IWC Big Pilot Freeze?

Hi all,

This morning I wanted to wear my Big Pilot. I had worn and wind it on Monday, so it showed to still have 5 days reserve. Much to my surprise, the watch was not running. I opened the crown, set the date and time and pushed the crown in, but still it was idle. After shake it gently, it started running and works fine (still wearing it as I am typing this message).

Do you know if this is something that sometimes just happens and I should not worry about it? Or should I sent it in for a checkup?

Hope to hear about your experience!

Kind regards,

JD

My 3227 Ingenieur doesn't start by itself after winding if after it ran out. A mild shake makes it run, and it doesn't stop while having power reserve. That all is OK by me. Having to shake it up with power reserve would not be OK in my book, an AD should be consulted.

Kind regards,
Paul

My fathers HW watch with a reserve of over 30 hours, had a problem or two, reserve of 12 hours and now after a major service where I was told it was dry of all lube it's PR is now over 36 hours, aged 50 years old and with 40 years x 365 of wrist time. Therefore it seems to me that your BP is overdue for a service. I would add its nearly impossible for forumers to diagnose issues with any degree of certainty let alone accuracy over the net.

I quite agree. But there seems to be a need for opinions here, these questions keep popping up. The opinions ventured may be helpful sometimes. Most of us are no certified watch makers, but luckily there are no life threatening issues at stake here, like personal, medical issues. So, I will never issue a disclaimer, that is implicit. And sometimes it is even fun to think and write and discuss what could be the case. Certainly if a feed-back later proves that everybody was wrong.

Kind regards,
Paul

A day dreaming pilot is never a safe situation, but with a 7day shift who could blame him for a nap after 2 days? :)

Thanks for the first quick replies!

Lets start by saying I am not looking for a definite answer for this issue. As mentioned; I just posted this question in the hope that one of you guys would recognize this issue and knows what the solution was (for as far as a solution would be nescessairy). It might be that this is pretty common.

With regards to servecing; the watch is from 2012, so that might be a bit quick?

JD

That should be warranty service if bought in 2012 .. should there not have been any trauma.

Well...My Big Pilot did the same thing today BUT it's brand new, only 5 days old. I'm not happy to say the least...shocked is a bit more like it. It say not worn for 1.5 days and this morning when I looked at it, it was stopped. It had almost 7 days showing on the reserve meter. I gave it a little wind and a gentle shake...it would start again for 3-5 seconds and stop...this happened over and over a few times before it start going normal. It's been about an hour not and it seems OK.

I understand it's under warranty and that I can send it in for service but having to do this after 5 days of ownership is crazy. I feel at this point I want them to send me a brand new one so I can start fresh and feel proud of this large purchase.

Thoughts?

Whilst the purchase is very recent, you have zero idea as to it's date of production nor the temperature in the display cabinet. I came across one display where the lamps and sun had bleached straps and popped the plexi off two watches. But since it's under warranty then take it to your AD with the guarentee card. A strip down, lube and service should resolve whatever the problem.

How long will that process take?

And that is the use of this forum; sadly a mother IWC enthousiast has the same issue. Only difference is; mine started after the wind and gentle shake and now (2 days later) I took it out of the box and is still running...

Just to be sure I will bring it to the AD next week. I wi report his findings, maybe it helps others as well! Sure hope the fix it fast, love it!

JD

Add-on; I decided to buy a winder to keep it on! I tho I it will be better when I am not wearing it...

Update;

The watch was checked by the AD and is now with IWC in Switserland. Something to do with a big radar/wheel that supplies power to the mechanisme if i am informed right. This can only be ajusted with special tools from IWC.

Can somebody tell me the procedure when IWC gets a faulty watch returned? I hope they do a total check so it will work when i get it again...

JD