New BIg Pilot Ref.No.

I read the new 2018 catalogue and noticed, that the BP has now the Ref.5010 and not 5009 anymore. Was there a change of the caliber or is it because of the Jubilee models or the Safari?

Yes Patrick, it is because of the new calibre. The new Big Pilots with central seconds are now utilizing the two-barrel 52000-calibre family (previously used in only the small-seconds configurations).

Hello IWC forum members,
It’s been a long time since I wrote here. I’m so glad to be back!

Excuse me Ben,
Does it hold for 5009-12 as well? Has it been discontinued for the 5010 (two barrel) version? I couldn’t find anything on the internet avout this chancge.

Thank you very much

Hello Basu - yes, the watch is evolving. The new 52000 family calibre will replace the current 51000 family calibre and this necessitates the new reference number for the Big Pilot, even though visually they may appear the same. However, the 500912 will most likely continue to be the model available at your AD for most of the year.

Dear Ben,

Thank you. Why is IWC replacing the cal. 5000? Is it a question of reliability (there are stories about accuracy, my Portuguese 5001 runs 10 seconds faster but it is very consistent and I started not to care too much) or maybe cost?
The cal. 5000 slower beat frequency anyway has a particular effect on the central seconds. So fascinating! This will be lost a bit with the cal. 5200. Just my opinion.
Thank you again

Regards
Alessandro

Hi Ben, thanks for the clarification! I assume the Safari will have then the same new calibre as the 5010 ;)

So if I am in the market for a Big Pilot should I wait until the new caliber being sold?

That depends on how long you want to wait and how important the newer calibre is to you.

Question rephrased: Is the new caliber worth waiting for?

Hi Josh - unfortunately that is not a question with a simple yes or no answer. The new caliber has been designed to improve reliability and accuracy. However, the way you wear (and don't wear) your watch also affects its performance. I am not aware of a longer recommended service interval for the new calibre and, for me, the old calibre keeps fantastic time. I have worn my Big Pilot 5004 on and off for as long as a month, never winding it. The combination of my activity wearing the watch and how it rested on the days it was not worn contributed to an impressive rate of +1 second/day average over that period of time. Now not everyone is going to be able to duplicate those results - it just happens that the calibre works for me. As long as I am servicing my old BP at the same rate I would a new one, I am quite happy with mine.
If you are still looking at that beautiful blue-dialed Big Pilot edition Le Petit Prince, then the only difference on the outside is going to be the travel of the central seconds hand as the current calibre runs at 3 Hz and the newer one at 4 Hz. You may be able to detect the slightly slower ticks of the second hand of the older movement, which Alessandro (above) appears to enjoy.

I appreciate the response. It seems there are no easy decisions or answers on my journey to obtain a Big Pilot. haha.

Can only agree ;) I had to choose between the 5009 LPP and the 5002 and went for it! No regrets and it’s the best dial layout IMO.

My big pilot 5009 is about +10 to 12 sec per day, does it mean it require a complete service?

My journey was also a very long one! I always had my eye on the 5009 LPP and checked it out at Tourneo in San Fran beginning of last year, but always had the 5002 in my head. Then summer 2017 I found an almost unused 5002 from a collector in Munich and pulled the trigger! Best decission I have ever made, for sure!!

That is awesome.  Great luck.  I will probably end up going with the 5009 since I can get a very good deal for new.  Im going to keep my eye out for the 5002 in new condition though.