My First IWC purchase and I am getting confused!

Hello guys,

Greeting from Melbourne to you all. This will be my first post at official IWC forum and won't be my last =)

I am a 23 years old male living in Melbourne, my interest on prestige watch had been started since 2 years ago, and my first purchase was Tag Heuer Link chrono. I've been in love with IWC since i made a visit to a local AD about a year ago and to be honest I can't stop thinking about how beautiful and precise IWC watch is.

In a short story, I've been saving up to purchase my second prestige watch, my options down to these two beauty :
1. IWC AT 2000 White dial
2. IWC Classic Pilot chronograph.

I will wearing the watch on a casual days at the park,bar,street. Do not really want to wear it at work since I do not want to affect attention of my colleagues. Maybe will wear it very occasionally on a business trip/meeting ;p

Actually I almost made up my mind last week to obtain the AT 2000, however due to some circumstance I have to delay the purchase until today, which guide me to have a quick look at the Classic Pilot and can't denied its beauty. However the plan is to get it from AD by this weekend ;)

So if you guys can give me some opinion and advice regarding my queries, it will be greatly appreciated because I really can't make up my mind at the moment!

Either one is an excellent choice. Be sure to post a picture when you get it.
Welcome to the forum an stay tuned for a fun filled two weeks or so of 2012 SIHH.
Regards,
Kevin

thanks for your reply KevinJ. I know both is excellent choice, will happy to get'em both if budget allows me.

but at the moment I am seriously confused and don't want to regret later on after my purchase. My GF said the AT is prettier, but my friend told me to get the pilot instead because it's classic and fit on my small wrist.

cheers

Santosoa,

Maybe this will help...I, like you, had the same decision to make on the very two watches just a couple of months ago. Both to me are beautiful. I went for the AT2000/White Dial/Rubber strap and love it. It gets many complements. And like you, my wrists are on the smaller size. My AD ordered a XS strap and even though it's 44mm, due to the lug design and the shaped casing back, a smaller wrist can wear it very well, Yes, it is on the heavy side, but I like some weight in my watches and again , the fit is very comfortable. NO REGRETS!!

So here's the deal on the classic Pilot Chrono. I knew that the new Pilots were coming the first of this year. So based on the design changes and pictures to be revealed in a matter of days, I'm ready to pull the trigger now on which one appeals to me more. The only difficulty for me will be having the patience to wait until (Spring...1st delivery?) if I decide to go with the new model. Otherwise, I'm off to the AD to pick up the current Pilot Chrono.

I believe your budget will find a way to handle both. They are two different looks and will give you so much pleasure and variety.Both to me are excellent values. If you go the route I've elected to take, you'll have additional time to save for the new Chrono since it will be a while before the first ones arrive.

Enjoy whichever one you decide on, but understand that just by feeling confused about which model to get, means you have been exposed and are now infected with the IWC virus that has no vaccine nor cure. You will acquire both and many more to come.

I'm sorry about having to inform you of the diagnosis. Stay well,

Dr. Andy

It's really such a personal choice. And it comes down to a matter of taste.

I love the IWC Pilot watches and would be myself inclined toward the Pilot Chrono. But I also love the AT and have toyed with the idea of getting one in due course. And if you spend time in or around the water, the AT would probably be the best choice.

You might like to try them both on and see which strikes you best.

Santosa - Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the disease that is IWC - it is the best infection you will ever have. Even though it is quite expensive it is also very fulfilling and enjoyable :-)

My recommendation to you is very clear, because I went thru a similar decision years ago, and I also own and appreciate a Tag Link Chrono.
- get the AT 2000 white dial.

Why do I recommend this one? The main reason is that the AT will complement your Tag perfectly. You can use the Tag at work - which can go with both suits and jeans, and then you have a rougher watch to wear while enjoying your other interests. The AT with the rubber strap can handle most activities you can throw at it!!

