cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17137
Hi Jon, thanks for the question
The virtue of a perpetual with year display is you always know WHEN you took pictures IF you are a picture-taking guy. I am. So I can safely say my ownership began in Sept 2003 and continues to today. Note the period "stereo".
When I bought the watch (used) it had one curious flaw, it wasn't switching correctly - one subdial hand (date or weekday) would change at noon, the other at midnight. I called the dealer I bought it from, he said he would pay to fix it, and sent me to a watchmaker. When I got there the watchmaker turned out to be a bicycling buddy I hadn't seen for 10-15 years. He looked at the IWC, thought about it, said he'd call me when he figured it out. The next day it was fixed and I have never quite understood his explanation but it has run flawlessly since.
In fact I just talked to Ken this week and
he lamented how old he feels, this being the 20th anniversary of that
repair. He told me it needs a service by now; I said I would sent it
right up. He said "Don't!"
Back to the IWC. So in those 20 years I have had no reason to open up the watch. That's not like me because I usually open most of my watches, but this one is very darn complicated and because I have "the book" I know I'm not ready to dig into it.
I haven't done a formal test, but since I started it 3 days ago for the big end-of-Feb changeover, it has lost less than a minute. So say 10-15 seconds a day slow, roughly.
I have not abused it but I don't baby it either... Shortly after I bought it I met Kurt Klaus the brain behind the perpetual design, and he asked me if I'd gone swimming or surfing with it -- I said No. Not yet. "Jah, but we designed it for water so go to the beach."
This was also in 2003, I had just paid $7500 for the watch which was a
serious amount to risk splashing around in salt water (in my mind).
But I wasn't opposed to bar diving, and dropped it into a glass of water at the Purists Feb changeover party in Los Angeles.
I have the rare Velcro strap adaptor for the GST bracelet. Good for diving with a wetsuit. (Why?)
I did use it on a boat frequently when I was doing a book on whales.
I've traveled extensively with it.
And used it in the garden.
About 2016 I got a split second GST titanium so they could be pals.
and they've been inseparable ever since. No service on either. That's about all I have to offer, except that I love the LONG second hand with the open arrow tip(s) that line up perfectly with the markers (and the split hand)
Finally I got the opportunity to buy another legendary perpetual, and here it is with the IWC.
I say GO for it if you find one you like.
Cazalea
Take it in salt water and let me know if you have any problems ... 
Nice lume for 20+ years at work
Especially impressed by the sub-dial needles! Cazalea ...
I have been admiring all your posts about this watch. It’s great looking.
What’s it been like to live with in terms of day to day accuracy and frequency and cost of service? All the best, Jon
Hi Jon, thanks for the question
The virtue of a perpetual with year display is you always know WHEN you took pictures IF you are a picture-taking guy. I am. So I can safely say my ownership began in Sept 2003 and continues to today. Note the period "stereo". When I bought the watch (use...
Wow, thanks very much Mike for such a detailed response!
From your historic posts I knew that you loved this watch, and this post has just affirmed that! When Kurt Klaus said that you could take the GST watches to the beach I’m sure he didn’t say anything about compost heaps! I had the titanium automatic Chrono...
That's not a compost heap! We keep our little pets happy with trimmings - this is where they live
Can a worm be a pet? Why not? Even though it's near freezing, I have pneumonia, and the worms are having breakfast, here's a photo just for you: (not the perpetual - I set it down around the house somewhere, but you get the idea) Mike ...
Haha, thanks for picture Mike.
And no, there’s nothing wrong with worms! Take care, Jon
