The CF3 inside

Neither the cal 52SC on the Ref431 and the RN HS3, nor the cal 71 on the RN HS 3 have any decorations. These were military watches built for toughness and precision, to help get a job done under extreme conditions - perlage and cotes de Genéve would not have helped.

With all due respect to all the posters on this thread, comparing the CF3 to any past or present watch is missing the point. It doesn't matter if other movements in other pilot watches have been decorated or not. And it certainly doesn't matter if the movements of military supply watches are decorated or not. No one is claiming that the performance of the watch will be enhanced by a high degree of finishing. The performance of a Patek or a Lange is not improved by its finishing.
The point is whether the CF3, as a special edition, and as a collector's watch(and a Collectors Forum watch)should have had a higher degree of finishing so as to add value-whether monetary or aesthetic-and as part of what was offered the members of the Forum by IWC. I expressed my feelings earlier; that while I am disappointed upon seeing the movement I do not feel I was ripped off. I think the cost was reasonable and the "outers" are very attractive. I wish the movement looked better. I will still be glad to wear it when I get it.

Well, you misunderstood my post !

I posted it, because I just noticed that there was a vintage watch without movement decoration.

But, as a matter of fairness I posted it, because I thought the CF3 was the only IWC premium watch without movement decoration, sorry.

I dread when reading a phrase starting with "with all due respect". It is usually followed, at best, by a patronizing attitude, and Mike's post does not disappoint.
I don't think anyone "missed the point". There is no point to be missed, or to be gotten.
Tonny initiated the post describing an unfortunate incident with his CF Pilot, and showed us the movement for the first time. Some did not like the movement not being decorated, others did not care one way or another, and others compared it with other movements. That is all.

Hebe, Tony
If I misunderstood your, or anyone's, post, or came across as patronizing I apologize. I certainly did not mean to sound all-knowing. And I would never think I could tell others what is necessary in making a good pilot watch. Nor was my post directed to anyone in particular (although I can see why someone would think that given it's timing and placement in this thread). I felt the discussion had turned somewhat personal and in doing that got away from what I believe started out as fair criticism and personal opinion.

+1

Everyone are entitled to his or her's ideas and belief, it will be a great forum if everyone is able to tolerate unbias discussion.

Anyway, it is nice to see the pic of the movement and thanks for sharing.

A comment related to another watch, my newest, a titanium Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. It has a fantastic, sturdy movement, with a silicium hairspring, so it is antimagnetic without a soft iron cage, it has a display back. The finishing of the movement is a restrained sunray brush, comparable with the sandblasted parts of the movement for the CF3. I have no complaints about this movement, nor did I read any about it. So I am very happy with this watch, just as I am very content with my regular Spitfire Chrono. As also other historical tool watches of IWC are not luxuriously finished, I hope that the issue can be put into perspective. Enjoy your CF3!

Kind regards,
Paul

Well put Paul. You speak a lot of sense.

Regards.

David

Very interesting comparison with the Blancpain display back!

Cheers Chris

Are you really comparing this (which engraving appears to have been completed by an 11 year old):

[](s285.photobucket.com/user/slashd0t/media/IMG_0011_zpsdb34b975.jpg.html)

With this!?

[](s285.photobucket.com/user/slashd0t/media/Blancpain-bathyscaphe-7_zpseee1ac16.jpg.html)

Seems like...

Well, if I'd like an undecorated watch, I'd buy a Sistem 51.

To me the rotor really is the only part of the movement that is aesthetically unpleasing. But, again, it's a closed back watch and as long as it keeps the watch wound, I would have no problems with it at all.

Thomas

OK - this means you will buy a cat as long is it works. Dacia is a good choice!

Strange analogy. I doubt too many people check out what the inside of their cat looks like before choosing one. :-)

Cheers,

Jarrod

Well, I did - maybe the reason for not being divorced even after 15 years?

Well, maybe one sees what one wants to see: I see two great movements that are quite intriguing, with small parts and details that make sure the movements work flawlessly. There are no raw and sharp edges. As for the engraving, I am not sure the pictures are good enough to judge in a reliable way: some shade and blinding blurs enough to be unsure. While not spectacular, I think the letters are straight and typographical OK, not like the serial numbers like shown on the older movements: nobody seems to mind the cheaply stamped numbers there.

Kind regards,
Paul

I don't think this watch is comparable with a "Dacia" in any way. But maybe you drive a car with Geneva stripes and pearlage inside the engine?

Thomas

… Dacias, wifes … the comparisons are getting weirder and weirder ...