5,439 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 22, 2006
[li][/li] Edit update - Below you can see also the missing two chrono watches that I thought evaded me - which they did - but I visited the store again today to Double check and they were present and now I can present them.....
Below is the original post - with the two added chrono photos.
It was a lovely surprise to be invited by my local IWC Authorized dealer to join an event to be introduced to the Pilots collection. It was indeed a red carpet welcome...... something that only a few of us here are accustomed too.....(certainly the first novelty for me). Inside the feeling of flying in first class was maintained with fantastic top class catering and refreshments - sorry no photos but delicious nevertheless.
I spent most of my time talking with Christian Bülte (IWC, Marketing Manager Schweiz) and Mark Griesmaier (IWC, Sales Manager Schweiz) - two totally excellent guys. We think we have passion for the brand - well this is certainly the case for these two splendid chaps. I was able to capture loads of really important bits and bobs of information - most of which I cannot share here immediately - but be patient I will add notes and elements of things over the next weeks - just to be sure that I am not sharing privileged information unnecessarily.
One thing to share though is a new boutique opening in Zürich in September. IWC will get the keys to the premises tomorrow and on Monday the IWC banners will be present on Bahnhofstrasse. Those in New York know how that feels - looking at an Opening Soon Banner - but the wait will soon be over - the date I think has been confirmed elsewhere on the forum (If not let me know and I comment).
The Mezger boutique was full to the brim - and once about 2/3 of the invited guests moved on I took a quick snap and moved towards the watches.
Perhaps there is only one thing better than seeing the novelties for the fist time. That is seeing them for the second time.......
Some iPhone shots of watches we have all seen - but based on popular demand here are some wrist shots....
Starting with the Pilots Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar (Ref 3880) with the calibre 89635 movement (complete with soft iron inner case).
The Star - Big Pilots Watch Top Gun Miramar (Ref 5019) with the 51111 movement
Big Pilots Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun (a favorite) with the calibre 51614 movement. The more I have the chance to wear this watch the more I appreciate the skills of how it reaches my wrist. This one is my dealers favorite I feel.
Big Pilots watch with modified winding stem
Big Pilots Watch Top Gun (Ref 5019) - ceramic heaven !
The Pilots Watch Chronograph Top Gun - (ref 3888
THE PILOT'S WATCH DOUBLE CHRONOGRAPH REFERENCE 3778
PILOT'S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH REFERENCE 3777
PILOT'S WATCH WORLDTIMER REFERENCE 3262
PILOT’S WATCH MARK XVII REFERENCE 3265 (A basis of a Collectors Forum Watch 3 ?)
Moving to the Spitfire
SPITFIRE PERPETUAL CALENDAR DIGITAL DATE-MONTH REFERENCE 3791
SPITFIRE CHRONOGRAPH REFERENCE 3878
And although these events are highlighted by the splendid watches - its more important to recognize the individuals who make it all happen....
Form L-R (Maxime Mezger, Nick Mezger, Nicks friend whose name I didn't catch, Denise Mezger) - daughter, son, pro-daughter in law, wife of my dealer Urs. Maxime is wearing a steel Jubilee Portuguese, Nick is wearing a 55 mm Big Pilot 52 T. S. C., his friend is wearing a nice dress, and his mam is wearing a Da Vinci (rose gold with lots of diamonds)
In the flight jacket is Mark Griesmaier
Mark, Nick, Christian (In Flight attire) - with the collection in the midst
and finally I was promoted to Captain IWC pilot fan.....confirmed and sighted wearing the pilots chrono Patrouille Suisse.
Sincere thanks to the Mezger family for their First Class Hospitality - and I am looking forward to flying with Mezgair very soon - I hope they have a loyalty programme for collecting "Watch Miles". Thanks also to Mark and Christian from IWC Schaffhausen.
and then after all that excitement - back home for a glass of Ardbeg Alligator to get ready to post on the forum..... Cheers.
1,841 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 4, 2003White House, NJ,
United States
andrew, excellent, informative report. Thank you for providing another view of these great offerings. What was your reaction to the world timer after seeing it again? I'm still thrilled with it and waiting for NYC to open so I can wear it again. Hoping it will be mine in early May? Once again, thanks for taking us along. Regards, Kevin
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
nice post Andrew. the excitement clearly builds as the pilots fly in :)
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
444 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 27, 2011Hunan Province,
China
Great job Andrew, and thanks. Always so interesting and informative to be able to view these fun events. Quality wrist photos like yours really help personal decision making on the next incoming!
5,439 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 22, 2006
Alan - the straps have not changed on these models. However, it is confirmed that the ones that will be released on the market are different. They will be slightly "finer" less rough and also a little brighter in olive green colouration.
