Just curious --what's your first IWC?

... in 2005.

I am a diver ... so it had to be an...

and had numerous japanese quartz divers watches, going way back (vintage now). Then I saw a diver wearing an IWC with 2 crowns ! It was mechanical - and I did not understand why a watch needed to 2 crowns (as it clearly was not a chrono), so I asked, and had a demo of the internal bevel. It was an Aquatimer, and I was imeadiately hooked and I just had to have one. I did some reading, discovered the world of IWC and the Aquatimer legacy and decided that a Ref. 812 was a "must have" and went in search of one. searching the web, I came into contact with one of the regulars on this forum, who was offering some of his collection for sale. I setup a phone call - I was on the road in an eastern european city for business, and we spoke. Well, during that call, I had a complete history lesson, that cemented my love affair with IWC, as well as a shock.

I could not afford the particular Ref 812 he had. He pointed me to some others, and I shorlty afterwards procured an Aquatimer Ref. 816 with steel bracelet. I still have it - mint condition with grey blue dial. I am indebited to that forum member for "lighting my fire" and sharing his passion. He knows who he is....and so it was that my first IWC was an Aquatimer Ref 816

St Ex Chrono

I had seen the watch at my AD but I wasn't looking for a new watch (yet). Then, I read some info about the watch and about St Exupery and that got me exited. When I went back to my AD to take a closer look, the watch was sold already.

I did see one again at a party where IWC was present too and they still had one, although reserved already. Trying the watch on, made me decide that I really wanted one and my AD promised me to try to find one for me. That was October 2006. In April 2007, he was able to keep his promise and I got my first IWC.

Kind regards,

Clemens

St Ex Chrono

Man, when some guys catch the IWC Uhren Virus

they go down hard! What a way to start!

A Mark XV in 2000.

I remember getting interested in watches and perusing the Sales Board on a watch site. I remember how scared I was about sending a Cashiers Check to someone I didn't know in the hopes that a watch might actually appear in my mailbox.

Appear it did, and so started a love affair with IWC that has only grown since then. I forgot what my last count was, but I believe I have owned 45 or 50 IWC's since then.

The watch came before I even had a digital camera, so no photos.

3741 MQ Flieger on bracelet. Just because my local

watchmaker had one to sell me.

Another memorable picture

This one was taken at the 2007 Collectors Forum Meeting. I still have fond memories of that meeting!

Kind regards,

Clemens

Three St Ex Chrono''s at the Collectors Forum Meeting 2007

Super, this must be a very rare picture

They look great together, the develop strengh, it certainly is a great watch. OK, I will wear mine tomorrow, after taking care of time, date and day.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Portuguese

a Portofino 3513, that I bought in Italy

The dial looked like the portugese 3532

VC Aquatimer...

I was first introduced to IWC in 2005 when an exec. showed me his Ingenieur. He explained the movement, the history and the forum. I was hooked, and now I lusted for an IWC.

In 2008 I tried on the VC Aquatimer at a local AD and my heart started beating really fast and my hands got a little sweaty. I knew I had to have it., but had no idea how I was going to pay for it without my wife killing me.

After reading a post from a helpful forum member I was referred to an outstanding AD that would allow me to make a few payments over time... I became a proud owner this year.

My first wrist shot! I need to get out and shoot some new pictures

500109

Bought on Feb'08 and IWC'ed lol. Saw on catalog, fell in love and went for it. No regrets.

In July 2002 I got the SS GST Chrono Auto >>>>

I had decided that I wanted to get my first 'real mechanical watch'. I walked into my local AD to buy a 'his & hers' Cartier French Tank.

Thankfully, I was talked out of it, so my first 'real mechanical watch' turned out to be the IWC GST Chrono with that beautiful dial.

I won't continue to tell you where that step has led me, but you get the idea, LOL!!!!!

Btw, my wife still has her mid-size Tank, LOL!!!!!!!!

Oh, and the GST is still in my collection ,-)))))

322701

in 2004, got it because it soooo solid!

The legendary PD Titan Chrono (Ref.3700) . . .

. . . some of you know the funny story how I came to my first IWC in 1982!

BTW: I was astonished to read the MF's first IWC he bought in 1995. That's not so long ago. I thought MF's first IWC must have been bought earlier! Did you make a mistake with the year???
Could have been 1895???? :=)))) . . . just kidding!

I wrote a story which I have published here some time ago.
Sorry that it is in German but even if you don't understand every word you will find some interesting pics and facts about "IWC watch of fate" (as Kurt Klaus sometimes name it)

My first IWC

for me easy!

misread.... this was the first 5441 the 3rd

1995

Ref. 1210

My first was a gold dress watch ref. 1210 cal. 401 from 1960.

Jens-Kristian