The Breitling Watch Source Forums

An anyone give me a general opinion of IWC watches. I've seen a few that I like but I don't have any first Gand knowledge about them as a brand. Thanks

Founder was an American who moved to Switzerland because of cheap hydro-electric power.
Try Wickipedia.
As for as watch....Pretty good, use ETA Movts. Check Watch Snob, Ablog To Read, and other sites.
A grain of salt...."Like what you like, buy what you like"

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"In the end there can be but one"

Of course if you did read the Wikipedia article you would learn that not all movements are ETA as they have used other brands movements and are also a manufacture.

There are quite a few people here who have / had IWC pieces so a quick search will help, and I am sure that Driver8 will be able to tell you about his IWC Big Pilot that doubles as a fan.

Oh yes.

I won't go into it again - there are posts of mine on here about it in more detail - but suffice to say the in-house 51111 movement in my Big Pilot is crap with a capital C... and a capital R........... and while we're about it we may as well throw in a capital A and P as well. Gains like you wouldn't believe despite multiple trips to IWC UK and one to IWC Switzerland.

I'm sure the higher-beating/shorter power reserve in-house movements, plus the ETA based pieces, are all fine though.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I had a 3717-01 and a 3717-02 as well as a Aquatimer. I loved the 3717's but did not care for the AT.

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Suunto Elementum Terra
Schaumburg Watch, Lindbergh & Benson AquaTitan
Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600
~ RotaryRx7

Hi All!

Currently. I own three IWC's and thus far their customer service is grand. Just like Breitling's use to be in the 1990's before they became popular. IWC even has Saturday customer service hours which is great.

As for the movements they are ETA or it has been reported to be Solita (not sure on the spelling, not home now to check - sorry) on the newer entry models. However. IWC produces some in-house movements that can rival any watch manufacture in Switzerland or the world for that matter. Additionally. IWC invented the A2 part of the ETA 2892 - A2.

Cheers.

Enezdez

P.S need to go back to work now.

My understanding is that the ETA based pieces are often heavily modified by IWC, to a greater degree than many manufacturers who use ETA movements. I have generally heard that the modifications are good improvements, but it also means that you may need to send it to someone specially trained to service it and that if it requires parts, it may need to go to Richemont, the conglomerate owner of IWC. Fortunately, they do have a couple of service locations in the U.S.

I really like how they use gold in their non-gold cased watches, all stainless except for the markers/numerals and often a blued second or chrono hand. Like the bracelets, too. I have wanted a silver dial/gold numeral GST chrono for some time, though I already have two Valjoux 7750 -based watches already and the Yacht is not that far off in overall color. The Portugueser is an icon on par with the Sub and the Navitimer. The original Cousteau Divers is a classic as well.

Overall, I think it's a highly reputable brand, though the in-house movement issue is documented above and I have also heard about some cheapening or product dumping on the lower end. I still need one.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless