2011 Forum Holiday Drawing!

For many years, I happily wore this quartz Movado:

I remember once someone said to me "that's a nice chronograph". I didn't know what a chronograph was, or a chronometer either, and this watch is neither, but I still enjoyed it. During those years I frequently travelled internationally on business. I remember going to Zurich, and walking down Bahnhofstrasse with my nose pressed against all the windows, admiring the lovely watches. The prices seemd crazy to me, but I certainly liked to look at them. I just couldn't figure out why anyone would wear a watch as expensive as those.

Some years later I was doing well, and decided to stop by a large watch dealer to browse. I was smitten, and walked out with what I thought was an absolute prize - a quartz two tone Baume and Mercier Riviera like the one in the picture below which I borrowed from the internet.

Two thosuand dollars! But I thought it was so cool. How could I know that a month later I would stumble onto a major watch site and start to really learn about watches.

The year was 2000, and I saw a picture of this marvelous device called a Mark XV. That was it! I had to have one. I didn't know who IWC was, but I started to read about them. The Mark XV hit all the right buttons: handsome masculine styling, attractive functionality without "foo-foo" pseudo elegance, just the right size (at the time), great appeal to my engineering background, etc. Best of all, I found out that Sales Corners existed where lightly pre-loved watches could be purchased for a much lower price than the then current Mark XV list of $3995. When I saw an almost new Mark XV on that wonderful original "grains of rice" bracelet posted for less than half the price of a new one, I knew what I had to do.

I couldn't believe I was soon purchasing a Cashiers Check and sending it to someone I didn't know in the hopes that he would send something back to me. I was totally delighted when a package actually appeared in my mailbox a few days later, and in it was my glorious Mark XV from a company called IWC. I didn't even have a digital camera then, so I had to find this picture originally posted by rkny. Same watch, just a different (and much hairier) wrist than mine.

So began my long love affair with IWC. Out went the Baume et Mercier for a sigificant loss. Lesson learned. I wore that Mark XV with the bracelet like liquid steel every day for a long time.

Over the years, I have owned hundreds of different watches, about half of which have been IWC's. I figured if I could only have one woman, I'd enjoy a multitude of watches.

During the last few years I have cut back quite a bit in quantity, though the quality in my collection is a tad higher now. And as you can see, the brand mix has become rather focused!

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed my post!

I was traveling on the West Coast in 2001 and had a free hour and having collected various watches for many years I was looking for something different.
Found that a dealer I had purchased a few JLCs from who was also an IWC AD and paid him a visit. Saw the Doppel Spitfire from the front door and knew I had to have it. That's how it stared with IWC and 20+ IWCs later I'm still looking forward to the year of the pilot watch.
Regards,
Kevin

For me it was a rose gold 5001. A present from my wife for a significant birthday. It's a beautiful watch and is on my wrist today as I wait for a flight to San Francisco. It's a watch I could never contemplate selling.

I was drawn to IWC after admiring a Porsche design titanium and gold watch worn by a colleague from Germany. As they say, the rest is history.

I have tried the RG 5001, it's stunning and now my favorite RG IWC. I think it's beauty is well overlooked.

After two years in retirement, I decided, with my wife’s approval, to buy a luxury watch that I had always desired, but never acquired. I have to admit my first inclination and search started with RG models from Rolex and Breitling. But, I never fell in love with any of their offerings.

On a holiday in Zermatt, Switzerland, my Swiss friend, who lives near Schaffhausen, asked if I knew anything about a local watch company, IWC. I didn’t, but my friend, Herr Schönenberger, tweaked my interest when he brought an IWC catalog to Zermatt. We spend an entire evening at dinner and later over cocktails looking at each an every page of the 2005 IWC Catalog.

I was stopped dead still on page 104 with the Rose Gold Portuguese 500101. When I saw this one, I knew it was the illusive watch I was looking for all these years. We stopped in the local Zermatt AD, where the manager let me see the entire IWC collection. The pricing was a bit stiff, so I came home empty handed.

