Need Advice To Choose My First IWC Pilot

Dear All,

My name is Jimmy and I'm new to this forum as well as in IWC world.

I started to learn about classic pilot watches since last year especially the WW II period.

Since two months ago I have been eyeing for the IWC Pilot watches and now I'm in the market to get my first IWC pilot watch.

Two weeks ago I went to IWC boutique in my current city Abu Dhabi and tried out the Big Pilot Heritage (46mm), some pilot chronos (43mm) and some the Mark VIII Heritage (40mm).

I felt that the Big Pilot series are just too big for my hand and the Mark VIII is a little bit to small.      

The Chrono is just fine and I like how it fits on my hand. The only problem is the current Pilot Chronos don't have in-house movement which is one of the reason I want to buy.

Then I started again to surf on the internet, I finally came down to two options which tick the boxes for me (size & movement):
1. IWC Pilot Vintage Collection IW325401 (44mm + calibre 98300).
2. IWC Antoine de Saint Exupery Chrono IW387806  (43mm + calibre 89361).

After a long search on the net, I have some options to get it as "pre-owned" or New (Old Stock?). Of course I will only buy from a reputable dealer and not from a private seller.

Then I found one of the dealer from "chrono24" website, where they located in Swiss, they offered me a brand new IW325401 model with 2-3 months pre order with IWC warranty.

Also I found from the same "chrono24" website 3 dealers (they have a physical shops) in Dubai. Two of them offered me the IW387806 (one is pre-owned & other is NOS), and the 3rd dealer offered me a NOS IW325401.
Those twos who offered me NOS models, they said the warranty will be IWC warranty.

So now I have appointments with them in these coming days to see myself the watch.

Before I pull the trigger, may I ask some advices from all of you here who are more expert with IWC than me:

1. How is it possible for a shop to be able to sell a so called "new" item which IWC itself doesn't produce anymore (IW387806) and provide a IWC warranty?

2. Is it possible for the non-limited model (IW325401) to be ordered as I've been informed by a dealer (the one in Swiss)?

3. If I finally end up with the pre-owned, is it possible to bring it to IWC and get a new certificcate of autenthicity? 

4. If you have to choose between the two, which one would you prefer & why?

Thank you in advance and I hope I can get some infos I need before I pull the trigger.

Regards,

Jimmy

Hey welcome Jimmy to this forum!

It seems I have the honour to first welcome you here.
First of all: good choice to land at IWC airport.
Another good choice to land in the Pilots area!
Next good choice to join this forum, I'm here now for over 17 years and never regretted a minute. Made many friends and connections over the years and spent many happy hours in the forum and on some of the outstanding forum meetings that you might be able to join when you check in regularly.

Yeah Pilot's watches have a broad variety and history at IWC.
My personal thought: The Big Pilots watch seems big in the beginning. I remember my first personal meeting with the 46 mm model back in 2002 or 2003.
I thought: beautiful but way too big. Since 3 years now I'm an as happy as ever can be BP wearer. ;-)

Unfortunately I don't have all the reference numbers in my head because I forget them too fast (getting old I guess).
The Vintage Collection Pilot never pulled my trigger so my personal preference on your list would be the chrono. But it's you in the end who does the choice and everyone feels different. My only advice there: Take your time and try to put them both on your wrist (both together is a plus but not a must), take some pictures. Rethink again and if you're really sure: GO!

Your questions:
[list=1]
[]An authorized dealer can fill out your warranty in the moment he's selling the watch. Then your 2 year warranty period starts. If it's out of production for some time (vintage collection was sold from 2008, so it's 10 years now), the watch might never been owned or worn but it's been sitting for a while (here around 10 years). So it might be due to first service immediately. If that's covered by warranty I don't know. I'd check that with the seller or even with IWC directly. 
[]Usually not but there might be some exceptions. I don't have insight information here. But if it's out of production and out of stock. IWC won't reproduce it just because one ordered it.
[]I guess not. You have to trust the dealer that the watch is OK. So buy the dealer, not only the watch!
[]The chrono for me, see my statement above.
[/list]
Anyway I wish you good luck choosing. And keep us posted with your experience. Best is with pictures. We're always happy to see your personal impressions with watches.
Here's my humble Pilots collection, BP and chrono, manufacture vs. not manufacture movement. Both are awesome watches in its own right.

Hello Jimmy, welcome to the forum! I would be cautious and understand that only an IWC authorized dealer can sell you an IWC with warranty. If you are considering having a watch authenticated after purchase, then it sounds like you don't trust the seller.  Stay away. 

Hi Tilo,

Thank you for your kind words and advice, I really appreciate this. What a lovely collections you have there.

Ok, for the 46mm, I did try at the boutique and I just feel uncomfortable with the size on my 6.7 inch wrist, but hey, who know it will grow inside me in future.

I have some 40-46 mm watches at home and I feel my sweet spot is between 42-44 mm.

According to the seller who sells the Vintage it is from 2016 production and he got it by buying in bulk along with other watches from IWC he is one of the AD in Dubai, I will confront this when I visit him.

As for the pre-owned, I might reconsider if I want to go for it

Again thanks for your advice, I will take it as consideration before I buy it and I will update here with my decision.

Best regards,
Jimmy

Hi Ben,

Thank for the advice.

As per consideration to get authentication, it's only for the pre-owned one, not the NOS with IWC warranty.
Regarding the AD, the one who sells the Vintage told me by phone that he is an AD but I will confirm this when I meet him.

