Whatever happened to ref. 5003...

Last night I woke up in the middel of the night after dreaming about a ref 5002 or 5004 around my wrist (wasn't able to see it clearly yet) and I started wondering what has happened to ref. 5003.

I know there are more important things in life, but this thought didn't left my mind and I had to grap the catalogues only to see that there is a ref. 5000, 5001, 5002, 5004, 5005 and no ref. 5003 (to my knowledge). Now IWC isn't known for their logic in reference numbers, but is there a simple explanation other than that, why there never was a ref. 5003.

Just out of curiousity I was wondering if anyone here has a guess or an answer.

Enjoy your weekend!

Norbert

My guess would be that...

it was a special limited edition for some retailer. But that is purely a guess.

green....

Talking about special editions... I discovered a green BP, which seems to be a special edition for a dealer in Monaco

Big Pilot in green

I have also heared of this watch, but not seen it yet. Do you have more info and pictures of it?

probably not...

..since almost all retailer or specific market special editions are variations on a basic watch (different dial or back or case material) and only the last two digits, and not the first four change.

My guess is that the number is "reserved" for a major variation of the Cal. 5xxxx series, such as a successor for the ref. 5001 (and I know of no such watch in the planning stage right now) or even a new complication (and I know of none right now) with the Cal. 5xxxx base.

The number should be reserved for the 2010 Collectors' Forum watch!

Regards,
Michael

Maybe BP Perpetual ? nt

here is a picture of the green BP

It is a limited Edition for the Boutique Zegg & Cerlati in Monaco. As far as i know 20 pieces have been made.

by the way, I did find an IWC ref 5003

..I realize this wasn't what you had in mind, but it really is ref. 5003-01 :)

Well, that could explain why...

... they didn't use the number for the second time, although I like your idea that they might reserve it for the Collectors Forum Portuguese 2010 better :-)

Is this 5003-01 a ladies watch?

Regards
Norbert

Wow, that is really ugly.

It's the Kermit BP nt.

Wow, that is really ugly.

Hence only 20 made - probably for the colour-blind.

better pictures

www.fliegeruhr.ch/gf_zegg_&_cerlati.htm

Well, I like the back.

It is not such a bad Green

at least it is not bright - and in this image I dont think it is ugly.

Andrew

maybe use the missing numbers to

help you sleep, a bit like counting sheep.

Andrew

Let's say that green is a difficult colour

Normally, green is an unexpectedly bright colour, difficult to use for a dial. The only "real" colour that can be used is blue: red and yellow are out of the question, at least for me. When these colours are mellowed, then the results can be surprisingly acceptable, like that pink Ingenieur that was shown here a few months ago. This military look green, well, why not? I can use the excuse that I cannot buy every watch.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing Portuguese Perpetual Calendar

when I was in the Army, we called it "OD"...

..which means "olive drab", and which was a standard military color (and with standard military syntax which puts adjectives after nouns). So to me the color works for a quasi-military watch.

Besides, there now is world movement to green, in a very non-military sense. And IWC is a green company :)

Regards,
Michael
P.S. I will add that I went to Drill Sergeant School in the Army --perfect training for becoming a forum moderator in real life ;)