Before You Buy The IWC Big Pilot 43 - Four Things To Know

In this video, I take a look at the IWC Big Piliot’s 43, a watch that brings the iconic aviation design language from the original Big Pilot’s and distills it into a much more wearable package. What do you guys think of this watch?

0:00 - Intro & Organization
1:23 - 1. Aviation Heritage
4:22 - 2. More Wearable Than Ever
6:39 - 3. In-House Caliber 82100
8:14 -- 4. To Buy Or Not To Buy

[charlesking]

I saw my 1st IWC Big Pilot in Cancun at some big watch retailer 25 years ago and was in love with it. In the last 25 years I have looked at all the other pilot watches and could not pull the trigger on them knowing that it would not be that beautiful IWC Big Pilot UNTIL today…. I just purchased the 5010! It took 25 years, I love this Big Pilot watch!

[drnick]

I just looked at some comments below. There are many true flieger watches to choose from. Laco and Stowa among others offer tradition, quality and value. However Teddy pointed out precisely that “If you want an IWC, get an IWC…” Watch collecting is based on a very subjective psychological process of taste and preferences. eBay is full of watches for sale unwanted by their owners because they settled for not exactly what they wanted. So please listen to the guy and follow your heart!

[paulsteinbergassoc.]

Just got the Green dial 43mm Big Pilot Chronograph absolutely love it open case back and easy strap exchange makes this a great choice.

[welcomewrist]

I absolutely love the direction IWC is headed. Reduced sizes and manufactured calibres, along with their awesome bracelets have drawn me in. Although I adore the Big Pilot, it's size is still too big for my wrist, so I opted for the Chronograph 41.

[Valera_Scotland]

Got my Mark XVI earlier this year. Amazing watch for nearly half the cost of the modern equivalent... 39mm case, 11mm thick, very cool dial... absolute beauty on quality leather straps... for around £2800-3200 it's a very good option

[edmanley]

Thanks for the discussion. I’ve had my eye on this for a couple years just trying to convince myself to pull the trigger. I feel it is iconic and if I’m only going to buy one watch in this price range, this is the one.

[paulcochrane]

Negotiated £260 for a Laco Augsburg…..automatic. Runs 10s fast per day. Incredible value, great face, easy read. Love it.

[InfinityAMR]

Beautiful watch . I have a 8 inch wrist . This is perfect. I'm gonna buy it very soon

[Mikist]

Totally with you. If you want an IWC, then you should just get one. It's so iconic. I have a Mark. All my other watches come and go, but that one remains, solidly. It's amazing and it's been 10+ years now

[jc]

I own one and I plan on giving it to my Son someday with an explanation similar Teddy's. It's a great watch, it's classic, stylish, and yeah it's expensive but it's a statement piece. Sure IWC will make a zillion of them but I still think it's their most wearable and best Pilot ever.

[pendaranroberts]

I bought a blue dial big pilot 43 on the bracelet. It's my favorite watch! It's super comfortable and very easy to read. All the added features in the bracelet make the price seem less ridiculous. Haha!

[jindrichfremuth]

Teddy, great video as always. You should absolutely review the new Mark XX. Very well balanced, thin and incredibly wearable watch with a killer 120 hour power reserve. Keep up the good work!

[mariodelatorre]

Teddy does the job all these brands supposed to to do. True passion for horology

[verykeenplease]

simple beauty and one of those watches that have the unique look

[syazanbasil]

You are damn right Teddy about when you want an IWC, just get an IWC. I've experienced this personally. I truly like the design language of this watch but i thought i could just settle with Laco Augsburg. Bought myself a Big Pilot eventually and there is a lot of difference trust me. Thanks Teddy for the great review. I've experienced myself with this Calibre 82100, it runs slow when you're not wearing it. If it's on the wrist everyday, I'm getting +2secs/day and it runs super accurate

[darylwardsnyder]

Teddy - you’re hands down my favorite watch advisor. Thank you for this insightful video. Oddly enough, I just sold the very model you showcased in today’s video. Loved the strap, blue dial, open case back. But after two years, I decided it was too big for my 6 ¾ inch wrist. It always felt awkward. I am going to replace it with an IWC Mark XX. The big decision is whether I buy it on a bracelet or not. And whether I get the blue or silvery white dial. Could end up getting both!

[Tunnelsnakes]

Looking forward to a review of the Mark XX variant for those with smaller wrists!

[kentde]

BP43 reduced size make a difference for regular size wrists, yes, but when compared to the hockey puck thickness Chrono 41, what sold me on the BP 43 is the onion crown and the rivets on the strap. It's just so iconic and "riveting". It simply speaks to me. I've had it for a year and still love it as much as day one, maybe even more, now that I have the rubber strap on it.

[Riv_]

Have always loved the Big Pilot. But I think the 40mm Mark XX would be a perfect fit for my rist, so now I was a bit conflicted. I’ll have to rewatch this video in about a year, when I have enough funds saved up to get either one. Lol. Great video!

[blaineadams]

I love my Mark 18 and am thinking of a new Mark 20. I enjoy the size of the Mark over the Big Pilot. If you like the big crown then the Big Pilot is for you.