[Discussion] SOTWC and what next?
So I want some guidance from my fellow watch geeks. This is my current collection:
- Gshock: DW 5600BB (Blackout)
- Gshock: GA 2110SU (Casioak)
- Seiko: SRPE45J1 - Presage Cocktail Time Mojito
- IWC: Portugeuiser Chronograph (clalibre 79350)
- Omega: Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch (calibre 1861)
I have one watch inbound - a Seiko Prospex King Turtle (SRPE05) “Grenade”. Bought this after watching Oisin O’Malley’s video in which he gushed about how amazing it is (highly recommend his channel if you haven’t already discovere it).
I have three iconic watches I’d like to add to the collection over the next 20 years. They are (provisionally):
- Diver: Rolex Submariner (no date)
- Dress: JLC Reverso (steel monoface)
- Pilots: IWC Mark Series
Of these, the first two I’m more certain on. For the Pilot, which is likely to be the one I acquire soonest, I’m still wrestling with the decision.
There are so many solid “Pilots” watches - many of which cost less than half the IWC. I have been looking at the IWC since the Mark XV was released, so I have some emotional connection. Other major contenders are:
- Oris Propilot Big Date: I have a very long relationship with Oris - as it was the watch I almost chose as a gradualtion present (and regretted not choosing it ever since).
- Stowa Flieger Classic 40: super clean and unfussy Pilots watch, which can be configured without a date complication.
I want your thoughts on all three future potential watch acquisitions, but especially the Pilot watch. Should I be looking at these style of watches or something else? Are there
other brands I should look at? Or maybe you agree with the type / brand but think I should be looking at a different model.
Oh, and before you ask, the rest of the collection is likely to stay with me. I’m more a keeper than a flipper. I’ve been collecting over 20 years. The major pieces are usually for big milestones.
In fact, the only past watches that have left me are:
Victorinox field watch: I bought the watch over 20 years ago with money gifted to me by my grandmother to celebrate my graduation from university. I lost the watch after only 6
months while trekking in the Amazon jungle!
Mont Blanc Star Chrono: gifted to me as a 30th Birthday present, but stolen from a hotel room 5 years later. The insurance money helped me buy the IWC Portugeuiser, which became my replacement “birthday” watch.
Panerai Luminor Marina (PAM312): bought 10 years ago as a “fxxk you” following a rough year at work. It got a lot of love, and was my weekend / holiday watch for years. But
when my wife gifted me an Omega Speedmaster as an anniversary present, the Panerai got left in the watchbox. In 2021 I sold the PAM and bought my wife a ring to celebrate the birth of our daughter.
Collecting for almost 20years and obsessed with watches for a lot longer. Not a flipper - more a buy and keeper. Not a huge collection - but they’re all much loved. Have more watches that I’m sure I c...
Really nice collection already. Sorry about the hotel theft ! Very nice to celebrate the birth of your daughter with a ring. As for your future choices, all great, wish you well attaining them. I just have one grail watch to go, as trying to keep my purchases more modest lately.
Great collection and great aspirational pieces.
I would go to the pilot watch next as a great daily wear.
As you are not a flipper, and have been watching the IWC for a long time, I see it as a no brainer. You can’t “go up” from the IWC Mark series. It is THE Flieger for daily wear, and I’ve been told the bracelets and straps on the newer models are extraordinary.
If you’re going to buy a keeper, get the IWC Mark model of your budget and preference.
Wow what a collection. I don't see any holes in there. Do you have any microbrands?
Amazing collection Matt! You know I’m all about the Mark XX.
I was faced with a similar situation when I was looking at picking up a 3 hander pilot. I looked at Sinn, Stowa, Laco, etc and the IWC finishing is well beyond the other fliegers (plus my god that 120 hour power reserve). I also thought (and this is subjective) that the proportions were a lot more refined.
The Stowa for instance is super clean but the minute hand is too slim and hour hand looks bigger than the minute hand. Others lack text on the bottom to help balance out the proportion of the dial. I do really like that Oris though but it’s also not the traditional flieger look with the upward facing triangle at 12 if that’s what you’re going for. Still, that is a really nice value proposition.
Have you put the Mark XX on your wrist yet?
