IW377719 v IW387812

I understand IW377719 is ETA based movement and the IW387812 is an in-house movement.

Any thoughts on how they compare in terms of quality, reliability, service needs and durability?

Many thanks!

ProperT

Really hard to compare as the price points are vastly different.
Flyback chrono of 3878 is particularly nice and it's limited, so pretty unique.

Otherwise both equally durable, equally reliable and quality of both is outstanding.

ETA based 3777 wins in terms of ease of service because the movement is so well known and reliable, any good watchmaker can service it.

Really depends on what you are looking for in your watch. For the reasons above, it's hard to classify which is better. They both fulfill their purpose perfectly. One is way more exclusive than the other, therefore more special.

Thanks, Mark. I'm prepping for my first IWC purchase and am torn between the following two models (url provided below for ref).

• Spitfire Slate model (3777); and
• Spitfire BFI edition (3878)

I've tried on the first, but not the latter (which i would order with a SS bracelet in any case).

Both move me in different ways but remain equally desirable; the slick, monotone effect of the Slate, and the unique, cleaner dial of the BFI with in-house movement.

Question i have, were i to purchase the more expensive BFI edition, would i be getting a significantly better watch than the 3777? I could go for either, but what like to know what the IWC masters think and what they would go for on balance.

Thanks,
ProperT

I am no IWC master, but I can share with you some of my thoughts.

There are obviously benefits in getting an in-house movement. In this particular case, the 3878 has two features which the 3777 does not offer, namely: fly-back chronograph and 68-hour power reserve.

Flyback chronograph is a neat feature to show off... but in reality, it is not very useful. (Not useful to most mere mortals anyway, in my opinion).

68-hour power reserve (vs. 42), that is slightly more than one day of power!

Then of course, the 3878 also has a column wheel, but you may not feel the difference.

So, ultimately, ask yourself whether these functions matter to you.

To me, I LOVE applied numerals. So, the 3878 sings to me more than the 3777, but that's a very personal preference.

The 3777, however, does have a few benefits over the 3878, believe it or not.
1) The 3777 has an iron-cage to provide anti-magnetic protection, whereas the 3878 has none.
2) The 3777 chronograph has an hour counter/accumulator, the 3878 doesn't. This means that the 3878 chronograph is pretty useless if you want to keep track of elapse time for more than an hour (ok, why would you want to do that, and whether doing that with a 7750-derivative movement is a good idea is another question, at least the 3777 provides this if you need it).

So, have I confused you more?

I say put both on your wrist, see them in person and determine which one you prefer. Trust me, chances are either one of this won't be your last IWC. Get the one you like, and shop for another IWC in a year or two when you are ready for another.

Thanks, Kelvin and Mark. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment.

I've taken the plunge and bought the BFI edition pilot chrono today. I could not resist any longer. It is beautiful in person and to hold - the catalog photos don't do it justice.

My wife thinks i've found another lover... she's not far wrong.

I would really like to post up a photo of my first IWC but can't seem to do this on here. Any tips?

Thanks again!

Congrats! Good choice. The 3777 will be available for a while, you will always have another chance to get one.

Tips on posting photos in here: