As a new member, I introduce myself : interview with a collector

• I’m based in the US.
• I became an IWC collector after getting drawn to their clean engineering and timeless design. That balance of heritage and precision really convinced me.
• I currently have the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII.
• My next IWC—or “grail”—would probably be the IWC Portugieser Chronograph.
• Yes, I’d definitely be interested in meeting other collectors at a gathering.
• I work in business, and my hobbies include watch collecting, watching movies, traveling, and photography.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the warm welcome! Happy to introduce myself.

1. I'm from Pakistan—specifically Lahore, a city with a lot of history and great food.
2. I got into IWC a few years ago when I was looking for a solid pilot’s watch that wasn’t just another Submariner clone. A friend let me try on his Mark XVIII, and the clean dial, in-house movement, and that soft-iron cage just clicked. The key factor? Build quality that feels honest—no over-the-top hype, just precision and heritage.
3. Right now I own two:
   • Pilot’s Watch Mark XX (black dial on leather) – my daily.
   • Portugieser Chronograph IW3716 (blue hands, steel case) – dressier piece I wear when I want to feel a bit sharper.
4. Next one on the list is probably the Big Pilot 43 with the green dial. Holy grail though? The ceramic Top Gun “Mojave Desert” or the perpetual calendar in platinum. One day!
5. Absolutely—would love to meet fellow collectors. Nothing beats seeing pieces in person and swapping stories over coffee.
6. I’m a software engineer by day. Outside watches, I’m into vintage motorcycles (got a restored ’78 Bonneville), hiking in the Margalla Hills when I can, and trying (failing) to perfect biryani.

Looking forward to learning from all of you!

• I’m from Pakistan.
• I got interested in IWC after seeing how refined and reliable their watches are. The design and craftsmanship are what really pulled me in.
• I currently own one IWC, and it’s a piece I really enjoy wearing.
• For my next one, I’m still exploring options — there are a couple of IWC “dream pieces” on my list.
• And yes, I’d definitely like to meet other collectors if there’s ever a gathering.
• Work-wise I’m in tech, and in my free time I enjoy gaming and trying out different driving simulators.

Chris watkins 

1. Where are you from ( country/state ) ? United states, minneaota 

2. How did you become a collector of IWC watches ? What was the key factor for you to buy an IWC ? I am a vintage collector and recently started a little cintage watch business with my daughters

3. Which IWC watch(es ) you have ? Mostly vintage ss from the 60s

4. What is your next IWC ? Or your holy grail from IWC ? New ingenuer

5. Are you interested to meet other collectors during a collectors meeting ?yes

6. What is your profession and other hobbies ? Work in finance

I found your group after researching a watch I recently acquired. I think it may be a cal89 zwyro and came here looking for information. 

Hi everyone!

First of all, thank you Tonny, for starting this Thread! I have only recently joined this forum and I would love to get in touch with more IWC collectors. To share the passion is what it is about for me!

/1 I am from Germany

/2 I can't say exactly what attracted me to IWC in the first place. I think I've always been impressed by the minimalist design, especially of the Pilot watches.

/3 I already had several IWC watches in my collection. In fact, one of my first high-quality watches was an IWC meca-quartz pilot's chronograph Ref. 3741-01 in 36 mm that I bought with 15 or 16 for a few hundred Euros on eBay. Over time, I added other brands to my collection, but I never really got away from IWC. A Flieger-Chrono Ref. IW377701 and a Mark XVII Tribute to Mark 11 followed, but they did not stay in my collection for long. Not because they are not great watches, but I think the Big Pilot was always what I really wanted. I think that at the latest since John Mayer (big fan of his music and watch collecting) prominently featured the watch, it had to be a Big Pilot for me. Since I am particularly interested in rare watches produced in small quantities, I recently fulfilled a dream of owning a Big Pilot ‘Tribute to Japan’ IW500418. I would love to present the watch again in a separate thread.

/4 I think my holy grail would be the Big Pilot “Safari”. I think there is not a more beautiful watch.

/5 Yes, absolutely! I find I spent to little time talking about watches and my wife can only handle so much^^ So I would love to meet other collectors!

/6 I work in academia and besides watches I love motorcycling, music, travelling and Golden Retrievers

Hello
My name is Alain
I live in France
I love all models made before the 1980s.
For their understated elegance and class

Welcome to the Forum, magistvgratisapk, and congrats on your Mark XVIII! Please do post some photos of your beautiful watch when you have a chance!

Hello everyone, happy to join the forum. I’ve had an interest in watches for some time, and I’m here primarily to learn more about IWC models, movements, and the collector experience. Looking forward to being part of the discussions.