My Big Pilot accuracy stinks

[cinq]

Good to hear that the accuracy is getting better. You can also experiment by changing the position you put the watch in overnight. I noticed that the 7-day movements gain less when you pose the watch on the side with the crown up.

Kind regards,

Cinq

[davidjewels]

I have never ever worn a watch in my entire life except to model it for a photo shoot or have a pretty woman I was dating at the time model it for me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE collecting timepieces, and I do own a few fine pieces, and the Big Pilot's Watch is among my favorite, but I'll tell you something else. I have never ever set the time on it or even wound it for that matter, because I don't ever wear it. I use it strictly for my photography and to entertain the forum members with new and exciting photographs, so we can inject some life into these threads. You will always see dramatic shots of these timepieces, because I go to a lot of trouble. So Cinq is right. There are other reasons for having the Big Pilot's Watch, or any watch for that matter.
Once I was at this meeting in Boston, and one gentleman there had on his BP (Transitional version - looks the same though) and I was blown away. He looked like he owned the place ! Just a simple guy in a simple black suit, with this powerful watch sticking out of his sleeve. All the time I kept thinking of my platinum BP watch in my safety deposit box in the bank. That day I should have had mine on. So there.... another reason to have the watch without worrying about the accuracy. Go ahead and wear yours. And blow everyone away !!!

[Natura Vergine]

Since the year 2000, I have owned a total of five IWC's based on their 7-day (5000) movement. The first was a Portuguese 2000, followed by a Portuguese 5001, a Big Pilot 5002, a Big Pilot 5004 and a Portuguese 5022. Every one of these watches was inaccurate up to about + 2-3 minutes per week (+ 17-25 seconds per day). I never bothered to send any one of them in for regulation, but they all have been serviced more than once for various other reasons. Each time, IWC took it upon themselves to regulate the watches. Each time, the watches came back with a slight bit of an improvement or a slight bit worse. It never really bothered me too much because I have stopped caring about mechanical watch accuracy a lot time ago when I realized we wear these things for many other reasons. Today, I still own the Portuguese 5001, the Portuguese 5022 and the Big Pilot 5002. I am happy to say that the first two now are at about + 1 minute per week and the Big Pilot is at under + 30 seconds per week.

Bottom line is I don't think + 10 seconds a day is that bad for a mechanical watch and I certainly would not send it in strictly for regulation. I would take Moots' advice and wear it for the many other reasons the watch was created. ;)

An interesting opinion indeed. I would not like to wear a watch +1 minute a week or +10 secs a day. I believe a mechanical watch should be kept +1-5 secs for an indefinite period of time by changing its position. I stumbled on this thread because I like very much the design of IWC watches but I would never want them if they were inaccurate. You can find a beautiful watch for just a few $$ anywhere. If I pay that kind of money for an IWC then I want also the quality and that includes accuracy. COSC rules are very old. -4+6secs per day are not good enough nowadays.

[cinq]

I have never ever worn a watch in my entire life except to model it for a photo shoot or have a pretty woman I was dating at the time model it for me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE collecting timepieces, and I do own a few fine pieces, and the Big Pilot's Watch is among my favorite, but I'll tell you something else. I have never ever set the time on it or even wound it for that matter, because I don't ever wear it. I use it strictly for my photography and to entertain the forum members with new and exciting photographs, so we can inject some life into these threads. You will always see dramatic shots of these timepieces, because I go to a lot of trouble. So Cinq is right. There are other reasons for having the Big Pilot's Watch, or any watch for that matter.
Once I was at this meeting in Boston, and one gentleman there had on his BP (Transitional version - looks the same though) and I was blown away. He looked like he owned the place ! Just a simple guy in a simple black suit, with this powerful watch sticking out of his sleeve. All the time I kept thinking of my platinum BP watch in my safety deposit box in the bank. That day I should have had mine on. So there.... another reason to have the watch without worrying about the accuracy. Go ahead and wear yours. And blow everyone away !!!

Wow, that's quite a story! I really enjoy wearing my watches besides taking pictures of them. You have two wonderful watches, it's a pity you don't wear them besides for taking pictures.



Kind regards,

Cinq

[cbrocoum]

I am interested in your opinions on how the Bog Pilot feels on the wrist. Is it too bulky and does it get in the way at times? I love the way it looks. I am considering getting this watch or maybe a Portuguese 5001-07 and a Pilot Mark XVI. Any thoughts would be welcome to this forum newbie.
Thanks
Constantine

[johnha]

I still like my BP. I wear it outside my shirtsleeve cuff, I don't consider it too big. I love being able to see what time it is in an instant.

[cbrocoum]

Yeah. That is a perk of a big watch. I am going to try one on this weekend and make my decision. I think I will get it as long as it feels right. I love the look of the BP. Thanks for your input.
Cons

[Natura Vergine]

Bottom line is I don't think + 10 seconds a day is that bad for a mechanical watch and I certainly would not send it in strictly for regulation. I would take Moots' advice and wear it for the many other reasons the watch was created. ;)

And what would those be? You can buy a beautiful machanical watch for 200 $ or euros that will lose or gain 10 secs per day. I you are lucky it will do much better. A watch that cannot run within COSC specs is hardly worth more. The only reason I see here is the brand name. Does that alone offer enough satisfation to pay a 5 figures summ to get it? I don't think so. One week power reserve is there to guarantee precision, and if it doesn't what is the point?

[India Whiskey Charlie]

And what would those be? You can buy a beautiful machanical watch for 200 $ or euros that will lose or gain 10 secs per day. I you are lucky it will do much better. A watch that cannot run within COSC specs is hardly worth more. The only reason I see here is the brand name. Does that alone offer enough satisfation to pay a 5 figures summ to get it? I don't think so. One week power reserve is there to guarantee precision, and if it doesn't what is the point?

If you think the only difference between a $200 watch and an IWC is the name brand, you clearly don't understand the high-end watch industry.

[muttley]

One week power reserve is there to guarantee precision, and if it doesn't what is the point?

Last time I checked, the one week power reserve is a guarantee that the watch will run for one week, and has nothing to do with accuracy.