Experiences, Wing Commander - Thomas Koller, by Boris Schneider

I was going to comment on Mr Schneider's article on the comment section below the article, but decided to do it in the Forum.
I find the phrase: "A JET PILOT’S JOB IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, AND THE TRAINING ALONE SEPARATES THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF", particularly unfortunate.
In the context of the article, chaff means "anything worthless" according to Webster's.
There is no doubt that fighter and bomber pilots are a breed apart, even among pilots, but you will never hear that from the mouth of a pilot with the "right stuff". The opposite is actually true - the "right stuff" code demands that pilots be modest, and self-deprecating.
Mr Schneider's unfortunate hyperbole is journalistic drivel for effect. I am sure Capt Koller is embarrassed by it.

Michael,
I understand. This Forum is in fact a place to discuss IWC watches, but also about IWC, and that is why I made my comment in the About IWC section of this Forum.
My comment was incomplete, and I would have edited if I could. I should have included that IWC is not promoting itself well by allowing those who are not pilots to be qualified as chaff, since I believe that the vast majority of people buying IWC pilot watches are not pilots.

Hi Clepsydra,

I think you may have read too far into the "chaff" statement. However, I invite you to open the following Youtube link to an official IWC video starring John Malkovich:

John Malkovich's Pilot Feature
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf2oJjUoG0I

The words of John Malkovich concerning the aquisition of a Pilot's watch by an airline pilot:

"Of course you want it, but do you deserve it? There are no real pilots anymore, just people in nifty uniforms who operate computers..."

Bitterly ironic, without it the commercial would be pure camp. It's just part of the luxury exclusivity game. By the logic of this video, even a genuine pilot isn't worthy of an IWC unless they've piloted a WW II era fighter jet. This would limit ownership to World War veterans, which would be a slightly ludicrous promotional strategy. No need to feel excluded then. It's just a little swagger on the part of IWC.

If you feel irked by certain promotional items, just ignore them and focus on your relationship with your own watch. You can't avoid ham-fisted marketing by watch companies, just open The Ecnomist to any Patek Philippe or Tag Heuer ad featuring the typical father-son photo or Tiger Woods.

Here's your chance to practice. I invite you to view the following clip by IWC and the proceed to exclude the branding implications of the video from the appreciation that you have of your own IWC watch(es):

Ever had a Portuguese?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrLEayiv_5Q

(Someone please tell me if this is a fake.)

To your point Michael, this section of the forum is dedicated to "Brand, adverts, partners and everything else". I believe the type of conversation that we are having concerning IWC's promotional content should be permissible. In the end I agree with you though, let's have genuine critical discussions while avoiding any exessive negativity in the forum.

All the best.

-Phil

Hi Phil,
You may be right. I may have looked too deep into a very shallow thought, uttered for effect. I tend to do that.
I maintain, however, that it is probably not a good idea to qualify potential customers as "something worthless." I enjoy clever and creative advertising. That article is neither.

I do not know if Mr Malkovich is a pilot and, if he is, which aircraft he flies, but I disagree with the assertion that "there are no real pilots anymore, just people in nifty uniforms who operate computers..." I suspect Mr Malkovich, as the excellent actor that he is, is just acting the lines he was been given.
Contrary to what his character says, even if he is playing himself, there are still many stick and rudder pilots out there, flying by the seat of their pants and in need of an accurate watch. They are, however, unlikely to purchase an IWC to help them navigate - they will probably buy a quartz watch.
Pilots flying the new generation of fly-by-wire jetliners, may have "nifty uniforms" but are not just "computer operators." They still have to be able of bringing those machines safely home, if/when the computers fail.

I reiterate my point - It is preferable to promote a product by exalting its qualities, and without alienating potential customers.