About Mission Earth

Hi,

I just joined this forum, because I consider buying a Mission Earth on rubber. Actually I wanted to buy a AP Diver, but I haven't got the cash. And then I stumpled upon the ME - and was amazed.

It's my first IWC, but I already own an Omega Planet Ocean XL, a Panerai 177 and a Breitling Steelfish X-Plus. One of these watches has to go to fund the ME.

However, I still need some insights about the ME to make up my mind, so I hope that you will take a little of your time and share your experiences.

1) What are your impressions of the ME?
2) How is ME viewed upon in relation to other/earlier Ingenieurs?
3) Can it at all compare to the AP Diver?
4) How is IWC as a brand in comparison to e.g. Omega, Panerai, Rolex and AP?5
6) Should I expect a discoint, if I buy new from an AD?
7) How does it hold its value, if I some time in the future decide to sell it again?

I know that it is a big watch, but I am a big guy, so I shouln't be a problem.

Thanks

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

I believe you are referring to the Royal Oak (offshore diver) so, its little wonder that you find the Ingenieur appealing, both the original models were designed by the late Gerald Genta.

In my humble opinion any IWC is a very good acquisition that is bound to give you pleasure for years to come.

As to how the brand compares to others I think it would be positive if you consider read about the history of IWC and take your conclusions. Here I believe we are all a bit partial...

To have an idea about values and how they hold, you can always check online.

If you are looking towards a dive watch why don't you consider the Aquatimer family?

Cheers.

Thanks for the welcome and your answer.

Yes, I tried to refer to the AP ROO Diver, and I will read up on the history of IWC. I thought that there might exist some more objective criteria (e.g. movement, case material) that are used to compare brands, and perhaps this has already been done?

Thanks for pointing my focus towards Aquatimer family, but I choose the Mission Earth because I simply love the way it looks :)

Congratulations on your choice and welcome to this forum!

A fantastic sports watch!

I like the current ones better because they're looking awesome and have a case and overall crafted quality that's outstanding. But you still see and feel the great heritage of its predecessors.

Nothing compares to an IWC!

See 3)

You should try, why not?

Check the internet for the current resale values. No one really can predict that seriously for the future. But a quality watch like IWC should always keep a high value.

Thanks for the insights.

Does this mean that the predecessors of the Mission Earth are crafted better?

But is it common to get a discount. E.g. I know that it is hard to buy Panerai cheaper, but Omega not so much (at least here in Europe).

I mean how has it been in the past.

Hi again,

I subscribe Tilo's opinion.

You know, IWC is pretty much in a class of its own. I have watches from several other brands including the ones you point out and I like them a lot, but...
You will tell me after you get your first IWC.

Cheers.

As much as I like IWC, and prefer it to many other brands, I personally would not recommend you to sell any of your watches in order to get the Ingenieur.

Don't get me wrong, the Ingenieur is a well-crafted and beautiful watch. It not only houses a very durable IWC in-house movement, but also can withstand some degree of a magnetic-field. If you happen to pick the one with metal bracelet instead of rubber strap, you will also notice how well designed IWC bracelets are... just the fact that the buckle is part of the bracelet (ie, no sticking out like your Omega/Breitling), and that you can take part every link at your desire simply by using the little set of tools which came with the watch.

Having said that though, I still would not let go of the other watches... not because the Ingenieur isn't worth it, just that I wouldn't sell the other watches just to get it. Just so you know, I have a PAM177 and a couple of Omega's. Even though I like my IWC's more, I will not sell them unless I am in a very serious finance trouble.

Hi,

It is a beautiful and dare-I-say iconic watch ?

if you love it, you love it - then getting it is a matter of time of hunting for one at the right price, and/or saving up enough for one. it is an older piece but is available without too hard a search. we can't discuss pricing here, though - but if u leave your email or reach out to others, I am sure there will be those who are more than happy to give u some input.

as to selling other watches to raise funds for this one - my personal view is that this is a very personal decision. If you are no longer wearing any of your pieces, and you have no other emotional bonds (like sentimentality) with them, then perhaps selling isn't a bad idea.

my 2 cents only...

Thanks for your commenta and for the picture. I never get bored looking at the Mission Earth :)

I am in a situation that the only money, I can save for a new watch, is money earned beside my salary. An agreement I have with my wife. That is external lectures, counselling etc. And I don't make that much doing this, since I don't have much spare time to carried out these jobs...

Planet Ocean is first "real" watch, which I bough as new in 2009. I bought the Panerai in February 2012 - as new from Italy - and even though it doesn't get much wrist time, I will have a hard time selling it. So the Steelfish, which I bought in mint condition in 2011, has to go, if I choose to get the Mission Earth...

I plan to turn in my PhD thesis in a couple on months, and I would like to buy a watch to mark the end of my educational journey. You could say that my "mission is completed", so a mission-watch (Mission Earth :) seems to be a good choise. 

If I choose to buy the Mission Earth, it is going to be BNIB or mint - and from an European dealer (in order to avoid taxes).

Hum... I think at least some of us understand that wife issue...

Best of luck and go for it!!

Cheers!

Hi Kewa,
Just do it and you'll never regret!
I always had to sell something to get something new (spoken in terms of IWC watches).
I really loved all my watches during the last 11 years including
Mark XV, Portuguese Chrono Automatic, UTC (Classic), Portuguese Automatic (500107), Pilot's Chronograph (3717), Spitfire Double Chronograph (3718), but I never regretted letting them all go not for the best price available on the market but for a real deal to fulfill a new (IWC watch) dream.
My funds have always been low and so I never owned more than 3 IWCs at a time and now there's only one left which I would not trade back for anything else. The wife and family thing is even more restricting my budget but I couldn't be happier with just one watch, so follow your heart:

PS: Those IWC rubber straps are a perfect wear for every occasion.

I went to an AD today to try on the Mission Earth for size.

I love the way the watch look and feel. And the size was operfect for me.

Now I just have to make up my mind...

Two thumbs up!

Two thumbs up!

It looks great on your wrist.

And congrats on almost finishing your dissertation. One of the happiest days of my life was when I submitted mine to the college of engineering office with all of my committee members' signatures. I'm sure you're looking forward to a similar experience.

I think the way this pic looks - the watch found its owner and vice-versa :) looks fantastic on your wrist !

+1!!

Good luck.

Regards,
Thang

I think it's a perfect fit! As for selling other watches to obtain something new: I have tried not to, but to obtain my grail watch I decided to sell two of my favorite watches and although I still miss my BP and Portuguese Automatic sometimes, I don't regret it.

Kind regards,

Clemens