polls and discussions quite soon after the April SIHH on which new releases really captured and encassed our passions ofr IWC watches. At the onset I was a strong fan of the VC Ingenieur and VC Aquatimer and remain so today. I have only seen photographic forms of the VC Aquatimer since April and I wish I could have seen again the SS version - but alas I need to be more patient. The VC Ingenieur I added to my collection immediately when it arrived at my AD post SIHH.

I now ask myself which two watches do I really appreciate from the 2008 nouveauties.

Each time I see the Reference IW544805 - The Portofino Hand-Wound in platinum with black crocodile leather strap - I simply find this to be a beautiful looking watch. The blue moon phase is shockingly beautiful and eye catching. The SS version is also a great looking watch too. The other watch that I find I stop and spend significant time when I browse through the 2008 catalogue on a weekly basis (confession: if not a daily basis) is the Reference IW323402 - The Ingenieur Automatic Edition «Climate Action» in stainless steel with black-and-yellow soft strap. Not only is this a great looking watch - sporty, elegant eye catchingly different, it is also supporting a good cause too.

Maybe my views may evolve again before SIHH 2009 - but rather than speculate (today) on what is ahead - what are your post SIHH 2008 thoughts on your favourite models released in 2008.

Andrew

i am looking forward to seeing the VC pilot...

like you andrew i love the platinum portofino but the one watch that no one ever talks about is the vc pilot watch. i have never seen one in the flesh and when i first saw a picture of it i thought the bezel ruined it. but the more i see it the more i think it is so different from anything IWC currently have in their line up.
stephen

I agree with you....

the VC Pilot is never talked about. But in many ways it is a fine watch. If you compare it to the original it is very nice tribute. The layout is slightly different, and in my opinion, an improvement for the larger sized case. I have seen this watch in person and it is highly recommended.
As for the Portofino, the steel version is fantastic, with one exception. The hands at many angles are difficult to read. That is my only complaint. Of course the Platinum version does not suffer from this problem.

No-one here has owned up to getting one>

I have seen one in an AD's window, but did not have time to stop and try it out. It did look much better in the flesh than the pictures I have seen.

Still awaiting the full VC range in SE England >

unless someone else knows different. I want to see them all before deciding on my now very belated 40th birthday present to myself!

No surprise, and a surprise maybe

My watch of the year I was able to buy (I have a modest taste), my absolute winner is obviously the steel VC Portuguese.

The other one, nobody talks about it, nobody has ever seen it, I think. It is the ladies Da Vinci Automatic. I saw the gentlemen's verion of last year in real life in Zermatt this summer, and it is a surprisingly nice watch, with its big date and not too big but very special shape. For ladies it is really stunning, and because this could be the beginning of a new development, it is my second choice.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing VC Portuguese

2008 "not so new" Noveauties

Hi Andrew !

Good topic. My prefered new models were not so new, as they are only new version of existing ones.

First, a "wish if I only can" model : the Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère in RG, with ardoise dial. It is superbly balanced and strickingly appealing to me. Second is its counterpart in the Grand complication line.

There is also a third one, another variation of the tourbillon mystère that I saw this summer in Paris : a LE skeleton RG with blue hands. Absolutely gorgeous. I generally don't like skeleton watches because the lack of legibilty associated with this ornament, but the blue hands compensated easily and added a nice touch to the global look.

Regards,
Jean

i've got one coming stocky!

And looking forward to seeing it...!

Good question Andrew

There are plenty of watches I like very much. It took some time to 'get used' to their looks for some and there were others I liked immediately.

The ones I liked immediately were the St Ex UTC, the Vintage Inge and the Vintage Aquatimer.

After seeing the Vintage Portuguese in real life (and trying it on my own wrist), it also entered in my favorites list. I like the Vintage Portofino too but for me it's a tad too big (although I am thinking more and more about a BP lately, probably because of all the great pictures I see here).

I am very curious about what SIHH 2009 will bring and will decide about my next purchase after the new models are shown.

Kind regards,

Clemens

PS: the only new addition to my tiny IWC collection this year is my Ingenieur, it's time to add something new :-)

Well Andrew

the VC Portofino in both editions has to be my favourite one.
The real struggle commes from the VC Da Vinci whereas I cannot decide between love and hate.
Anyway great question thank you.

Regards
Argiris

The only watch from the 2008 novelties..

I felt attracted to was the VC Portugieser because I like the very graphic, geometrical dial. My hope is that this watch will appear ione day n a gold version.
Urs

VC Inge Andrew. nt.

I thought the VC Pilot was the watch.....

I wanted, but when I saw it in person I was alittle disappointed and purchased the VC Ing instead. I found the bezel just alittle too much. Still a nice watch, just liked the Ing. more.

Vintage Collection in WG - ARDOISE for Boutiques.