The NEW 43mm Big Pilot by IWC! How does it compare to the OG models, and what are the differences?

The Big Pilot watch by IWC has been on a long flight since it first launched as a purely utilitarian watch for pilots in the 1940s. Since then it's had a major comeback as a cultural icon in 2002 and now, it is re-engineered for civilian life with a smaller diameter, more water resistance, a quick-change strap system and more.
1:16 A quick history of the Big Pilot watch
2:48 The differences between 2002 model and Big Pilot 43mm
3:11 BP 43 vs BP 2002 side by side
3:32 How are they different in size?
4:09 No date and no power reserve
4:36 Lug to lug and wearability of both
6:14 Caseback and case height
7:36 Water resistance
8:58 How the strap change system works
10:37 Information about the blue dials
11:15 Summary of the three watches
#iwcbigpilot #bigpilot43 #iwcbigpilot43
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[@bloodmorel]

I'm irrationally conflicted about this. I love the presence of the 46mm version - but it's too big for my wrist. I'm much more comfortable wearing a 43mm watch - but miss the extra "oomf" of the bigger version. 🤪

[@Timeandtidewatches]

You are not alone - thanks for watching, Andrew

[@kostar500]

Think of it as Rambo in civilian clothes... u dont wanna be shirtless n bulging muscles all the time

[@devnithiavelrathinam1511]

For all of us accustomed to the 46mm BP, this new version needs sometime to settle on us. Nothing beats trying out in person. Great review Andrew, and you're looking cool! 😊

[@Timeandtidewatches]

Cheers Dev - go check it out in person. Takes some getting used to!

[@andrewsingh]

Always the nicest narrated videos

[@carlhaluss]

Really love your video! And I absolutely love the new Big Pilot 43. A lot of guys maintain that it should not be called a Big Pilot. I disagree. I have had both on my wrist. And IWC have put so much effort into this new 43 that they have managed to maintain a great wrist presence as well as a higher level of comfort for smaller wrists. I have always loved the Big Pilot 46 and still do, but I have been hoping for a long time that IWC would do a version with no date. It looks so close in aesthetics to the original 1941 model, but has all the modern bells and whistles plus more. It is brilliant that they have achieved a level of anti magnetism with the new movement so that the inner metal cage is no longer necessary. Largely through of their ceramic components. Normally, I prefer a solid case back, but in this case I make an exception. They have not only skeletonized the rotor, but the bridges as well. The view of the movement is amazing. Perfection! Or nearly. I only wish they could do away with "Automatic" on the dial. However, I guess the original had a manually wound movement, so not putting the word Automatic might lead people to believe it is a manually wound movement? I don't know. I am getting really picky here, though. Looking forward to receiving mine in a couple of weeks. Thanks for you video which I thoroughly enjoyed!

[@stephen9609]

I like some of the changes: making it more wearable for the average wrist, open caseback, easy remove straps. But it's very expensive for what is essentially just a basic flieger style watch with no complications...

[@steveottavaino3804]

Thanks for the overview and comparison, well done! Very interested and will contact my AD to see one on a bracelet when it breaks cover. In the mean time I still believe the IWC Mark XVIII on bracelet or strap, I have one of each, is the perfect pilot watch. They just check every box except for the one labeled “ostentatious”. Ciao.

[@CaptCanuck4444]

That original is brilliant. So pure. I love the minimalism of the new 43 (especially no date!), and the added WR and display back are nice perks in exchange for (sadly) losing the PR indicator. It's different enough from the 46mm BP and the 40mm Mark XVIII to give buyers lots of options in the range. Well done IWC. I wouldn't wear it on a bracelet personally. Looks fine but draws the eye away from the dial, which isn't a good thing with an already minimalist aesthetic. I'm hoping to see the 43mm version next year in titanium with heritage treatment (like the Mark XVIII Heritage 40mm). I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[@logwind]

Great content. And growing fan of IWC.

