Two Pilot Chronographs at Two Price Points
After reading @HotWatchChick69 's post yesterday I figured it might be fun and interesting to do an absolutely pointless comparison between two of my watches which are in completely different price brackets.
This is my first time writing about watches so feel free to hit me with some feedback & enjoy reading!
The points of comparison:
- Model History and Brand Heritage
2. Design
3. Material, Dimensions and Finishing
4. Movement
5. Price
6. Conclusion
The Watches
IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire (REF IW387901)
Photo credit: Watch Bandit
Citizen Sport Eco-Drive Chronograph (REF CA7047-86e)
Photo Credit: Citizen Watches
Model History and Brand Heritage
I am choosing to focus specifically on history and heritage linked to the model family in questions here.
IWC
Founded in 1868, the International Watch Company today is well known for producing some of the most high end pilot watches in current production. With the technically advanced 'Top Gun' collection, they are pioneers when it comes to the use of new materials and technological advancements in watchmaking.
Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition "Mojave Desert" / Photo Credit: Time and Tide
This story started with the now infamous IWC Mark IX produced from 1936 onwards, IWC's first military pilot watch. This model series continues all the way to today with the recently released Mark XX.
IWC Mark X / Photo Credit: Watchclub.
In the 1940's, during WOII, IWC also provided the axis forces with pilot watches as Switzerland was a neutral country. This resulted in the IWC B Uhr 'Flieger' with it's signature large sword style hands and soft iron cage against magnetism. IWC still produces a variant of this model with their modern 46 and 43mm Big Pilot.
IWC B Uhr / Photo Credit: Revolution Watch
It wasn't until 1994 that IWC brought out a Pilot's Chronograph with the new loved IWC Pilot's Chronograph Ref. 3706. A 39mm chronograph which draws its design cues heavily from the Mark series. This is also the first time ceramic is used in an IWC chronograph with the legendary IWC 3705.
IWC 3706 / Photo Credit: Worn & Wound
Citizen
Founded in 1918, Citizen is now synonymous with durable tool watches and their revolutionary Eco - Drive technology. Loved by pilots and divers, the 1989 Promaster line, a model series focussed on both military and civilian applications, was the first dedicated pilot watch series in Citizen's line up. These are usually rather complicated pieces abundant with technology and information enabling pilots to keep track of all vital information in the cockpit.
Citizen Wingman / Photo Credit: Catawiki
In 1994 they released the C300 Promaster Navihawk which featured the famous flight bezel as well as function like multiple alarms, a chronograph, a countdown timer, and the option to switch between the analog and digital displays acting as a sort of GMT function.
C300 Promaster Navihawk / Photo Credit: Vintagewatchspecialist
Citizen also has a long lasting partnership with the US Navy Blue Angels, showing their rooting in military pilot timekeeping. The Citizen Skyhawk Blue Angels (2013) featured a wide array of complications including Atomic Timekeeping Technology with Synchronized Time Adjustment Available in 43 World Cities, Second Time Zone, Perpetual Calendar, 1/100-Second Chronograph, Power Reserve Indicator, Multiple Alarms, Day/Date.
Citizen Skyhawk Blue Angels / Photo Credit: Watches You Can Afford
Design
The IWC's design is very clearly influenced by the 1994 Pilot's Chronograph 3706 when it comes to dial layout and case shape. The hands and numerals are a different story as they draw from the WOII B Uhr. This makes the Spitfire Chronograph design of a mix between two defining IWC designs from the past. A nice detail is also how they've put faux patina lume on the hands and 12, 3, 6 and 9 hour markers to reference the original tritium location on the Mark series.
The Citizen design is clearly influenced by the current IWC Pilot Watches as I can not find any historical models utilising these design cues like the sub dial layout and flieger hands.
What is rather interesting and gives the Citizen it's own identity is the cushion style case use of an orange airplane look seconds hand. This seconds hand can also be found in Nighthawk models for example.
Photo Credit: Citizen Watches
Material, Dimensions and Finishing
IWC
Stainless steel
Sapphire Crystal
41mm x 51mm x 15,3mm
Soft Iron Cage
6 Bar water resistance
Citizen
Stainless steel with DLC Coating
Mineral Crystal
41mm x 47mm x 12,2mm
10 Bar water resistance
Even though the finishing is similar in technique with a brushed case with thin polished bevelling, it's a bit pointless to compare the finishing on these two pieces due to their price difference.
