• Master
    24 Jan 2012, 10:25 p.m.

    Well I thought of buying the vc Inge a few times but didn't get it in the end so.... It would be a nice idea too.

    Would hope a soft inner iron case could be implemented.

    And maybe a nice ardoise like the cfi I souls be nice or a silver dial like the ref 866 with white gold applied indexes....and why not NON date and use the space for the ferraday cage?

    Any idea when we hear more MF? Thanks in advance for all your efforts!!

  • Master
    24 Jan 2012, 10:40 p.m.

    That could be an interesting watch indeed. A lot of authentic IWC DNA (especially with an antimagnetic shield if possible), a good size and affordable for many of us. Of course a modified Pilot watch would be interesting too, but most important will be that such a watch is a token of commitment to and participation in this forum. I guess for me, in the end the looks will be less important than what this watch will stand for on a more symbolic level....

    Regards
    Norbert

  • Master
    24 Jan 2012, 10:41 p.m.

    Interesting reading the last few posts (Took me a few minuts to catch up with all the posts from when I first posted to this thread!) and thinking about it, if it were not to be a Pilot then I too would love to see a CF Vintage Ingenieur - without the display back and hopefully faraday cage - as MF has mentioned, there will be a fine line to tread between a watch that all can afford but wont leave members missing out due to availability / demand.

    Lets see what the future brings :) This is exciting!

  • Master
    24 Jan 2012, 11:05 p.m.

    MF. If we have a CF3 model with 200 signed up for it at CHF7000 versus 100 signed up at CHF10000 MF suggested there might be an allocation problem. Do not understand why 200 versus 100 is a problem. Please explain, MF.

  • Master
    24 Jan 2012, 11:11 p.m.

    I have a feeling that the soft iron cage on the VC Ingy is not feasible. otherwise it would have been provided in the first place.
    I personally still prefer something easily modified from the new Pilot line. The Mark XVII is as affordable as possible and an ardoise sunburst dial would be perfect along with the easily engravable back.
    And the Worldtimer is emblematic of the diverse makeup of our Forum members, albeit at a higher price burden.

  • Master
    24 Jan 2012, 11:48 p.m.

    This one with the steel bracelet with the micro adjustment feature would be the perfect watch for me. With (practical) or without (beautiful) date.

    Kind regards,
    Paul

  • Graduate
    24 Jan 2012, 11:51 p.m.

    Once again: The joining element of us members all over the world (from a high valley in Wallis till Hawaii) is from my point of view a WorldTimer. Now we have one out of the actual Pilot`s range and the modifications needs not to be so strong for IWC to make us happy for a reasonable price...the alternative could be a relaunch for us of the UTC 3251...another timezone would be just perfect!
    Concerning older models: Why should we go on for this? The FW3 has to be created in 2012! So it will be always easy to remember, that the venture of FW3 was created in 2012 because it will be a model out of the 2012- range. Logisch für mich...just my 2 cents.

  • Master
    25 Jan 2012, 12:05 a.m.

    Michael,
    I'd love that watch described here.

  • Connoisseur
    25 Jan 2012, 12:19 a.m.

    Michael,

    In my opinion that would be a winner !

  • Connoisseur
    25 Jan 2012, 12:22 a.m.

    Complicated answer:

    1. If 100 are made at the lower price, what does IWC do if 250 want it? How should the allocations be determined? And regardless of the criteria, what does IWC do with the 150 disappointed applicants.

    2. If 200 are made at a higher price, then one of the allocation criteria is price itself --presumably less will buy at the higher price.

    Now there is no problem is supply exactly meets demand. But that's something that needs to be projected, and is difficult. And, also, I believe that there needs to be allocation criteria other than (a) an appealing model at (b) the right price. For example, it might be reasonable to have forum participation as one criterion. On the CFI there were people with no reasonable association to the forum --a grey market dealer, speculators, etc.-- who tried to get in on an "exclusive" model. ]

    And in a sense the model should be exclusive: after all, it's being done for this forum and not just another limited edition. But we should have it priced appropriately so that it's not out of reach of most members here who might be interested.

