Just because: gratuitous shots of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chrono
Just because The Guide was passing through Brussels today and remembered coming very close to buying an IWC Pilot’s Watch Chrono a few years ago at the airport there, we thought we’d post a few shots of this glorious watch.
IWC is a funny old brand. On the one hand they make some of the most elegant watches in the world (we’re thinking about you, oh beautiful Portuguese Chrono), on the other, they make some hideous looking throwbacks to a distant age (damn you, Da Vinci!). While stunning looking tool watches like the Big Pilot’s Watch are being assembled in one part of the atelier, down the corridor other IWC watchmakers are wasting their time cobbling together the tacky looking Portofino.
Anyway, putting IWC’s inconsistent track record to one side, let’s get back to the watch in question: the Pilot’s Watch Chrono.
A few years ago The Guide was going through Brussels airport when we noticed a cheeky Pilot’s Watch Chrono staring back at us from behind the window of the watch shop there. Black face, black leather strap – the only configuration to have it in – the little chap looked simply lovely. Five minutes later we’re inside trying it on. Five minutes after that, the shop assistant is telling us that they’re selling it for only EUR 2,600! Considering that the official UK retail price is about GBP 2,900, this was a fantastic deal (don’t forget, this was back in 2006 when the pound was actually worth something against the EUR). So, so tempting. But for reasons we can’t explain, The Guide came over all non-Prodigal and walked away.
We’ve been regretting it ever since.
We know you can argue that the Big Pilot’s Watch is more original, more iconic, and the Double-Chrono is the more impressive, the more interesting from a mechanical perspective but we’ve always had a soft spot for the regular Chrono model. It’s simple, utilitarian and looks both purposeful and elegant in equal measure.
Who knows? It’s never too late, maybe a Pilot’s Chrono may join the Prodigal collection at some time in the future. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the photos. Glorious.
Straight-Six
Patito
saffygirl