[@AriesUmbra]

as a small wristed person(around 6.5) the 43mm excites me. it'll give me the look that the 46 had on 7+ inch wrists

[@john_miller_]

Loved your honest view on these beauties!

[@Timeandtidewatches]

Appreciate that John, I'm a tad conflicted as a BPP LPP lover, but I'm coming round! Thanks for watching - Andrew

[@jc51373]

@@Timeandtidewatches I tried both on the other day one after another. The BP I was wearing was the LPP Monopusher. I am in love with that watch like no other, but my wrist is borderline at about 17.1cm. I can pull it off (I think) but it looks bombastic on the wrist. Feels like a dumbell, which I like since it feels like a quality piece. The value prop of the 43 is incredibly difficult to move past. Whichever one I choose I will always think of the other and wonder if I made the right decision. 🤣🙄

[@bentleygt3716]

great video. thank you. i have the 5002 and LOVE it. but TBH. i much prefer the cleaner dial in the 43mm. it's more true to the original style.

[@davidofglenbrook4487]

Nice move by IWC. I used to own a G.O. Senator Navigator at 44mm and that was as big as my 7.25” wrist could handle. So the older Big Pilot’s 46mm scared me. At 43mm, this new model may be a perfectly sized pilot watch.

[@tomk8729]

I bought the Big Pilot 43mm and love it. I never considered the 46mm - when I tried it on it was just too big (and I have an 21cm / 8 1/4in wrist). This is long overdue. Small niggle: happy to lose the date but would have liked to keep the power reserve.

[@fjones1914]

I'd still like a date complication. Great looking watch.

[@muemue888]

love that this one has 100m WR. as mentioned, its more contemporary and matches civilian life better. beaches, pools, rain, water sports etc. that being said, even pilots have RNR and on the off chance you need to force evacuate the plane, wouldn't you want that watch to work in all kinds of conditions?

[@matgorelsp]

The new 43mm big pilot watch is so amazing id pick the blue one.

[@bobbydazzler1780]

They should also release the MKVIII with no date. Maybe they already have, I’m not following IWC that closely. But his piece fixes the misaligned date window, as there isn’t one, and presents quite a package with the easy switch strap options. That cool blue dial is a lot of fun. Overall I’m liking the package and will have to give it a whirl in the metal. You didn’t mention the micro adjust bracelet or the easy pop out link arrangement. Certainly a grower and a possibility for a new piece this Summer.

[@CaptCanuck4444]

Agree. I'd have purchased a MKXVIII heritage titanium already if not for that off-putting date window. For people who wear multiple watches on a rotation and don't want to run their watches unnecessarily on winders when idle, date windows are just a nuisance at the best of times...made worse when they are poorly situated like on the MKXVIII.

[@bobbydazzler1780]

@@CaptCanuck4444 I barely look At my watch for the time let alone which day of the month it is.

[@neilmartin7776]

I love the new Big Pilot 43, it's finally a Big Pilot that I can wear and appears more refined. The quick change system is brilliant, all brands should follow this (I'm looking at you, Omega and Patek). My only issue is the blue dial no longer being Le Petit Prince exclusive, because that model range was iconic. Wonder what IWC are planning on doing to distinguish LPP from "ordinary" versions of the Big Pilot.

[@lohmanh]

I am impressed or better say irritated by the excellent condition of your original IWC pilot watch from WWII. Has it been restored? It seem like a replica. If not: congrats!!! :-)

[@Rhunzzz]

Finally someone tells us the lug-to-lug length

[@paulrobinson587]

Thanks for the cool video! I've been informed by IWC that the new blue sunburst dials on the BP43, Mark XX and Chrono, are definitely NOT looking the same as the blue Le Petit Prince dials. Can you confirm they are 100% the same - as stated in this video, or do you have an updated answer? Thank you!

[@ChrisBoulas]

Debating pulling the trigger now or waiting until this size comes out with additional complications. IMO it's only a matter of time...these will sell like hot cakes.

