Posts filed under IWC

Experience: IWC Boutique. Bahnhofstrasse 61, Zurich.

Located right on Bahnhofstrasse 61 not far from Credit Suisse, the IWC Boutique is a must see if you live in Zurich or if you are just visiting. This boutique just opened back in September of 2012 and follows the same interior design concept of all other boutiques. Just a few blocks away from the main train station, this boutique blends in nicely with Zürich's architecture and look of most store fronts. Regardless, you just can't miss it. When closed for business, all windows are protected by metallic curtains in white with a black IWC logo at the bottom. The window displays are eye catching and very well done.

Once inside, you will find a nice assortment of pieces from every line in their collection. From Pilot's watches, to the Portuguese line, the Ingenieur novelties and everything else in between.

This time, one of the Ingenieur novelties caught our wandering eyes. While we explored every display inside the store, we just couldn't resist trying on the new Ingenieur Chronograph Racer ref. IW378508 fitted with a stainless steel bracelet.

This new watch with an enticing slate-coloured dial, black registers —chrono register at 12 and running seconds/date aperture at 6 o'clock— and a red '60' on the chapter ring at 12 o'clock, is just gorgeous. The red accent was inspired by the digital display on the steering wheel of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One racing car. We will be dedicating a full post to review the watch in full.

Next time you are riding the tram on your way to the train station, make a pit stop at the boutique. Now, make sure you don't miss your train, because once you walk inside, you won't be able to leave promptly.

Captivating displays, beautiful watches, comfy sofas and great service are awaiting.

For more info click here.

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Watch Shopping, IWC and tagged Bahnhofstrasse Ingenieur Chronograph Racer ref. IW378508 IWC Boutique Portuguese Big Pilot's Ingenieur Novelties AMG Petronas Formula One Mercedes AMG Petronas IWC Boutique Zurich 2013.

Insider: IWC Aquatimer 2000. Our Take on a Bumble-Bee.

The Aquatimer 2000 is one of the most iconic and beautiful references from IWC. With pressure-resistance to 2000m, 42-hour power-reserve automatic movement, a 44 mm case size and a highly luminescent sapphire bezel insert, the Aquatimer Automatic 2000 is a great looking sports watch.

Fitted with IWC's calibre 30110 —which is a modified base ETA 2892— the watch is a little too noisy when the rotor is spinning around. The watch is available with a rubber strap or a stainless steel bracelet with a quick release feature to switch bracelets/straps without needing any tools. You just press the quick release button with your fingertips.

The stainless steel case is solid. The traditional IWC markings are on the case back and the case is matte finished. While the watch case back seems to be a little too thick, it still sits nice on the wrist; however, in our opinion, we wouldn't say it's the most comfortable watch out there.

The sapphire rotating bezel is one of our favorite features on this watch. It's not only beautifully finished but also very functional. It comes with 60 perfect clicks, it's easy to rotate –even when wearing gloves–, easy to read underwater, and the beautiful bumble bee combo —black and yellow— on the insert offers great contrast and readability. The super luminova on the insert couldn't be any better at night.

The sapphire crystal is extremely thick —as needed on a watch that should withstand 200 bars of pressure— and comes with anti-reflective coating on both sides.

The rubber strap is a little uncomfortable because of the diamond pattern it has on the back but overall, is made of really nice high quality durable rubber very typical of IWC. The strap is fitted with a nice brushed IWC tang buckle that is easy to operate.

Overall, the craftsmanship of this watch is excellent —following all of the rigorous IWC standards. This is a watch that looks great with jeans, a suit and even better with a wet suit while diving the seas and oceans.

If you are looking for an inexpensive bumble bee look, the IWC Aquatimer 2000 is your best option. Sticker price $4,600. For more info click here .

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under IWC and tagged IWC IWC Aquatimer Aquatimer 2000 2013.

Experience: IWC Boutique. Wynn Las Vegas.

This newly opened IWC boutique is located at the esplanade of the Wynn casino in Las Vegas. Flanked by the Jaeger LeCoultre and the Piaget boutiques, the IWC boutique was definitely designed with the idea of making a big impression. With dedicated window displays for the Pilot's watch line and some other boutique exclusive pieces—such as the Big Pilot's Muhammad Ali Limited Edition watch, the Portuguese Hand-Wound Boutique Edition, the Ingenieur Automatic Boutique Edition and the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Boutique Edition— this boutique is not only inviting but very cozy once you make your way in.

Once inside the boutique you'll notice a cozy corner with a seating area that resembles that of a reading room with a fireplace. There are plenty of IWC catalogs and other IWC materials available to customer's and some fantastic watches to try on.

This time we perused the Muhammad Ali limited edition Big Pilot's watch. Constructed in stainless steel and with a limited production of 250 pieces, this reference is dedicated to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. The watch is sold in an impressive package – together with the monumental book “GOAT – Greatest of All Time.” with over 3,000 illustrations by more than 150 photographers and artists, the book is a celebration of Muhammad Ali’s life and a literary event in its own right.

The dial and hands on this watch are highlighted with signal-red super-luminova which gives the watch a unique, sporty, and distinctly masculine look. Red was chosen as the color of choice because Ali boxed wearing red gloves the majority of the time. The watch is very solid, just as any other Big Pilot's watch and features the 7-day power reserve, black leather strap and a case back that bears the official logo of Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday.

For more info click here.

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Watch Shopping, IWC and tagged IWC Boutique Las Vegas Big Pilot's 2013.

Macros: IWC Ingenieur Mission Earth. Beautiful and Sporty.

The Ingenieur was originally launched in 1944 and since then, it has experienced several changes and major redesigns throughout its life. Perhaps the most noticeable change, was the one presented in 1976. Trying to emulate the concept of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus, IWC hired Gerald Genta to give a facelift to the iconic Ingenieur. The new Ingenieur was included in IWC's SL 'Steel Line' Collection— further proof that the newly designed collection was intended to evoke the huge success of the Royal Oak as a luxury sports watch made of stainless steel and not precious metal. The Ingenieur logo with the thunderbolt passing across the word 'Ingenieur' resembles the thunderbolt commonly utilized to alert of the passing of an electric current. In the case of the watch it symbolizes the anti-magnetic properties of the inner soft iron casing protecting the movement.

IWC Ingenieur circa 1977. Photo: Frizzelweb

The Ingenieur Mission Earth launched in 2008 was designed to master extreme situations of any kind with a rugged and reliable IWC in-house movement fitted with an integrated shock absorber. The watch is protected against magnetic fields of up to 80,000 amperes per meter. The watch has a massive 46mm case and a power reserve of up to 44 hours. Watch is also available with a stainless steel bracelet.