The Big Pilot Actually Uses A Modified ETA Unitas Movement

Aloha all!

The Big Pilot 5003 that is!

Of course, the BP 5002 and 5004 use an in-house movement.

Tracy

wow... great watch! A pitty it's such a small number of these watches! I think they could sell a lot of these:)

That's a unique beauty, Tracy! Thanks for the wonderful photos.

I like how the 'fan blade' gives the movement an even deeper 3-D look!
Nice addition to your formidable BP collection, Tracy.

Stunning watch Tracy, congratulations on adding such a rare beauty to your wonderful collection.

Kind regards,

Clemens

Thanks for showing Tracy. So you paid a lot of money for a simple ETA-movement ;-))

Fantastic watch, Tracy. Getting one must have been about as adventurous as the watch looks. Great, enjoy!

Kind regards,
Paul

Tracy, thanks for sharing, stunning as usual!!!!!

Congrats Tracy. Much better than the "Rainbow" version. A great addition to your collection.

Norbert -

Take a look at my picture, it doesn't even have a "swan neck" on the regulator - amazing!

Tracy

I wish that all I had to do was gulp and write a large check (LOL) but not being independently wealthy and just a mere government civil servant working toward an uncertain pension, each watch purchase is an adventure for me to find a way to mentally justify such an extravagance and to come up with the funds and, of course, to negotiate the right price.

This time I'm selling some non-IWC watches, Ferrari model cars & car parts, and what's left of my ham radio equipment.

I'm still debating whether to sell my stainless BP 5004 - three of my forum friends have told me that I'll regret it - we'll see.

So for me, each watch purchase is accompanied by a story - an adventure of sorts - that enhances my personal appreciation of the watch.

Tracy

Hi Tracy,

Thank you for your explanation. Somehow I had the weird idea that you still had found a brand new one at some AD, but I wasn't thinking. You got the same brand new watch through an intermediate station, and I appreciate your adventure of getting it.

I would not sell the 5004 if I were you. You could call it the mother of all contemporary models, the main theme. Like in music, you cannot do without it, it is a kind of reference point. You quite probably will be sorry, and you'll end up buying it again. Then you can better keep it.

Good luck!

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing my BP on this beautiful sunny day

Paul -

You're probably right. How do I know? I already bought it back once after trading it in to the AD. (LOL)

We'll see.

Tracy

Tracy, firstly - this is a GREAT addition to your collection. And no mater what, it is what it is. One, of a very few ever made, and quiet unique.

I understand the stories behind the acquisition of each watch. Everything that I ever owned that had Beat Frequency Oscillators in it - went out the door years ago, to sponsor my passion for IWC. And those 1/18th scale models never even made it in the door by me (as much as I wanted to collect them).

I am not sure if your asking for advise or just solicitating input - but IMHO, if you really dont need to, then don't sell that 5004. It's part of who and what you are - and of a real special BP collection much appreciated by many of us out here.

Enjoy it Sir - I trust that one day I'll get lucky enough to see your great collection in person.

Best regards
Mark

Beautiful BP, I do agree IWC will sell more if they make more of these :) thanks for sharing

rgds
ks

Thanks for sharing. I just love all BP-models/versions...

congrats on a great watch - where would they be if not for the journey we undertake to procure them, and then the time and space we traverse with them ?