[@gamgam9468]

Thanks for the review. Other than the power reserve, would you consider the 82100 Calibre movement an upgrade vs the 5xxxxx series of the 46mm models? Based on the price, are they postioning this as a mid tier BP? Would be interesting how this would fare vs the Mark XVIII line. Not sure if its fair to compare it let's say to the different iPhone 12 models, perhaps?

[@Whiskey_Tengu]

Not an upgrade. It's a modification of the new movement that was created for the Portugieser 40mm small seconds. It was modified from small seconds to central seconds. This is still considered an entry level in house movement in comparison to the 8day and higher complication movements in the higher price ranges. If anything, my question is why this is about $1.5 to 2K more expensive than their chronograph which also is an in house movement, but a higher complication, technically speaking? That said, that shouldn't detract from the merits of this 43mm Big Pilot. It's the answer to nearly 20yrs of requests from the community, all answered in one watch: 1) make this 43mm and I'm on board (check) 2) go back to the original layout and remove the date window and obtrusive PR Gauge, or move the PR gauge to the back of the watch (partial check) 3) give it a bracelet option with the microadjust (check) 4) let us see that movement (check) 5) can we get at least 100M water resistance? (Check) 6) can you adjust the movement to be more accurate? (Entirely new movement modified from last year's new Portugieser 40mm small seconds caliber. You may not get a week of juice, but the accuracy should suffer much less; check) 7) make it under $10K (check) The good news...they didn't discontinue the 46mm Big Pilot. So that will always remain the premium option and original icon. Brilliant move. If Rolex can have a Sea Dweller and a Submariner and be praised for it, albeit the difference only being the implied functionality of diving to even greater depths, so to can the 43mm BP and the 46mm Big Pilot coexist to represent different elements, and eras of the brand. That they are different also makes them more unique. How many people really discern between a 46mm Navitimer and a 43mm Navitimer other than to see one is just bigger? Advantage: IWC

[@Timeandtidewatches]

Wow

[@robertschriek1353]

Great bracelet and watch, but weird to see a bp on a metal bracelet.

[@guitar91esp]

Would have liked to see blued hands.

[@5stardave]

What if you are flying a float plane??? Water resistance would be helpful.

[@hunterfiends]

When will they come out with an OG Big Piolet with sapphire caseback?

[@Timeandtidewatches]

I doubt they ever will as it breaks the concept - and the soft iron inner cage

[@nickrogers6441]

I’ve not tried either on but I like the look of the new one.

[@charlymagne]

I totally feel your pain. I’m in the same boat.

[@sanghoonlee5171]

When I go bike riding in cool weather, I put on a jacket and wrap my Omega Seamaster (with an extension clasp) over it. Every time I see the Big Pilot I think "Man, that watch would be PERFECT for that kind of use." I could just glance at it without lifting it to my face and tell the time easily, just as it was designed to be used by WW2 pilots. But I would have to be a richer man to buy a $10,000 watch for bike riding! My wrist simply isn't burly enough to handle a Big Pilot in normal settings. Shame, shame...

[@Damo-gq6wl]

What sort of discount can you get from an AD for an IWC in general ?

[@user-mk3ni4rg1l]

Zero

[@praetor47]

while the old one was definitely waaaay too big for my wrist, the new one is in the "borderline" realm, so it might have been of interest to me, if they didn't screw up so many other small details 1. the steel hands. if they wanted to differentiate it more, they should've blued them (particularly since they went with the "let's keep it closer to the original" schtick). 2. considering the price they're charging, a movement with 4-5 days of power should've been the minimum. 60hrs in this day and age when the big bro gets 7 days is kinda preposterous for that kind of money. i'm betting that's why they didn't even bother to include a power reserve complication 3. the fonts for the indices are a bit too "modern" (a "problem", imo of course, even with the big bro more modern references). it looks much better with the cleaner, open, more vintage fonts on the older reference (5002?) you compared it to. still a "close, but no cigar" for me.