In July of 2006, I renewed my search in New Jersey. I looked up the closest IWC AD, which it turns out is very close to my home. Like any good AD, he showed me several options including a Breitling for Bentley in RG, but that was not the watch for me. The Portuguese was both my wife’s and my favorite. As I was making up my mind, I joined the IWC Collectors’ Forum on August 11, 2006. In late August 2006, I made my decision ordering the 5001. I took delivery on September 1, 2006. On September 3rd, I posted my first picture of the newly acquired timepiece. Within 8 months I added four other IWC and the virus was virulent. The 5001 is still one of my favorite IWC’s exceeded only by the PPC, which I bought to celebrate my daughter’s wedding.

As you know I have made a hobby, not only of acquiring IWC’s, but also honing my photographic skills. Here are a series of Portuguese pictures taken over the last few years.

Picture as I opened the box for the first time:

Having fun with the 5001. I was an executive with Pillsbury early in my career, so the dough boy got to wear the 5001 too.

An early wrist shot:

I learned how to clone my watch photographically,

Some close up work as I got better with my photography:

To keep this short, I think this ad speaks to me in retirement, as amended:

Thanks MF for allowing us to reminisce about our first one. It’s a great walk down memory lane. Your first love is always the best.

It is great time to share with you. THE FIRST IWC. When I saw this watch and found the font and the sytle did, do and will do ( I trust) speak to me, how a long series of charactera appeared like dancing on the dial i.e. International Watch Co SCHAFFHAUSEN.

My first IWC is still in my collection, which is an auomatic watch in Stainless Steel, once the seller opened the back to reveal the treasure in its movement, it is really well finished and with balance decoration. Unique!

here is the FIRST.

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Hi Forum friends!

My first IWC was the Ingenieur Chrono Alarm, with the lovely 'Meta Quartz' movement:

After I graduated I wanted to buy my first 'real' watch and almost ended-up with another brand... until I saw an IWC for the first time and decided that was it!
I don't like to talk in terms of regret... but I did sell it which I shouldn't have done maybe....

Great threat this is! Thanks Michael!

Bob

Hi dear IWC collectors!

My first IWC watches (yes, they were two) were ref. 5001.

and ref. 3706.

By the end of 2004, I were drove to mechanical watches through a book ("Wristwatches/Armbanduhren/Montres-Bracelets" by Brunner & Pfeiffer-Belli). I've been wearing a Longines and a Tissot for years, but this book create a new passion. Looking at all those beautiful watches, I decided that I need a new one, a "true one". And I saw a picture of "Il Destriero Scaffusia" ! What a piece of Art! IWC seemed to be THE brand, even if I didn't ever heard of it before. Doing some search on Internet, I quickly found the IWC Website and, of course, this forum. First thing to do : order a catalogue. And I saw this "have-to-own" Portuguese Perpetual Calendar ref. 5021 in RG with black dial and its "gulp" price ! How can a so small object (even if it's a Portuguese) being so costly?

Then, I leaf through this catalogue and accostumed myself to "Haute horlogerie" and the price tag going with. It wasn't long before I reasoned myself : if I can spend thousand of $ for a car that will loose its cost in the first years, why not for a watch that will keep it for years to come...

And, slowly, the Automatic Portuguese made its way to me, being more affordable but also so beautifully simple. And, on november 2005, I ordered one. I had unfortunately to wait, as this model was very on demand, even in those years. Going to my AD a few weeks later, to get some news about this special order, my eyes were drawn to another IWC watch, with clear readability and black dial. And I left the boutique with a nice Spitfire Chrono on my wrist. This was the first time I wear a IWC watch! The Portuguese arrived two months later.

I still have those two watches, wearing them alternatively on weekdays. Today is Portuguese Day:

(sorry for the poor quality, it was taken with a phone...)

A few years ago, when a friend told about IWC, I never believed I would be able to own one. In 2009, a year into my training, a colleague introduced the Big Pilot 5002 to me. He told me how much he loved the watch and to go look it up on the web. Up to that point I had only seen what was available in stores and by that time, the 5002 had long been sold out. It looked good in photos but couldn't find one available for viewing.

I couldn't get it off my mind and finally about half a year later, I found one and once I laid my eyes on it, there was no going back. It's an absolutely great watch. Aesthetically and mechanically.