If you get the pilot chrono you will essentially get a watch that is quite similar in specs (stainless steel chronograph on a bracelet) like your Tag, which essentially covers the same application area. I really think that you will enjoy the diversity two fairly different watches will give you - I can at least tell you that I really did, and continue to do:-)

With that said - since you now also have the virus I can also tell you that this purchase will not be your last, and that you will be looking at and buying several other watches in the years to come. Welcome to the club!!

Good luck with your decision, and be sure to post pictures here :-)

Thanks guys for the recommendation i greatly appreciate it.Alright, i just went to AD before and they dont have classic chrono in stock, ended up tried the portuguese chrono 371417, it looks perfect on my small wrist, it really is gorgeous, so far i only look at the pictures and it can justify the WOW factor when it goes to wrist. What do you think guys? Should i stick to my budget and get the AT 2000 or stretch it a bit to get the portuguese? Damn I think i've been infected by IWC virus like you guys mentioned. Not that i dont consider the pilot anymore, I just really cant wait to purchase it by this weekend, therefore decision has to be made.

Appreciate the thoughts. And yes i love to be infected IWC virus :)

Hi Santosoa

I`m fascinated of all the good and competent answers to your questions and I think you only stand to gain from the many years of experience of the very skilled members of this forum.
As a greenhorn myself on this forum I only marvel at all the knowledge – its great!

But I can tell you from my experience concerning watches from a quiet different point of view.
When I remember a person, except may be a very nice woman, I mostly remember its watch.
I think of Fritz and remember his Da Vinci, Heinz has a Nomos from Glashütte, Eddy has an Ebel, Hublot and some more, Markus wears a Certina and Eliane a Rado – thats me and I always thought other people feel the same. But then I learned that they were quite different.

I e.g. had a discussion with a friend of mine about his fine Tissot Le Locle for may be 20 minutes or half an hour – a very animated or even enthusiastic discussion – but all the time he didn`t realize the almost 10 times more expensive Breitling on my wrist. He was very pleased to natter about his stuff but he was not at all interested in watches but in his own. I rember of many discussions like that.

I`ve got a wonderful Breitling superocean heritage and the Railmaster (Seamaster) from Omega and I wear them alternating every day – and here is the point that might help you:

It happens very, really very seldom that somebody realizes that I wear a beautiful watch – most people are so concentrated on themselves they dont realize such things. So you can wear an AT or a Pilot or a Portugieser at work or whenever you decide – most people will never realize it. And if really a attentive conteporary makes a remark on your beautiful watch and you answer: „Oh yes thank you I like it a great deal too“ – he probably will be absolutely content for you noticed that he noticed and he will ask no further questions. Dont ask yourself what other people could think – they mostly don`t.

But I will tell you of a different experience too. A time ago during my power training in Winterthur (City near Zürich) I saw a beautiful Portugieser on the wrist of my young neighbour and so I spoke to him about it. He was very pleased that I had recognized what he was wearing and then he asked me what a beautiful watch it was on my wrist. So we talked about it for some minutes and then he mentioned that he is an employee of IWC. That`s the other side.
So I wish you all the best -

Regards Lutz

Ah - a Portuguese complicates the picture, for the sole reason that I am a Portuguese man. The Portuguese Perpetual Calendar was what got me hooked on IWC, and the Portuguese is still my favorite IWC line.

With that said though, my advice to you is to consider your use of the watches. If you would like two fairly different watches which can be used for different activites/settings then maybe the AT would be a better choice as it is more "sporty".

Now, you could of course use your Tag for many activities - and then use the Portuguese for more formal duties as it is a much more "classy" and elegant watch.

The choice is difficult - but the best thing about it is this:

Whatever choice you cannot go wrong!!

And if, say, you choose the Portuguese, and your mind cannot let the AT 2000 go - then you can just save up for a few months and very soon that one can also be part of your growing collection - that is what we call a Win/Win situation :-)

Again best of luck - and keep us posted!

