“Boutique Only” IWC Blue Big Pilot Watch

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“Boutique Only” IWC Blue Big Pilot Watch
by Kyle Stults on July 25, 2010

Details, details…

This is the “Boutique-Only” blue-theme IWC Big Pilot watch that regular readers of the IWC Forum have been aware of for several months now. But since all of you are not regular readers of the IWC Forum, and because I read a somewhat uninformed article about the watch elsewhere, I thought I would shed some light on it here. Word is that this new IWC Big Pilot blue-theme watch will be a limited edition of 50 for the Beverly Hills and Las Vegas boutiques and delivery is anticipated in December 2010. The watch will bear a 5004 series reference number which is the same as the standard Big Pilot models — 46.2mm x 15.8mm case size with the IWC Calibre 5111 (automatic with 7-day power reserve).

While you can of course see for yourself that it is a pretty cool looking Big Pilot (it’s all in the cool blue color (dare I call it periwinkle?) and outline design of the numerals), I must say I am quite disappointed to hear that IWC plans to engrave the side of each watch case with “One out of Fifty”. “One out of Fifty” — seriously? Say it ain’t so! I think this is a terrible decision by IWC — as in terribly lazy. Individually numbered pieces (i.e. 1/50, 2/50…50/50) would be far more appreciated by collectors. Also, while I am nitpicking, I do not like partial numerals that are cut-off by the subdial (on this or any other watch). Still, I gotta say that this is one sweet looking watch!

And in case you are wondering (as one of our astute readers was), yes, the Blue Big Pilot comes with all its indices and numerals painted in SuperLuminova — bright blue SumerLuminova, to be precise.

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http://thefilmnest.com The Rake

This is a nice twist on the Big Pilot and the 7-day PR has always been a genius move to me. (10 days even better!). But yeah, the #’d pieces would make it more desired for collectors as well as now its just that little bit easier for counterfeits to be produced in this case. Still a watch with undeniable good looks and wrist presence.
GoJu

G’Day Kyle,
I guess with a colour scheme like this (‘Periwinkle’), the dial will not be luminous?
Do you know?
The IWC Plastiki Ingenieur has (as you probably know) orange markers and hands. The colour scheme is great but at night time or in low light, the Plastiki watch cannot be read without the aid of artificial light.
So, if the ‘Periwinkle’ Big Pilot is also not luminous then this might be a surprise for some people – especially since it’s a pilot’s watch.
However, I would still like to own one! Very much in fact.
And I agree with your comments about the numbering – ‘One of Fifty’ is nowhere near as appealing as an individual numbered piece. And The Rake makes a good point with regards to production of counterfeit copies.
Ciao…

Kyle

Russell,
Actually the hands/markers are luminous. I am told that it is a bright blue colored lume. Which is of course is imperative for a pilot’s watch, as you suggest! Thanks for the comment and I have update my main post for the benefit of future readers!
Cheers
Kyle