Another Boutique-Exclusive Big Pilot Watch

Thanks Michael.

How much is too much of a good thing?

The Big Pilot has rapidly become an IWC icon. Though I may be one of the few people in the world who isn't especially moved by it and who doesn't own or desire to own one, I appreciate what a fine accomplishement it is. But really, how much is too much?

I laughed as Hublot brought forth Big Bang after Big Bang, finally reaching the point where they named one tutti frutti. I smirked as AP took the Offshore and turned it into a common commodity. But IWC? Our favorite "we put the good stuff on the inside" IWC? The one whose recent blue BP looked like one of those Bell & Ross square instrument watches in a round case?

Really guys. What's next? A cappucino frappucino double cheese whopper BP? I'm not a consumer goods marketer, but isn't there a risk of overexposing and thereby diminishing a star of the line?

OK - rant over. I may be alone, but that's my opinion. I don't claim to be right - just concerned. As always, I'm interested in the opinions of others.

You are not alone. (nt)

Here is my explanation for this...

I spoke with Georges Kern about the BPP at both Collector's Forum meetings in 2009 and 2010. No need to get into all the details but the conclusion I drew was that IWC realized that they had made a marketing mistake with the BPP. It was a great watch but since it had been introduced as a limited edition for several large retailers there was no way to get it into general distribution without getting everyone upset. So they made the decision to come up with every permutation and combination in order to distinguish one BPP from another and to get greater production. I am not saying I agree with some of the choices but I can tell you that I would not be happy if my limited edition Bucherer BP was to appear unchanged as a standard issue watch.
And by the way, I still think it is the best looking watch design, bar none. Just my opinion, but it will never leave my possession while I am alive.

My Grail

I do and I don't

I do agree about a certain kind of indifference towards the Big Pilot that I feel. I find it a bit big, and I am not sure about the crown. I tried one on, I think it was Clemens' watch, in 2009, and it sat surprisingly well, and it didn't look so overwhelmingly big as I had expected. Maybe it is its strong statement, that is a bit too strong for me. But I consider it to be quite a fabulous watch, no doubt.

The Perpetual Calendar version looks fantastic, and I still regret missing the titanium one, I just might have bought it. I read lndblr's explanation, it really makes sence. After a few years I would not consider it unethical to come with a regular version, but I may be quite alone here. As for IWC making 100 versions of it, I wouldn't care at all. If the version that I like would be there, then that would be the only important one for me. And if beauty inside only makes you unsuccessful, and beauty everywhere makes yo successful, well, the choice is easy then. I might be getting tired of looking at all the versions, but again, only the one at my wrist would count.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Portuguese, a bit more my kind of watch

Paul, missing out on the titanium version...

was a lapse of judgment on my part and I promised myself that I would not pass up the opportunity again. So when the Bucherer version presented itself I made certain not to vacillate.
You are correct that the only watch that matters is the one on your wrist. I am not tired of looking at all the versions, but that may just be a reaction to true satisfaction with the version I have.

IWC is experimenting with colour

There is a lot of colour in current special editions of sporty watches - pilots and aquatimers. They usually appear in limited, sometimes very limited editions. May be IWC is testing the market. And if you own the standard edition of a watch the special edition certainly should look different to make you want that one too.

I like orange. I own two dive watches with prominent orange design details. And I think I like those watches especially because of those orange details. Both watches are non-IWCs.

My most colourful IWC is the deep two. The Deep Two has got a rather technical instrument-like character. It still is cool and understated. That's what I associate with IWC.

The new colourful special editions are rather loud. They do not appear very IWC-like to me. I also like to wear a loud watch from time to time - I love my Panerai. But an IWC classic and a loud watch actually are different things for me.

I am no fan of pilot watches. So I'm not afraid that the image of my favourite might suffer. And I'm not afraid of Portuguese with pink dials either. ,-) This kind of design will not become the standard for IWC.

May be IWC is really testing the market. Then it is comfortable for them to receive a quick feedback from this forum.

And, folks: Of course I am expressing my very personal opinion here. If you think that this is exactly the right IWC for you, get it - honestly.

Regards
Andreas

Looks amber or mustard to me too MF. There was >

already a BP with bright orange markings...I do not know the reference.
--
Isobars.

Depends upon how focused the various editions

are.
--
Isobars.

Tailored to appeal to the hoardsof Dutch WorldCup

....suporters out in Africa, all dressed from top to toe in Orange?

Jokes aside though, to me whilst I absolutely love the blue boutique BP version that MF shared, this one personally is a little too loud!

I Like Big Pilot Special Editions

It gives me more of a chance to catch up to SC Fong in Hong Kong who is always at least two Big Pilots ahead of me (LOL).

Tracy (Honolulu)

Hahaha..........

......Tracy, one more LE coming to my BP collection soon. :-)

I like Orange...........

....this BPP is good to go with my Sincere BP.

Cheers,
sc

Hadn't noticed ,-) LOL >

You two guys are Big Pilots!
--
Best from Isobars.

There will be an audience for this watch,...

... but I think it doesn't fit me too much.
I prefer other limited editions shown before, but as I always think, one thing is a picture and other quite different is the watch in real (always better).

This happened to me with new Aquatimers, I saw the pictures and didn't like them too much, but when I saw them in my wrist I felt in love.

BR, Julx

About Boutique-Exclusive Watches...

I'd like to know if we have to go to one of these boutiques to get one of those watches, or if our AD can order it. I ask, because there's no EB near where I live.

Thanks!
Jean

Rather like this one!!!

a Pilot & PC & Steel- for me the perfect combo (nt

Thanks for the quick answer

Fantastic!

LOVE IT!