BP 5002 vs Vintage Collection Pilot Watch (ref. IW325401)

Well, the title says it all. I'm new to the IWC brand and would like to purchase one of these beauties. I'd love to hear any thoughts or opinions on the merits of one vs the other. I realize they are different price points and also realize that the BP has an 8 day PR, but any other thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your input.

I always considered the Big Pilot too big for me, although when trying one on I found it to wear surprisingly comfortable. I have two 45 mm watches that I really like, and what is 1 mm to reach the size of the Big Pilot.

At 44 mm the Vintage Collection Pilot's watch is slightly smaller, at about 12 mm thick it is slimmer than the Big Pilot, it also is lighter. I own this watch, it is very comfortable to wear. It looks a bit different from most Pilot's watches and, most importantly, it appealed to me very much. The Jones calibre that can be admired is a bonus too.

You probably know about the technical differences between these watches, so I will not mention them here. Both are great watches. If I had to choose again, I again would choose the Vintage Collection Pilot's watch. Good luck!

Kind regards,
Paul

I like my VC Pilot as well. The Big Pilot would be too large for my comfort. The VC Pilot has some unique features and has the Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) look, as another reader commented in the past (had to look that up).

I like the manual wind, the large luminous markers, internal dial marker, and the display back. And I have other VC watches (Portofino, Aquatimer) so I have interest in the collection (keeping an eye open for a VC Portuguese or VC Ingenieur).

The Big Pilot is a classic, the VC Pilot is unique.

To my thinking, the Ref 5002 is an icon of IWC, while the Vintage Collection model is a very nice watch. On that basis alone, to me there is no choice.

May I know how to turn ring - the triangle indication? Thank you.

Paul

I mean the bidirectional rotating bezel.

Paul

Hi Paul
It just turns. There is no click. Simply grip the bezel and twist. It can be stiff on some watches, but don't worry about that.
Many salespeople are unaware that it actually turns ;-)

The vintage collection watch that really strikes me the the VC Aquatimer. Mine keeps better time than any other IWC I have owned FWIW. The 5002 BP is an icon and mine is in Houston getting the spa treatment as I type this.