remarque
807
Tony, marvelous added background. I highly commend your group for a wholly successful result. If you look at my original post from Dec 31, 2017,
Jan 15, 2018,12:38 PM
I wrote that I though a cursive script International Watch Co would have been the cherry on top! Great minds think alike, as they say. I assumed the manual wind hacking central seconds movement was not (easily) accessible. Since the dial was created for the project, I do find it interesting that IWC would not allow the cursive script for the project. And yes, the cockpit style 3-6-9 predates the Rolex explorer; I used that as a more simple reference point. Thank you for your precision and enjoy the most lustworthy product of you and your friends efforts. Maybe include me in your next special project! Marc
Comments:
view entire thread
Mystery watch revealed, sort of...
By: remarque : January 11th, 2018-19:02
I posted this pic of an IWC watch which I happened to discover. I thought it was lovely; it was the first IWC watch that I could see purchasing, owning, wearing. But from where did it come? And how? It was nowhere to be found on the IWC website. So began ...
One last thought...
By: remarque : January 12th, 2018-07:10
As I have reflected on the limited facts at hand, one that has stood out is that "all pieces were pre-sold prior to production." The only way I can explain this is that the special event with Andrew Thomas, either hosted by or for/with him, was in fact a ...
I caught wind of this watch on an IG post back in Nov 2017
By: reintitan : January 13th, 2018-01:27
I emailed IWC about purchasing one and got this response: 12/3/17 Dear Mr. xxxxxx, Thank you for your interest in IWC Schaffhausen. In regards to your inquiry, the Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII edition "Andrew Thomas" IW327008 valued at 4,150 USD is unavailabl...
Very nice story! The hunt is on then?
By: eklektik : January 13th, 2018-11:46
I guess meeting with Andrew Thomas to trace the 27 watches would be an idea! I am not sure the font for numerals is the Portuguese one, the 9 is rather different, straighter/flatter and longer on the middle right. Keep us updated if you find one! I really...
Regards from 17/27
By: tonnyberteloot : January 13th, 2018-14:24
And I am happy to have the Portugieser 75th as well in my collection. Two beauties
Regards from 17/27 answer
By: tonnyberteloot : January 13th, 2018-21:41
Hi Marc, will post the picture of the caseback later. I am at Sihh the whole week and I haven't the watch with me. The watch was created by some iwc collectors during a drink at a collectors meeting. The idea was to make a small run of these watches as a ...
24x7.... actually!
By: 8541 Vintage : January 14th, 2018-02:50
Tonny, indeed I am one of the fortunate to not only own one of these handsome timepieces but also to have been present at its “birth” - when the original idea and design of “the perfect watch for pilots” was born during the October 2015 IWC Collectors Mee...
Wonderful Story
By: stevenokes : January 14th, 2018-07:08
I have always wanted a “simple”, easy to read Pilot like this. Struggle to find the “perfect “ version but, for me, I think this is it. As others have said, perhaps IWC will take the hint!
The caseback
By: tonygomes : January 15th, 2018-03:23
Good research, however, although you got some of the facts right, some were quite wrong. This watch was supposed to have stayed under the RADAR, but it appears the cat is out of the bag. The actual and detailed story of its genesis will one day be written...
The Genesis
By: tonygomes : January 15th, 2018-09:39
As the design progressed, in the back of a restaurant menu, in that auspicious evening of 8 October 2015 the Special Watch for Aviators was being conceived by a small group of collectors to be the perfectest IWC traditional pilot's watch, with form strict...
Production and distribution
By: tonygomes : January 16th, 2018-13:11
We could have designed the Special Watch For Aviators to be the perfectest pilot's watch since the Mark 11, but we did not have the means to turn the project into reality. After all, we were just a bunch of dedicated collectors, and in order to make it ha...
To the best of my knowledge all 27 were sold...
By: tonygomes : January 16th, 2018-17:55
...but I would not be surprised if/when one shows up in the secondary market, although that would be against the spirit of this project. However, in view of the interest the SWFA generated among IWC aficionados, I would not be surprised if IWC come up wit...
A great page-turner watch story, great work!
By: Joepny : January 17th, 2018-04:59
Now I would like to see our newest PPro members tonnyberteloot & 8541 vintage & tonygomes share more watches that they own and other stories they have. Hint, hint. Very cool! 😁 As a side note, this story makes IWC more compelling to me than any of their g...
Thank you for sharing this fantastic discovery.
By: kolosstt : January 17th, 2018-08:10
I saw Andrew Thomas on Instagram connected IWC posts. Never knew who he was. Now, there is light and even more so a great story about a truly attractive watch. Thank you very much for bringing it to my attention. Like it! Cheers Kolosstt
I highly recommend you get
By: reintitan : January 20th, 2018-10:35
an IWC Mark 11 (RAF, BOAC, or civilian) or even better yet a JLC RAF Mark 11 or RAAF Mark XI to fill your pilot/navigator's/aviator's watch void. The dial and hands pattern of the Mark 11 specification watches are the standard since 1948 and have not been...