    To my thinking, allocation, pricing and quantities are not simple to project, and are inter-related.

  • Master
    25 Jan 2012, 12:34 a.m.

    Agreed. No one should go away disappointed. Also, one of the secondary reasons to engrave the names of buyers is to avoid grey market problems. I am told that one of the best feature of the first CF watch was the individual engraving.

  • Master
    25 Jan 2012, 1:36 a.m.

    Of course, if we are all prepared to be a little more patient, could we not place orders first, confirm numbers and deliver to order? It would delay the delivery process somewhat I would imagine, but I am sure we are happy to wait a little longer if it makes the process easier for IWC?

    And as Alan mentioned, the engraving process helps too :)

  • Connoisseur
    25 Jan 2012, 2:53 a.m.

    Hi MF,

    I agreed with Bendy. Can we propose any "Build-to-Order" policy for CF3? i.e.

    1. Show the CF3 design, price range and detail information in the web over a period of time
    2. Collect order from fellow forumers. (To prevent speculators, we might set restriction for who is qualified to order)
    3. Build the exact number of CF3 based on the order

    I don't mind to wait longer to get this CF3.

  • Master
    25 Jan 2012, 4:04 a.m.

    Felix,

    A couple of years ago Herr Kern was asked about the economics of a Collector's Forum watch. The answer was that it was a lot of effort and time spent for a relatively few watches. This was just after the start of the economic turn down.
    Well, times have changed and the Asian markets are soaring. So now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. The more restrictions we impose the harder it is going to be to sell this idea.

    Let's keep it simple and make it easy for IWC to meet our basic wishes and we will all walk away with a great individualized timepiece.

    Alan

  • Master
    25 Jan 2012, 8:19 a.m.

    MF:

    Is it possible for those of us who are fairly new to the forum to see Pic's of CF1 & CF2 if available? It would be nice to see these "exclusive" models.

    Generally, what is the timeframe to create/deliver a CF once the order is given ?

    After reading more and more discussion on this proposal, I remain confident that focus on subtle changes and pricepoint will be the key to participation and demand concerns.

    That said, both the VC Inge and MARK seem to have stimulated the most interest so far. I would still throw more support to the MARK. Price will allow all who would like to acquire a CF the chance to do so. After all, I believe the MARK is now the lowest entry price of the entire collection. Changing the MARK matte black dial to matte grey ( i.e. LE Swiss Patrol-Chrono dial ) cream color hands/markers,single date or no dated would make a very clean design change. Engraving on back could reflect the work done on the "Father/Son" Pilot such as...COLLECTORS FORUM 2012....PILOT: ANDY

    Sign me up !!

  • Connoisseur
    25 Jan 2012, 9:46 a.m.

    I'm sure the archives have much information and images regarding these models.

  • Insider
    25 Jan 2012, 11:21 a.m.

    Life is very complicated - and the more complications we add the bigger becomes the problem area. As soon you ask for a special colored dial, special hands, no date, single date, red hand for the central second, blue dial for the small second (just kidding) - it needs a special production and then all the never ending complications, objections, questions, doubts and uncertainties begin.

    Here a problem-free way:
    An existing Mark XVII- just as introduced by IWC plus a very fine engraving on the ss back.
    Ask 100 of us for it IWC engraves 101, are 250 asked for - IWC engraves 251 (one for MF free :-). You order - IWC delivers - engraving will take a few days I suppose.
    And no special desires from speculators/grey market dealers.

    With a V Ingenieur it is probably more complicated because it is no longer in production - so a Mark XVII would fit better into the project.

    Regards, Lutz

  • Master
    25 Jan 2012, 11:41 a.m.

    I'll support this noble cause whatever the output/the watch, I would like just to point out, is highly preferable for a CFW to have in-house movement - imho.

    With all my respect, a Sellita or an Eta movement would speak less to my heart. Please, don't get me wrong, they produce excellent and reliable movements, worth to buy but, at the very end, this watch is about IWC and passion for it.

    IWC is in my DNA, Sellita or Eta are not.