Best time to buy watch?

Hi all,

First post here so go easy on me! I'm a process engineering graduate in the UK who has recently become more and more interested in fine watches (blame my colleagues at work!).
After saving up for a rather long time I'd like to get my first proper watch and the one that has been catching my eye for a long time is the Pilot chrono le petit price, I love the blue dial and brown strap combo.

So going onto going to buy it, I'll go to an AD to try it on one more time but I'd like to get the official deployment clasp fitted instead (no idea how much extra or difficult this will be as yet). I just wondered whether with SIHH/baselworld 2018 approaching it would be a good idea waiting until that has passed...could there possibly be a newer version of the pilot chronograph coming out or even one that might have an in-hosue movement? I imagine this might be something nobody knows the answer to.

Anyway, just saying hi and looking forward to hearing your responses and thoughts and hopefully becoming an owner soon!

Thanks
Aman

Welcome to the forum!

A Pilot's chrono Le Petit Prince is an excellent choice. I don't know what new models will be introduced at SIHH, but one thing to take into account is that typically it takes some months after SIHH before those new models are actually available.

On the other hand, SIHH 2018 is not that far away, so it might be a good idea to wait, if You have the patience ;)

Good question, but is very difficult to answer.

I bet you every person on this forum wished he or she knew the answer.

The question is... if you don't buy now, and can wait for SIHH 2018... can you then wait for the 150th anniversary of IWC? how about SIHH 2019?

No doubt that IWC will announce new watches that are really attractive in the future. The thing is... what if the Le Petit Prince chrono then no longer be available? would you regret not getting it while it was in stock?

In short, there is never one definitive answer to this question. If you have saved up enough for the watch you really wanted, and it is indeed your "first proper" watch... then I would say go for it! Chances are, you can always save up for your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. proper watch.

The watch that tugs at your heart stings is the one to buy. Fitting a deployant buckle and suitable strap can be done at a dealers but will be an added extra. Possibly £350 for the buckle and a strap for the buckle (they aren’t interchangeable) maybe £150. I doubt you will be able to buy it already fitted at no charge.

Some good points here.

I didn't consider that the le petit price may be stopped if a new set of pilot watches come out, I think I'd be disappointed if it did so perhaps its best I try one on again and go for it. I can at least enjoy wearing it sooner rather than later too.

Thanks all for your thoughts!

Can you confirm that a new strap will be needed to fit a deployment buckle? I thought I had read somewhere that it was a simple changeout.
If a new strap is needed then is there the same brown IWC strap which can fit the buckle?
Thanks.

IWC does offer a different strap to use with deployant buckles.

Just thought I'd give an update. I went to a local goldsmiths yesterday and tried on a variety of IWC watches, the pilot chronograph is still my favourite.
So, it then came down to wanting a deployment clasp on the brown leather strap. I was told it can't be done! I explained posts from this forum and others who have been to an authorised dealer have managed to get one fitted. The salesmen said its not something they would do and he'll call IWC themselves on Monday asking if they would do it and to advise on costs.
A bit of a set back I wasn't expecting. I looked at the Big Pilot which has the same brown strap and does come with a clasp. Is it this that they could fit to the choronograph or is it a completely separate strap?
Salesman was going by the official 2016/17 IWC catalogue and he showed me the different options for the watch such as straps, but no clasp shown.

Unfortunately the strap from the Big Pilot's watch (22 mm lug width) doesn't fit the Pilot's Chronograph (21 mm lug width). And I don't think IWC offers at the moment a strap with deployant clasp with 21 mm lug width. So you have to buy the watch with a regular strap, buy an extra deployant clasp and try to find a third party strap that fits and supports a lug width of 21 mm. Please comment if I'm wrong.

I bought a 21mm strap from which comes from the newer Top Gund Models and it’s working with the clasp from the BP. I think BP has 22/18 and Toon Gun 21/18 but please correct me if I’m wrong.

I think on the website should be written and shown what kind of clasp or buckle is included. Top Gun is nice but only in black. For the regular chrono it's fine, but not for the Petit Prince.
Do the Top Gun models have a deployant clasp?
I think, all the watches should come with a deployant clasp. C'mon that should be possible.

I have a green strap which is from the Myanmar Top Gun and in 21mm for a folding clasp. I’m sure some members have one and can confirm or not :)