Admittedly, I've got small wrists but I just had to have it and it's on my wrist every chance I get. I've added a few others to my collection since then, like an Aquatimer and Mark 11, but nothing really comes close. This one's a keeper!

Delightful piece!

Cheers from Isobars.

Aloha all!

I saw my first IWC Big Pilot watch - the BP 5002 - at the grand opening of the Wynn Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas in April 2005 and I joined the Forum to learn more about IWC watches soon thereafter. I liked the BP 5002 but I thought it was a bit too sporty to wear with work clothes and I just couldn't pull the trigger.

I bought my first IWC watch in June 2006 - the newly released Big Pilot 5004.

The AD here in Honolulu had a grand re-opening celebration showcasing a different brand every day. I missed the IWC event but the next day I attended the Panerai event.

That's when I was shocked to see the new BP 5004 that IWC Sales Representative Errol Phippen had brought to the IWC event the night before - still unsold - and just sitting in the showcase like any other watch. The salesgirl and the manager laughed and told me that according to Errol this was the first BP 5004 for sale in the USA!

I fell in love with it immediately and to this day I really like the way that former IWC designer Guy Bove updated the traditional B-Uhr design and created this really versatile sporty and dressy watch.

Five and a half years and six more Big Pilots later the BP 5004 is still my favorite watch!

I'm eagerly awaiting to see IWC's new pilot watch line for 2012!

Tracy

My June 2006 post...

My first IWC was a Porsche Design Sportivo.
I think the watch was from 1990 ?
I sold the watch a few years later, bought it again and i sold it again :-)

Regrads from Hamburg
Arne

Back in the mid 90's I was living in London and remember doing much window shopping looking at all sorts of brands, but I remember my father telling me about IWC's. Initially I lusted after a pilots chrono and the Mark XII, but found one too expensive and calibre in the Mark XII a bit fragile. While touring around Italy I came across the underrated Portofino, with the hand and dial combo that looked like the small Portuguse. I bought it and I still have it some 13 years later though due to subsequent purchase of the pilot's chrono and the BP 5002 it gets little wear time...

Bob,
That is an unusual model. You don't see them very often.

That's true Alan, what I really like is that you can really see the Ingenieur/Genta DNA in this design. A bit small for today's standards but still a great and attractive watch to me!

Best regards,

Bob

Sadly I have no current photos of my first IWC watch. My early posts as a member of the forum (likely can be found in the archives) share parts of this story.

The first I heard of IWC was from my grandfather who had a Mark XI. I have no confirmation of its provenance but it was to be left to me in his will. A number of years after he passed away I was reminded of this inheritance and when I got back to my family home there was a box - but only a note in the box - and no watch. The note read that he had to sell the watch to make critical repairs to our fishing boat.

So I spend significant window shopping time to acquire my first watch - I was tempted by JLC and Zenith for my first watch but I finally decided upon IWC - and the last update of the Pilots family was when I fell in love.

My better half took me to what I now call my AD and really offered me the opportunity to request any watch in the store. I could really have chosen any model I wanted and I probably chose one of the least expensive watches in the store - MY FIRST IWC WAS THE PILOTS CHRONOGRAPH REF 371701. It was a Birthday gift and one which I cherished very much. Sadly on 24.11.2010 we had a robbery and amongst many stolen items was the majority of my IWC collection. From all watches stolen my first special gift the 371701 is the one I would like back most of all. I actually wore it every day since I had owned it. I used to wear it every weekend and evening of the week - without exception.

My first IWC is the Ingenieur AMG, some months ago I decided I needed a real watch... was still undecided about the brand, until I walked in the IWC dealer in Valletta-Malta. I took the 2011 catalogue home and soon I had no doubt I wanted an IWC -was undecided for some time between portuguese and ingenieur. Decided for the Ingenieur mainly because of the in house calibre and the fact that am an engineer myself :)

Got my 322701 as my 1st IWC, just love the weight of it!

Feels like it was yesterday...
A friend introduced me to IWC (he was wearing a heavy metal Inge) and intrigued me enough to visit IWC's site. The Portuguese chrono caught my attention instantly. I was left impressed after a quick visit to a dealer, but it was a 5001 which I saw during that AD visit which kept on calling me.
I quickly subscribed to the old forum and started reading the archives and below is what happened a few weeks later :)

Nothing like Probus Scafusia!

