BP 5002 Question

I am really enamored with the look of the 5002 and I think I would like that one to be my next watch. The whole transitional thing had me confused but I think I have it figured out - new high beat movement with older dial, correct? Anyway, on those ones there is a huge premium over the slow beat 5002. I've found one of each for sale. Why would I pay so much over for one of these versus a regular 5002? Is there something I am missing, maybe a more superior movement or limited edition? New to IWC so all help appreciated, other watches are JLC's, Panerai's, and Blancpain FF. Thanks.

Tom

BP 5002 Question

Tom,
I own a transitional 5002. I put off purchasing a Big Pilot (was it too big on my wrist etc) and then when IWC changed to the new dial on the 5004. At this time any 5002 was a bit more difficult to find and I got lucky finding an as new transitional from a collector. I did spend a small premium on the transitional but at the time not much more than a standard "old" movement 5002. Would I pay the premium again? The answer for me now is no. I wear my BP frequently and it is no longer in mint condition. Will the transitional be more valuable in the future? It may be but if you are going to wear and enjoy the watch does it really matter? Slow beat or fast beat the Big Pilot is an amazing watch that is great fun to wear. I look forward to seeing photos of you new Big Pilot! Also, Welcome to the IWC forum.
Jeff

Also if you have not already, search the forum for 5002 and transitional

BP 5002 Question

Thanks for the welcome Jeff, and yes I do wear all of my watches so it will get banged up a bit I suppose like all of the others. At this time I am thinking skip the premium and get the regular 5002! Tried on a 5004 at my AD a few weeks ago and loved it, but the 5002 dial is just killer! Thanks again.

Tom

I would stick with the slow beat because

it is more pocket watch like and more Ref. 431 (original B-Uhr) like.
--
Happy Hunting from Isobars.

Hi Tom, great watch indeed and...

... read my earlier reply on this a few months or so ago. Basically, I think it is a self proclaimed 'limited' ediiton which mathematically is true.

However, I do NOT buy in at all at the idea that that makes it any special. Like Isobars, I LOVE 18k beat movement, simply because they sound so great.

Anyway, with any 5002 you can not go wrong.

Greetings,

Bob

I have a transitional 5002 and I find it winds...

and keeps better time than the slowbeat 5002 I had first. The movement is supposed to be superior, with a faster beat rate, free sprung balance, and various other little upgrades that IWC learned from slow beat movements over the years.

BP 5002 Question

I also searched for a "transitional 5002" and couldn't be happier that I found it. The new updated movement is very accurate and the fact that it something special makes it more desireable in my opinion. Looking at the current premiums on the market I don't seem to be the only one...

I know it might be a "self proclaimed limited edition" and I agree that the orginal low beat movement is very nice in its own right. However we can't underestimate the power of the mind and the "rarity" factor of the Transitional.

Anyway, any 5002 is great and a true classic. It all depends on your preference and the offers you got on hand right now.

I have a slow beat and it is great >>

I searched for a transitional at first too but found a late slow-beat on excellent condition. No complaints. I would not pay the premium.

I absolutely concur....

...and also I think the slow beat was intended, back in the late '90s when the movement was being developed, as a philosophic statement,. This is an automatic-pocket-watch-for-the-wrist movement.

How's a few seconds/day relevant when a watch like this is intended as a statement?

Regards,
Michael

IWC should have stuck with 2,5 Hz >

Even now, if I was IWC I would return to it.
--
Isobars.

Hi Tom, great watch indeed and...

Hi Bob, I found your prior post on this. Thanks for your insights, very helpful!

Tom

I don't view your question as an "either/or"

....especially when you frame it as "Do you look at the watch as a symbol or as a model you want to wear daily". Both are possible.

Also the criteria for choosing a watch for daily wear can include what a watch represents. In fact, I would argue that all fine mechanical watches represent something beyond looking nice (by some personal standard) and keeping time (again by some standard). All watches beyond a $25 quartz watch represent craftsmanship and, I would claim, a special heritage., That's why, for example, your watch is based on a 1940's design, has an amagnetic shield, etc. The watch then does have symbolic values --and the only question then is one of relative degree.

nor do I view the premium necessarly for accuracy

...I can't reach inside anyone,s mind as to why he or she pays more for anything, but I view pricing in the world determined by supply and demand. Here,the supply of transitional Big Pilots is less. Assuming (for the sale of argument) that the demand for transitional models is the same as for older ref. 5002 models, then the price in theory should be higher due to limited supply. That is, if demand is constant but supply differs the price should increase.

But actually I would guess that some people do have a higher demand for transitional models. However, that may not be for accuracy reasons but rather collectibility. Some people may like the fact that the model is "rarer".

My son has a newer reference 5004 and is perfectly happy. He wouldn't want to pay more for a transitional 5002. To each his own.

OK (nt)

I'm not that smart...

And I really have no empirical foundation to determine why people pay premiums. Other explanations can be that people like newer watches, to avoid service as soon or because newer watches often have less scratches. or in some instancesI have seen group psychology at work whereby something is perceived by a small group as "more valuable" and for a while it commands a premium (an interesting phenomenon which occurred on the green glass Rolex Milgauss until supply was increased).

It could be many things other than what you claim, and I don't have any foundation upon which to evaluate. I'm always surprised when others claim that they can.

Interesting discourse

However, I wish that in this kind of thread both moderator and contributors would post what her/his point of view is without including third parties' view to back up his/her opinion.
There is nothing 'wrong' with doing that, of course. It's only my personal experience that the inclusion of others' opinion with the purpose of clarifying or fortifying one's own point of view is a somewhat 'dirty trick'.

Anyways, just my opinion, and my neighbor agrees with me, too (before you start flaming me: The last clause was intended as a joke).

BP 5002 Question

Maybe we can ask the question in another way:

If the price on the market for a 5002 or a 5002 Transitional was the same or the premium for the Transitional was small, which one would you prefer and why?

I also believe in the "law" of supply and demand. We have to agree that the 5002T is a rare bird and this makes it more desireable to many collectors.