News on heritage Pilot's watches

I owned the original 1940 B-Uhr Ref 431 and always asked myself: "Will there ever be a recreation of the B-Uhr with 55 diameter? I hoped. But what has been presented shortly remembers me rather to a cheap fake than a 52 T.S.C. Yes, i guess i am a bit disappointed...

Likewise.i think that IWC missed the point somewhat with the heritage model pilot watches. Apart from the design,steel would have been the the correct choice of material for the case.The weight of the original 55mm B-UHR was 183gramms. What's that in today's watch world,when large cases watches far exceed that weight,and people still wear these heavy timepieces. Take for example the ingenieur 322701,that watch weighs in at 220gramms.
Kenneth.

won't be so harsh saying a 'cheap fake'....but I guess if this hybrid would appear elsewhere it might be referred to as a....marriage??...
where the designers themselves full aware over the prototype...the heritage and the required need to stick to the original to justify the model be called 'heritage pilot's watch'?

In the past, with the pilot model of the VC series, that watch was quite similar (probably apart of size) to the so called 'Mark IX)....

Aloha all -

I’m addicted to IWC pilot watches and I like a center seconds hand; however, I’m also a fan of contemporary stylized pilot watches that don’t have a center seconds hand (or a “9”) - and even the perpetual calendar version - so I will have to reserve judgment until I see the new pilot watches in-hand at SIHH.

So far I like the 55mm version…

Tracy

I agree with Kokoro, center seconds look great on a Big Pilot. But 3 of his models dont have one, and look mighty nice to me too. Others added a power reserve, great to have this kind of inovation to keep a brand atractive.
And what would be the point in making the same watch like the B Uhr ?. For the 55mm, admirable as a desk top ornament, it would be no more than a replica and Collectors would choose the Original over that iteration.
For the 48mm, actually wearable, It is sensible to use the new movements, thats why i applaud all the new in house movements, especially the 8 days manual wound makes it practical, and i like the date function. The sandblasted metal is great, many commented here on the great looks of the 2 earlier Patrouille Suisse models which have the same treatment. I think both are great succesors of the B Uhr, plenty of IWC in both. And the Annual Calendar looks even better in the BP PP then in the Portugieser, imo.
IWC survided many a crises in the past, as they wernt selling enough watches. Lets hope IWC never makes that mistake again or i be out of a few dreams.

It is really surprising to me that the collectors criticize the new watches that much and almost uni-sono.

To me, the question would rather be, why would I want a watch that reminds me of the ones worn by 3rd Reich Military during WW II.

To me, the answer is easy: the watches don't remind me of the 3rd Reich, not even when you mention it. To start with, things have no guilt, not even if the thing was owned by a prominent member of the 3rd Reich. Then, about everything made in Germany could remind me of the 3rd Reich, like when sitting in a Mercedes Benz or a Volkswagen, but it doesn't. When I walked the streets of Wiesbaden, where my parents lived their last years, but it didn't. When I enjoy Wagner opera's, but they don't. All the variations of the Big Pilot, but they don't, not even the one of the DFB. I start to feel guilty for not thinking about the 3rd Reich when I encounter something German. I like a lot German things, there you are: I am a bad person.

Will I buy one of those watches? Quite probably not: I am rather old, have more than enough watches, and these presented here are too big for me.

Kind regards,
Paul

I see your point, how about Very Good Looking desk top ornament ;-)) ?

Regulateur's provocative statements are nothing but
attention seeking ploys, and are better ignored.

I have inquired about the 55mm piece from the local IWC boutique. Apparently they are offered "invitation only" whatever that means. Doesn't seem like I can get one.

To me, whether or not the watch has a subseconds or a sweep doesn't matter. None of us are going to war with the piece, and besides the watch to me, imo, are instantly recognizable as IWC Big Pilot's watches.

That said, the 48mm watch is apparently still anti magnetically protected even with the peekaboo window in the back.

Does anyone know from past years when the new IWC releases announced at SIHH tend to become available at AD's?

I have a little bit different opinion here:
The word "heritage" has not to be interpreted so "precise" - the new Pilot's are "really good looking" watches - the small second at 6pm looks really nice to me :)

the 48mm I would love to see "in person"...

Regards
Thomas

I love the look of both the Heritage pieces. I have a confirmed allocation from IWC for the 48mm and also the 55mm (with a specific serial number for the 55mm version). I think they'll make a great addition to the collection, will post some pics when they arrive.

That's why you did LOL

Wow. Just wow. Busy traveling and look what I missed. Both are great designs and I love the 48 and am seriously thinking that this will be my next purchase (after too much time putting my passion for IWC on the back burner)

It seems that Regulateur has left our forum, this must be one of his last posts. It is nice to see that he had fun until the end of his membership!

Kind regards,
Paul