IWC Buying Advice

[Cyclone1]

Hi All,

Need a little help deciding which watch to purchase, I have approx £3k and would like a piece that feels special, well built and not overly extravagant, choices so far are as follows:

IWC Aquatimer Chrono "Cousteau Divers"
https://www.iwc.com/collection/collection_detail.a...
IWC Aquatimer Chrono
https://www.iwc.com/collection/collection_detail.a...
IWC Aquatimer Chrono - Black / Yellow
https://www.iwc.com/collection/collection_detail.a...
IWC Ingenieur Chrono
https://www.iwc.com/collection/collection_detail.a...
IWC GST Rattrapante
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/IWC/GST-Chrono-Rattra...

I particularly liked the Cousteau but am a little unsure as it is a limited edition and sometimes this can carry a stigma for future desirability, would this be the case with this watch. The other Aquatimer Chronos are not as extravagant and the jeweller didn't have the Chrono so I had to try on the non-Chrono version, still felt special but hard to make a decision until I have seen / tried one. The Ingenieur was also a nice watch but was unsure about the l/w black strap and would prefer it with the titanium or steel bracelet.

Finally I have seen a "new" GST Rattrapante for sale for £3,600, I particularly like this model but it is above my budget.....is it worth the extra?

Any advice / help / recommendations (alternative) welcomed.

Jules.

Edited by Cyclone1 on Wednesday 12th December 16:58

[filaborg]

out them all i personally prefer the Rattrapante, and if it was me i would push the extra £600.

[Dominic H]

I just sold the Titanium Aquatimer (IW371918) to a client this afternoon, it is a really nice bit of kit.....I like the black/yellow against the titanium.

[Cyclone1]

filaborg said:

out them all i personally prefer the Rattrapante, and if it was me i would push the extra £600.

Thanks for the advice, even though it is discontinued it's still a stunning watch.

[Cyclone1]

Dominic H said:

I just sold the Titanium Aquatimer (IW371918) to a client this afternoon, it is a really nice bit of kit.....I like the black/yellow against the titanium.

Hi Dominic,

What are you views on the "Cousteau" with it being a limited edition model, is this likely to affect its future desirability?

Jules.

[Dominic H]

Cyclone1 said:

Dominic H said:

I just sold the Titanium Aquatimer (IW371918) to a client this afternoon, it is a really nice bit of kit.....I like the black/yellow against the titanium.

Hi Dominic,

What are you views on the "Cousteau" with it being a limited edition model, is this likely to affect its future desirability?

Jules.

Hi Jules,
Each of the Jacques Cousteau sold out very quickly, which resulted in premiums being paid for the watches. So they are certainly desirable, and have sold through. I would have thought you'll still pay a premium to own one.
Do you want a watch to wear and enjoy, or to collect with a view to selling in the future?
I have a couple of IWC (3713, 3714) and I've bought mine to wear, and enjoy doing so....
I buy and sell a lot of watches, but anytime I get an IWC or a Zenith the urge to expand my personal collection rears it's head....

Edited by Dominic H on Wednesday 12th December 22:04

[Cyclone1]

Dominic H said:

Cyclone1 said:

Dominic H said:

I just sold the Titanium Aquatimer (IW371918) to a client this afternoon, it is a really nice bit of kit.....I like the black/yellow against the titanium.

Hi Dominic,

What are you views on the "Cousteau" with it being a limited edition model, is this likely to affect its future desirability?

Jules.

Hi Jules,
Each of the Jacques Cousteau sold out very quickly, which resulted in premiums being paid for the watches. So they are certainly desirable, and have sold through. I would have thought you'll still pay a premium to own one.
Do you want a watch to wear and enjoy, or to collect with a view to selling in the future?
I have a couple of IWC (3713, 3714) and I've bought mine to wear.

Hi Dominic,

Thanks for the info / advice.

I'll be buying the watch to wear (although only occasionally) and not as a collector's piece. I was just a little worried that with the Cousteau being a limited edition model that it may not be as desirable, much the same as the Tag "Gulf" models? The Jeweller I visited said that they only received one of these watches and would not be given any more from IWC, I suspect then that this is correct?

Just need to decide now whether the Rattrapante is worth pursuing......

Jules.

[uktrailmonster]

I like the Cousteau, but not sure I'd really want to live with the colour full time. If I was wearing it daily I'd go for the white on black Aquatimer on the steel bracelet. I don't like wearing rubber straps apart from in water. If you go for titanium bear in mind that it marks up more easily than steel. But titanium watches are light and comfortable to wear.

Edited by uktrailmonster on Thursday 13th December 00:37

[jac-in-a-box]

Not sure about the current crop of IWC's Aquatimers - it's that garish dash of colour on the bezel that kills it for me. The Older versions whrere much nicer and command good prices s/h, whereas there are plenty of the current AT's around used...fallen out of favour with their owners?

