Article in the Telegraph on IWC's new pilot range.

Just saw a little article on the new pilot watches in the Telegraph. The 36mm models look absolutely beautiful. I believe this is an IWC press release photo:

Could you imagine a Big Pilot with a similar dial on a bracelet like this?

That is very pretty. The colours are just perfect :o)

or a Big Pilot like that but with the BP black strap with blue stitching!

Are these sizes focused on the female market perhaps?

You might think so, most men will consider this watch in these times as too small, where it would be rather normal about 30 years ago. I like the shape of the watch, if the other new watches will look like this one we are in for a great time.

If it is meant as a ladies' watch, I think it is a bit austere, despite its beauty in the eye of a man. But I am sure some matter-of-fact ladies will like it. About 10 years ago there were midsize watches by IWC, these series were short lived. Let's wait and see what happens now.

Kind regards,
Paul

Yes - of course...

I think this is a really beautiful "lady-watch" - and it will compete in this sector well..

Only "problem" is for marketing dep - how to explain to us, that iwc now also makes female-watches ;)

Ah, I collect many of those ladies watches like:

• Mark X / XI / XII

• Ingenieur 666 / 766

and so on.

Funny, our ancestors wore all ladies watches ?!

I do hope so. And I hope that it's a sign of more to come.

I think this fits perfectly into the 'boyfriend' watch category... Ladies wearing their other halves watches. I think it's a great idea.

A 36mm diameter does not make a watch a ladies watch!!!

Generally speaking, an overall design of a case, dial, and strap/bracelet etc... may result in a 36mm feminine watch, but not the 36mm diameter alone.

If IWC wants to sell this watch to both males and females, they need to be very careful with their marketing messages. Quite a few chicks are willing to wear masculine watches, but very few males are willing to wear ladies watches.

Never seen a fowl wearing a watch. However, I've seen a well known dog on this Forum wearing a Big Pilot ;-)

I think the introduction of the 37mm Portofino line was a very good move. I tried to tempt my wife to have one but she thought the 11mm height of the watches undermined their elegance. Particularly when compared to the small Portuguese Ref 3531. However, the midsize Pilots line works well in my view. I had the opportunity to see them in Schaffhausen and I think will appeal to women who want something sporty on their wrist.

I still wear my Mark 11, 666 and 866 Ingenieurs and don't feel particularly feminine or lacking in the "dial size department" when they are on my wrist. My wife is currently wearing an antimagnetic 1960 steel 666 which, at 36.5mm wide and 13mm high, was considered to be on the big side for men when launched.

I agree. Mentioning a few times that a watch is a ladies' watch is enough. I once, at the start of the model, looked at the Da Vinci Automatic, sizewise it fitted me better than the much bigger Chrono. Then someone mentioned ladies' watch, and a few years later IWC came with models in all kinds of colours, straps and sometimes diamonds, indicating it was a ladies's watch (too?). I felt quite relieved not having bought the watch, had already lost interest.

This 36 mm Pilot's watch looks really, really nice, and not feminine at all. I guess it could be meant as a men's watch (too?), for people that consider the current models as being too big, but want a new watch along with their smaller vintage watches. I will look at the bigger models, if the new Mark looks like the 36 mm but is bigger, that would be a very desirable watch.

Kind regards,
Paul

Is there a reason why a lot of watch makers write "Automatic" on the dial? When you buy the watch you will know what kind of movement is inside. If not the sales guy should explain it. - I do not need a daily reminder. They could either leave it off or at least write it on the back.

In the old days low quality watches would have a lot of info on the dial (Incabloc, 15 jewels, antimagnetic, waterproof...). Higher quality watches would simply "summarize" the quality with their Logo or name. - Hence I personally prefer to have a cleaner dial with just the brand/ logo.

I am sure that e.g. the IWC sponsored F1 drivers do not have a big sign in their cockpit either ("fuel powered engine inside")...

With simple two hands, or three hands with center seconds watches, having some text on the lower part of the dial can sometimes help to achieve a visually more balanced look. It really depends on the overall dial design.

I agree that the word "Automatic" as such is unnecessary, and in most cases I prefer arrangement like having a brand name/logo on the upper part of the dial, and the watch model name, like "Ingenieur" on the lower part.

Fair point!

Along the same logic a lot of Roman dials also use number 4 as "IIII" as it makes better symmetry with "VIII". Some newer PP have changed to "IV" but it looks a bit unbalanced.

"Ingenieur" or "Mark ..." should be good. I would welcome future omission of "Automatic" or "Handwound" or "Renata powered" on the dial though as it does not add to the perceived quality of an IWC...

My lovely IWC Ocean watches have lovely dial "balance". They have the IWC signature on top and the discrete Porsche Design above 6. Well done 30 years ago.

Well said Hebe. I also collect those so-called ladies' watches and wear them all without feeling less secure in my masculinity. ;-)
Watch size is akin to the size of ties and the width of lapels - it is a matter of fashion. If you keep your old suit or tie long enough in the closet, sooner, rather than later, it it be in fashion again.

The Times They Are a-Changin’

300 years ago men have worn wig ;)

Funny how so many started defending their size preference and masculinity! :)
The question I raised was more on whether the Brand is focussing on the other sex for a change.

A 36mm pilot's watch hardly means focusing on female watches.

There is nothing new in smaller IWC pilot's watches. IWC already made midsize 34mm reference 3256 versions of MK XVI and Spitfire MK XVI. Before that, IWC really did produce a pilot's watch for the ladies in reference 4421 - a 28mm "Die Kleine MK XII"

The 34 mm Ings. are interesting female watches as well :-)

To me, IWC is foremost a brand for men. That doesn't mean women shouldn't be attracted to the IWC watches, it seems that the Portuguese Chrono is or was liked by women, as an accessory showing an independent mind or so. But IWC doesn't really focus on women, like for instance Patek Philippe, Cartier and Blancpain do, with special lines for women. The aesthetics of these lines are different, these watches show a different kind of unity. They might appeal to women more than the watches for women by IWC, that often only get a different dial colour and a satin strap: I always think women will not fall for this in significant numbers, but that might not be the objective: being there might be enough. Until now IWC hardly ever made a statement about watches for more than 50% of the potential market. Are women less interested in high quality watches, so there really is no point to make the effort? My very small, thus unreliable sample could indicate this: my wife has a nice looking Longines with a quartz movement, but she prefers her Swatch, not giving it a thought at all.

Kind regards,
Paul