What are my choices?

I have been the proud owner of a Port 3714 for two years which I use as a dress and special occasion watch. Now smitten with IWC brand I would like to make a second purchase. My problem is that I need something robust, that can be worn 24/7, can handle an out door life style of road cycling, mountain biking, trekking, fishing and home maintenance. At present for this purpose I wear an Omega SMP with metal bracelet which for 12 years can only be described as bullet proof but would now like to retire it. I love the new Portofino 5101 but just don’t think this will meet the demands of my life style. The IWC choice seems to be limited to either the Ingenieur ref 500505 with metal bracelet or Pilot Ref 325504 with metal bracelet. My experience with rubber and leather straps is that you can’t wear them 24 hours a day if needed. What is the most robust of the present day IWC models?

Spackus - I am an avid road- and mountainbiker myself, and I do like hiking, skiing and other activities. I do not use my quality watches for biking though, I always use my Polar heart rate monitors for those "adventures".

If you do want to use an IWC for all your activities my recommendation would really be one of the titanium AMG Ingenieurs - they are rock solid and lightweight - and are available with a titanium bracelet. An option is of course also one of the Aquatimers with a bracelet.

Please let us know what you decide!!

As a kid I came off by bike on to gravel and both my SS watch and myself suffered severe heavy scratches. I healed but the watch remained scratched even after repair. Decent watches and golf do not mix. Now think why not and then look at your list of activities.

I would agree w Skule, an aquatimer on a bracelet should be the perfect IWC choice IMHO.
Good luck with your purchase and keep us posted w pictures.
Kevin

I recently saw and tried on in a IWC Boutique, an Ingenieur AMG, great looking charcoal coloured dial with red central second hand, titanium case, in-house movement with shock absorber, anti-magnetic and thick 'nylon' strap which felt very comfortable, if I was younger I would have bought it. If you would like more info please send me an email.

Although I love and would recommend an Ingenieur wholeheartedly, in your situation (wearing it 7x24), I would recommend the Aquatimer series... either an Aquatimer 2000 or an Aquatimer Chrono.

Buy one with a metal bracelet, and then separately order a rubber strap.

That way, you can easily swap between the bracelet and the strap for the different occasions.

Mine (as an example):

The Ingenieur Mission Earth comes with à metal bracelet to (ref 323604).

As other members said, you can try to source an older model Ingenieur ref 3227 in steel or titanium.

A former technical director at IWC used to wear a GST Perpetual while mountain biking.

Truth be told, many IWC models have roughly the same shock absorbing characteristics of the movement, including virtually all Ingenieurs and Aquatimers. I think less complicated watches (like time-only rather than chronographs) have less vulnerability.

Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging responses. In May I will be in Honolulu and intend to spend sometime in the IWC Boutique so your advice is appreciated.

3568 should do...on a bracelet

As already stated before I think most (non chrono) Aquatimers or Ingenieur watches would be perfect. I'd personally would go for the white dial Aquatimer. Good luck with your decision!

It depends. Being an MTB cylist myself I think I would opt for the aquatimer with an rubber strap. If a metal bracelet is cardinal I would go for the Ingenieur in Titanium. Don't really like the thought of wearing a metal bracelet when cyling in the woods - what if it hangs on to something?

Regards

Mike

I was recently able to find a NIB 3227 in titanium, and that's become one of my top choices for a go anywhere, do anything watch.

Magnificent watch Frank!

Frank, great choice, looks good on your wrist.
Enjoy and wear it in good health.
Kevin

Thank you.