Toadtorrent Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 While much of the luxury watch market has focussed on the bigger names of horological design and history like Rolex, Patek, Vacheron Constantin the International Watch Company to the general public, has kept a much lower profile. Where those seeking recognition in their luxury pickings will likely pick names like Rolex, Omega and Breitling those in the horological "know" will at some time likely gravitate to IWC. Having a history dating back to 1868, IWC is arguably now considered the brand of choice for watch enthusiasts. Mention IWC in the watch world, and RWG especially, and you will easily find information on the Aquatimer series, and the black dialed 3717-01. The excitement generated by the 3717-01 Classic Pilot's Chrono in spite of its simplicity in design might well make it one of the most popular IWCs and possibly reps ever made. But is this all that IWC has to offer? Is the black dialed cockpit instrument styling all that IWC has to offer? Definitely not. So on that note, welcome to my review of the sleeper IWC hit - my Silix IWC 3717-02/05 Spitfire Chrono. IWC HISTORY While I wrote a summarized history of the IWC company in my post on the 2006 Cousteau Divers Aquatimer available here: - Toad's Review of the IWC Cousteau Divers It should be noted that under the direction of Richemont, the IWC product line has been split into their top of the line pieces like the Grande Complications and Da Vinci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usil Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 I always like this watch and wondered it did not get more attention. Great review. I bet a few will be sold now. Usil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Excellent review and one for the IWC Buyers Guide (Pugs). I Love mine: -ETA Day/Date wheels -Ziggy Lume Job -Chief Double AR -TWB Brown Gator strap -TWB Black Buffalo strap -IWC Rep Deployant from Angus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 I'm going to have to come back to this again and again.. thank you for the time and work TT.. I definately think the chief t.. AR is what the rep needs... Awesome.. thank you again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victoria Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 OMG. This review is like ice cream, and the IWC Spitfire Chrono is pistachio dripping on your tongue! What a magnus opus. One of the best I've seen, and certainly one of the most complete in all my time here (redolent of SD4000's Heritage review or Andreww's Breitling guides). Needless-to-say, I'm still pouring over it, and I especially love the photographs, but I wanted to say congrats, Toady!! (That Dluddy has this watch goes a long way with me. That boy is just classy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Brilliant review of a classic watch! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Excellent review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadweller4000 Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Awesome review Toad! I specially like how you point out the modification abilities and of course your great pictures. Thank you for your work, you have done some serious reviews lately! Keep on the good work! Of course, I will link this to the community guide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Well what a nice review, my hat of to you senior Toad ... superb writeup with prime photography! Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted April 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Thank you for your work, you have done some serious reviews lately! ... Of course, I will link this to the community guide. Thanks again. I only have a couple more reviews planned down the road...then I have to figure out what other reps to get before I do anymore. I never really thought if IWCs very much until I went to the AD and held one in my hand...then...WHOAAH!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceberg1459 Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 This review made me think twice about this watch which i never liked before, brilliant review, thumbs up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted April 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 OMG. This review is like ice cream, and the IWC Spitfire Chrono is pistachio dripping on your tongue! What a magnus opus. One of the best I've seen, and certainly one of the most complete in all my time here (redolent of SD4000's Heritage review or Andreww's Breitling guides). Mmmmm...pistachio gelatto... Can you tell my inspiration for doing these? SD4K's SOH and Cousteau Divers reviews were inspiration for sure...and the pics inspiration from the usual...Stephane, By-Tor, Pix, et al...too many to mention. I also did a Crazy Hours review an the Cousteau Divers review while you were off on vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Now I don't know which is which.. the case back on the left marked genuine.. is the same case back I have on my laureus white dial rep .. I've never seen the case back on the right.. I aquired my laureus upon initial release from my collector... unless different collectors used various case backs ? If the case back marked genuine is the real deal then that's what I have.. can we clarify this please.. And ...on point... I recall stating.... (when I posted pics a few months ago) that the minute hand is longer by about 1mm .. what I implyed by "you" can take it down.. is you can decide if you would want to get it modded.. as I would not want anyone to think that I could attempt to do whaat Ziggy does.. Just wanted to clear that up a bit.