Is this the first SPITFIRE model ?

Some questions: Can´t find information about this watch in any catalogue. Was it ever listed in a special catalogue ?

Thanks in advance and best regards

Heiko

Yes

Hi hebe.

If you go to the archives and looks for "Spitfire" before 2003 (when the newer models were introduced) this was the model, a limited edition of 1000. There are several posts by me about it.

The watch was never in a catalog, but in two brochures. The first was by an English dealer (who claimed erroneously to have an exclusive) and the other was a very nice 10 page or so one by IWC that I have lying around somewhere, The model was sold only in certain countries, primarily English-speaking.

The watch came with a white cashmere Flying scarf and a very special burgundy leather box. The engraving on the back was sometimes criticized as an inaccurate depiction of the plane.

I've met the person who came up with the idea for the name and obtained the rights. Interestingly he is a descendant of the former owners of Omega, and also his factory made some vintage-style promotional flight jackets for IWC.

When the new line of flight watches was being developed in 2003, various names were considered including if I recall "Airfoil" (what a mistake that would have been). Johann Rupert reportedly insisted they be named instead "Spitfire" despite the fact that there was no relation to the prior model or the airplane, and did not have a vintage look. The new name worked.

Regards,
Michael

How taste can develop

When the watch was produced I just liked it so-so, my main point of criticism being that it was lacking a date. Since then I liked the watch more and more, and missing a date is not a problem for me anymore on certain watches, like the VC Portugusese (how the design would be destroyed by it). For quite some years I like retro design, preserving the truly tested values of the past. Now I think this is a great looking watch, and the name is a bonus too.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing some kind of relative to this Spitfire, the Saint Exupéry Chrono (retro looks and beautiful name)

Thank you for the details. (nt)

How taste can develop

Hello Paul,

well, my thoughts about this watch are similar. But now, in reality, I get more common with this watch. Funny, the photos could not show, how this watch looks on the wrist. I mounted a bracelet, that makes a big step again.

Greetings

Heiko, wearing a SPITFIRE :-)

IWC Spitfire origin

Hi Michael,
do you know why they originaly choose the name 'Spitfire'? Who proposed it and why? Since introduction i was wondering where it originaly came from.
Many greetings from Schaffhausen
H.C.