I have two IWC's, a Vintage Collection Ingenieur and the classic Ingenieur Automatic. My plan was to keep these watches and wear them and then give them to my sons when they are older (the oldest turns 6 in June and the youngest will be 1 in March). But now I have been thinking and it would also be cool to sell them and buy a Big Pilot myself and get two Mark XVI's for them (kind of a Father & Son idea). I have a few dilemma's here:
1. I will have to sell two IWC's to get one back. The BP is not as versatile as the two Ingenieurs. For instance, I can't/won't swim or sport with it. 2. It will take at least 10 years before I will give the watch, if I would get the Mark XVI's I would have to keep them in the safe. 3. The Big Pilot is BIG! I only have a 6.7" wrist. I have had the BP on my wrist many times and the longer I wear it, the more I like it. There is something about it that is magical. I can't really describe it, but it's big.. 4. I think this would be the time to get a Big Pilot. This year they will go up in price by a EUR 1.000,- and the prices will only go up.
Or I could sell one of the Inges (probably the IW3233) and buy a Big Pilot. But then I have one watch that worth twice the amount of the Inge...
Anyway... maybe you guys can share some words of wisdom :D
3,349 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 14, 2001
Hi Dimer, I've had exactly the same dilemma now twice. I don't know if my approach will be best for you, but here's what I did and why:
Dimer van Santen Wrote:... My plan was to keep these watches and wear them and then give them to my sons when they are older (the oldest turns 6 in June and the youngest will be 1 in March) ...
My sons are just 2 years older than yours: The big one is turns 8 in August, the small one 3 in April. First time I've been in that dilemma was back in the beginning of 2006. Then I only had one son that was 1 year old but the second one was kind of planned. ;-) I had a Mark XV, a UTC and a Portuguese Chrono. They were all pretty used already. But I wanted nothing more than a Portuguese Automatic 500107 steel with silver dial and blue hands since I once tried it. Because I had no experience in selling used watches that was kind of difficult too. The price of the 5001 was quite high compared to the other 3. And I had no money left to buy a new watch. It was hard enough to get those 3 earlier when I had no kids yet. In the end I sold all three just to get a new Portuguese Automatic that I wanted so much more. And I thought that I don't know if my son will ever like IWC watches or what will be available in 15 or more years.
I never regretted the step and one year later I was able to buy a Pilot's Chrono 3717 on bracelet to go swimming and all that kind of stuff. That was also pretty hard to finance but I managed it somehow.
Dimer van Santen Wrote: 1. I will have to sell two IWC's to get one back. The BP is not as versatile as the two Ingenieurs. For instance, I can't/won't swim or sport with it.
That really is an issue but it seems you already have a soltion below. Later on that.
Dimer van Santen Wrote: 2. It will take at least 10 years before I will give the watch, if I would get the Mark XVI's I would have to keep them in the safe.
Don't do that. It's kind of dead capital. You don't know whatever happens in that time. Probably your sons love Diver's watches or Ingenieurs or Portugieser much more. Than you have bought the wrong watch(es). Let them decide when they are old enough.
Dimer van Santen Wrote: 3. ...the longer I wear it, the more I like it. There is something about it that is magical. I can't really describe it, but it's big..
Seems you're pretty sure you want one. ;-)
Dimer van Santen Wrote: 4. I think this would be the time to get a Big Pilot. This year they will go up in price by a EUR 1.000,- and the prices will only go up.
The best argument to buy it ASAP.
Dimer van Santen Wrote: Or I could sell one of the Inges (probably the IW3233) and buy a Big Pilot. But then I have one watch that worth twice the amount of the Inge...
Don't care about the value. But that would be a great plan. If it is possible and you can afford it (I couldn't), keep the Automatic on bracelet and you've already got a solution for issue No. 1. And then you have at least 10-15 years to go until your boys are in the age to need and want an IWC. Quite some time to raise the funds. And then they're old enough to have their own taste. You can guide them a bit anyway.
I'm not sure if there's any wisdom in that but for me it seemed to make sense then and it still does today.
271 Discussions and CommentsMember since July 27, 2008
Hi Dimer,
You don't know if your boys want a watch in 10 years or more, or even if they want an IWC and the models you like. So, sell and buy want you want and let your boys decide what they want for themselves. You also could wait and find out what they like and give it.
I concur with this advice, especially Vahalis. I think you need to buy for yourself now, and when your children are older they can decide what they want.
Any other approach is succumbing to an advertising campaign of a company that starts with the letter P, about buying for future generations, that really is a clever attempt to rationalize extra spending.
I've had a very large number of watches (and still do have many) but I've reduced the number. I'd rather have one great watch than two or three excellent watches. It's for that reason that I really scurried to get a Portuguese tourbillon, and I've never regretted that. You won't regret the Big Pilot --small wrist and all. It is a great watch.
1,812 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 4, 2003White House, NJ,
United States
Dimer, I also concur with Michael's advice. In addition, I have grown children to whom I have given watches that I had saved for them only to have them returned because it was not their choices of what to wear. Hope this helps. Regards, Kevin
927 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 2, 2012London,
United Kingdom
sounds like sound advice to me. one can never guess what children will like when they grow older; i'd strive for the best that you can get and like - and then your own passions for a better watch will ultimately make it more meaningful for your children in due course.
271 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 26, 2001
Hi,
I also concur with the above. Indeed have been in the same ship.
About the large watches: a lot of those are superb in design and a joy to look at. However, on my wrist they lost at least some of that magic. So I ended up selling them in order to turn back to the "smaller" examples. The biggies ended up on the wall, as a large (...) photograph. So I am a bit ambivalent with the large (45+ mm) watches. Best however would be to have it on your wrist to see if t works for you....
3,736 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
As for watches I would focus more on the here and now, foremost what you like for yourself, and maybe also what your wife likes for herself. Children of about ten years old will want a watch fitting their age, and when they grow up, again a watch fitting their age, and mood, and life style. Getting an old watch that you probably don't like when you become officially an adult, or when you graduate, probably will be a huge disappointment for the child, and thus for the parent too. Of course there is something endearing in it, but I know it wouldn't have worked for me when I was eighteen, I absolutely wanted a brand new Omega Seamaster de Ville those days, period. I got it when I graduated and was over the moon.
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
435 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 27, 2011Hunan Province,
China
I agree with the above comments, buy for yourself. If your sons are like mine they may want cheap, plastic coated quartz watches that they can shove in crivices while rock climbing etc!
4 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 26, 2012
I'm new to the forum and have another question/dilemma. I recently bought a Mark XVI w/o the bracelet [mistake] and now want a bracelet, but for $1850.00 US, it's out of the question. Does anyone have a used or new OEM IWC bracelet for sale or do you know where I can acquire one at a discount? I am a resident in the US and would appreciate any advice or help that I can get, thanks for listening. And as for the gentleman who is debating on selling or keeping his IWC for the children, here is what happened to me. I am now 69yo and about 20 years ago, I gave my son my old Rolex DateJust as a gift with an inscription on the bracelet clasp to personalize it....he sold the watch within the year and that was heartbreaking to me....so here is my advice:... Don't project what you would like for your children, just do what you want and let them come to you for any needs or desires when they are older.
LADDLINDHOLM Wrote: I'm new to the forum and have another question/dilemma. I recently bought a Mark XVI w/o the bracelet [mistake] and now want a bracelet, but for $1850.00 US, it's out of the question. Does anyone have a used or new OEM IWC bracelet for sale or do you know where I can acquire one at a discount? I am a resident in the US and would appreciate any advice or help that I can get, thanks for listening. And as for the gentleman who is debating on selling or keeping his IWC for the children, here is what happened to me. I am now 69yo and about 20 years ago, I gave my son my old Rolex DateJust as a gift with an inscription on the bracelet clasp to personalize it....he sold the watch within the year and that was heartbreaking to me....so here is my advice:... Don't project what you would like for your children, just do what you want and let them come to you for any needs or desires when they are older.
Dear Laddlindholm,
As an IWC-sponsored forum we need to be "commercial neutral". That means we can have "wanted to buy" posts or requests for dealers/discounts. Sorry about that --and thanks for understanding.
On your other point, my Dad gave me his Rolex years ago, and I sold it like your son did. Probably a mistake on my part, but it reinforces the point you and others are making.
1. I will have to sell two IWC's to get one back. The BP is not as versatile as the two Ingenieurs. For instance, I can't/won't swim or sport with it.
2. It will take at least 10 years before I will give the watch, if I would get the Mark XVI's I would have to keep them in the safe.
3. The Big Pilot is BIG! I only have a 6.7" wrist. I have had the BP on my wrist many times and the longer I wear it, the more I like it. There is something about it that is magical. I can't really describe it, but it's big..
4. I think this would be the time to get a Big Pilot. This year they will go up in price by a EUR 1.000,- and the prices will only go up.
Or I could sell one of the Inges (probably the IW3233) and buy a Big Pilot. But then I have one watch that worth twice the amount of the Inge...
Anyway... maybe you guys can share some words of wisdom :D
:: IWC Ingenieur IW3233-01 :: IWC Ingenieur IW3227-01 ::
I've had exactly the same dilemma now twice. I don't know if my approach will be best for you, but here's what I did and why:
My sons are just 2 years older than yours: The big one is turns 8 in August, the small one 3 in April.
