Edition JU-Air

Hi, Mates!
What do say to the new Pilot´s Watch Chronograph Edition JU-Air?
Is it just another version of the Spitfire for you - also like the Edition Tribeca Film Festival?

Best,
-christian

Hi!

I would say yes. It's just a different dial color and another airplane on the case back. I don't see more difference than e.g. between a 3239-02 and a 3239-04, or between a 5001-07 and a 5001-09.

Thomas

Quite a beautiful watch! All white metal colour: I wonder how it would look on the bracelet. I guess not many will be sold to forum members, with the huge numbers of CF3's being ordered.

Kind regards,
Paul

Any thoughts on why it isn't anti-magnetic? Is it purely a cost issue? Nice looking piece though.

Cheers,

Jarrod

All IW3878 aren't antimagnetic - except the CF3... (Hehe)
Best,
-c

I know, my question is why? Is it a cost thing?? I guess it's a great reason to order the CF3. :-)

To be antimagnetic the dial has to be soft iron, which precludes the "glossy" finishes.

In addition, making a watch amagnetic (technically it does not repel magnetic fields and isn't "antimagnetic") takes more work, more parts and costs more. The market for such a watch, at a higher cost, is more limited.

In my view the JU-Air is a really nice watch, but it doesn't hold a candle to the CF3. But I am biased ;)

I don't get the "JU-Air". Is this a reference to Junkers? And if so, are we trying to get those last few WW I or WW II veterans that haven't bought a Spitfire, to invest in an IWC?

Dear Michael! But my 371709 has an ardoise dial AND has a soft iron cage - how does this work? Is it the different movement (valjoux based and inhouse)?
Best,
-Christian

Hi Christian,

Interesting comment. I was only reporting on what someone from Product Development told me. I checked the workbook for the 3177-09, and you are correct (technically, it didn't say it had a soft iron cage, but only that it was antimagnetic).

A few surmises:

1. It doesn't have a soft-iron cage, but still is minimally antimagnetic.
   or
2. It has a soft-iron back, but not a full cage.
   or
3. It has a dial with two layers --the glossy top and a soft-iron layer underneath. I know this was discussed early on for the CF3, but it would have been too thick on that model.
   or
4. What I was told was incorrect.

I think we should wait until the CF3 GTG (called a Symposia) to find out for sure.

SYMPOSIA !

For sure there is a difference, and an explanation to such. Now I cant wait to get to Schaffhausen and have the wizzards there explain it to us in person.

Last chance Gents, to ensure you can qualify for a seat on the Scafusia Probus Symposia bus! Send in your order request for what is going to be the next thing in "highly desireable collectable timepiece"!!!

As for the Ju-Air Edition, nice watch anf even more desireable to remember the flight around the Eiger in the IWC Junkers (which a lucky few who get to own this watch, get to do).

Eight years ago I flew on the JU-52 and prepared a photo essay regarding the experience. You can read it by clicking here.

Oh yes, Symposia! :-)
Looking forward to join you guys in octobre.
And thx Michael - must have been an exciting experience!
best,
-christian

IMO IWC needs to stop flooding the market with limited edition re-works of current watches.. It's saturating the IWC brand and IMO making it less exciting.. It's just too much to consume..

I kind of understand what you are saying but I don't 100% agree. Each to their own. If I had the money I would be pretty tempted by the Patrouille Suisse Jubilee Edition. I think it looks pretty cool. It's a big market and plenty of people like something a little different and limited. I don't see the problem.

Cheers,

Jarrod

A couple of years ago I took the actual yearly catalog and added the total of all limited editions - and reached the count of an unimaginably high total output.
Regarding soft iron cages I am the opinion (think it is a majority opinion) that all Flieger and Inge watches should have either a complete soft iron inner cage or escapements made from materials that can produce the same antimagnetism.
My 3706 from 1998 has a soft iron inner cage, a 7750 which is 7.9 mm high and with a total height of 14.6 mm not too high. The New Ju-dialled Flieger has the 89xxx movement which is a tad flatter, so the case can follow suit. Domed crystal might add a bit of height because of the larger diameter but it is marginal again, so case height is not an issue. Soft iron has a very low material price, so again no need to save pennnies on this. The 3706 and 3711 both have silky dial Spitfire versions with soft iron cage so dial surface does not exclude this.
If IWC would wish to show some in-house movements, it should supply their Pilot and Inge lines with both case backs, steel with soft iron inner part and see-through, just to leave it to the customer which to choos and the IWC service center can shift anytime later, like on some PP watches. Price of today's IWC watches could well include this. Or produce a double case back with glass inner part and soft-iron-mounted steel outer part that could be folded in or out. Some extra cost but worth it.

I agree with Jarrod. Each to their own. The Limited Editions have the attraction to be special. And it´s a lucrative business idea.
If you prefer the classical modells you can stick to it. But if you want a little difference then you get the opportunity. IMO diversity in this point can´t be wrong.

Anyway - in my case the limited versions are working: I have a classical version, see a "modifíed" one and think: Oh my god, is this beautiful - and already it´s on my list. Such as I saw the "regular" Spitfire Chrono I thought: Very nice but I don´t like the triple date window - and the ardoise dial is too shiny for me. And then the CF3 came and it made: Bang!

Or take the Patrouille Suisse - for me the "regular" and current Doppelchrono (IW377801) is too - I don´t know how to express - "leather jacket-like". But the Patrouille Suisse seems to be more sophisticated and so more attractive to me. But I´m sure there are many people who would disagree - and IMHO that´s the Point ... each to their own.

Best,
-Christian

I´m thinking different - if you would have all the possibilities you talked about, then again the brand would get too arbitrary. Like a Pizza where you can choose your ingredients. From a celebrity chef you also take what he is serving ... and if you order salt he will be offended ... just IMHO.
Best,
Christian