Big Pilot 500901 vs 500912

[RonP]

Hi all,

I'm going to buy one of these two watches. They look very similar with some subtle differences in the dial.

I was wondering which one is the better rep in terms of being closes to gen. I read that the number on the 500912 isn't as bold as the gen. How about the 500901?

Thanks

 

[SteveMcQueen1930]

RonP : Both are great reps. If I was you, I would make the buying decision based on taste (or if you need a hour marker at 9 o‘clock - yes/no).
If you want to get any closer to the gen watch you should consider a gen dial.

 

[YellowFin]

Which one are you looking at: ZF or YLF?

 

[RonP]

Which one are you looking at: ZF or YLF?

I'm looking at the ZF.

From what I've seen ZF did make the numerals bolder in later batches of the 500912, here's a picture I found from reddit

So I will go for this version, it also looks identical to the latest model the 5010-01 which is a bonus.

 

[Plaasbaas]

I would vote for ZF when it comes to IWC Pilot watches. I have the black Big Pilot and think it is spectacular.

 

[RonP]

I would vote for ZF when it comes to IWC Pilot watches. I have the black Big Pilot and think it is spectacular.

Which model do you have 5009-01 or 5009-12?

 

[Plaasbaas]

Which model do you have 5009-01 or 5009-12?

Gonna need to look in my watchbox when I get home first to answer this lol.

 

[RonP]

Gonna need to look in my watchbox when I get home first to answer this lol.

I can save you from doing that lol.

Does your watch have a 9 on the dial or not?

 

[Plaasbaas]

I can save you from doing that lol.

Does your watch have a 9 on the dial or not?

I KNOW! lol

I was trying to remember (facepalm), even searched my phone for pics, but cleaned up space just recently since its memory was all clogged up.

 

[Plaasbaas]

Sorry, should have wiped it off first, saw that too late. It sits brandnew in the watchbox since I got it a couple of weeks ago. I just love it, even the strap is actually quite reasonable.

 

[RonP]

Sorry, should have wiped it off first, saw that too late. It sits brandnew in the watchbox since I got it a couple of weeks ago. I just love it, even the strap is actually quite reasonable.

That looks very nice, thanks for the picture, the numeral font looks good. I ordered the same one from JTime earlier today.

I have a 17cm wrist and have ended up selling every large watch I've bought. Let's see if this will be a keeper. It's certainly unique looking and very different from any watch in my collection.

 

[Plaasbaas]

My wrist is about 17,5cm I guess. Does vary quite a bit dependent on temperature.

This is one of the watches I would never let go. Of course these big dark dials benefit
a lot from good AR, but even that is decent on these ZF specimens. Well, I like this
watch tremendously as it is out of the box.

But I have been an admirer of IWC Big Pilots for years, love the design and sort of miss
the working power reserve indicator on every single watch I own that has none (leaving
optical design out of the picture).

MIne is also from JTime. Hope you have yours soon and enjoy it!

 

[SteveMcQueen1930]

Here‘s a fun fact on the transition time between the Ref. 5009-01 and 5009-12: At one point, IWC was was planning to only bring back the number 9 like before in the Ref. 5002 and keep the big triangle at 12 o’clock like in the Ref. 5004 / 5009-01. This is proven by a gen prototype dial I got from IWC. I will probably make a nice piece-unique Big Pilot with this dial.

 

[Plaasbaas]

Here‘s a fun fact on the transition time between the Ref. 5009-01 and 5009-12: At one point, IWC was was planning to only bring back the number 9 like before in the Ref. 5002 and keep the big triangle at 12 o’clock like in the Ref. 5004 / 5009-01. This is proven by a gen prototype dial I got from IWC. I will probably make a nice piece-unique Big Pilot with this dial.

That will be so unique! Unbelievable, your knowledge of IWC and access to parts is admirable. Thanks, great asset for this forum.

 

[RonP]

My wrist is about 17,5cm I guess. Does vary quite a bit dependent on temperature.

This is one of the watches I would never let go. Of course these big dark dials benefit
a lot from good AR, but even that is decent on these ZF specimens. Well, I like this
watch tremendously as it is out of the box.

But I have been an admirer of IWC Big Pilots for years, love the design and sort of miss
the working power reserve indicator on every single watch I own that has none (leaving
optical design out of the picture).

MIne is also from JTime. Hope you have yours soon and enjoy it!

Thanks for another pic. Is the AR single coated or double coated like the gen?

Double coating does look amazing but the outer coating tends to scratch and can ruin the look of a watch a bit. My gen Omega Seamaster has this problem.

 

[Plaasbaas]

Thanks for another pic. Is the AR single coated or double coated like the gen?

Double coating does look amazing but the outer coating tends to scratch and can ruin the look of a watch a bit. My gen Omega Seamaster has this problem.

To be honest I can only guess, but I think it's single coated as it is not really as clear in all light conditions as in my pic where I cranked up the contrast a bit.

 

[Ubercai]

Hi all,

I'm going to buy one of these two watches. They look very similar with some subtle differences in the dial.

I was wondering which one is the better rep in terms of being closes to gen. I read that the number on the 500912 isn't as bold as the gen. How about the 500901?

Thanks

I'm in the same boat of trying to get a BP. My personal opinion is that, since I am getting it for the style, there are just too many 500912 homage style watches out there, smaller arrow, marker for 9 o'clock. Such as laco, Archimedes, steinhart, and probably another dozen others. So I wanted something unique to IWC, which is why I chose 500901.

Sent from my ALP-AL00 using Tapatalk

 

[RonP]

I'm in the same boat of trying to get a BP. My personal opinion is that, since I am getting it for the style, there are just too many 500912 homage style watches out there, smaller arrow, marker for 9 o'clock. Such as laco, Archimedes, steinhart, and probably another dozen others. So I wanted something unique to IWC, which is why I chose 500901.

Sent from my ALP-AL00 using Tapatalk

I don't think there's that much of a difference to be honest Plaasbaas above couldn't even remember which one he had!

The 500901 looks more dressier with the cleaner dial and thinner numbers.

 

[Crimson Tide]

I'm reading all the replies, because these are the two I'm considering. The two I have are the faux PR editions, and I was unaware of the crown problem, so I can't wear them. Regardless, I'm going to buy a ZF, and hopefully it will be fabulous. Now, to figure out which one...

 

[EuroTime25]

Love mine ZF, the 9 seems a bit off to me. But thats just me. Only issue is the minute hand has different lume (green) than rest (blueish), which actually I like. I think gen is all same.