Hi Santosoa,

to me, the choice would not be an easy one as well but considering your climate, a clear one:
The AT 2000 white dial/rubber strap, for the following reasons:
a) your location tells me: watersports, lots of: AT 2000.
b) your location tells me as well: sunshine, even more: AT 2000: cool, crisp white dial and a rubber strap, which wears very comfortable in hot climate.
c) the perfect watch to wear in a bar as you can check the time for last orders at a glimpse, the lume is very impressive :-)
d) it is a very robust watch for all sorts of activities

Whatever your decision will be, please do post some pictures....Of course the final solution is to purchase both, being 23 the time is on your side, literally...

Santosa, it seems you are drawn to chronos, so alternatively you could also go for the Portofina Chronograph 3910 with the siver (white) or black dial and either black or brown aligator straps or Milanese stainless steel bracelet.

The choice widens.

typo: should read Portofino

Hi Santosoa,

first of all: welcome to the IWC forum, the best place to get advice like this you've asked for.

It was all just said before which I consider important:
[ul]
[li]Most important:Let your emotions speak: Try them both next to each other (on each wrist) and check which one you want more[/li]
[li]With either choice you can't go wrong![/li]
[li]If you live in Melbourne in hot climate and near the water, the Aquatimer will work best for everyday activity. And you'll like wearing it all day. Even at work as Lutz stated. If you once in the (hopefully near future) have got more than one IWC, you can add a more elegant one on a leather strap if you want to.[/li]
[/ul]
Good luck and keep us posted with pics if you decided successfully.
Tilo

alright guys, went to AD today as soon as work finished, then finally pick up IWC CLASSIC PILOT CHRONO as my final choice. It's been a hard decision, come back and forth between AT 2000 and Pilot chrono.

However the lists below are the reason why i picked up this beauty:

1. It's slightly smaller 42mm compare to 44mm on AT2000, I have a reasonably small wrist (I am Asian :p). And yes it looked much better on my wrist.

2. There are a lot of option for the strap on Pilot chrono, where as for AT 2000 is limited on rubber/bracelet. I am looking for the Pilot Top Gun Strap which I think looks very cool on my Pilot, anyone got recommendation where to get those??

3. The simplest thing that actually made my final decision. My heart speaks louder when I put the Pilot Chrono on my wrist, it seems like the watch has chosen me(Apologize for the pun here :p)

Thank you for all of your kind advice and thorough recommendation, even though most of you seems to lean towards AT 2000 more because it will suit for Melbourne Hot weather.... well, you guys wrong! it's true that it's summer here, but for those of you had been to Melbourne before should've known that Melbourne weather are totally unpredictable, it's summer but this morning the temperature only hit 10degree where last week was as hot as hell on 40degree. I am 100% happy with my decision to pick Pilot chrono as my first IWC. Once again thank you guys!! My next watch is going to be IWC also, and Portuguese Chrono would be my target :)

PS. Sorry for the crappy pics, using iphone 4s, doesn't have an SLR camera :)

Hi Santosoa,

so you've made your decision finally :-) Congratulations, you've picked a true classic watch which will attract a lot of attention. It is a very reliable one as well, I am the proud owner of a Spitfire Chrono, same movement, different design. Wore it for over one year now and it is only 1 second fast per day.
Excellent choice! Have fun and wear the watch in good health and thanks for the pictures, I like the black and white one.

I personnaly believe you made the perfect choice.

Congrats on your decision Santosa - a great watch!

Regardless of which watch you chose, the watch you walked out of the store with is the correct decision - because you chose it, not because I or any other forum member have one, like one, recommend one etc.

I am sure that it is everything you wanted and everything you hoped it would be. That said, I am sure that within a week you will be looking at at least the other 2 that you left behind - not because they have some feature that is "better" than what you have and not because there is a downside to what you have, but just because you "need" it :)

You have now been stung by an incurable disease - a lot of people talk of the difference between want and need but this disease that you now have does not differentiate of discriminate, every IWC you look out will now become a need - that is the downside to the disease but it also has a lot of upside :)

Wear your new watch in good health and welcome!

Cheers,

Ben

PS, nice pics - you have done some nice artistic touch up of them and even though they are from a phone they look great.

congrats ! nice way to start your IWC journey in the Year of the Pilots :)