The Breitling Watch Source Forums

The other thread about the Seiko Marinemaster got me thinking, a number of people had commented on what they believed was Seiko's attempt to rip off the Rolex Deepsea, even though the Marine master line was around for far, far longer than the Deepsea.

So this got me agooglin' for info, and it seems there are MANY iconic watch designs that were produced by a number of companies, but the one with the largest marketing/presense always seems to "own" the design in the minds of the modern customer.

Case in point, the IWC Big Pilot. Did some research here because I really like this watch. Turns out, that during WWII no less than five companies made the same design, the B-Uhr Pilot watchs, they are: IWC, A. Lange & Söhne, Laco, Wempe and Stowa.

Now I can see someone not feeling very comfortable buying, say a Debaufre Nav B-Uhr or a Tourby Pilot because they were not part of the original german/Swiss manufacturers. But to say that IWC and only IWC have the legitimate claim to the design in a bit short sided in my opinion.

Stowa for instance make a VERY nice Airman watch that they have been producing since before WWII. In fact they have an entire line, one of which is an exact, unchanged model that was issued to German pilots, it even has the original dimensions. It is of cource almost impossible to get, unless you are on their waiting list for a year or so.

http://www.german-watches.com/cgi-bin/l ... b--flieger

The IWC, in my opinion, is the better made, better finished modern representitive of the WWII Pilot watches. But that Stowa is a better bargain, just as authentic, and truely historic.

Same goes for the Seiko and many other watches out there. Cant say that the Steelfish is a copy of the Omega Seamster either.

Just a little rambling folks, I'm better now.

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Certified watch nut.

Well look at that, it seems that the new Navy Seal Alarm diver from jaeger was originaly called the Deep Sea, in homage to the Jaeger Memovox Deep Sea released over 50 years ago!!

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Certified watch nut.

All valid points there Altair.

I must be honest but my opinion on the Seiko is more driven by the likely build and name more than anything else. A bit of "brand snobbery" if you like! Not that there is anything wrong with Seiko, and their Spring Drive system is brilliant, but I just feel that they are "punching above their weight" a bit with a £4K dive watch.

The other thing is, brand awareness and public perception counts a lot in terms of what people perceive as being the "original". In the case of this Seiko (and me not being a huge Seiko fan), I wasn't aware that it predated the Rolie Deepsea design. However, the Deepsea is the one we all know because of it's marketing and the fact that it's a Rolex, so loads of "watch-aholics" go weak at the knees. And as we all know, company heritage is worth a heck of a lot in the watch world. A new company like Cvstos may make superb watches, but without the heritage and network they will struggle to find a mass market for years on end. It's unfortunate, but that's how the watch world works.

In terms of the Big Pilot, IWC first made that model back in the 40's, so while they may not be the first or indeed only company to have produced that style, they certainly have a pretty good claim to it IMHO due to their heritage.

But I also think a lot comes down to what is the better watch. For me, the IWC BP is THE traditional pilot's watch..... and that's due to looks, build, function....., everything really. So while there may be manufacturers that have made something similar for longer, the fact that the IWC version is SO good means that that is the quintessential pilot's watch to me.

Just my thoughts.....

Interesting thread Altair!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

As of seiko they make wonderful watches under the Grand Seiko brand like The Credor Spring Drive Sonnerie (http://people.timezone.com/mdisher/seik ... rie1lg.jpg" target="_blank) etc. This watch is definetly worth more than 4K$ but I would definately not pay that price for something like a sportura kinetic limited edition. I am an owner of a sportura kinetic but i dislike the movement, it's a nice watch but the movement lacks the mystery of a watch with a soul.

P.S. I've bought a Pulsar automatic watch (Seiko movement) as a gift, but a +25 sec a day isn't acceptable.

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Super Avenger, Black, Batons, Pro 2
SuperOcean Heritage 46, Black, Ocean Classic

I agree, and the name is what holds me off. I have seen the watch in the metal and it VERY finely made and finished. Easly as well made as an SA for instance. The movement is superb and the complications are impressive, but the name alone holds me back.

At least Toyota had the sense to rename their higher end products (Lexus). If Seiko had called it anything else it would be easier to pull the trigger as my mind has assosiated the brand with lower quality budget products.

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Certified watch nut.

Well as for Seiko it's called Credor. Very hard to get by or serviced outside of Japan.

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Super Avenger, Black, Batons, Pro 2
SuperOcean Heritage 46, Black, Ocean Classic