Hello - The CF3 looks awesome. Would the CF3 be considered a special variation of the regular pilot chronograph (like the Blue Dialed Petit Prince version) or a special edition of the Spitfire Chronograph (like the Tribeca or Expurey special editions)?
What exactly makes a pilot chrono a spitfire?
Hi, Jeffrey - welcome to the forum!
The CF3 is a variation of the Spitfire with an inhouse movement calibre 89365.
The regular Pilot Chrono is an modified ETA-based (Valjoux) calibre 79320.
The differences between this two movements you find well explained in this thread: movements
Best,
-Christian
Hi Jeffrey,
I think some more can be added that differentiates the CF3 quite a bit from the Spitfires:
[ul]
[li]It shares the 43mm case from the 38780x Pilot Spitfire Chrono[/li]
[li]It also shares the movement with the 38780x - inhouse cal 89365[/li]
[li]CF3 has a toolwatch appearance with a matte black surface, the 38780x Spitfires has more of fashion style dial options.[/li]
[li]CF3 has a traditional single date window[/li]
[li]It also has a softiron antimagnetic cage where the special dial is a core component.[/li]
[/ul]
I've got one of each but the CF3 definitely feels more "hardcore".
Best
/Anders
Anders - Thanks so much for the information. Would you be able to post a picture to the forum of all 3 chronos next to each other.....pilot, spitfire and cf3?
I also heard the spitfires have applied numerals on the dials while the regular pilot only has painted numerals?
Hi Christian
Thanks for the link to this very interesting thread.
Cheers Chris
Hi Jeffrey,
First I would like to appologize for my sloppy wording... I have the 3878 Sptifre and the CF3, but no "regular" Pilot.
You are right about the fact that the CF3 has applied numerials like the Spitfire, that should have been included in my list.
This is a full week so here is just a quick shot of the two:
Best
/Anders
Hi, Jeffrey!
You didn't´ask me - but for me it was great fun to put them all together:
Fantastic Spitfires from left to right:
Pilot´s Watch Spitfire Edition Antoine de Saint Exupery from 2006 Ref 371709 calibre 79320
Pilot´s Watch Spitfire Chronograph Edition "Tribeca Film Festival 2014" IW387810 calibre 89365
Pilot´s Watch Spitfire Chronograph Edition "Ju-Air" IW387809 calibre 89365
Pilot´s Watch Spitfire Chronograph IW387804 calibre 89365
And the CF3 (on the second CF3 pic you can see the applied numerals)
Best wishes,
-Christian
Nice series of pictures, Christian. However, I don't think the Saint Exupéry qualifies as a Spitfire: it is a class of its own, it started in 2006 with a model every year in different case materials, the chrono being the first one. Here you see mine.
Kind regards,
Paul
Wow, you have a white gold one - beautiful!
I agree - the saint ex series is a class for it´s ownn. Same as the CF3.
But nevertheless: My 371709 has the same movement and the same case like the Spitfires from that time. Like the CF3 has the same movement and the same case like the actual Spitfire.
The only difference between the saint ex (in steel) and the regular 3717 is the dial. And the only differences between the CF3 and the 387810 are the dial and the soft iron cage of the CF3 (and the backside with individual numbers and engravings)
Best,
-Christian
Apart from being a great looking watch, the CF3 has full antimagnetic protection with its soft iron cage. To me, that's important for a Pilot's watch. I am surprised at the number of Pilot's watches produced by IWC that do not have that protection. All my Pilot's watches (and Ingenieurs) have antimagnetic protection.
Agreed. Antimagnetic protection is a sine qua non property in a Pilot's watch, or the Ingenieur.
Wow. Thank you so much Christian for your hard work. That picture of all of the spitfires is amazing!
Could you perhaps add a few more regular pilot/spitfire models to the picture so we can compare even more?
I believe there is also stainless steel versions of
3777-01 Regular Pilot (not spitfire) with black dial
3777 - Petit Prince Blue edition (not spitfire)
387806 - Saint Expurey Spitfire (new model)
Once again, great job Christian! Thanks for sharing.
Cheers Chris