[@ksjdhg]

I'm sure they'll release a Ti Heritage version of this watch, with blued hands and more vintage inspired numbers and dial (faux-tina mind you). If this is coming I'll be tuning in 😊

[@praetor47]

@@ksjdhg i'll take the fauxtina if they go with vintage numbers and blued (or at least blackened :P) hands :D

[@CaptCanuck4444]

@@ksjdhg I'm waiting for that one.

[@fliegerb777]

Well done to IWC...

[@pork6811]

Which dial color looks better? Black or Blue?

[@ronniep9272]

Always blue.

[@zer0875]

Flat blue would have been great!

[@sandsoftime3248]

Wow IWC with clear casebacks!! But what a massive increase in retail price. Edit: read the prices incorrectly.

[@robinhort6454]

Good job

[@sandsoftime3248]

@@ratatosk001 Yeah i misread the prices. They arent a big jump!

[@JBOsurf]

So close....no black dial with bracelet!!!! Why???????

[@Timeandtidewatches]

Don't panic, straps are interchangeable! You can DIY.

[@Whiskey_Tengu]

@@Timeandtidewatches I think what he means is that you presently cannot buy the black dial in the bracelet configuration. Which means, while you may be able to buy it separately, we all know buying a bracelet separately inevitability costs more than if it already came with the watch in its stock configuration.

[@user-ks9db9bq7l]

Would be nice if they still includes the power reserve indicator in the 43mm.

[@slater1949]

Remove that “Automatic” font at the bottom of the dial and it’s perfect.

[@carlhaluss]

My thought exactly. It really is the only gripe I have with the watch.

[@HarryJoiner]

This watch probably lost nothing in terms of legibility. In fact, sometimes smaller is more legible.

[@SY-hq3jv]

which one would you guys prefer? Rolex Submariner in black or IWC Big Pilot 43?

[@Timeandtidewatches]

Totally different themes - they’re both best in class for pilot and dive - so both 🙌

[@SY-hq3jv]

@@Timeandtidewatches Thank you for your answer! But I mean Rolex is placed at a higher rank than IWC, right?

[@theredbar-cross8515]

I want to see this no date, diamond crown design on the Mk19. 43mm is still too large for a lot of people.

[@ronniep9272]

They will never add that crown to the Mark XVIII

[@abhishekraut8960]

What is the price of the watch now

[@Lavi-Aemilia-Astori]

A bit under 10k

[@shipmate3577]

I’ll stick with the MarkXVIII

[@yashara1e]

Something else that's big

[@minniesaab7255]

💙💙💙💙💙

[@Lavi-Aemilia-Astori]

It is better than the 46 but still not a 9k+ watch

[@bensmith372]

Hmmm...not sure

[@TheSuperGenius]

No Date = No sale from me....

[@Lavi-Aemilia-Astori]

I hated the 46 because it has a date window

[@sweetlemonade123]

Sooo, it's just a bigger mark xviii now ?

[@Timeandtidewatches]

Ha, you could say that, with totally diff specs

[@btpp12]

43 looks very plain for me

[@mcdyou]

There's a reason to be called BIG PILOT, and big is the last thing a 43mm watch is

[@Thebigblackwasp]

I don’t know. To me this isn’t a big pilot when it’s not 46mm. I much prefer big watches and bp fits my 6.5” wrist, but I’m 6’0 and 210lb.

[@marcelomarques2416]

The new is not a big pilot...

[@matthewmccord99]

I appreciate the history of these German pilot watches very much. But by and large they are so bland, so boring to look at. Thanks.

[@user-wi9nn6dz8w]

Try one on and you will see that the simplicity of the dial is hypnotising...

[@duhyenkim3374]

Fucken hate it. Orig all the way 46mm

[@sodapop1999]

2021 is a downgrade