Who is the Greatest?

Generally speaking it was both Albert Pellaton and Kurt Klaus the two most distinguished watchmakers in the history of IWC.
But trying to have in mind that times differ and change could you say who is the greatest.

Was it A. Pellaton for his famous Automatic Winding Movement and setting the base of what we know today as IWC Schaffhausen or even for hiring K. Klaus?

or is it K. Klaus for his Perpetual Calendar Cal. and the incorporation of the Pellaton's Automatic Winding System to the great 5001 Cal. and all the ineventions that led IWC in the Haute Horlogerie. Is he the most highly appreciated watchmaker in IWC history?

I would love to hear from older collectors and new ones too of course.

Argiris

For me it has to be Kurt Klaus...

It is his vision in the perpetual movement which allowed IWC to manufacture a superb technical achievement at a reasonable price.

Really don't know Argiris but

I still remeber the sparkle in Kurt Klaus eyes as I mentioned the name of Albert Pellaton.

Two different, original, ingenious watchmakers that helped IWC to manufacture great calibres.

I won't say who's best between them, I simply can't.

ciao :)

roberto

I agree..

It was a great pleasure to meet Mr Klaus though, Mr Pellaton was way before I ever heard about IWC.

Kind regards,

Clemens

Both men are heroes in my book

Quite probably IWC would be a different company without them puting their emphasis on its products: they both produced something everlasting. I feel so proud to own a watch that combines products of both men in a great in-house movement, in a watch of my favourite line. My Portuguese Perpetual Calendar, of course.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Pilot's watch

The Perpetual Calendar is special

I'm almost 34 and new to IWC, my watch is the GST Perpetual Calendar Titanium which I received as a gift.
As soon as I received it I started my research on it and discovered Kurt Klaus. From that day I've been quite amazed about the idea of a mechanical program that tells you the exact phase of the moon, day, date... the engineering of it is just amazing!... so for me, as a new IWC member, Kurt Klaus has already my complete respect and admiration.

Greetings,
Héctor

There are so many ways to answer....

I would say Mr. Klaus - for all the same reasons that have been discussed here. Are there other movement innovations that Pellaton is known for? Should we be "scoring" points between these gentlemen?

I am definitely a "Kurt Klaus Fan".

Kurt Klaus improved the Pellaton automatic winding system, and put it in a watch that also had a 7-day power reserve AND a perpetual calendar. Pellaton was also a mentor and predecessor to many, including Klaus, so certainly some credit of influence is due.

If you're looking for a score or votes - You could type in "Kurt Klaus" in the "Subject" line of the forum archive search. Count the number of entries, then repeat with "Albert Pellaton" and count the entries on the forum.

Kurt Klaus TV Network - 24-hours a Day

Both were able to think out of the box...

Both were a step ahead the others,
Both special,

BR, Julx

I'm so against ranking in this case ...

... both are giants in their own era, but without visionairies like the late Günter Blümlein to mention but one where would be IWC today?

Regards
Brane

Re: I'm so against ranking in this case ...

I fully agree but would like to add my additional comments.

1. No doubt, having first hand knowledge, that the late Gunter Blumlein was the catalyst behind Kurt Klaus and his achievements.

2. Kurt Klaus was responsible for more than developing a new Pellaton winding system but, as we all know, the brain for the unique IWC perpetual calendar system as well as later modules.

In addition, he was the head technical consultant and brain behind the new Lange timepieces.

We didn't know Albert Pellaton in our times but what we know about Kurt Klaus is sufficient to rank him as perhaps the greatest asset IWC still has concerning technical developments for IWC.

Regards,
Jack Freedman

and maybe, just maybe........

there is another K.K. in the student / training department of IWC who will continue in the fine tradition of all the other renowned IWC craftsmen / watchmakers ?
Let's hope so
Ivan
iwcforme