New release IWC Big Pilot 43

[Ceaiu]

The news it's all over the internet.

This watch is very frustrating to me... it's everything I wanted from a Mark XVIII replacement:
- modern inhouse movement with 60h PR
- diamond shaped crown
- no awkward position for date window
and something extra with the quick change system.

but then... it's 43mm

Edit:
While, this is good update IMHO for the Big Pilot, I'm wandering how are they going to dumb down for a Mark XIX: no quick change system, no see through case back, still a Sellita based movement?

[travisb]

I liked it at 46mm and the PR indicator as well.
If I get a BP it'll be the now discontinued 46mm.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by travisb

I liked it at 46mm and the PR indicator as well.
If I get a BP it'll be the now discontinued 46mm.

I agree, it’s a big watch and supposed to be IMHO

That said, it’s always difficult to judge until you see them in person.

[denmanproject]

While I like the new 43mm BP its tough to justify the premium over the chrono for a simple 3 hander, your basically paying extra for the BP name and the crown

[ts3]

This one has a weird size at 43mm. Far too big for those like myself who prefer 38-40mm max standard pilot watches and too small for those who like 46+mm big pilots. Have an under-the-radar tool watch or get a statement piece... This one tries to do it all and doesn't excel at either IMO.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by ts3

This one has a weird size at 43mm. Far too big for those like myself who prefer 38-40mm max standard pilot watches and too small for those who like 46+mm big pilots. Have an under-the-radar tool watch or get a statement piece... This one tries to do it all and doesn't excel at either IMO.

Agree, 41 max and I’d consider

[jed11]

While I appreciate the reduction in the size (still a little large for my wrist but much better than the 46) and the display back, it's hard to say if this is a larger Mark XVIII or a smaller BP. I wish they kept the power reserve on it...that would make it attractive for me.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Ceaiu

The news it's all over the internet.

This watch is very frustrating to me... it's everything I wanted from a Mark XVIII replacement:
- modern inhouse movement with 60h PR
- diamond shaped crown
- no awkward position for date window
and something extra with the quick change system.

but then... it's 43mm

Edit:
While, this is good update IMHO for the Big Pilot, I'm wandering how are they going to dumb down for a Mark XIX: no quick change system, no see through case back, still a Sellita based movement?

I suspect that the eventual Mk XVIII replacement will be based on the current Spitfire (down to 39mm and newer in-house movement, but classic pilot dial).

Originally Posted by jed11

While I appreciate the reduction in the size (still a little large for my wrist but much better than the 46) and the display back, it's hard to say if this is a larger Mark XVIII or a smaller BP. I wish they kept the power reserve on it...that would make it attractive for me.

I think that probably was eliminated since it won't have the BP46's very impressive week-long reserve. I think a subsidiary seconds hand would have been better in terms of maintaining the look and adding some complexity to the it (esp. w/o a date on there).

[acaixguard]

I think this Big Pilot 43 is one of the stars of the show. A size that will work for most people, and a clean looking dial. The display caseback is a nice touch too. No need for a power reserve I my opinion. This looks like a winner.

[asiparks]

I think without the iconic PR, it's less of a Big Pilot and more of a chrono-less 3777. Especially on the bracelet.

I do like it quite a lot though.

[vman]

Is BP 46mm discounting?

[acaixguard]

Originally Posted by vman

Is BP 46mm discounting?

No

[jpwv]

I think the 43mm on bracelet is pretty cool. It looks like a Mark and a BP had a baby. With that said, if this is look of the Big Pilot going forward I don't like it. Furthermore, I think IWC perfected the Big Pilot on the first go around with the 5002.

[pdnb]

OG 5002 better I think....or as others said maybe should have been 41-42mm, keep onion crown and no date.


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[dbfagan]

Originally Posted by pdnb

OG 5002 better I think....or as others said maybe should have been 41-42mm, keep onion crown and no date.


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Agreed!

[woodsworth]

Kinda digging it. I’ll check them out once they arrive at the boutique here.

52mm lug to lug + 13mm thick will be quite wearable.

[polaris72]

Also prefer 46mm and PR indicator including the 7 day power reserve.

Anyone knows the lug width on Pilot and those small Chronos?

