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.
Well, many wise words here. I still say we should leave the iconic Mark XVII alone. I say we also leave the Ingenieurs alone as the CF1 was an inge.
To make it simple it should either be:
1. A worldtimer - as it is the year of the pilots and we do all span the globe.
2. A Portuguese VC as suggested by MF - in my mind this is the "origin" of the most beautiful IWC watch - and this offers a more affordable price point.
Whichever way this goes, my interest has been heightened. When I started this thread I knew it would generate great interest, but the response has been tremendous.
One question....
At SIHH, Who was the person who asked Herr Kern about another Forum watch? The question originated from behind where I was sitting. Whoever it was should get the credit for starting the ball rolling!
As far as I know the CF1 had a different colour dial than the standard watch, so I don't think changing the dial colour would present a big obstacle. Also, just leaving out the date window, should not be too difficult.
If I may present a couple of new iterations of the "more classically styled MK XVII" theme I introduced earlier in this thread:
1. Use some orange on the hands and indices, and replace "Automatic" with CF3:
If we decide to go with the VC Inge route, the easy way to create a CF specific watch would be just to put a white dial from the Pt version, or an ardoise dial from the WG version to the SS case. Add some engraving in the back, and there You are. Again, I would prefer removing the date window, if it is not too much trouble.
Argiris, guilty!!!!!
LOL
Worldtimer is my choice. If the case is in Titanium even better. :)
Cheers,
SC
Argiris, I am so glad you asked that question! THANKS!
Nice picture too, although I rather have the Automatic instead of the CF3, which is quite cryptic.
About removing the date: this involves a change to the movement too. The crown on a watch with date has three positions, on a watch without date two positions. It would be quite strange to pull the crown one position and nothing happens, when the movement is a date movement but no date is visible on the dial. That would be quite unacceptable, not worthy of an IWC watch. So, with date, I guess.
To me the Mark XVII is a great, new IWC watch. No in-house movement: OK, no problem here. No in-house dial, no in-house hands, no in-house strap, maybe no in-house bracelet too. It just is a great IWC watch. Not too expensive: a huge plus for me, if I want an expensive watch I buy that for myself, to my own specifications (= by me accepted features of the watch).
Kind regards,
Paul
Dear MF.
I have a question:
If this idea of CF3 comes real, the purchase will be through local AD or directly from IWC?
Best regards.
I'm not MF, but if I recall, the CF2 was reserved on line with IWC, but the transaction was handled via an IWC Boutique or your local AD. I believe this is how is was done.
Love the discussion and have been following for the past days with great interest.
While it looks a bit like we're going in circles ;), I figured I'd add my two cents.
Since 2012 is the year of the Pilots, the obvious choice to me would be a Pilot. As mentioned by a few of you already, the movement really should be in-house. Its an IWC Collectors Forum watch after all. And to keep it affordable a stainless steel. If I'm not mistaken, this leaves the MARK XVII in the race. I absolutely love the idea of having the name of the buyer engraved.
If there really is a CF watch, I just hope that forum lurkers will get a chance to acquire one as well (otherwise I'll have to start posting like crazy over the coming weeks. ;))
cheers
Xaver
Going in circles in this case is a good thing. Until we get some positive reinforcement it's really all we can do. But look at the statistics....approaching 4,000 views in a little over three and a half days. That means we are all checking back to get the latest info. Can't wait to see how it will progress...
Alan, you have to stop checking on this thread once a minute 24/7. It is ruining the statistics. LOL. I am thrilled we are getting such a positive and helpful response.
It seems to me that the more long term members of the forum should have a majority stake in the decision, many being serious collectors over a matter of time. However, I hope that all forum members who were members before this idea was suggested would have a chance to purchase the CF3. It would certainly further strengthen our relationship with the brand and the forum.
I like the idea of pre-ordering, with a deposit, and producing that number of pieces. That way, no one is disappointed. Name engraving would be seriously cool!
Jez
Have we got to a stage of counting in the primaries yet to see if we have a couple of strong favourites! Certainly a lot more interesting than listening to politicians IMO.
Oh, don't get me wrong. i'm a fan of the circles! its interesting to see what different people value in a watch.
A few days before this discussion started, I sold my first ever IWC (bought in April 09), a Portuguese Chronograph, after realizing that I doesn't get any wrist time anymore. It had been displaced by the Portuguese Yacht Club and more importantly the BP PPC (Limited Edition Middle East). A CF edition could be the perfect piece to replace the watch that started the addiction...
Well.. I've certainly thrown my support for a MARK and my vision of the design, but now I would like to offer yet another consideration. This MARK has been discussed many times b/4 and what a perfect opportunity to make it happen the way we Forumers would like it to look.
WHITE DIAL MARK XVII
And here's my take....
*No Date
*Complete Hour Markers
CF3 (in Red) and Automatic(in Black) Printed
Black Buffalo or Nylon/Kevlar Strap
*Engraved Back
Dreaming is fun,
Andy