IWC Big Pilot...on a small wrist

Hello all,

I've been really interested in the IWC Big Pilot range, but with a scrawny 6,5
inch (18,5cm) (*EDIT: 6,5 inches is 16,5cm, not 18,5cm) wrist, it looks huge
on me. The SIHH release of the 46mm Top Gun
PPC (with the blue dial) has rekindled my interest in these large watches, so
I wanted to ask:

Anyone here rocking the Big Pilots with a similarly sized wrist?

I think there are similar posts on the forum in the past but I cannot seem to
find them via the search function...

Many thanks!

First of all, I would not consider your wrist to be small, 18.5 cm sounds
quite average for me. I have, unfortunately as an IWC collector, small wrists
and my left one measures scrimpy 16 cm. But my opinion is: life is too short
for not wearing beautiful watches! It is not only the wrist size but also
your personal style that defines if a watch is a good fit or not. And: I don't
care what others think or say.

I have a Big Pilot myself and I just love it. It is such an iconic watch with
a very clean and attractive design. If you love the new PPC (as I do!) I would
not hesitate to go for it.

Below I have attached some wrist shots of my Big Pilot watch.

Thanks for sharing those great pictures! I made a mistake earlier, 6,5inches
is 16,5cm so we have pretty much the same wrist size.

From your photos it seems like I might be able to pull it off...I really need
to go try it in person again.

Do you find the lugs extending too much out of your wrist when you are wearing
your BP?

Lyles said it very well.

The only thing I would add in addition is that it is a BIG PILOT. It's
supposed to wear large.

In the end all that really matter is that you love it.

Do you find the lugs extending too much out of your wrist when you are
wearing
your BP?

No, I never had that feeling. Generally, I wear all my watches quite loose and
love big and heavy watches. If not, IWC as a brand would probably not be the
best choice.

And as CLEM HO correctly stated: it is a Big Pilot ;-)

I have actually 16,5 wrist as well.

For me the my BP is to big for me, I prefer a smaller watch with max 44mm
diameter. But best is for me between 40-43mm.

My wrists are so small I have to get the XS strap on all my BPs!

But it really isn't the overall size / circumference of the wrists, it's
primarily about how much of the measurement is on the long sides of the wrists
instead of the short sides.

As another collector mentioned earlier if the lugs don't hang over too much
past the long side of your wrists - you'll should be perfectly fine!

Either way it's far more about what you think rather than anyone else! It you
wear a BP, it makes you feel good and you believe it looks good that's all
that matters. BPs are not meant to be worn by the timid... =)

Good luck!
Thang

Thanks all for your inputs. So all your nice photos made me make the trip to
try a BP out! I was only considering the ceramic BPs as the black ceramic
makes the watch look smaller.

I was so close to pulling the trigger on the BP Rodeo Drive! This is my
favourite BP model so it was very tempting! But in the end I decided to say no
as I didn't feel a 100% comfortable about the size...it would be a very
expensive regret if I purchased it and always feel uncomfortable wearing it.

Now if only I can find some kind way to enlarge my scrawny wrists... :)

I finally saw one of those in the flesh last week. I absolutely love it!!

I think it looks fine on you but you're the one who as to be comfortable
wearing it.

I was told they were all sold out. Where did you find it? If you don't mind me
asking

Hi Clem! This was from a watch shop selling 2nd hand watches here in Germany.
I've also heard that this is sold out in all the IWC boutiques...

Gotcha. Thanks for the info

Just go for it I 1st tried one on in selfridges 10 years ago and finally
bought a used example last year I haven't got large wrists but it wears
smaller and you soon get used to the size mine is an everyday watch even sleep
in it

Ultimately, you have to be comfortable with how it looks on you/ makes you
feel. For what it's worth, I think the trend of big watches on small wrists is
just that: a trend. And a trend which has probably had it's day (see recent
IWC CEO comments at SIHH for example).

The classic Pilots IWC look can be had in a Mark watch- for which you have
many options in sizes ranging from 36-41mm or so (especially if you would also
consider vintage).

Only a comfortable watch is a good watch !

The Big Pilot's cases are based on military-grade cases with 36mm in
diameter.

The same case shape with 46 mm is of course very inconvenient.

BTW, the vintage big pilot's watch with 55 mm diameter was a special tool to
wear over the flight suit, NOT directly on the wrist.

I also wear big watches, here an example with 45 mm. BUT the vintage model for
this watch was already 45 mm and with integrated straps. Only this feature
makes
this big watch comfortable to wear.