Messages: 1309 Location: New Jersey, USA
Registered: December 2008
New Arrival: Spitfire Chronograph IW387804
Fri, 28 December 2012 12:24
Hi,
I wanted to share my new arrival with the IWC forum. Some how last year at SIHH 2012 this model slipped my notice. The reasonable size (43 mm), the dial detail, micro-adjust added to the bracelet and 89365 flyback chronograph calibre. I think that I had assumed that the watch was larger because of the use of the movement in the Aquatimer, Portuguese, Ingenieur and the Pilot watches. IWC had fallen off my watch radar as a result.
The watch is stunning in the steel. The mixture of satin and brushed case with polished bezel and chrono pushers is stunning. The sun ray brushed ardoise dial is both legible and has a richness in depth that is enhanced by the raised Arabic's and markers in the chapter ring. The red accents on the seconds hands and calendar pointer are a nice touch. The hours and minute hands with the inset luminova is a nice detail as well. While I am not sure that I like the open date window (I need to live with it a while), I do like the implementation without the day like in other references.
The Calibre 89365 while a marvel of movement engineering (Pellaton winding, column wheel, vertical clutch, 68 hours PR from a single barrel, flyback etc.), but is not decorated nor finished like some other companies do. This can either be because IWC feels that these serve no function and it is a design philosophy thing or just rational cost savings in a non-display back watch. It has a noisy, but smooth wind feel to it. The crown is a great size and threads smoothly and easily. The chrono pushers are crisp, requiring a low force to engage with no lag. This is a great improvement over my last 7750 based chronograph (Sinn 756 Diapal). I suspect they will wear in and become even smoother.
The new IWC bracelet is solid and well designed like they always have been. The micro adjust is a welcomed addition and operates similarly to my GO. So enough watch talk. Here are some photos...
- iim7v7im7