I feel uniquely qualified to answer this question as I own all three watches you mentioned.
Short answer is no, the long answer, HECK NO!
The IWC Mark series is hands down the best pilot style watch, it is a fantastic everyday watch. Is the finishing a Lange, nope, is it on par or above for its price, yep. In all regards this watch just works and is a well done piece. 0 complaints here and the bracelet is a work of art and engineering, you can spec it with a leather or quick change rubber… the numerals are pleasing and easy to read, not
Obtrusive or loud, it has a date and enough WR to swim/snorkel and it has the most identifiable pilot style and association of any watch I know. I’ve never seen a pilot flying with their Santos. It’s an amazing travel watch too with an easy to grip crown that has a great turn ration to the hands/dial.
So many reasons to and none to not. Go for it, stop looking. In the grand scheme of things too, it’s a bargain.
Wow what a collection. I don't see any holes in there. Do you have any microbrands?
No micro-brands yet - but anOrdain and StudioUnderd0g recently popped up on my radar. Both have something very special about them. But suspect I should focus on the aspirational pieces - I’m stretching my wife’s patience already!
Amazing collection Matt! You know I’m all about the Mark XX.
I was faced with a similar situation when I was looking at picking up a 3 hander pilot. I looked at Sinn, Stowa, Laco, etc and the IWC finishing is well beyond the other fliegers (plus my god that 120 hour power reserve). I also thought (and this is subjective) that the proportions were a lot more refined.
The Stowa for instance is super clean but the minute hand is too slim and hour hand looks bigger than the minute hand. Others lack text on the bottom to help balance out the proportion of the dial. I do really like that Oris though but it’s also not the traditional flieger look with the upward facing triangle at 12 if that’s what you’re going for. Still, that is a really nice value proposition.
Have you put the Mark XX on your wrist yet?
Great observation on the Oris. Hadn’t really noticed - well at least not consciously. But now you point it out - it’s quite a significant omission. Thank you!
No micro-brands yet - but anOrdain and StudioUnderd0g recently popped up on my radar. Both have something very special about them. But suspect I should focus on the aspirational pieces - I’m stretching my wife’s patience already!
AnOrdain is pretty damn nice…and Studio Underdog is hot.
I feel uniquely qualified to answer this question as I own all three watches you mentioned.
Short answer is no, the long answer, HECK NO!
The IWC Mark series is hands down the best pilot style watch, it is a fantastic everyday watch. Is the finishing a Lange, nope, is it on par or above for its price, yep. In all regards this watch just works and is a well done piece. 0 complaints here and the bracelet is a work of art and engineering, you can spec it with a leather or quick change rubber… the numerals are pleasing and easy to read, not
Obtrusive or loud, it has a date and enough WR to swim/snorkel and it has the most identifiable pilot style and association of any watch I know. I’ve never seen a pilot flying with their Santos. It’s an amazing travel watch too with an easy to grip crown that has a great turn ration to the hands/dial.
So many reasons to and none to not. Go for it, stop looking. In the grand scheme of things too, it’s a bargain.
Really helpful to hear from someone with hands on experience. Thanks!
Take one very important factor into consideration
Over time tastes will change
The size of case
The style of watch
The way you wear your watches
When you wear y ok ur watches
Which ones you love
Which ones you dont
Take one very important factor into consideration
Over time tastes will change
The size of case
The style of watch
The way you wear your watches
When you wear y ok ur watches
Which ones you love
Which ones you dont
I’ve seen a lot of this over the past 20 years. I’ve tried to innoculate myself by a) taking my time with building my watch collection (one new major piece every 5 years) and b) treat every watch as a keeper. It means my taste is, at the outset, biased towards pieces that are (excuse the pun) “timeless”: those watch icons that have attracted watch lovers for decades.
Your post is absolutely amazing! 🤩Great content you're sharing and how you present it. Keep up the fantastic work! 👍🏾
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Really helpful to hear from someone with hands on experience. Thanks!
Also as a note, if able, find your way into an IWC boutique. You’ll pick up the pilot vibe pretty quickly. I truly can’t think of a more well rounded “pilot watch” that has all of the chops, be it the looks, the history, legibility, build quality….