[GB-man]

I like the black dial on strap. It’s top 5 of the show for me so far.

[Moose500]

I am very interested to see it in person. There is a Bark and Jack video review of it and he raves about the bracelet. The fact that each link can be removed without a tool is interesting. The clasp looks fantastic.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by Moose500

I am very interested to see it in person. There is a Bark and Jack video review of it and he raves about the bracelet. The fact that each link can be removed without a tool is interesting. The clasp looks fantastic.

The bracelet reminds me of IWC's famed and comfortable pyramid bracelets of the Mark XV and contemporary IWC pilot chronos from 20 years ago. Quick change of the links via little push buttons just like 20 years ago too. If it wasn't for the taper and polished center links which I don't like here - IMO this one looks a lot better on the strap.

[ChaseATX]

I made the decision to purchase it. Was really looking into a 5002 but this makes the plunge into the BP an easier decision.

The lack of date and the slightly smaller size make it a slam dunk for me personally. I see this being on the wrist often.

One of the top releases at the show for me!

[DCheeta]

This isn’t replacing the real BP, so there’s no need for disappointment if you don’t like it. For me personally, it’s exactly what I’ve wanted on an IWC flieger.

I always wished the Mark XVIII didn’t have a date window, and that it was a little bigger with a cool diamond crown of the BP. But the BP was just too big for me. Now they have the perfect pilot for me! I’ll be checking out the black one on a strap.

One of my favorites of the show this year.

[jed11]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

This isn’t replacing the real BP, so there’s no need for disappointment if you don’t like it. For me personally, it’s exactly what I’ve wanted on an IWC flieger.

I always wished the Mark XVIII didn’t have a date window, and that it was a little bigger with a cool diamond crown of the BP. But the BP was just too big for me. Now they have the perfect pilot for me! I’ll be checking out the black one on a strap.

One of my favorites of the show this year.

agreed again.

[ap1]

I like chrono 41 Better but it’s too thick. This in 41 would be a buy. Looks like I’ll still go w/o an IWC

[997]

Pilot watches are supposed to be big. I've been thinking about the top-gun chrono for a very very long time and couldn’t pull the trigger because of its 44.5 size (6.75 wrist) but finally got one two weeks ago and it just feels right.. it must be big and looks good from a far.

The original BP looked ridiculous on me, 43 is the sweet spot for a “Big Pilot”.

[pdnb]

I still would like a 43mm big pilot with 7 day power reserve.... when I wild bring this up in the forums everyone would tell me this was a “medium Pilot” and there was a reason why the BP was called the big pilot... LOL. But I finally settled on a 5002 and pretty stoked with the dial layout and framed metal aperture date. I would pretty stoked to have a manual movement 43mm BP with no date


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[deuxani]

To me it’s already crazy they created a 43mm BIG Pilot, nothing big about 43mm, but it’s nice for people with smaller wrists to have the Big Pilot experience as it will still feel big (even though the power reserve is missing, but I can imagine them not wanting to put it there as the movement isn’t 7 days). But smaller than 43mm will most probably never happen. You can get a nice Spitfire if you want 39mm or so.

I do like this release though, very clean time only with a big crown. But the dial is a bit boring. A bit more depth on the hour markers would’ve been nice to compensate for not having a power reserve and no date.

[DoricSpiker]

The bracelet looks a great piece of engineering but I will be going for the black dial with leather. That sings to me with an IWC Pilot.

[pdnb]

Originally Posted by deuxani

To me it’s already crazy they created a 43mm BIG Pilot, nothing big about 43mm, but it’s nice for people with smaller wrists to have the Big Pilot experience as it will still feel big (even though the power reserve is missing, but I can imagine them not wanting to put it there as the movement isn’t 7 days). But smaller than 43mm will most probably never happen. You can get a nice Spitfire if you want 39mm or so.

I do like this release though, very clean time only with a big crown. But the dial is a bit boring. A bit more depth on the hour markers would’ve been nice to compensate for not having a power reserve and no date.

Agree!


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[17noir]

It's almost a slam dunk for me when I saw this release. Everything that I hoped for on a BP. I had both the 5004 and 5009 before, but just too big for my taste. Wish they could have gone even a bit smaller at 40-41mm.