What would be a perfect IWC classic collection for you?

Just like everyone else here on the forum I have been toying around with the idea what would be an awesome personal private collection with unmistakebly IWC classics.

For me personally it would be something like this:

The list below would all be grail material to me. This being said. I would not sell my 5448 due to emotional attachement. 
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[]Portuguese Pisa 5441-07 (which I luckily have :) )
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[]Portofino 5251               ( besides the Pisa the highest IWC grail since the 5448 was my first IWC. I've had a massive crush on this one since the first day I got into watches. I have to work out my budget, but then it will most likely enter my collection)
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[]Ingenieur 666 or 866  (leaning towards a 866) ( one of the nicest and cleanest time only wacthes. Captures all of the IWC spirit for being elegant watches designed with a strict purpose in mind. The 866 would for now have my preference.
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[]Pilot WWW, Mark 11 ( a KNIL would be the grail here) ( When I think of timeless practicality, i think IWC Pilots watches. The history of these pieces are amazing and the mystery and rarity of the KNIL pieces add up to being a grail piece to me on a personal level.
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[]Aquatimer 812 or 816 (Most lovely example ever seen is a 812 in white dial)  One of the sexiest time-only (oke oke a date included) watch ever made by any company. Again with the functonality emphasise. I think the 812 is one of the nicest pieces IWC has ever produced. It's an amazing watch. Also, when you compare production of other divers watches producers of that era, IWC made a relatively small quantity.
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[][b]Da Vinci 3754 /b
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What are your collecors dreams :)

Hi T.M. I guess I know who you are, it would surprise me if we weren't FB friends, and wouldn't live in the same small country.

Great post, you passion about your watches, or your dreams, is crystal clear!

A few of the watches I own form the core of my collection, them being perfect to me. I feel emotionally attached to them, even if they are not on my wrist very often.

1. Vintage Collection Portuguese
2. Vintage Collection Pilot's watch
3. Vintage Collection Ingenieur
4. Portuguese Perpetual Calendar

Classics? I don't quite know about that, it's a term that has no significant appeal to me. Like, it could also mean old an fragile, that doesn't do it for me at all, certainly if such a watch would be very expensive too.

Kind regards,
Paul

Michael Friedberg recently posted articles listing his take on the most iconic IWCs made to date and its hard to disagree with any of his “top 5” lists from an objective standpoint. Below are some of my subjective favorites that I already own. I’m not sure if they qualify as “perfect classics” but they are worthy additions from my perspective. I can see myself adding a platinum Jubilee, a platinum F.A. Jones, a vintage collection Aquatimer and a Cellini Titanium Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar to my collection at some point...

Paul, it's true that you know who I am. I have recently switched to this alias.

whistlerbc, very nice collection. 

Thanks! I enjoyed your post on your watch collecting history.

This is my grail IWC. There is one for sale in my country but unfortunately it's out of reach from my budget. It's the most beautiful piece I've ever seen so far. Once saw it in the flesh from a client at an IWC sales presentation.

Tilo, it was my IWC grail too. It still is. It's my only gold watch that works well with a t-shirt. (White gold doesn't count). 

Good thing too, because it looks best in sunlight :)

Hey Guys,

Because the minute hand is partially blocking the moon phase, is this the original release LPP BP ? If so, when I picked up my MARK XVII LPP, the Boutique had this piece and I tried it on. It was truly stunning. I can see why it would be a " Grail " to many. Amazing in the flesh !

Andy

Did you see any Moon Phase watch where the minute hand is not in front of the moon phase dial? Could only be a watch with a "small minute" on a subdial. But how readable is that?
This is the regular layout of almost all IWC Perpetual Calendar watches and of course it's the original one.

It does indeed have a little prince standing on the moon. You may need a loupe to fully appreciate him!

I love to see my little friend standing there. :-)
Thanks so much for sharing.

