Patrick_y's original post offers a firsthand look at IWC's innovative 'Big Pilot Traveling Exhibition,' a unique pop-up experience showcasing the brand's iconic Big Pilot collection. His insights into the 43mm Big Pilot's wearability and the exhibition's structure provide valuable context for collectors interested in IWC's direct-to-consumer engagement strategies and recent releases. This article synthesizes his observations with community contributions, offering a comprehensive overview of the event and the watches featured.
I had the pleasure of visiting the BIG PILOT Traveling Exhibition yesterday! Where I got to see some of IWC's latest releases including their 43mm Big Pilot, which I'm pleased to say is a nice size!
Made of a series of shipping containers, the BIG PILOT Exhibition is making several stops in the United States! Here's the itinerary...
• Palo Alto, CA – September 30th to October 3rd, 2021
• Newport Beach, CA – 7th to October 11th, 2021
• Scottsdale, AZ – 14th to October 17th, 2021
• Miami, FL – 21st to October 24th, 2021
• Charleston, SC – 28st to October 31st, 2021
• Houston, TX – 4th to November 7th, 2021
• New York, NY – 11th to November 14th, 2021
Situated in the elegant Stanford Shopping Center (adjacent to Stanford University), the exhibit gives consumers a taste of what Baselworld or SIHH used to look like at a much smaller scale.
Perhaps one of the most important launches for IWC in the decade, the new Big Pilot in 43mm, smaller than its 46mm original, intends to bring the world of the Big Pilot to a broader range of people who wouldn't wear the 46mm version. Furthermore, IWC has pioneered an easy change strap system, because the previous system was extremely difficult. A watchmaker couldn't get the spring bar fork tool between the lugs and the strap since the strap material was so incredibly stiff! Many watches were accidentally scratched because of this. Now, the new system is so easy to use that even consumers can use it without tooling.
Lewis Hamilton's Formula 1 Team is sponsored by IWC.
Kurt Klaus is telling me to visit the IWC Booth! Yes Herr Klaus, I will, I shall! Herr Klaus always points people to the good products, especially at the SIHH show.
As dusk falls over Silicon Valley, the IWC party is still going strong, as guests stay well into the night discussing their passions about horology.
If you're a fan of IWC and the exhibit is in your town, it's definitely worth a detour for you to see some of the latest pieces in a super casual and fun environment!
