This week we're taking a look at the new Pilot's Watch Worldtimer ref. 3262 (MSRP: $9,650), which is the first of its kind for IWC's vaunted family of pilot's watches. Yes, it was a close race (the Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Day-Month ref. ref. 3791 was a close second), but ultimately I had to give the nod to the stainless steel beauty pictured below:
This is an interesting piece, not least of which because it's the first time that we're seeing a proper mechanical Worldtimer from IWC (I believe that they produced a quartz worldtimer for Porsche Design back in the day). Unlike, say, a dual-time or GMT watch, which sports a third hand to tell the time in another time zone, a worldtimer allows one to read the time in every time zone at a glance via a rotating 24-hr ring. What makes this watch different from other worldtimers is that all the functions are controlled via a single crown; typically, the 24-hr ring is controlled by a second crown.
As for how it wears, I have to say that IWC did an excellent job with this one. Like many, I've been skeptical of their recent penchant for super-sizing their various model lines, and when I read that this one was going to clock in at 45mm, that seemed a bit too much for a watch of this nature. Well, I'm pleased to say that after trying it on at the boutique this afternoon, it looks perfect on my 7.2" wrist:
(Bear in mind that it looks larger in the pics relative to my hirsute wrist thanks to the paltry perspective options afforded by my iPhone.)
It definitely doesn't feel like 45mm on the wrist, though naturally YMMV in this regard.
The strap is the standard IWC black 'gator with their updated deployant (sorry, MichauxJ, I forgot to snap a shot of the clasp -- next time, I promise!), which is a known quantity by now and a quality piece. Now that I'm thinking about it, the Worldtimer would also look great on the textile strap from the Top Gun pieces (the matte ones, not the Miramars, that is).
Overall the impression I'm left with is one of confidence and competence. This is a no-nonsense piece that maintains the legibility that is the hallmark of a proper pilot's watch, yet pairs it with a useful complication for jet-setters and true pilots alike.
This week I was joined by none other than our very own Mark (mbohannen), moderator for the Breguet and Chopard forums, who was in town for the Inside Basel/Watchtime event that took place last night. Unfortunately I was running a bit late to the boutique, but all that meant is that he got to experience their hospitality for a bit longer than otherwise. As a special treat, we were able to sit and talk with Gianfranco D'Attis, the President of IWC North America, who stopped in to survey the troops with Maria Tiu, IWC's Director of Marketing. Together these two telegraph the same enthusiasm for the brand that we see day in and day out from Noreen, Patrick, Liana, Hisham, Andre, Robert and Nigel. Honestly, with people like these at the helm, is it any wonder that IWC is where it is today?
Oh, and lest I forget:
(Better luck snagging my chocolate next time, Patrick.)
- craniotes