First time I've been in that dilemma was back in the beginning of 2006. Then I only had one son that was 1 year old but the second one was kind of planned. ;-)
I had a Mark XV, a UTC and a Portuguese Chrono. They were all pretty used already. But I wanted nothing more than a Portuguese Automatic 500107 steel with silver dial and blue hands since I once tried it. Because I had no experience in selling used watches that was kind of difficult too. The price of the 5001 was quite high compared to the other 3. And I had no money left to buy a new watch. It was hard enough to get those 3 earlier when I had no kids yet.
In the end I sold all three just to get a new Portuguese Automatic that I wanted so much more. And I thought that I don't know if my son will ever like IWC watches or what will be available in 15 or more years.
I never regretted the step and one year later I was able to buy a Pilot's Chrono 3717 on bracelet to go swimming and all that kind of stuff. That was also pretty hard to finance but I managed it somehow.
That really is an issue but it seems you already have a soltion below. Later on that.
Don't do that. It's kind of dead capital. You don't know whatever happens in that time. Probably your sons love Diver's watches or Ingenieurs or Portugieser much more. Than you have bought the wrong watch(es). Let them decide when they are old enough.
Seems you're pretty sure you want one. ;-)
The best argument to buy it ASAP.
Don't care about the value. But that would be a great plan. If it is possible and you can afford it (I couldn't), keep the Automatic on bracelet and you've already got a solution for issue No. 1.
And then you have at least 10-15 years to go until your boys are in the age to need and want an IWC. Quite some time to raise the funds. And then they're old enough to have their own taste. You can guide them a bit anyway.
I'm not sure if there's any wisdom in that but for me it seemed to make sense then and it still does today.
Tilo
Last edited: 20 November, 2012 - 10:38
You don't know if your boys want a watch in 10 years or more, or even if they want an IWC and the models you like. So, sell and buy want you want and let your boys decide what they want for themselves. You also could wait and find out what they like and give it.
Regards,
Bas
Last edited: 25 January, 2012 - 16:36
Any other approach is succumbing to an advertising campaign of a company that starts with the letter P, about buying for future generations, that really is a clever attempt to rationalize extra spending.
I've had a very large number of watches (and still do have many) but I've reduced the number. I'd rather have one great watch than two or three excellent watches. It's for that reason that I really scurried to get a Portuguese tourbillon, and I've never regretted that. You won't regret the Big Pilot --small wrist and all. It is a great watch.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
I also concur with Michael's advice. In addition, I have grown children to whom I have given watches that I had saved for them only to have them returned because it was not their choices of what to wear.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Kevin
Last edited: 29 March, 2012 - 21:17
iwcforummer@outlook.com
Last edited: 21 April, 2013 - 08:55
I also concur with the above. Indeed have been in the same ship.
About the large watches: a lot of those are superb in design and a joy to look at. However, on my wrist they lost at least some of that magic. So I ended up selling them in order to turn back to the "smaller" examples. The biggies ended up on the wall, as a large (...) photograph. So I am a bit ambivalent with the large (45+ mm) watches. Best however would be to have it on your wrist to see if t works for you....
Good luck,
Cheers from Rotterdam,
Mark
Last edited: 16 February, 2012 - 21:38
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Last edited: 26 January, 2012 - 20:54
Regards
Dave
Last edited: 25 May, 2013 - 08:22
I recently bought a Mark XVI w/o the bracelet [mistake] and now want a bracelet, but for $1850.00 US, it's out of the question. Does anyone have a used or new OEM IWC bracelet for sale or do you know where I can acquire one at a discount?
I am a resident in the US and would appreciate any advice or help that I can get, thanks for listening.
And as for the gentleman who is debating on selling or keeping his IWC for the children, here is what happened to me.
I am now 69yo and about 20 years ago, I gave my son my old Rolex DateJust as a gift with an inscription on the bracelet clasp to personalize it....he sold the watch within the year and that was heartbreaking to me....so here is my advice:... Don't project what you would like for
your children, just do what you want and let them come to you for any needs or desires when they are older.
Last edited: 26 January, 2012 - 16:55
Dear Laddlindholm,
As an IWC-sponsored forum we need to be "commercial neutral". That means we can have "wanted to buy" posts or requests for dealers/discounts. Sorry about that --and thanks for understanding.
On your other point, my Dad gave me his Rolex years ago, and I sold it like your son did. Probably a mistake on my part, but it reinforces the point you and others are making.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 5 April, 2012 - 19:53
:: IWC Ingenieur IW3233-01 :: IWC Ingenieur IW3227-01 ::