Edit update - Below you can see also the missing two chrono watches that I thought evaded me - which they did - but I visited the store again today to Double check and they were present and now I can present them.....
Below is the original post - with the two added chrono photos.
It was a lovely surprise to be invited by my local IWC Authorized dealer to join an event to be introduced to the Pilots collection. It was indeed a red carpet welcome......
something that only a few of us here are accustomed too.....(certainly the first novelty for me).
Inside the feeling of flying in first class was maintained with fantastic top class catering and refreshments - sorry no photos but delicious nevertheless.
I spent most of my time talking with Christian Bülte (IWC, Marketing Manager Schweiz) and Mark Griesmaier (IWC, Sales Manager Schweiz) - two totally excellent guys. We think we have passion for the brand - well this is certainly the case for these two splendid chaps. I was able to capture loads of really important bits and bobs of information - most of which I cannot share here immediately - but be patient I will add notes and elements of things over the next weeks - just to be sure that I am not sharing privileged information unnecessarily.
One thing to share though is a new boutique opening in Zürich in September. IWC will get the keys to the premises tomorrow and on Monday the IWC banners will be present on Bahnhofstrasse. Those in New York know how that feels - looking at an Opening Soon Banner - but the wait will soon be over - the date I think has been confirmed elsewhere on the forum (If not let me know and I comment).
The Mezger boutique was full to the brim - and once about 2/3 of the invited guests moved on I took a quick snap and moved towards the watches.
Perhaps there is only one thing better than seeing the novelties for the fist time. That is seeing them for the second time.......
Some iPhone shots of watches we have all seen - but based on popular demand here are some wrist shots....
Starting with the Pilots Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar (Ref 3880) with the calibre 89635 movement (complete with soft iron inner case).
The Star - Big Pilots Watch Top Gun Miramar (Ref 5019) with the 51111 movement
Big Pilots Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun (a favorite) with the calibre 51614 movement. The more I have the chance to wear this watch the more I appreciate the skills of how it reaches my wrist. This one is my dealers favorite I feel.
Big Pilots watch with modified winding stem
Big Pilots Watch Top Gun (Ref 5019) - ceramic heaven !
The Pilots Watch Chronograph Top Gun - (ref 3888
THE PILOT'S WATCH DOUBLE CHRONOGRAPH REFERENCE 3778
PILOT'S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH REFERENCE 3777
PILOT'S WATCH WORLDTIMER REFERENCE 3262
PILOT’S WATCH MARK XVII REFERENCE 3265 (A basis of a Collectors Forum Watch 3 ?)
Moving to the Spitfire
SPITFIRE PERPETUAL CALENDAR DIGITAL DATE-MONTH REFERENCE 3791
SPITFIRE CHRONOGRAPH REFERENCE 3878
And although these events are highlighted by the splendid watches - its more important to recognize the individuals who make it all happen....
Form L-R (Maxime Mezger, Nick Mezger, Nicks friend whose name I didn't catch, Denise Mezger) - daughter, son, pro-daughter in law, wife of my dealer Urs.
Maxime is wearing a steel Jubilee Portuguese, Nick is wearing a 55 mm Big Pilot 52 T. S. C., his friend is wearing a nice dress, and his mam is wearing a Da Vinci (rose gold with lots of diamonds)
In the flight jacket is Mark Griesmaier
Mark, Nick, Christian (In Flight attire) - with the collection in the midst
and finally I was promoted to Captain IWC pilot fan.....confirmed and sighted wearing the pilots chrono Patrouille Suisse.
Sincere thanks to the Mezger family for their First Class Hospitality - and I am looking forward to flying with Mezgair very soon - I hope they have a loyalty programme for collecting "Watch Miles".
Thanks also to Mark and Christian from IWC Schaffhausen.
and then after all that excitement - back home for a glass of Ardbeg Alligator to get ready to post on the forum..... Cheers.
Andrew
andrew.thomas1@mac.com
Last edited: 31 March, 2012 - 22:52
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Once again, thanks for taking us along.
Regards,
Kevin
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
best,
thang
iwcforummer@outlook.com
Last edited: 21 April, 2013 - 08:55
Regards
Dave
Last edited: 25 May, 2013 - 08:22
Nelson
Did the strap on the Miramar watches change since SIHH? It looks a little different to me.
Last edited: 18 June, 2013 - 19:31
However, it is confirmed that the ones that will be released on the market are different. They will be slightly "finer" less rough and also a little brighter in olive green colouration.
Andrew
andrew.thomas1@mac.com
Thanks for your report! I really enjoyed it!
Greetings, Martijn
Last edited: 6 July, 2012 - 10:18