I have enjoyed all the build up and excitement over the CF3. got to say this is my first experience on this forum that I have read negativity towards another members purchase.
I haven't picked my CF3 up yet but nobody will dampen my excitement over my first IWC purchase. I have spent over two yrs saving up for this watch and intend to cherish it.
David
David, that's the best approach to this issue. I who only owns one IWC watch at the moment can share your emotions and thoughts pretty well.
Hi Regulateur
Thats a very lets say - interesting perspective - you have about the CF3 - design and how a watch should look like in generell (I guess you do not questioning the calibre and the soft iron inner case of the CF3, don't you?)
Luckely peoples tastes are different to each individuel, otherwise this world would be really boring.
Nevertheless, I am very curious what is in your opinion the definition of a not artificially made-up watch?
Cheers Chris
Hi Chris
I have posted my opinion about this watch already a few times here. Mainly, it has no roots in IWC's history, like a collectors watch should in my eyes. It is a nicely made limited edition like the countless other limited editions for dealers, and therefore artificial. The limitation - even not sold out - shall symbolize again artificially "Buy me, I am rare!".
After buying new IWCs until a few years ago, I now started to look at watches that were produced in a time where latest design and technology was used. Today, it is purely fashion, fashion, fashion (not to be confused with design) and high, unjustifiable prices to make the watch seem worth more than it really is. Dramatically dropping 2nd hand prices speak their own language.
The Lady Portofino or the rainbow-colored Big Pilots are the worst examples of this era we are seeing at IWC today.
Again, my personal opinion nobody needs to take into consideration. But maybe it helps some people to widen their horizon to watches not yet considered for a purchase.
I think both a pilot's watch and an amagnetic watch are firmly embedded in IWC's history, and I like to think of myself as a student of IWC's history.
But regardless: I don't understand the issue. Some people love Omega watches and think they need not get anything else or finer. Some people love Patek watches and think that anything lesser is not worth owning.
Could both be right? Perhaps to each their own...
At first I thought: why bother, and I guess that would be the most sensible attitude. But me being me, I sometimes let myself on purpose lure into giving a reaction.
To me, there is no reason at all, and no need, to base a collector's forum watch on the roots or the history of the brand. There is something artificial in doing so, but both directions are viable to me, the one direction is not better than the other. To me, the CF3 is as much part of the history of IWC as the SAAB Pilot's watch of many years ago.
Nor is dedicating a watch to a special group like the collectors joined in this forum a negative or artificial thing to do. The remark "Buy me, I am rare" is missing the point here, as the intention is to do something nice for us, forum members. That if possible such an action should be profitable for, in this case IWC, goes without saying, and both the number of watches sold and the enthousiasm of those who got one marks this action as a huge success. To me, it is a stunningly beautiful, high quality modern watch, fitting both the tradition of IWC and the successful way IWC is going now.
Regulateur doesn't like the CF3, or he knows how to conceal that very well. To me, he isn't a friend of this forum anymore, I know full well why. Fair enough on both points, so it is logical he didn't buy a CF3.
Kind regards,
Paul
My point was purely that there are other IWCs representing value and history in a better way - in my humble opinion. I did not mention other brands, did I?
Regulateur,
This may have been your point but what you said was "... it has no roots in IWC's history...". That was indeed a strange statement and I'm not surprised if others, like me, missed your intended point.
Thomas
As far as this point is concerned: The spitfire watches are purely marketing made-up. There is nothing, neither in design, nor in any role of the spitfire aircraft that has anything to do with IWC. After the DaVinci, I am afraid, IWC picked the second worst choice for a Collectors Watch. Ingenieur, Portuguese or a classic pilot watch would have made much much more sense, even an Aquatimer. And The soft iron cage does not help to create the desired(?) link.
I had a Spitfire IWC years ago and I really loved it. It was a beautiful made watch as the CFW 3 is. But both of them respresent fashion watches, not collectors items.
I myself am not overly enthusiastic about co-branding watches like Spitfire, Top Gun etc. but that's not how I see the CF3. Not at all.
As I understand the CF3, and please do correct me if I'm wrong, the CF3 was decided to be a pilot's watch. It happens to share some components with the Spitfire mainly because one of the requirements was to have an inhouse movement but that's all. It's not a collectors' version of the Spitfire and there is no mention of Spitfire anywhere on the watch.
As a collectors' pilot watch it is without doubt rooted in IWC's history. It can always be argued whether there would have been other better choices but that is largely a matter of personal preferences. Clearly the collectors who got one are very happy with their choice.
Thomas
I disagree. That's all I have to say.
Cheers,
Jarrod
I am not even sincerely hoping so, I am convinced, Thomas! Moreover, it is a nice commermorative piece for Michael's era as Moderator here that will end now.
The CF3 is a great watch and it is what it is.
All the watches that IWC produced and produces are marketing driven.
IWC wants to sell watches. That's their business.
That was the same with the first cal. Jones pocket watches.
Mr. Jones came to Switzerland to produce watches (or movements) he wanted to sell in the US.
And all that stuff with heritage and tradition is great, interesting for a collector and used for marketing purpose too.
The only tool watches that IWC really made were those that were ordered by and delivered to the military.
We're all happy now that IWC's business today is not driven by the military but by marketing for civil people who may like traditions or not. And who may like (some of) the watches or not.
For many collectors this watch is an honor and a pleasure to have and I really appreciate what Michael together with other people at IWC did to make this possible.
This will be a collector's item in 50 years I'm sure. When a great grandfather will tell his great grandson: "I was part of this community they called IWC collectors' forum then. That was a cool gang with a very knowledgeable and passionate moderator. His name was Michael and he was one of the nicest guys I've ever met in my life."
I second that 100%!
Cheers Chris