5,019 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 29, 2003Sarasota, FL,
United States
OK, it has been almost three months since SIHH. We had a great run of thousands of hits expressing interest in a third Forum watch. I know we talked about every conceivable permutation and combination of possible watches. We answered and participated in surveys. We dreamed of Pallwebers and pilots and vintage Ingys and aquatimers.... The whole thing was and is very exciting.
But it has been silent for a while now.... So, is there any news to report? Are we going to get good news? MF???
5,421 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 22, 2006
I am acting under the premise that "all good things come to those who wait" - and I hope the waiting time is due to very creative activities happening in the mean time.
Andrew, you are "spot on". IWC been very much working on this project. It may seem like a long time but in reality it's been about 12 weeks since the possibility was first raised.
By coincidence I communicated with Schaffhausen today on this, and the project is still proceeding. At any stage it's always possible that there could be a problem so please don't count on a watch --at least yet. I think one is highly likely, however.
I've discussed this project in detail with staff in Schaffhausen, who in turn have talked to other key executives in various departments, like product management, design, marketing, etc. So far, everyone is in in favor of the project and enthusiastically likes the idea of supporting our collectors' forum community. The vote that people give us, not only for the watch but for the entire Forum group, is a real compliment. We've learned of parameters and there also additional issues to be worked on, including production, marketing (that is, how people apply) and distribution, let alone final approval. Producing a watch involves a series of complex and interrelated steps.
Also, IWC has a policy that special editions for any new models can only be released in the year following the model's debut. It's therefore likely that any CF3 watch won't be actually deliverable until early 2013. Also, some customizations just can't occur as a practical matter. For example (and if I understand this correctly) if the watch were to have a special strap (say for 200 watches) then another 600 straps have to be kept in inventory for replacements, and then owners of other watches could buy the strap (that is, we can't do an exclusive strap). But in all events a special strap requiring another 3x in inventory expontentially increases internal costs.
That said --and don't let these considerations deter you one bit-- I think you'll really like what's been discussed. I'll report on more as soon as I can. It still may be a few more months.
3,730 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
Consumer enthousiasm as displayed by us all is difficult to meet, I guess. A signal now and then would be nice, but if that signal is "just wait a bit more" that signal is better omitted. I just hope the momentum doesn't disappear, but I really don't expect it to.
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)
5,019 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 29, 2003Sarasota, FL,
United States
The UK Greg Wrote:Patience is a virtue that Alan needs to practise! ;-) or in Alan's case :-(
Patience is a virtue that Alan did practice. Biggest smile possible. The inquiry got us some valuable information. Impatience had nothing to do with it.
Bravo on the probability of the CF3 coming to fruition!!!!
456 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 18, 2009Northbridge,
Australia
Thanks for prompting what was on all of our mind's Alan and thank you Michael for the tidbit of information and teaser you provided - this is going to be some build up I bet and one that we are are very much looking forward to and excited to see when it comes to fruition!
Time is something invented by the Swiss to help sell more watches
Sunflower Wrote:Consumer enthousiasm as displayed by us all is difficult to meet, I guess. A signal now and then would be nice, but if that signal is "just wait a bit more" that signal is better omitted. I just hope the momentum doesn't disappear, but I really don't expect it to.
Kind regards, Paul
I guess you meant well, but I perceive your post as incorrect and unconstructive. If you would prefer I not report that "progress is continuing" and that I'm wasting my time, I suspect most others would very much disagree with you.
If you expect to see drawings now, you're at best unrealistic. I have seen drawings, but I really can't disclose anything until everything is final. I think most forum members would understand that.
If you expect IWC to seize momentum and produce an edition in two or three months,you hugely underestimate what's involved with any production. Almost all watches take a year, given perhaps 10 levels of approval, 50 different suppliers, and complicated logistics of production .
If this watch will sell primarily due to initial enthusiasm, that will be a shame. I expect to sell because of special design and personalization, and because it represents something important to many avid forum members.
I know we talked about every conceivable permutation and combination of possible watches. We answered and participated in surveys. We dreamed of Pallwebers and pilots and vintage Ingys and aquatimers....
The whole thing was and is very exciting.
But it has been silent for a while now.... So, is there any news to report? Are we going to get good news? MF???
Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49
Andrew
andrew.thomas1@mac.com
By coincidence I communicated with Schaffhausen today on this, and the project is still proceeding. At any stage it's always possible that there could be a problem so please don't count on a watch --at least yet. I think one is highly likely, however.
I've discussed this project in detail with staff in Schaffhausen, who in turn have talked to other key executives in various departments, like product management, design, marketing, etc. So far, everyone is in in favor of the project and enthusiastically likes the idea of supporting our collectors' forum community. The vote that people give us, not only for the watch but for the entire Forum group, is a real compliment. We've learned of parameters and there also additional issues to be worked on, including production, marketing (that is, how people apply) and distribution, let alone final approval. Producing a watch involves a series of complex and interrelated steps.
Also, IWC has a policy that special editions for any new models can only be released in the year following the model's debut. It's therefore likely that any CF3 watch won't be actually deliverable until early 2013. Also, some customizations just can't occur as a practical matter. For example (and if I understand this correctly) if the watch were to have a special strap (say for 200 watches) then another 600 straps have to be kept in inventory for replacements, and then owners of other watches could buy the strap (that is, we can't do an exclusive strap). But in all events a special strap requiring another 3x in inventory expontentially increases internal costs.
That said --and don't let these considerations deter you one bit-- I think you'll really like what's been discussed. I'll report on more as soon as I can. It still may be a few more months.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 19 April, 2012 - 23:51
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47
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)
Patience is a virtue that Alan did practice. Biggest smile possible.
The inquiry got us some valuable information. Impatience had nothing to do with it.
Bravo on the probability of the CF3 coming to fruition!!!!
Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Time is something invented by the Swiss to help sell more watches
I guess you meant well, but I perceive your post as incorrect and unconstructive. If you would prefer I not report that "progress is continuing" and that I'm wasting my time, I suspect most others would very much disagree with you.
If you expect to see drawings now, you're at best unrealistic. I have seen drawings, but I really can't disclose anything until everything is final. I think most forum members would understand that.
If you expect IWC to seize momentum and produce an edition in two or three months,you hugely underestimate what's involved with any production. Almost all watches take a year, given perhaps 10 levels of approval, 50 different suppliers, and complicated logistics of production .
If this watch will sell primarily due to initial enthusiasm, that will be a shame. I expect to sell because of special design and personalization, and because it represents something important to many avid forum members.
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 20 April, 2012 - 00:34
Credit Card locked and loaded!
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com