Does anyone know if the 500908 has protection against magnetic fields? I had read on the forum that this watch was not, and I attributed that to the dial. I surmised that the dial color could not be achieved with an iron dial so another material was used. However, I see that the new Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition " Le Petite Prince" does have a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields. It appears to have the same dial color as the Big Pilot edition so I am a bit confused. With all of the complications of the Double Chronograph there is still room for a soft-iron inner cage; why would it be omitted from the Big Pilot?
The Big Pilot Edition "Le Petite Prince" and the soft iron inner cage
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- last reply by tilo 27 May 2015
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MasterIt has not but it has a balance made of beryllium alloy which I think is not easily being magnetized. But I'm an idiot in this field so don't blame me if this information isn't 100% correct.
On the other hand almost if not all the watches have this balance made out of Glucydur. That's probably why magnetism isn't that big problem anymore nowadays?
In fact none of my trio has a soft iron inner cage and I never had a problem with magnetism with these watches. But I take care as well.
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](scontent-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11120569_456983917804581_4544229153885154134_n.jpg?oh=bbaad207ab4545f0b16e42aec457e269&oe=55C54A9E) -
Tilo, I can't answer Ben's question with certainty, but relative to your comment virtually all modern fine watches have a Glucydur balance with is amagnetic, as well as a Nivarox hairspring which also is amagnetic.
Wikipedia has this description for Glucydur:
"[i]Glucydur is the trade name of a metal alloy with a low coefficient of thermal expansion, used for making balance wheels and other parts of mechanical watches.
Glucydur is a beryllium bronze; an alloy of beryllium, copper and iron. In addition to its low coefficient of thermal expansion, its hardness (400 Brinell), nonmagnetizability, and resistance to deformation and damage make it suited for making precision parts that must have high dimensional stability. Glucydur is also resistant to corrosion; it is rather inert chemically.[/i]"
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MasterA very good question and I would be interested in the answer if anyone knows for sure?
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Master
I didn't think it did but now I'm not sure.
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Hello all, confirmation that the ref 500908 does not have the soft iron inner case. ( as stated in the IWC workbook 2015/2016 )
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Master
Thanks Tony but I think the question is/was why the new LPP does but the LPP BP doesn't? I thought the blue dial was the reason the BP couldn't be anti-magnetic.
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MasterI can confirm that the BP LPP has not a soft-iron inner case! Before I bought mine I contacted a IWC concierge to ask this question. A little bit disappointing that I never got a reply.
At the day when I bought the 500908 at the Vienna Boutique, the shop leader confirmed that it has no soft-iron inner case.
He showed me a sheet they got from IWC (for internal staff information only)with an overview which models does have and which don't have a soft-iron inner case.
Thanks Michael and Tilo for the additional Information regarding "Glucydur is a beryllium bronze...etc."Cheers Chris
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Master
Surely someone can answer this? I was of the understanding that the dial on the LPP Big Pilot was the reason it could not be anti-magnetic. Same for the ardoise spitfire etc. But the new double chronograph has the same dial colour and is anti-magnetic. Confused....
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Master
Love your photo, Tilo - and Jarrod thought he was strange!
I am still wondering why IWC bothered to put a soft-iron case in the double chronograph edition with a triple date window and star holes in the dial, yet had previously decided to omit it from the Big Pilot edition...
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Master
+1. Maybe its the space required for the 51111 movement?
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Master
Not true as the 500901 does have a soft iron cage with the 51111 movement.
It is purely an intent omission.
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Master
True! Still wondering then.
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Master
Regarding the 5009, "The 46-millimetre stainless-steel case encloses a soft-iron cage that protects the movement against magnetic fields." This makes me wonder, then; which particular parts of the movement benefit from the protection from magnetic fields that this soft-iron inner cage is able to afford?
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Master
So, along with Ben I am still in the dark. And strange. :-)
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ConnoisseurWhile Nivarox/Glucidur balance wheels/springs are quite resistant to magnetization, they are not totally free of magnetization. Besides, an escape wheel magnetization can also be an issue. To achieve higher level of protection against magnetic fields, one needs either non-ferrous components (like silicon components used by Omega) or a soft-iron cage around the movement.
To my best understanding the reason why LPP does not have a soft-iron cage is the same as with the ardoise-dial Spitfire chrono: The dial forms part of the cage, and creating the beautiful sunray effect on such dial is apparently very difficult.
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Master
Thanks for shading some light on this issue.
I think too that the dial is the reason. And I think the new LPP Double Chrono has a different dial (finishing). But I'm not 100% sure about that. -
I asked confirmation in Schaffhausen, as soon as I get the info, I will post it here.
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Insider
Lovely Trio there
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GraduateLovely trio of watches; I tried on the Yacht Club Chronograph with the ardoise face when a few weeks ago and it was lovely on the wrist; strangely much nicer in the hand etc than in a photo. In the end I got my first IWC the LPP Chronograph.. next one perhaps if i don't go for a BP
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Master
The ardoise finish of the new Yacht Club is really beautiful. Probably nicer than the old one.
What I like more about my old version, is the white inner bezel ring which makes it more sporty and varied (which in turn wouldn't fit so well with the ardoise dial?) and the bigger size. The new diameter is definitely too small for my taste. I love the 45.5 and 46 mm diameters. They are just made for my wrist.
