A tour of the Omega factory would be interesting. I'd love to know more about how the coaxial escapement was challenging to mass produce and how they did it. All I know is an old interview with George Daniels where he touches on the subject. Apparently he tried Patek first but then Omega took a passing interest.
I think Patek Philippe actually tested it in a pocket watch for a year before saying no. They seemed offended by the idea of using someone else's invention. Then Omega got interested and tested it for a longer period of time and in a wrist watch size, before deciding to use it in mass production.
I have been invited to visited them last week, what an experience, all the machinery is wrapped in the same clour. To make is look very clean. Really loved working on the handwound “ Jones” caliber with watchmaker Thomas. Also got the certificate 😄. For two days only the royal treatment bij IWC. I will never forget this experience. Love IWC even more now. Thanks to IWC, Monique, Christian Knoop , Richmond Amsterdam and especially Martens Juwelers in Maastricht ( NL)🙏 And Adrian, everybody on the tour watches your video’s, we really love your content. We all knew that you dropped your explorer II and the glas was shattered 😟
This is the reason why I (together with a few hundred of thousands of watch aficionados) love your channel. It is genuine, it is honest, it reflects your opinios or change of opinions about things that you see, study and understand better. Maybe I have been brainwashed too, but I will probably start looking at IWC with a different perspective than before.
Great video! I've always liked IWC watches and now I like them even more. Looks like a great time and the best part, you got to assemble a movement... which is right up my alley as a hobbyist.
It is always amazing that a watch can be designed & manufactured by a person from parts that keeps accurate time! It does make me awestruck! Love to see Adrian share his expertise to compare IWC to Rolex for specific models.
Absolutely love IWC. I learned about IWC being originally founded in Boston when an I went to an IWC Boutique in Boston (because I am a native Bostonian and currently live here). I bought the Pilot's Chronograph 41 with the racing green dial back in January 2022 and it is absolutely killer. Not enough coverage of that watch on youtube, would love to see you do a video of it if you can!
I went to Boston Oct '23 and visited Shreve, Crump & Low and got the same educational experience about the brand. Didn't buy a watch there, but when I got back to Toronto I bought myself the green dial chrono 41. Love it. Absolutely amazing the watch. So striking.
What a treat to see some of the IWC workings. These are the kind of videos I geek out on. I reminds me of when I experienced a tour of the Gibson Guitar factory and seeing how they put love into every piece. I also love the fact they have dedicated people representing Aust/NZ. Every brand should do the same.
This is the kind of video that win the fans over and attract new followings to the brand. It absolutely worked on me when you made the same video for Tudor. And now that I know more closely about IWC and their production process (thanks to you and this video), I must say I like the brand more than ever.
This was great! For so many reasons this type of content is what draws me in. Looking at what makes a great company great. It’s enjoying watches in the purest form. I completely agree with Adrian’s point about seeing the watch world for what it is… this video shows what the watch world should be. Cheers!!!
So great to see the content dropping, been a long time fan of this channel since before it hit 10k subscribers and always loved the content. Keep it coming!👍
Thanks for sharing the tour. Picked up a new black dial Ingenieur last weekend so the timing of your video was great. Enjoy the channel and the AET content as well.
Thanks Adrian, Awesome vid. I've had my Big Pilot 43 (on bracelet) for 8 months now and I love it a little more each day, was great to see behind the scenes how they are created. I think IWC should be destined for good things in the next few years. Yes, Omega Factory would be good for the next one.
Awesome Adrian. I am with you..the movement does it for me. The excellence of so many intricate pieces working together to power a tiny engine, made to last for generations..wow! I agree with that comment of the Omega tour.. Cheers from San Diego mate
I’ve just picked up my first IWC this week, an as new Mark XViii black dial with and extra IWC canvas strap which suits the watch much more. I’ve had my eye on IWC for a while, absolutely love the brand. Very cool video
Love IWC! My favorite watch brand. Thanks for taking us with you on the tour. What watch were you wearing- Mark XX? It looked great on your wrist. Until you actually put their watches on your wrist you don’t realize how much of a quality, masculine watch brand they really are. Again thank you!
Live your content! I have many IWC’s and one thing that impresses me about them is the range of offerings. You can get a very good, basic pilot watch and you can get a precious metal perpetual. I collect many other brands too, but IWC is a foundational brand in my collection.
Great to get a little insight into IWC history and its manufacturing. Very pleased to see you back doing more of your own quality stuff rather than getting side-tracked with FFffing tIme.
Adrian, Thank you for the informative video. I look forward to learning more about other brands and appreciate your hard work. FYI, my Bark and Jack NATO strap is perfect on my Tissot Gentleman watch.
Thank you for the good video and the great insights into how much effort IWC puts into their products and processes. I just got myself a yearlong dream with a brand new Spitfire Chronograph. It’s a fantastic watch that I always wanted to have on my wrist. A perfect combination of rich history and high end watch manufacturing. Love it!
Again a very good video from you. Any watch collection needs an IWC. I've dicided myself for "DER UHR", the one and only true men's watch: The Big Pilot with the legendary reference 5002. I'm loving this iconic timepiece and it never will leave my collection!
