Sometimes I Just Don't Get It - Like This New Aquatimer

I agree. These spirited, opinionated, and good natured discussions are good fun. In the end we all agree to disagree.
I hope you win the lottery. :-)

I just have to commit: I own a Aquatimer and I have never dived once in my Life ;)

Just saw the new gold one - and even if I am not a "fan" of gold watches - this one looks gorgeous! :)

Regards
Thomas

This comment might be coming a little late as it seems everyone is at peace with the opposing opinions. But I have been giving this watch, and these posts a lot of thought (away from work for a week).
Two strands of opinions are at work here, from two groups of collectors. Jarrod represents one and this group looks for well made, handsome watches with quality history and service going for the brand (I think). When a new watch comes out, they will judge it on its own merits. They will care a lot less about the history of the family that watch has evolved from.
The other group, represented by Dick (I think-hope you don't mind) has another layer of emotional attachment to the brand, and can, at times, therefore be more critical of a watch, or, conversely, more accepting of a watch, than the general public say. This group is not sold just on good looks, but wants some continuity to the older watches in the line; wants some historical basis for going this step past what the line has previously offered in terms of complications; and most importantly wants utility in certain lines or families that might benefit from being called "tools". A perpetual Aquatimer strays mightily from being a utilitarian dive watch. Thus, the hostility towards this watch. And, I guess, some are upset with the brand for obviously going for the "bucks". Not being true to itself.
Of course, IWC is first and foremost a profit-making entity like any other manufacturer, so what would one expect. They can and should make lots of money, and if they do it with a beautiful, even if odd, watch, why not?
I have been going back and forth on this issue, and this watch, since first seeing it. It IS gorgeous. But then I think "Just how many Perpetual Calendars does IWC need in its fold?" There are 10 by my count. More than any other brand I think. Why?
Oh well. Just some musing at the tail end of this great discussion. Thanks, Dick.

Mike --someone at IWC said to me several years ago that he thought IWC produced more perpetual calendars than anyone else in the Swiss watch industry. I don't have good data, but the fact is that they're really large sellers for IWC. That should explain why but here are so many models, I would think.

Relative to some of the other comments, my knee-jerk reaction is "hey, guys, it's just a watch". It's neither the rise nor fall of the Roman Empire, the Swiss Confederation or IWC. It's one model, in small production, out of many.

True Michael, it is just a watch. But it is made by a company we love so it is important. To us. :-)

Mike, I agree with your assessment of what I look for in a watch. Mostly. I also feel I have an emotional attachment to IWC. I should, I am spending plenty on their products. I do care about the history and evolution of the different families. I guess where I differ is that I love the look of the watch in question. Is it over the top? Yes. Does it have features it doesn't need as a pure divers watch? Yep. But, I still love it. That doesn't put me off and I don't feel IWC are doing anything wrong.

And personally, I like the look of the little thing at the 9 o'clock on the new models. It adds a nice balance to the look. It is there purely for asthetics isn't it? I haven't managed to read a use for it anywhere yet?

Cheers,

Jarrod

PS I hope the next Laureus is an Aquatimer. I could not resist buying one.

This year's Laureus is not an Aquatimer.

Oh well, how about the year after that? I assume you know what the next one is then?

Good analysis Mike, count me in for the group of Dick.

Boring Traditionalists Club anyone? LOL!

Michael, I generally agree that "hey, guys, it's just a watch", though I wonder whether other IWC management agrees with that. But like the Hollywood celebs say, any publicity is good publicity. Far better for a watch to generate a reaction than to be politely ignored!

I agree with Dick. Some people read critisism as negative, hurting their feelings, being even a danger to this forum. But I think listening to what true fans of the brand think might not be a bad idea.

""True Fans"? Ok. I just updated the IWC iPad/iphone app. The new range looks genius to me. Especially the blue face. And I still like the look of the big 49mm. Call me daft.

Right on,David.

Exactly... we share our opinion positive and more critical because we care about the brand, not just as a any other brand but as a beautiful history and an even more beautiful future.
That being said, its just one of many IWC watches and sure won't kill the brand.

So we have the perpetual calendar digital date-month packaged in the new Aquatimer line. I still like it best in the Da Vinci but maybe it would look good in a Portuguese? Or is it time for a new line? Is it time to for a new design to house complications such as this?

Aren't there enough lines, or families, now? Maybe some watches shouldn't be made. You know, just because the NSA can capture everybody's texts doesn't mean it should have. And just because the digital day/date fits in a round case doesn't mean it needs to fit in every round case. Sometimes less is more (boy are the cliches flying). Look at the old Portugiesers.
Guess I've flip-flopped on this baby again. (Keep your fingers to yourself, Mike.)

(Look what you've done, Dick.) lol

Kurt Klaus told me once that this day / date calendar actually fits best in a pilots watch. The fact that IWC missed the opportunity to put it into a classic model is somehow disappointing, but well - they must have their reasons for that.

IWC is trying to sell whatever it can, not really interested in consistency. Look at the CFW 3: A fashion watch desperately trying to be a classic, but it will end like the blue Big Pilot Las Vegas / L.A. Edition. Still enough people are buying it, so where's the problem?