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted April 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 the case back on the left marked genuine.. is the same case back I have on my laureus white dial rep .. I've never seen the case back on the right.. I aquired my laureus upon initial release from my collector... unless different collectors used various case backs ? If the case back marked genuine is the real deal then that's what I have.. can we clarify this please.. And ...on point... I recall stating.... (when I posted pics a few months ago) that the minute hand is longer by about 1mm .. what I implyed by "you" can take it down.. is you can decide if you would want to get it modded.. as I would not want anyone to think that I could attempt to do whaat The Zigmeister does.. Just wanted to clear that up a bit.. Hi Lani, The pic I had of the one marked "GEN" was from a Spitfire from the Joyful Collection. It looks like the GEN 3717-01/02/04/05 share the same caseback...while the 09 has the Limited Edition St. Exupery Caseback...and the Laureus the special back as well. If you got the one on the left initially with your St. Exupery...that would be incorrect for the 3717-09 from what I understand...but NOT for the 01/02/04/05. A quick surf through Angus and Andrew seems to show that the Classic Pilot's have the right caseback (3717-01/04), but for some reason the factories made a special caseback for the Spitfire (3717-02/05), which according to the Joyful Collection gen samples, should not be the case - the casebacks from what I can find should be the same for the 3717-01/02/04/5. That's funny that the CN factories would go about creating a new back...that is inaccurate. It would have been cheaper to keep the same back as the 3717-01/04 and keep production costs down by reducing inventory variance. SO...if you got a "happy kid drawing" caseback for your Laureus, and a spare one like the pic on the left marked GEN...pop me a PM and I'll buy it off you!! As to doing a hand mod yourself...I know you're smarter than that. You, like me...will leave such matters to the Master Up North. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 thank you for the info.. it looks like I have all the correct case backs then.. ... I was sent an extra case set for my white dial as the maker released the initial version with single AR so I was notified by my collector the next day of the error and sent another case set.. thanks again.T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo5555 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 u da man... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-EZ- Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Very well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobs1971 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Excellent writeup, thnx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridius Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Thanks for this incredible review. I don't how I missed it until today! Angus shipped mine on Monday - can't wait to get it on my wrist. I like your strap - I've been wondering what strap to get that is close to the gen. Thanks again for all of the time you obviously put into this. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbird Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Does anyone have this on a black (or brown I guess) pilot strap with screws? In my head I really want that but wanted to see what it looked like if anyone is rolling that way. Great review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francisco Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Thanks for this incredible review. I don't how I missed it until today! Angus shipped mine on Monday - can't wait to get it on my wrist. I like your strap - I've been wondering what strap to get that is close to the gen. Thanks again for all of the time you obviously put into this. . . I think that there is a difference between Angus and Silix versions. Small choono hands on Angus version are smaller than in the genuine/sillix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swissaddict Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 AMAZING review. I've got a black gator strap on this same watch and it looks almost dressy! Probably my favorite rep currently. Again, really great review you've put together on a beautiful watch!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 i love reading these things, thanks for the time and effort you but into a great review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridius Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 I think that there is a difference between Angus and Silix versions. Small choono hands on Angus version are smaller than in the genuine/sillix. I didn't catch that from the photos . . but now that I go back to Angus' photos of the watch, it looks like this could definitely be true . . all the shots are from an angle so it is hard to be absolutely sure. It is hard to even know if what is photographed on his site is exactly what he shipped - guess since it is on the way I'll have to wait. Thanks for the heads up though - do you know if there was a particular member purchase/post that confirmed the angus version had short subdial hands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francisco Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 I didn't catch that from the photos . . but now that I go back to Angus' photos of the watch, it looks like this could definitely be true . . all the shots are from an angle so it is hard to be absolutely sure. It is hard to even know if what is photographed on his site is exactly what he shipped - guess since it is on the way I'll have to wait. Thanks for the heads up though - do you know if there was a particular member purchase/post that confirmed the angus version had short subdial hands? Check for example, PerfectClones. The pictures show crearly shorter hands. However, do not warry, pictures magnify this flaw. I am asking Silix if his model is still avalaible and no answer for two weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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