Most of us here love IWC, and the many reasons have been well documented. Whether it is the company history, the superbly engineered movements, the understated elegance, "Probus Scafusia", or any of the myriad other reasons we often discuss, there is a lot to love in this brand.
I was looking through my watch box to choose a watch the other day, and a realization came over me. Each and every one of my IWC has some little detail that particularly captivates me and endears the watch to me. Let me illustrate with some examples.
My first IWC love was, and remains, the Portuguese line. I fell in love as soon as I saw this photo of twin 3531's, originally posted on another site by Ray Purkis.
For me, there has never been anything quite like that soft, grainy, silver-white Portuguese dial. Despite having owned many different Portuguese models with that dial, I have never been able to capture in a photo what I see on the watch. Maybe because my photographic abilities amount to point, shoot, and post? I made one last try below, but still missed. Those of you who know the dial know what I'm talking about. Perhapos a better photographer can help me out here?
So on to the Pisa Portuguese. This became a grail for me as soon as I saw it.
It is amazing to me how such a seemingly plain appearing, time only steel watch draws such positive comments from whoever sees it. The feature that stands out to me is the font of the numerals. I melt every time I see them, especially the 1, 2 and 7.
It seems that an increasing number of us here have the 5251 Portofino Moonphase.
Have you ever seen anything quite like the starry background of the moonphase on these watches? Again, my photo abilities are limited, so I'll use a photo taken by my good friend Steve G to illustrate.
I am one of the few guys who never "got" the Big Pilot. I don't know why, but it just never spoke to me. It has become such a classic, I often felt I was the only person in the world who didn't "get it". I finally took one in trade, figuring it would be easier to sell for cash than the watches I gave up for it. When it arrived, I figured I'd at least try it on.
It didn't leave my wrist for 2 weeks, and never has left my little collection since then. It's that long slender second hand that captivates me. I could sit and watch it all day. So sleek! So graceful! Like watching Elle McPherson walk down the street.
On to the Aquatimer 3568. The white dial model has become a crowd favorite around here, and I thank Bill Barker for turning me on to it through his photos.
I like the way it has a cooling look in the Summer yet brings the pleasure of a crisp clear day after a fresh snowfall in the Winter. For me, that little yellow tip on the second hand makes a huge difference. Much like the touch of red on the 3717 pilot chrono, that hint of color provides such a warming touch to the otherwise Zhivago-like landscape of the dial.
That brings me to the 3227 Ingenieur, which has become a true IWC classic.
I admit, I didn't like the watch when I first saw it, and I didn't even try to get a CFI. Probably the biggest mistake I ever made in watches! But I corrected that as best I could, and at least I have a 3227. The dial texture is just amazing!
Well, I've droned on long enough. That's it for me. A tiny design feature on each of my IWC's that makes a huge impact.
How about you? What small design feature on your IWC grabs hold of you and won't let go?
