Why do IWC's not get more respect?

I haven’t heard too many talk badly about them. If anything the youtube channels and forums I’m on speak highly of them. If you mean you don’t hear as much about them it’s probably because their not as big with the distribution of Omega and Breitling.

Because they are too expensive, considering that they use cheap ETA movements labeled as "in-House" after changing a couple of parts.

I love my Aquatimer, but I'm aware of that.

In every "Why doesn't X-brand get more respect/love" post it is always a matter of perspective: yours. This is a universal forum rule. This very idea has been previously floated for Certina, Mido, Grand Seiko (!), Invicta, Timex, Breitling, Tag Heuer, JLC, and others across every price range.

I just think they are dull as dishwater and way too big. AFAIK they have two remotely recognizable models, the Ingenier (hard to spell, hard to say, hope you like Genta stuff) and the Portugesier (also hard to spell, hard to say, and all I know about it is that it is gigantic).

I have less than zero interest in fliegers and find most German watches very ugly, so I may not be the best to answer this question.

The buying public is fickle, a few years ago every guy who could afford a Big Pilot but wasn’t a serious enthusiast was wearing one, that sort of love doesn’t endure. I am probably wrong but with a lot of IWC’s model lines there isn’t a loyal fan base. The watches are also on the expensive side.

I love IWCs. I have two myself. I can say that I am an IWC fanboy.

However, their recent price hike on the IWC Ingenieur infuriated me.

Define 'respect'

Sales? IMO, they are pricey for the specs and without the slavish lust Rolex counts as a feature, the value just isn't there for people.

First off an amazing watch!

I had a similar conversation with an AD in Seattle who shared that it was one of the slower selling brands in their shop.

Only opinions but the large dimensions, model redundancy and brand identity are reasons IWC is largely limited to afficiandos and connoisseurs. At their price point they are also competing with "trophy watches" worn by casual watch owners who don't appreciate the technical excellence IWC brings to the table.

Their expansion into selling other than pilot watches is a route that takes years before the buying public views them as anything other than a niche option and may hurt their cachet for premium pilot watches in the long run.

I'd proudly rock the hell out of one because it's a great watch for those that know but the value proposition isn't there for me. If I had "I don't care" money then count me in.

As always though:

Your Wrist, Your Rules. Do You!

Guess it's down to the (lack of) effectiveness by the marketing department. I.e. they're failing to properly establish the brand's identity. IWC makes fine watches, and have done so for a LONG time. But Omega has the moon and Bond, Breitling has some kind of sporty/aviation thing going for them, Rolex made good tool watches and is about as present in sports advertising (albeit different ones) as RedBull, TAG had its chronos/racing stuff and McQueen....IWC appeals to...errr...not really a defined clientele. So I don't think they're that under-appreciated, there are just very few hardcore fans the other brands have managed to accumulate.

Glad you didn't let the absence of diehard fanboys scare you away from the brand; like I said, i think they make fine watches - I especially like the Portugieser series and vintage IWC:

PS: not my watches

Just for your information, IWC is located in Schaffhausen which is in Switzerland. So, they are Swiss made. And about the size of the Portugieser, the Automatic is 40.4 mm, the Chronograph is 41 mm. Standard sizes. Just the Yacht Club Chronograph is a little bit on the big side with 44.6 mm.

I would like IWC a lot more if they made smaller watches. Longines does it better.

I love IWC and definitely rank them super high in the teir list. I did cover this one on my channel

https://youtu.be/yDu_niflfHg?si=_MIrIlwtLFqvSXEb

Modern IWC watches are way to big for me, even tho I like the looks of some models. The publicity is huge factor, Omega, Breitling, even Tag Heuer have strong representation in pop culture. IWC is more lowkey in my perspective.

Keep in mind, that this might be completely wrong because it’s hugely subjective

40-41mm is huge, IMO

I agree with OP, IWC does seem to unfairly languish behind other comparable brands. I think @Icarium hit it on the head with it being a marketing issue. It sounds a little too simple, but the truth is that proper marketing can make all the difference in the world. I can tell you from personal experience, I intended to go look at IWC last week and the local AD had one SA standing behind a CLOSED door with a guard outside and an empty showroom, I did not feel that I should have to go through the whole performance of being allowed “in” just to try on a watch, and I didn’t. Now you have to realize that was my 4th stop after Rolex, Omega, and Panerai, who all had open doors and welcoming SA’s. That experience is all a part of marketing.

There are a lot of comments about the fact that IWC puts ETA🤦🏻. Guys, update the information.

Now all their calibers are made by Val Fleurier (owned by Richmond) or manufactured by themselves. And these are not ETA or Selitta clones. Val Fleurier calibers are used by all brands in Richmond, including: Cartier, Vacheron, Panerai and so on.

I read a lot of comments about price.

I can understand, even if the Valjoux they used was modified by them and not "of the shelf", but hey people, from an horological point of view, IWC punches way above some of its cited competitors. There are not so many "big" brands that offer minutes repetitions, constant force or flying tourbillons, monopushers or split-seconds chronographs, exclusive perpetual calendars or winding mecanism, and so on.

Even if you are buying a three hands, you are not buying some common [I won't cite any brand], you're buying a watch from a brand that has some serious watchmaking skills.

🤤

I have owned a couple and still have one in my collection. I think it is a fine watch..JMO enjoy the hobby

Great watch Dude!

I’d probably be better off with the black dial mk20 then 🫡

Very cool piece 👏🏻👏🏻

THE most boring watches are sterile Fliegers. No wonder Germany lost the War.

I'm waiting for the new Rolex Slavish Lust to come out, with its innovative drool-proof crystal. Only $19,000.

I’m a bit of an accuracy freak, so the prospect of spending $7k on a beautiful watch that MAY run no better than a Seiko gives me pause. COSC cert would give me far greater confidence in that purchase.

And there you have it.....although IWC make some lovely watches, the timekeeping aspect of the experience is pretty ordinary. Add to that the cost (eek!) and the relative sobriety of the design language and it's a niche offering.

If someone wants a handsome, well-made pilot watch, you can get the same manufacturing and material quality and (possibly) better timekeeping, from Bremont, Sinn or Laco - at roughly half the cost. That's a tough sell.

Because - using the two brands you mentioned - they are somehow more boring than Omega and yet also somehow more overpriced than Breitling.

This of course just my opinon..

You kind of answered your own question. IF...someone is choosing between an IWC, an Omega and a Breitling?

Omega: History. Technical & engineering kudos / accomplishments. Model varieties & case size options.

Breitling: Some gorgeous designs / models.

How does IWC stack up against that?

I have the same model. Love it for the same reasons you stated and also keeps good time around +1-2 secs/day. I also got it for a steal 2nd hand.. definitely would not have paid retail for it...

My Seikos have generally horrible time accuracy. Quite hit and miss on 6R35 movements. My IWC is running +1-2s/day. Definitely not in the same league.

#iwc is one watch I would love to own! The Perpetual Calendar ❤️