Happy Holidays everyone.

Cheers,
Evan

My first IWC was a rose gold C89, which I bought about 8 years ago. Perfect movement, beautiful ribbon lugs.

The interesting thing is that, ever since then, I had a crazy time for vintage IWC, including IWC pocket watches.

Till about three years ago, I have collected about 30 different IWCs, from the Jonese of very beginning, to C52, C53, C73, C97, C83, C88, C89, C401, C402, C421, C422, C853, C8541, etc.

About three years ago, I start another crazy hobby which is technical diving, wreck penetration mainly. And that is when I spent less on IWCs.

This is my first C89

And this is my favourite Jones.

My first IWC is a Mark XII and still in my collection.
I got it for my graduation at the university. I changed career from an army officer (captain) at the Dutch Special Forces (green barets) to civilian life in 1997. So the Mark is also from that date. After finishing school besides my work at Roosendaal, I made a carreer as a management consultant and am now a senior manager at a Firm called SYSQA BV. I never regret my decision, and would do exact the same things in live. And even choose the same watch all over again. It still gets a lot of wrist-time although it is the smallest in my collection of seven.
My markXII

Thx for reading
Cheers
Bas dekkers

Leonard, wreck penetration? I hope you will dazzle us and post some pictures (wearing an IWC dive watch, perhaps?

I picked up my first IWC, a Stainless Steel Aquatimer, about three years ago. I loved the classic look and the size of the watch. Sadly, I ended up selling that watch and I frequently think of picking up another one. I recently picked up a Vintage DaVinci -- I think I will always have at least one IWC in my collection.

Paul

I saw my first IWC watch 15 years ago. Back then, few in this part of the world had any idea what IWC was or where it came from. It was only the R brand that people recognised. A friend received an IWC as part of his heirloom and showed it around during one of our regular gatherings. Nobody knew its worth. I don't remember the exact model but it was old, worn and unremarkable. Yet something about that watch and the International Watch Co. in scripted font struck a chord inside and it felt pleasant. So I went back and did some research, and WOAH-HO this wasn't your regular Raymond Weil or Citizen, what my friend had was a rare bit of treasure. And so, the fascination began.

IWC isn't exactly an affordable brand, and it took me a dozen years before I could actually afford one. It took even longer for me to find the conviction to invest money in one. And it was one of those situations where you cannot but agree the internet does condense the world and it does bring people closer.

Chatting with an old colleague one night, who was 7 hours of time difference away in Paris, the conversation led to me relating my obsession with IWC and how much I would like to own one someday.

"IWC? I know people. I can get a good price here. Let me ask for you. Give me the model number." he claimed. Ok, I thought, why not? A week later, I received an email from him with a quote for a 5001 Portuguese, the model I wanted. The discount was unbelievable. Then I remembered he worked for the big C, the flagship brand of Richemont SA, and it all started to make sense. The deal was too good to turn down, so without thinking, I wired the money over and left my friend to handle the rest.

In those exhilarating moments, I had completely forgotten about the difficulty of shipping the watch halfway across the world to Singapore. The watch arrived at my friend's house in Paris in good time and just sat there waiting. I was based in Singapore at the time, and there was no way I could find the time to pick it up personally, or would pay a king's ransom to have it delivered by DHL. Here's the part that further corroborates my assertion about the internet. Out of the blue, a mutual friend who knew about my predicament beeped me on chat, and told me he's going to Europe on a work trip to Copenhagen, and it wouldn't be a bother for him to pick up my watch in Paris and bring it back to Hong Kong. How's that for friendship! It shortened the distance considerably, and I made regular business trips to Hong Kong...

Long story short. I got my watch only three months after I bought it. More than anything else, it's a solid testament to graciousness and true friendship. It wasn't exactly an epic journey, but it did take a while and the watch did come a very long way. So to finally see it in palpable form was a bit unreal. I've owned other Swiss watches before this, a Maurice Lacroix and a Longines. But all I can say is this, IWC is in another league. Its quality is unequivocal. Its class is indisputable. It's neat, sharp, and utterly mesmerising. I fell truly, madly and deeply in love, and I'm still enjoying that feeling every day.