wearing this ref 3705 today, which most would recognize as the first ceramic pilot watch IWC created, and having just received a new strap for another IWC from my strap maker, got me to thinking about pilots and ceramics and straps, and how the line has evolved - straps a-changing as well.
(corrections welcome should I be inaccurate in any of the below).
the 39mm ref 3705, about 1200 pieces produced from 1994 to 1997 (my estimate), and using the Valjoux 7750 as a base movement, IWC had two calibres in this reference: cal 7902 during 1994 - 1997 and cal 7912 in & around 1997.
I am hunting for a German dial ref 3705 or 3706 still to pair with this baby...
and there was then a long pause for ceramic offerings in the pilot (or indeed any?) line, before the following were introduced:
the 44mm ref 3786 in 2006, 1000 pcs limited production. not my pic - forgot to snap a few when I was offered one, and I suppose this one is rather high on my wishlist.
the 46mm ref 379904 circa 2007 Carlson, 50 pcs LE, and mine for a very short while...(pic is mine)
I'm just not the 'blue guy' when it comes to watches...
the 46mm ref 379903 circa 2007 'Zegg & Cerlati', 30 or 31? (interesting discussion can be had here) pieces LE which is high on my wishlist (pic not mine)
the 46mm ref 379901 circa 2007 'Top Gun', 'unlimited' production ? still one of my favorite light stealth big watches.
the 44mm ref 3789 Top Gun single CHrono, circa 2008, 'unlimited' production ?
and then another pause before the 2012 pilot editions...
and of course the rather fashionable coloured pilots of this year...
and in my walkabouts around the crazy watch town that is HK, I have spotted a couple of 'changed' IWC watches that have been have been coated with PVD as prototypes as IWC considered creating ceramic models - represented to me by a veteran watch dealer who supposedly has close ties with the Schaffhausen production factories...
so we have seen the ceramic pilot editions move from 39mm to 46mm for the non Big Pilots. Noteworthy to keep in mind that the 2012 ceramic 46 mm are in a beefier case mould than the earlier 46mms of 2006-2008 -- perhaps a reaction to the reports of cracked ceramic cases ? I am guessing here.
**as a side note, having had the opportunity to sit beside Kurt Klaus last month during lunch, I asked the master if 'watches were too big' today, to which he replied with a tentative 'Yes'.... and continued with '...but if you look at the lady opposite us wearing the Big Pilot (in steel)... it looks wonderful on her!".
I agree - big and magnificent is a great collecting aesthetic that has a part of my watch collecting palette. It cannot comprise my core diet, nor can it be a big part of it, but it is certainly a part.
thanks for reading...