The IWC is perfectly finished as to be expected, but I do have to say the Citizen is very well finished for the price. With sharp edges and fine brushing it's better than most Seiko's I've handled at this price.
Movement
IWC's Chronograph is powered by the in-house calibre 69380 which beats at 4hz and provides 46 hours of power reserve using 33 jewels. Chronograph timing is possible up to 12 hours.
Photo Credit: IWC
Citizen’s Chronograph uses the B642 Eco-Drive movement which is solar powered and accurate to around -15 / +15 seconds per month. Chronograph timing is possible up to 1 hour.
Price
IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire (REF IW387901) - 6700 Euros.
Citizen Sport Eco-Drive Chronograph (REF CA7047-86e) - 230 Euros
Conclusion
To me personally this is a story of two very different watches, apart from the obvious regarding price and finishing / quality. The IWC is a watch with its own history and heritage, making it one of the defining Pilot Chronographs of the moment.
The Citizen on the other hand, while as a brand very much respected by pilots, is less of a standalone model in this particular case. The design is very much inspired by the IWC, but that does make it a fun, quality piece at a good price like no other! And I can honestly say I wear both pieces with same amount of enthusiasm.
To close off this post I’d like to ask what you guys and girls think about these two models? Which one would you choose?
Formerly known as AntwerpWatch. Instagram: @triangle.at.twelve
when you put it that way i would choose iwc. also from the credit photo of iwc is a type flieger not b type. a b type should look like this
when you put it that way i would choose iwc. also from the credit photo of iwc is a type flieger not b type. a b type should look like this
Thanks for reading!
The B Uhr signifies the Flieger Model rather than the type of dial. It can either have an A Type or B Type dial as shown in your photo, but both types are Beobachtungsuhren or B Uhren. 😁
Thanks for reading!
The B Uhr signifies the Flieger Model rather than the type of dial. It can either have an A Type or B Type dial as shown in your photo, but both types are Beobachtungsuhren or B Uhren. 😁
sorry for misunderstanding 😂
sorry for misunderstanding 😂
That’s what this platform is for, learning from each other 😁.
Nice post with a good history lesson. For me, it comes to how many watches I’m able to happily own. That said, I would have both; for those who can afford an IWC, the Citizen price is not a factor. I’m quite happy with a similar Citizen AT World time watch in my collection. It had been a companion on many international trips years ago, so has earned it’s place through many memories.
old school or tech? i pick buying the tech for the price. Old school costs more and is high maintenance. One service could buy 4 of those Citizens and get newer models as they come out. Economics for the win.
Citizen. If the purchase is an investment, buying the IWC for that price is an immediate looser. That would make the Citizen an immediate winner. If for long term reliability, Citizen again. 30 Citizen watches for 1 IWC. Looks? No comment. History? IWC but to what end?
Bragging rights? IWC by a long shot.
IMHO.
Awesome write up! Thank you!
nice write up and great photography. Appreciate the effort 👍🏻
Nicely written, I would go IWC purely for the cool factor. But as has already been pointed out the cost to maintaining/servicing that beauty is really only one for the wealthiest among us and sadly that's me out, Citizen gets the win
nice write up and great photography. Appreciate the effort 👍🏻
Thank you very much, enjoyed writing it too!
Awesome write up! Thank you!
Thanks! Inspired by your post.
The Citizen design is clearly influenced by the current IWC Pilot Watches as I can not find any historical models utilising these design cues like the sub dial layout and flieger hands.
Is this not a pretty standard chronograph design, just Fliegerified? 1920s Zenith:
If you look up "Flieger C" you will see that Laco in particular has many chronographs that look almost the same as IWC's or your Citizen:
I'm genuinly curious who made this Flieger Chronograph type first. And my intuition tells me it's not the big Swiss; although that's just based on how much "Big Swiss brand did it first" B$ that's out there.
Never owned a IWC. I do LOVE Citizen watches especially the pilots watches. I think they offer such a great value for the quality.
My Citizen watch collection:
Excellent write up here and I appreciate the history dig. Agree that it's hard to compare such different watches with different movements in vastly different price brackets, but well done.