Best regards,
Jimmy

Hi Jimmy. You can also check the IWC online store finder to verify that the seller is listed as an autherized retailer. As models do change every so often, it is not uncommon to find an older model at an AD that is no longer in production. That watch can still be sold with full warranty. The Vintage Collection was introduced in 2008, but these watches were produced for a number of years after that, so it is hard to say how old they actually are without investigating the serial numbers. As for "ordering" a watch that is no longer produced - it sounds as if the seller would like to lock down your business while they search for one. IWC will authenticate watches, but I believe it involves shipping the watch off to Schaffhausen for some time and it likely is not inexpensive to do. Better to trust the seller.

As for my choice between the two watches you like, that is a very difficult choice indeed. I love the vintage-inspired pilot for its unique dial and bezel. It has its own style. The movement is also not found in many IWC watches and represents the company's great history as well, inspired by some of the first movements to come out of Schaffhausen. The St. Ex Chrono, however, has that iconic IWC pilot's case that I love - including the hand bevelled and polished edges on the lugs. The automatic movement is quite efficient, has a great power reserve and the chronograph layout is fantastic with the two-hand subdial that is so easy to read. Tough, tough choice. But you can't go wrong. Just try them on and see how they feel. The both will speak to you in their own way.

Welcome to the forum Jimmy.
there is not right or wrong model- certainly there are more popular ones (that would sell easier if you decide you no longer want it or you have too but hopefully that will not be the case.)
i had the same feeling about the big pilot (and big engineur) about 10 years ago.
now I own two big pilots and am very happy with them.
having boufrom boutique, ad and second hand dealer I would say the boutique is a better experience and service but you can find a great deal with a second hand dealer. You must always be careful with the latter- always but the dealer not the watch so you do not end up with a lemon.
Regarding in house movement, there are also advantages of modified movements that sometimes end up being more collectible.
good luck in finding what you want.
As a last advice, if you wear glasses the big pilot might be the best choice....
Cheers 

Dear Ben & Whippetwonder,

Thank you for your advice. I really appreciate that.

Here some updates:

Regarding the dealer, I visited both and both are NOT AD but they have physical shops here in Dubai.

The one who sells the Vintage, I found out when I visited him that he turn out is a wholesale dealer. He bought watches directly from IWC (and other brands) in bulk so he has a variety of IWC model at his shop.For the Vinatge, he bought it from IWC in 2017. I tried the it as well as the Top Gun Miramar (46mm).
Both watches are fitted well on my hand, but still I feel that the 46 is slitghly big on my 17cm/6.7in wrist).
Below I will attach the pictures, but the pictures doesn’t represent the actual looks. It looks so much bigger and the lug looks hang out on my hand.
Both watches will have the IWC warranties.

The other seller who offered me the St Exupery Chrono IW387806, they also sell new & used branded watches direct and online and they have few more branches accross Dubai & Hongkong (Luxury . They don’t have the watch in stock (so I couldn’t try it on) and as Ben said, they will get the new Chrono from other shop and yes it comes with the IWC warranty as well. They have the Le Petite Prince Chrono and I tried it but I don’t like the look of it.

Yes I’m wearing glasses so I think the Vintage will serve me better than the Chrono, but yes, it is a hard choice.

Again thank you to all for the help. I’m stull deciding and I will let you know which one I buy.

Regards,
Jimmy

Sorry, I missed the attachement. Here they are.

Cheers

Very difficult choice. 
The VC Pilot offers a very limited edition and classic look. 

The Miramar offers ceramic case, fantastic fly-back Chronograph and will be a functional and versatile watch, ready for all occasions. 

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the advice.

Yes I agree with you regarding the chrono will be more versatile but I think I mislead you regarding my option. I,m deciding between the VC (44mm)  and the Saint Exupery Chrono (43mm). The Miramar is just to show that 46mm is just too big for me.

Again thank you for your advice.

Best regards,
Jimmy

fDear
All,

Thank you for all your thoughts & advices.

To me personally, I like the Vintage Pilot more than the Saint Exupery.

But after taking the versatility & functionality into consideration, I have
decided to buy the Chrono Antoine de Saint Exupery (IW387806).

I can see myself wear this watch on my duty in the flight deck, daily use as
well as for formal events in formal dress.

I bought it as a pre-owned from a reputable dealer for new/used branded
watches and the watch has arrived on my door.

The watch itself looks like new. There are no noticeable scratches on the case
as well as on crystal.

It came with its original box, papers & warranty card

I feel the watch suits me well on my 7inches of wrist.

It's been 2 days since I started to wear it, it keeps the time between -1 to 4
seconds/day.

The stopwatch function with fly-back feature is just awesome.

The look of the sunburst black-brownish dial is beautiful.

The leather strap that came with it doesn't look like had been used.

I put it on my timegraph and it shows good measurements.

Overall I'm happy with my first IWC watch & I'm afraid this won't be the only
one in future.

Cheers all!

Sorry for the messed up photos.

Here is the measurement from Timegrapher.

I recently
acquired a Mark VIII Laureus, 41mm so not so small, slim, makes a versatile
watch for many occasions. Managed to get a good deal at the AD in the
Emirates Mall in Dubai last month.

worth a wrist check :)

Looks good.

From your post looks like you live in UAE, right?

Cheers