Is it only me that thinks IWC are sacrificing themselves on the alter of "fashion"? An example being the "Top Gun" What an aberation.

The Ing' on a bracelet is very nice and is on my "next watch to get" list.

Slightly biased perhaps having just acquired the Rhodium Rattrapante, I'd hold out for one those and see if you can stretch the budget a little.
Despite the fact it's discontinued, they're seemingly sought after...I've got two, above what I paid offers, on the table for mine and I've only had a few weeks! (it's not FS

There is a Rattrapante FS here:
http://www.watches.co.uk/watches/search/?meth=norm...

Described as a "Salmon" coloured dial, I was a little tempted before I came across mine. Could be room for negotiation which would bring in within your budget?

Good luck!

[Cyclone1]

Again, Thanks for the replies.

The GST Rattrapante is possibly the one I'd have, closely followed by the Cousteau (still not sure if this is a "lemon" or not though as why would it stll be at a Dealers for sale when they were released in June/July?) and then Aquatimer Chrono (Steel Bracelet), it sounds like it could be worth paying the extra for the watch I've been offered. I've had a look at the s/h salmon faced example but am not sure of that particular colour, Rhodium or Blue are much more flattering IMO.

Keep the opinions and recommendations coming (alternative watches expecially),

Regards
Jules.

[Cyclone1]

Hmmmmmmmmm, quite like this JLC, what's the general concencous?

http://www.thebrandedwatchcompany.co.uk/watchdescr...

[m3jappa]

i like that jlc a lot.very nice.
out of the above i like the last one.i didnt realsie iwc made watches like these.i thought they were all very classic looking

[Spice_Weasel]

Cyclone1 said:

Hmmmmmmmmm, quite like this JLC, what's the general concencous?

http://www.thebrandedwatchcompany.co.uk/watchdescr...

Chap at work has the Master Compressor and it is rather nice. Think I'd go for the leather strap rather than the bracelet as I find the bracelet design a bit fussy. I'm after an IWC Portugese next though I've seen some well-priced IWC Spitfire Chronos and may well be tempted as it would be a grand cheaper than the Portugese! Anyone know why that is? Suspect they both use an ETA7750 base movement?

O/T - I've just had a look at that website and can't help thinking it might be a relaunch of the old Blitz Watches business. Can anyone confirm this?

[Cyclone1]

I ended up purchasing my watch from Berrys today and I have to admit that they were superb. Excellent service and honest advice which was greatly appreciated. Despite having to revisit Berrys a few times (I am so indecisive)they were brilliant and I am glad they received my cash in the end.

At Berrys I had reduced my choice down to the IWC Cousteau Divers, the Aquatimer Chrono SS and a JLC Master Compressor. I quickly ruled out the Cousteau as it was just too big on my wrist, also too loud and I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it for general use. So it was between the Aquatimer and the Master Comp.........

I needed a bit of time to think so I went to another jewellers to look at a couple of other watches, a second hand Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chrono (as well as a new one - http://www.vacheron-constantin.com/images/famille_... - my next watch ), and a Zenith Defy Classic Power Reserve Elite. I found the Zenith to be disappointing aestethically and it just didn't feel special, I then tried a Class Open model which was better but dare I say it would have been more suitable if I was nearer to 50 than 30 years old! The Vacheron was just stunning (the new model that is.....but it was £9k!) and the second hand version although a nice example and not too disimilar to the new model, but it was "too worn" (a 2003 model), it didn't have its original box and the blue face took away the wow factor of the white faced newer model....it was however half the price!

In the end I went back to Berrys and made my decision.......the IWC Aquatimer Chrono in SS. The JLC was the better watch from a quality perspective and arguably build, but again I felt that the IWC better suited my needs and importantly my age....

Jules.

[hab1966]

Cyclone1 said:

I ended up purchasing my watch from Berrys today and I have to admit that they were superb. Excellent service and honest advice which was greatly appreciated. Despite having to revisit Berrys a few times (I am so indecisive)they were brilliant and I am glad they received my cash in the end.

Based on your post i have contacted Berrys about the Pilots watch i am looking for. Can i ask what sort of discount you have obtained?

[Cyclone1]

hab1966 said:

Cyclone1 said:

I ended up purchasing my watch from Berrys today and I have to admit that they were superb. Excellent service and honest advice which was greatly appreciated. Despite having to revisit Berrys a few times (I am so indecisive)they were brilliant and I am glad they received my cash in the end.

Based on your post i have contacted Berrys about the Pilots watch i am looking for. Can i ask what sort of discount you have obtained?

I have sent you an email.

Jules.