Which Big Pilot 5002 would you choose?

I am contemplating two IWC BIg Pilot 5002 watches. Which would you choose
based on the following stats? Assume price of each is the same.

A
- Individual seller
- original owner
- never serviced/polished
- original buffalo strap in very good condition
- no warranty
- original box and papers including receipt
- original warranty card shows dealer and purchase date

B
- Authorized dealer
- Complete service by IWC in February 2020
- Polished while at IWC for service
- new buffalo strap added when returned from service
- 1 year dealer warranty from date of sale
- 2 year IWC warranty from date of service
- original box and papers
- warranty card only shows where originally purchased (no serial #, etc.),
Baily Banks and
Biddle, which has since gone bankrupt
- date is not on warranty card so I cannot determine year sold

For the same price (procurement effort) I would prefer variant B).
At a much cheaper price (+/- 15-25% cheaper) variant A).

Voted for B, too.

As you don´t knwo when Option A was serviced the last time, you might end up
with an expensive service soon, adding approx. 800 € to the equation.
+ you get the 2 years service warrinty by IWC which is great.
That the original AD went bankrupt does not matter at all, as IWC will be your
contact in any case of problems.

The more important question IMHO would be, if you want to buy a 5002 "Slow
Beat" or "Transitional" ... ;-)

Voted for B, too.

As you don´t knwo when Option A was serviced the last time, you might end up
with an expensive service soon, adding approx. 800 € to the equation.
+ you get the 2 years service warrinty by IWC which is great.
That the original AD went bankrupt does not matter at all, as IWC will be
your
contact in any case of problems.

The more important question IMHO would be, if you want to buy a 5002 "Slow
Beat" or "Transitional" ... ;-)

I appreciate the reply.

A has never been serviced. I actually lean toward A, but one thing that
worries me is that since it is a fish crown it may end up being a defective
one since it has never been serviced/looked at by IWC.

Regarding slow beat or transitional, I am a slow beat guy.

For the same price (procurement effort) I would prefer variant B).
At a much cheaper price (+/- 15-25% cheaper) variant A).

I dont think I can get A for much less than B. I can probably get B for
around $8,300-$8,500 (no tax since shipped to FL). That would mean I would
have to get A for $6,300 to $7,140. Those would be good prices though.

If B is not 'over polished' I'd go for that!

I vote for A.

The watchmaker I use could perform a complete service,if required, for less
than $500.

IF choice A was from someone reputable or someone you could trust I would go
for A otherwise my vote would be B just for the peace of mind.

Are all things equal? Are the both slow beat, fast beat, or transitional? Fish
crown?

I vote for B as well. My 5002 was serviced by IWC in Dallas three times and
has never returned overpolished.

Given the information you have provided, unless you require the watch to be in
absolute original (albeit worn) condition, the obvious choice to me is B. Even
with a $500 service, tack on the new strap and you're already almost $1000 in
the hole and have no IWC-backed warranty. I trust IWC service to re-polish the
watch to "factory" specifactions so the just-serviced watch should look as
new. Also, the movement that has been serviced has been upgraded with the
newer ceramic and metal parts in the automatic winding system - I am not sure
that independent watchmakers have the ability to make this upgrade.

Are all things equal? Are the both slow beat, fast beat, or transitional?
Fish
crown?

All things are equal. Both slow beat and both have fish crown. I assume
nothing is wrong with the original owner fish crown if the watch is still
operating normally after 16 years, but do not know for sure since he has not
been serviced. I prefer the original owner, but would be disappointed for
there to be an issue with the fish crown and have to have it replaced with a
probus crown.

@Clem ... why would you go with A? I don´t see any advantages there, but would
love to get your opinion on that.

Also, the movement that has been serviced has been upgraded with the
newer ceramic and metal parts in the automatic winding system - I am not
sure
that independent watchmakers have the ability to make this upgrade.

If this is the case I am probably leaning more toward A now. Although I do
not plan to sell in the future, I would like the watch to be 100% original
since it was the 1st modern Big Pilot.

I would go for option B! Last year my 5002 went to IWC for a full service,
superb work and not polished at all. Including a new crytal, I paid 900€ and
this would be o0n top if you go for option A at least.

I would go for option B! Last year my 5002 went to IWC for a full service,
superb work and not polished at all. Including a new crytal, I paid 900€
and
this would be o0n top if you go for option A at least.

Did you request that it not be polished? Did they replace parts with the
newer ceramic and metal parts or keep it original?

A has never been serviced. I actually lean toward A, but one thing that
worries me is that since it is a fish crown it may end up being a defective
one since it has never been serviced/looked at by IWC.

Being that A has never been serviced and this is not necessarily a good or
bad thing. Now would be the perfect opportunity to it send it in and
serviced/polished. IWC will likely change/upgrade your crown and crown tube
but don't fret. This is a good thing because there are now upgraded fish
crowns (make sure to tell the AD/boutique that you want this option) so you
don't have to run the risk of getting a Probus "crown". Not that there's
anything wrong with that... The cost of the service would likely bring your
costs to the same level as the serviced B option.

That being said.... if you can confirm that B indeed has had the fish crown
replaced during the February 2020 service, and it is the updated version....
I'd change my vote and go with B.

@Clem ... why would you go with A? I don´t see any advantages there, but
would
love to get your opinion on that.

@Adrian partially because of known ownership history and
limited information.
See my addendum above.

The only thing I have requested, that I would like to have the updated new
fish crown. The case was still in great shape for the age of the watch and I
am not aware of any updated parts within the movement.