Great video. Love IWC. Can’t afford any just yet. Something to aim towards. They have a great selection in my eyes. Tool watch to luxury watch. Can’t wait for your next adventure.
Brilliant Adrian. Agree with your point of views made. Neat editorial. Own a few like the 46 perpetual calendar mojave and this a wonderful sample of what it takes.
I went to Shaffhaussen last year and stumbled on the IWC museum, they were closed but the lady inside saw me and said I could come in and look around as I had travelled from the UK. Awesome place and lovely people there.
What do I think? This is one of the best watch-content videos I've ever seen, and not just because I'm a fan of IWC. Well done. I've got IWC's Big Pilot 43 on my radar. Your factory background info is going to make owning that watch even more special.
Absolutely amazing and fascinating video! I would personally give it a 10/10. Ivé been watching your channel for quite a few years and I have been into watches for about 5 years. I have a pretty impressive watch collection myself if I may add and considering getting an IWC next.
Great video. Love my Mark XX and still cant help but want an Ingenuir despite the price. Happy to see more of this solo content again! I'd love to see you head to GS soon.
IWC has so much potential. They seem to be getting more into the swing of things of creating a more encompassing identity being a pilot watch only brand (tried on a portofino perpetual calendar recently, my goodness that thing was gorgeous). They really seem to be going in the right direction! An IWC is definitely in contention for my next purchase (albeit it might be a vintage, those 60-70s pieces on leather seem to have magical proportions and stunning dials).
Great video. I was not terribly interested in IWC for a long time, thinking they were, in the main, too large. But I went into a their store in London to have look and when I got to handle them in the metal, it really changed my mind. I later ended up buying a portugieser chronograph. The proportions are great and it does not wear as large as I thought (for my wrist, a little over 7inches). I also have the integrated rubber strap which looks great. I'm now trying my best not to convince myself that buying the portofino perpetual calendar is necessary...
Thank you for doing this video I remember it to 3 years ago. I actually got to a tour on the tail end of Covid when there was no one around. It was pretty amazing. I love that brand I just haven't been able to push myself purchased one recently, when I first started collecting timepieces, I brought the Spitfire on the secondary market and resold it. I wish I hadn't once again thanks for sharing.
Great bts of IWC, somehow we are now Movement bros. During an AMD and IWC watchmaking class we also disassembled and reassembled those movements. Fun Fact, the first team who worked on those were the German football team. Had the possibility to visit Minerva recently, you should pay them a visit, they are doing great stuff there. Happy rest of the week, cheers.
Great video Adrian. Refreshing take from the usual facetious offerings on RU-vid. I think a meander around the workshops of Blancpain or Breguet would make interesting videos.
I never thought much about IWC until I dropped into a boutique, tried them on, and fell in love with the green Type XX. Now I feel about IWC the way you do about Rolex.
I've been on a similar visit to IWC last year. The best part of mine was that after going through the factory and the quality control section, each participant had a chance to try out any of the watches that were currently in the catalog back then.
Love the new professionalism of the vids.......not that previous ones have been poor but they have certainly gone up a few notches recently. Keep it coming. The Old Adrian is back with a vengeance.
Thanks a lot mate. We've been rushing things for a while so we can try to get ahead of ourselves. This allows for us to spend more time to come up with creative ideas (however pretentious that sounds). But of course when things are rushed, mistakes are made. I'm hoping we will be in a solid place in a month or two. Really appreciate the feedback though, and also validating that the details matter.
Their pop up in manchester was fab, showing hiw the ceramic watches were made. Dimitri from their Battersea store walked me through it. Cracking brand, look after their customers
I haven’t been to their factory, but I’ve only had good experiences at their brick & mortar establishments. It helps they make absolutely gorgeous watches and excel in more than 1 category without spreading themselves too thin.
Great video. I always dreamt of a IWC Big Pilot (IW5004) when I was a student. I was staring at it at the jeweler shop display. When I finally could afford it, I was over the moon with it. This watch will never leave my collection. I also want an Ingenieur in the future. I am not sure which one. A Big Pilot perpetual calendar in blue will probably a dream forever but it is good to have dreams.
I am lucky to own two IWC…ambiguities Pilot transitional ( old watch face from 2002, with new dual peloton spring to power the seven day reserve…only a little over 100 ever made. My second IWC a Miramar Big Pilot triple date ceramic, which I absolutely love this watch. IWC are like the Porsche of watches..absolutely solid. Thanks for the insight on IWC. Love to see Panerai or Rolex next. 👍👍❤️
Just about to buy a 43mm Spitfire after selling my white Seamaster and I was surprised how great the IWC is on the wrist. Great underdog brand I would say that offers a lot for the buck ($$$)
It's always good to know when a well known brand is part of a conglomerate. Many people buying a watch do not know that and do not realise that this is the case for many brands. It's also always worth being reminded that mechanical watches are still made by machines and robots just as electronic watches or electromechanical watches are. What is very hard to know is whether the particular watch you've set your eyes on is robust enough, will keep functioning after 3-4 decades, will keep its value or conversely will fall apart just after a few years' of neglect or daily use, will not be repairable or will not be economic to repair and will lose a large chunk of each value each year that passes.
