Not to sharpshoot, but the B-uhren were kind of an historical deviation. Before then, there were many pilot's watches, including civilian ones in the 1920s and IWC's "special watch for pilot's" in the 1930s among many others. In addition, the UK pilot's watch tradition, culminating in the Mark 11 after WW II, really would claim no base in what the Germans did.
What I say isn't intended to detract from these watches --B-Uhr are rare and special-- but their historical role is limited.
Their role for history in general might be limited yes (if there are any watches who are important for history) but their role in the history of IWC as an icon and example of design, and as a submission for the big success of todays IWC pilot watches is in my opinion undisputed. The watch might not be legendary for history, but for IWC! And Me ;)
Hey MF, with respect, and not to sharpshoot, but.. the B-Uhrs do stir my imagination and are indeed a "giant" base (giant...get it?) for the Big Pilots which later evolved. I guess the rumor is true...you have turned into Schmutzli. LOL
And Philippe, that B-Uhr is a legend in my book too. Great watch.
Alan, I am with you (one in a while this happens, you see?). Nobody denies the fact that other pilot watches were produced, even way before IWC started to do so. But from an IWC history perspective, this watch has been for sure one of the important ones and even though I know for whom they were produced, I still would very much like to own one.
Congrats on your rare B-Uhr.
Some basic information: The design of case, dial and hands is based on German specification of that time.
Many other brands like: Lange, Laco, Stowa, and some more produced B-Uhren, based on the same specification.
The IWC variant is special in price, because of the rare IWC caliber 52 SC.
Actually funny, that a watch - for use OVER the uniform - became a model for normal watches. I really can not understand that ?!
Regards
HEBE
For a detailed article I wrote on B-uhren in 1999, please click here.
It was interesting to note that these watches by IWC then sold for a fraction of their current market value. What happened was that, in 2002, IWC introduced its ref 5002, its first modern Big Pilot's watch, and with the accompanying marketing the vintage price soared. Of course, the modern one has become a best seller and with many variations.
For me the B-Uhr is a really simple design which, though mostly impractical, evokes an era. The fact that it's size foreshadowed the recent large watch revolution is interesting.
A while back, someone on this Forum posted pictures of his collection of B-Uhrs. It was a terrific collection. Owning just one such watch would be great for me.
It was just a missunderstanding or deficites of information. Some current designers thought, those B-Uhren were worn like normal wrist watches !
And it was just a very unconfortable tool, nothing more. <<<
Some more information, including photos etc.:
The 5002 - and even more the 5004 - are pure design / fashion watches, inspired by the the B-Uhr. Of course it was never the idea that a 5002 should be worn over the uniform; that's why the diameter had to be reduced to fit a wrist directly. And I think it is pretty clear that a B-Uhr can't be worn on the wrist under the uniform - with this size.
Nobody needs a mechanical watch today; almost everything we see today in the market is not much more than fashion and joy felt for mechanics, creativity, craftsmanship. And some use the watches as status symbol, too.