IWC Big Pilot (46mm) - Steel or Titanium?

[BluePortuguese]

Hi there,

I want to buy an IWC Big Pilot (46mm), but I can´t make up my mind between a steel and a titanium case.

Does someone have both? Which one do you like better, and why?

Even if you don´t have both, I would love to know your thoughts on this.

Thank you very much in advance.

Cheers

 

[mech500]

I prefer the stainless version. It’s classic. Can’t go wrong. Titanium scratches easily. I also prefer the brighter metallic stainless tone. Titanium is dull and doesn’t suit the classic aviator look imo. It’s a matter of taste....so what I think is irrelevant...unless you’re just looking for the next 10 people to say get stainless - to give you the required push


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[donkacper]

I will just leave this here....

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[Copterguy]

Other options :hehehe:​​​​​​

 

[BluePortuguese]

Hmmm. Titanium does scratch more easily. It has that vintagey high-tech thing to it, though. And it is lighter! Isn´t the steel BIG Pilot a heavy piece of gear?

The golden one is beautiful as well. I could see that with a black strap, too. White gold with a blue strap...? Hmmm.

 

[Berwatch]

To me, the titanium version goes very well with the heritage look, if you look at the original "grosse fliegerhur" from ww2, they have that mate look to it.
It is also much lighter.
That said, the iconic modern BP is the stainless with black dial.
It just comes to the reason you want a Big pilot : do you want it because of its history or to make a statement with a big, bold and shiny watch?
If you wear it for your own pleasure, go ti, if uou want people to notice it, go Lpp or gold.

 

[BluePortuguese]

Thank you for your thoughts. I don´t want to show off, the watch is just for my own pleasure. I have similar thoughts about that Titanium case.

Uh, there is one thing I just HAVE to say:

"Grosse Fliegeruhr" means "Big Pilot (Flyer) Watch"

What you wrote ("Grosse Fliegerhur") means "Big Pilot (Flyer) Whore". Oops...

Don´t get me wrong - I don´t want to lecture you, I just thought you´d want to know.

Best

 

[Berwatch]

Always good to learn something mate, thanks for the insight.
You can't go wrong with any Zf Big Pilot, they are excellent reps.

 

[donkacper]

To me, the titanium version goes very well with the heritage look, if you look at the original "grosse fliegerhur" from ww2, they have that mate look to it.
It is also much lighter.
That said, the iconic modern BP is the stainless with black dial.
It just comes to the reason you want a Big pilot : do you want it because of its history or to make a statement with a big, bold and shiny watch?
If you wear it for your own pleasure, go ti, if uou want people to notice it, go Lpp or gold.

Yeah, like nobody is going to notice a 46mm piece of titanium on your wrist....

Anyway, it's a personal choice, I choose the steel LPP version and I am very happy with it.

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[Berwatch]

Very nice watch.
Of course the heritage is still a big chunck of a watch but it's just more understated, transmiting another image of the wearer imho.
It all comes down to personal taste as you said, and I prefer a watch that doesn't shine, that's why I chose the heritage. But I don't mean no disrespect to anybody, it's just my humble opinion.

 

[donkacper]

Very nice watch.
Of course the heritage is still a big chunck of a watch but it's just more understated, transmiting another image of the wearer imho.
It all comes down to personal taste as you said, and I prefer a watch that doesn't shine, that's why I chose the heritage. But I don't mean no disrespect to anybody, it's just my humble opinion.

Of course, I was just saying what I prefer.
But what I also meant is that if you don't want to draw too much attention to your watch, the Big Pilot is not the best option
The size and crown shape make it very visible, even in the heritage version.

For me all the versions of the BP are beautiful. But since I already had the black Top Gun version, the LPP made more sense as my 2nd BP.

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[BluePortuguese]

I think I am seeing more Big Pilots from YLF than from ZF, for example the Big Pilot Annual Calendar. Are the YLFs just as good as the ZFs, in your opinion? And is the annual calendar reliable?

 

[Virpag]

I had all versions and sold them the only big pilot I fell in love with is ZF latest London Boutique it’s a gorgeous watch I may get another annual calendar if I can find the grey dial version


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[Cybermorph]

I will just leave this here....

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Happy with steel

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[EuroTime25]

Right now its what ever you can order. I was able to get this ZF

 

[BluePortuguese]

Update (has it really been that long?):

I did go for the ZF 5010-01 in stainless steel. Not totally sure what to think of it, though.

It is SO beautiful! But the weight is a problem. It is a really BIIIIIGGG Pilot Watch.

 

[watchchris]

I was looking for a Big Pilot too, and I decided to go with the black ceramic case version.
A Big watch can have a very nice look on the wrist, but sometimes a bowling ball feeling takes away from the experience

 

[BluePortuguese]

Nicely put... =)

 

[watchchris]

Here's mine.

Try to wrestle a 24mm strap into a 22mm lug. Quite a wrestling match

The stock strap just looked too narrow.

​​​​​​​

 

[BluePortuguese]

I might sell mine and go for a Mk XVIII instead.