Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Mar 05, 2009

LOT 448

Transitional Big Pilot International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, "Die Grosse Fliegeruhr," Ref. 5002, case No. 3145954. Made in 2005. Very fine and rare, oversized, self-winding, water-resistant, center-seconds stainless steel aviator?s wristwatch with 7-day powerreserve and date, on a leather IWC strap with stainless steel IWC deployant clasp. Accompanied by a fitted wooden IWC box, certificate and instructions.

USD 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 7,800 - 12,000 / CHF 12,000 - 17,000

Sold: USD 11,400

C. Two-body, solid, polished and brushed, concave lugs, screw-down case back and Probus winding crown, Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields, sapphire crystal. D. Black with painted white Arabic numerals, subsidiary guilloché dials for the 7 day power reserve indication. Luminous steel feuille hands. M. Cal. 51110, 3Hz, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 44 jewels, straight line lever escapement, Beryllium alloy balance adjusted to five positions, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diameter 46 mm. Thickness 16 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

The Big Pilot, Ref. 5002, remains one of the most popular and classic IWC watches. Originally released with a Cal. 50110 2,5Hz movement (18,000 half beats per hour), a few of the last of the 5002 series produced by IWC with serial numbers 3145XXX and above utilized the new 3Hz (21,600 hbph) Cal. 51110 movement, as found in the replacement Ref. 5004 model. In addition to the movement, the transitional 5002 examples feature the newer Probus style crown that replaced the previous fish-symbol design. These models have become highly desired for their rare transitional status.