New Big Pilot Lands In Hawaii! (Finally)

Aloha all!

No, this isn't one of the new 2012 Pilot Watches... I finally picked up a slow beat, fish crown, BP 5002 to add to my collection.

In April 2005, I saw my first BP 5002 at an AD at the grand opening of the Wynn Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas and I was fascinated by the watch but I couldn't quite pull the trigger.

In May 2005, I decided I needed to get more information about IWC and the Big Pilot so I joined the IWC Forum.

After that, I had two more in-hand chances at different ADs to pick up the slow beat and the subsequent high beat (transitional) BP 5002s but I still couldn't pull the trigger.

In June of 2006, I went to the grand re-opening of the AD in Honolulu and Errol Phippen from IWC brought the first BP 5004 to be sold in North America for the IWC event. I bought it on the spot! Since then, I've had to endure years of comments about the "missing 9" on the BP 5004 dial, etc., etc. but now I finally own a BP 5002 like everyone else.

I still prefer Guy Bove's BP 5004 redesign of the classic B-Uhr dial (the BP 5004 wears larger too) but the BP 5002 is truly a classic and a great addition to my Big Pilot collection.

• Tracy

Tracy, congratulations!

I thought you already owned this original... but I guess not, so welcome to the 'number 9' club! You now have entry permit to visit anytime in London. Haha just kidding, Mr BP.

I'm sure others like me are very much looking forward to your creative shots with this one.

Best wishes,
Thang

p.s. original B-Uhr one day too?

Congrats Tracy - you are indeed a worthy big pilot :o)

Tracy, my congratulations! What will be your next BP? Nemov or DFB))))?

Yes, I'd like to get a restored original IWC B-Uhr one day.

-Tracy

Roman -

It would really be a great adventure to travel all the way to Moscow to buy a watch and that makes the Nemov even more tempting but I don't think I can afford it at the moment

• Tracy

Congratulations Tracy on another excellent acquisition for your stunning collection. This model was the first BP that I tried on - and got me into bigger watches - that led to me acquring the white gold ardoise dial (missing 9) model. I really like this dial !

Your collection is impressive!

Congrat with yet a BP, I like when theres a line to a collection!

Regards
Mike

A fine genesis edition for your collection, Tracy. Congratulations.

Nelson

the iconic 5002 ! brilliant. great stuff Tracy.

Excellent choice Tracy, wear it in good health and thanks for sharing.

Kevin

Congratulations Tracy, this one will fit in perfectly in your impressive collection. Enjoy and wear it in good health.

Kind regards,

Clemens

Congratulations, Tracy!

Excellent addition to your collection.

A must have at your level...IMO!

Best,
-Joe

Haha,
So it is true..
I heard that nowadays it is harder to obtain a "original" BP than a limited edition.
Great that you got one.
Wear it in health.
Cheers
Bas Dekkers
(wearing his AT 3568)

Welcome to the slow beat 5002 club. Mine is the slow beat as well, but I have the probus crown installed and the fish crown as a souvenir. I happen to be wearing mine today by coincidence. It's a worth addition to your significant BP collection.

Probus crown:

The souvenir crown

The slow beat in action...five beats per second:

I love the script on the deployant.]

I figured you already had one but congratulations anyway, but what took you so long?

Hi Bill

Why are the 5 beats not distributed symmetrically. I.e, in 5 equal portions. Is this a phenomena of the watch beat or the camera ? I presume it was a 1 second period that the shutter of the camera was open - but please correct me.

I asked the same question of the IWC watch experts and one explanation is the there is some wiggle in the very long seconds hand. The other option is there is a bit of play in the seconds gear. If you put the 5002 on a Witschi, it clocks at 5 beats per second.

5002 looking very good. Love that "9".

Getting close, Tracy....... :)

Cheers,
sc