Anyone getting all 6 Vintage Collection models --in steel?

Here's one that I hadn't heard before. I was talking yesterday to the IWC rep for the U.S. Western states, and he told me that three dealers sold all six steel Vintage Collection models as informal "sets" to buyers who wanted all six models.

They don't come with the great platinum set case, of course, and they're not numbered --but I thought that this was a clever idea (not sure if the cleverness was the dealers or the buyers, though, or both). It''s still a lot of money --but much less than one very expensive watch and a fraction of the platinum sets. Besides, it's an instant collection ;)

The buyers in each instance took possession of 5 watches and are waiting on the 6th, the Portofino which is just beginning to see a few deliveries. This also meant that the dealers immediately were sold out of these new models.

I'd be interested in comments: a good idea? An bad one? Or maybe is it just ho-hum?

Regards,
michael

A few discussed this at SIHH

and I personally think it is a good idea edging on ho-hum. We even discussed the creation of a non-official VC case for the steel models that would be more subtle than that of the Platinum 6-pack.

MF - any news/speculation on the VC collection being available in Gold (rose or white?)

Andrew

Hmm, maybe not so

When is an idea a good idea, and for whom?

For somebody like me who wants a nice watch once in a while, getting all the six Vintage Collection models is a bad idea. You then buy one or two watches that you really like, and the rest are a bit of a waste: the money could have been spent on other watches that you really like, or on a nice holiday with your wife.

If you are a collector, and you want a complete collection and in mint condition, then it might be a good idea: the collection is not too big, but the watches are not limited, so it is, in my opinion, not a sure hit when you look at it like an investment. And it smacks a bit of greed.

For IWC it of course is a wonderful idea, the more they sell the merrier.

The idea of Andrew worries me a bit. The black Vintage Collection Portuguese in red gold, it would be a sure hit, worth more to me than all the other Vintage Collection watches together. Being available now, would I then have bought the steel one? I guess not, I would have bought the red gold right away.

What is ho-hum? It is not in my dictionary.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing titan Inge Automatic

Anyone getting all 6 Vintage Collection models --in steel?

In my humble opinion there is a difference between IWC collectors who know the brand and who are very critical in buying complete sets of watches and "buyers of nice watches", who have a lot of money to spend. What I mean to say is that on this forum there are very few people who have for instance the complete 1993 Jubilee Portugieser set of three in steel, gold and platinum. I also have the impression that nobody of the regular forum members owns a "grand complication" or an "il destriero". It seems to me that those sets or expensive watches are bought by rich customers, who do not have to worry for a penny or two. And these people also buy Patek, Audemar Piguet etc. The typical IWC collector knows that IWC is expensive but that it represents good merchandise for its price. If these collectors see the price of a "grand complication" their reaction might be : excellent watch, but for the money it costs, I can buy at least 10 excellent IWC watches. And they will go for 10 rather than for 1. Just a personal view, nothing more.
Kind regards,
Adrian.

I agree with Paul...

I want to purchase the watches I like and will wear. I'd rather save my money for those I like. Buying the whole set seems to me to be a case where the "set" will reappear for sale sometime down the road at a premium. Just my opinion.

Not a concept that appeals to me >>>

Each IWC in my collection stands on its own merits. If I were to fall in love with all 6 SS VC then I would consider a complete set. But, to be truthful, not all appeal to me. And, I am sure each of us has a different favorite. I have a couple of favorites, but not all six. I may own more than one of the VC, but the decision is based on the appeal of each. I have no strong urge to own the set.

The PT LE is a different issue, however. They are unique collectively and have an appeal as such.

Bill

some people buy everything ;( (n.t)

Mr. kern's 2.5 watches statistics

Hi Michael

Right said Bill. Call me sentimental but I fall in love with many things very often. My wife to be, architecture of certain buildings also. I fall in love with ideas and good food. With smells too.

IWC was a love at first sight. I begin to fall for the forum also.
I take IWC very seriously not for granted though.
I am very passionate about certain models. Thank God not all of them. The possibility of possessing all IWC watches seems like a Xanadu or even futile to me. I understand sales are vital.
But there’s sentiment too. And love and passion, above random and mass acquisitions for far too many I would like to think in this Forum.

I think we had enough cases for this year.

                        Regards
                         Argiris

You mean besides yourself MF? ;-) ...>

I agree it is interesting, though ho-hum to me as I do not want all six...Rather save for that Platinum Portugieser Minute Repeater. And some nice 24 h models in which ever aeon the appear.