Andy - it looks even better with a loupe. This is the Petit Prince rotor that you mentioned.

there can be only ONE AT to rule the world (free interpretation of sentence in Lord of the Ring)

THE DEEP ONE (Aquatimer) is obviously my holy grail

cheers

This is definitely a crazy and difficult question to answer as the choices are just mind boggling!

For the sakes of giggles and sherbet, here's my top 5 (which could change as soon as I hit post)

1. Platinum Big Pilot 5002 (the Jordan)
2. Wempe Perpetual Chronograph (Ref:3757-01 if you want to look it up)
3. Aquatimer 812 (white and black dial, please)
4. Mark XI
5. Portugueser 98 or 74

This is such a difficult and vexing, and ever evolvolving question- but it is fun to think about.  I've enjoyed reading what others have to say.
Now here is my list, and it mimics a lot of previous comments:
- Mark XI
-Ingenieur 866
- cal. 74 vintage Portugieser
-3705 ceramic Flieger
-812 AT white/white

I wish all of you 'good hunting' for your perfect collections!

Nelson

A beautiful watch! Did it come with a reprint of Saint-Exupery's book? If so, can you post a picture please? 
Thanks a lot!
Matthias

If we mean by "classic" the various product groups then I am for the 3-4 oldest one, they are Port, Pilot, Aquatimer and Ingy.
Structuring the options of usage targets and keeping in mind that I am a chronograph guy:
For office days a normal-sized day-date chrono with turning bezel. That's the 3719 steel on bracelet.
For week-ends and holidays: an oversized day-date chrono with turning bezel. That's the 3767 (for me the Cousteau 376706) steel on bracelet.
For suit/evening occasions: a lower-normal size chrono on gator. That's the 3714 silver dial gold(plated?) hand and numerals, blue chrono hands.
The first and second I already have, the 3rd has to arrive yet.
Pilot: till I'll have the 3714 I use my 3706 either on Mk.I. bracelet or on gator as a suit/evening watch. Maybe I'll trade up one day for a 3713 when I already have the 3714.
Regarding Ingy I prefer the Genta design. Normal size comes only as no-date chrono, the 3725, steel on steel for me. I'll possibly buy one if a good pre-loved one etc. etc. (The Genta Ingy also could have had an inner turning bezel, see how the 3765 looks.)
The problem with all these is that we were talking - without exception - about ETA-based bought-in base calibers. I love these calibers but at the end of the day they are not blue-blooded IWC calibers.
So my plans for the future (to build up a perfect IWC Classic collection, as in the thread title):
To have a normal-size (42 mm) watch with in-house day-date chrono inside with turning bezel should come with the caliber family 69xxx. Hopefully we'll see some new Aquatimer that fits all the requirements.
If finally IWC should descover the possibilities of a turning bezel on Fliegerchronographs I'd possibly prefer this model line in the normal size etc. etc.
For suit/evening occasions I'd be happy to have a mixture of the Portugieser Yacht Club Chrono and the  3714: caliber 89xxx inside, lumed dial, screw-down crown and 60 m WR case comes from the Port YC Chrono while size, shape and the missing crown-protecting shoulders should come from the 3714.
Oh and the best possible ever would be the very same Port Chrono 89xxx as written right above, completed with the Klaus QP module, as now the 3921 has. Unfortunately this will never fit my budget but still a nice option.
For week-end/holiday wear I'd keep the 7750-based Aquatimer: no need to take in-house caliber to the beach or for XC-skiing or nordic walking.
So for now: all ETA-based watches: 3714, 3719 and 3767. Later 3767, shift for 69xxx of office days and shift for 89xxx for evenings. Thus 3 chronograph calibers, 3 different use parts of the portfolio.
And a G-Shock for cycling :)
Sorry for being too long! Hope I could give some insight to my way of thinking...
Best,
Robert

So for me additionally to the 5009 and 5007 i have:
500301 (fat chance of finding one for sale)
5026 like the idea of the titanium in the BPPC to reduce the hefty weight
5034 (havent decided on dial colour
524205 Minute repeater 

id be pretty set with those few :)