Cheers from Isobars.

At the Collectors Meeting in Schaffhausen

Hans Pantli showed us the prototypes for two of the Vintage Collection. I remember asking if they would be available as a cased set, and saying I would put down a deposit if such were the case (pun intended). He said "Hmmmm... good idea" like he was surprised, but I suppose by that time the concept of the Platinum set was already defined and well along in its implementation.

Having now seen 5 of the 6 SS VC, I realize that I would not have been happy had I actually bought such a set. Not all appeal to me, and having all 6 would have meant some redundancy in my opinion. While it might help IWC move some metal, they seem to already be doing quite well in that respect.

As we see a growing series of special editions that some might call a bit "obscure" (such as Boesch), I personally feel IWC is pushing a bit too far in this regard and I wish they would slow down on that program. Given that IWC already can't satisfy demand for regular editions, I cannot help but think that using scarce capacity for these is simply a way to increase margins while stimulating retail demand through perceived shortages. While that might (or might not) make business sense, it doesn't seem very retail or collector friendly. Given that I am a collector rather than an IWC manager, my view of the world is admittedly a bit limited. So be it. That's my opinion, worth every penny, mark, and guilder you paid for it.

Thank you for reminding us of the old money

I quite agree with you: it might be great for business but not for us. Not only price wise, but I thought about the next pun: instead of weight watchers we would become watch waiters.

So, quite satisfied, I think it is time for me to prepare for tomorrow.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing titan Inge Automatic

Why not?

If someone genuinely likes the idea of the Vintage collection, and wants to have a steel 140th anniversary set, it's OK. Hopefully, each watch will get some wrist time.

On the other hand, if they were bought purely for speculative purposes, it's not a great idea (as a general rule for watch purchases anyway!)

On a related note, what if the Vintage collector's set, with matched numbers and special box, had been done in steel rather than platinum? My thought is that the 140 sets would have been snapped up very quickly, rather than the platinum set which I think we will see sitting around for a little while.

It's not that there aren't collectors who don't have the means to buy the platinum set, but the ones who genuinely like all 6 watches in platinum, and are willing to spend for the whole collection are a relatively small set. On the other hand, a steel set is within the reach of a much larger set of collectors / buyers.

So, as a follow-up, would we (i.e. forum participants) be making the same comments if the steel had initially been offered as a set as well?

Maybe it's just too early on a Monday morning to be trying to formulate my ideas clearly!

not me --I think it's fine, but would prefer...

...a set of all six of the real vintage pieces :)

But I agree with Sean Li's analysis here.

Regards,
Michael

Well MF we know you have 3 of every IWC made...>

LOL! I am with you vintage is the way to go.

Best from Isobars.

Here's Five of them..only one to go.......nt

[](img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/IvanMelbourne/IWC%201812%20Aquatimer/MVC-888S.jpg)[](img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/IvanMelbourne/IWC%20Ingenieur%20666/Inge666.jpg)[](img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/IvanMelbourne/IWC%20Portofino%20Moonphase%205251/eb1d57221.jpg)[](img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/IvanMelbourne/IWC%20Mark%201X/MARK1XSTOCK52.jpg)[](img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/IvanMelbourne/IWC%20Mark%201X/MVC-500S.jpg)

shortages may be a 2-edge sword

Hi Dick,

I don't disagree with all you write but I'm a little confused on what you say on shortages in your last paragraph (beyond being uncertain what it has to do with the topic of getting all 6 models here).

It is true that some limited editions "take away" from general availability of other models. It is true that, when production can't keep up with demand, then more limited editions, especially smaller ones, aggravates that situation.

But whose ox is being gored? If models were more available, then in many ways there would be less demand among collectors: it is the somewhat-unavailability (but not impossibility) that actually increases demand. Very few ardent collectors can't get a model if they really look around and are willing to wait. (If the issue is that collectors can't get a lower price then I suggest that the market's changing, and that's a different issue).

Likewise, while retailers can't get all models they might want, it also means that what they do have sells faster and fuller priced. For some secondary or relatively minor retailers, who don't get first or large allocations, it's an issue, but I believe that several of the larger retailers actually like what's happening.

Regards,
Michael

Clever solution for those looking for a set but >

do not want to pay the premium for the platinum set, especially when they like each watch.