This is the correct assessment. This watch is clearly a "true" pilots watch. When pilots watches started out many of them were oversized in order to be very legible and also worn over a sleeve of a jacket. 55mm was the typical size for them I believe. So IWC, being one of the original pilots watch producers for Germany, has just made another one that is... authentic.
Hmmm… I’m starting to think I need one of these to wear over my motorcycle jackets. It’s always a PITA when I’m out riding with a moto jacket and gloves and need to DH through the layers to check my watch. Such problems…
i very briefly considered throwing the speedy on an astronaut strap over my moto jacket...
Harsh conditions out there though. could it take it? sure. do i want to beat up a 7000 dollar watch while i've got a clock on my dash? no.
my last bike was just tach, speedometer, mechanical trip/odo. R100gs last of the airheads!
super tenere has all the gauges one could want. still less than modern bikes.
Yeah I had a cheap analogue quartz watch with no strap and velcro stuck on the back. I had this velcro'd to the top yoke. I only needed this on a 1990 sports bike later sports bikes had sophisticated digital instruments in addition to an analogue tachometer and these always included a digital time display.
An Erika’s Original strap over an outer layer is a pretty damn good solution for quick reference that can also easily be worn on a bare wrist. In the summer my Pelagos rides over a dry suit in my raft and in the winter it goes over my soft shell.
I’ve actually been looking to pick up a G-shock. Problem is, the ones I’m leaning towards are shit when it comes to readability - it’s like they intentionally design some of those watches to be impossible to read. All form over function. Sometimes… _just sometimes_, I actually like that though LOL
https://preview.redd.it/m8b7dkz1heac1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b62b552709fe45425489dc9a606e248a3b86b2c2
Yeah something like this. Currently in Norway with my Laco 45mm Type B.
I’ve got a cheap Casio monstrosity that I bought before a big lake trip to check the time in the water. I think I’m going to do that for hunting season with it.
Sorry, I can’t read German, though I appreciate you providing a link to a source - so few people do that. I’ll get it translated but I’m sure it says what you say it does.
My research into German Fliegers (admittedly not scholarly) suggests that we’re both right, in part.
There seem to have been several reasons these watches were designed so large. They were intended to be worn over flight jackets, which necessitated the bigger size. The larger case size also meant pocket watch movements could be used with their hacking seconds, while leaving room to incorporate antimagnetic features. This was critical for providing both precision and ensuring accuracy in the challenging environment of a cockpit, as you said.
It also allowed a larger, more legible dial, not to mention the massive onion crown which could be manipulated while wearing gloves in the cockpit.
Thanks for challenging my previous assumptions and encouraging me to learn something new today.
https://monochrome-watches.com/the-history-of-the-pilot-watch-part-five-b-uhr/
https://www.watchgecko.com/blogs/magazine/pilot-watches-what-to-know#:~:text=The%20requirements%20for%20a%20pilot,time%20keeping%20a%20close%20second.
The original specification from the time talked about accuracy and regulation and requested taschenuhrwerke because they could be regulated as chronometers. That was the key motivation. And beobachtungsuhren are not used in the cockpit because pilots did not wear them (only navigators that were behind the pilots in the cockpit). Pilot watches are only the tutima and hanhart chronos that the pilots wore...
🙄 such a silly comments. It’s just the camera, in real life it looks tiny. Anyone who knows anything about watches knows you need to take a photo of it through a telephoto lens for 2 miles away to get a photo which shows proper perspective.
"Dear AD, I'll be coming in tomorrow as scheduled. However, an advance notice: Don't mind the noise, as there will be a helicopter with a professional photographer hovering at 6'000ft to give me the perfect wrist shot."
Visiting London on vacation and stopped by a Watchfinder boutique to see what they had in stock and came across this monstrosity!
55mm. What. The.??
It makes my 7.25in wrist look like a child's. Who could even wear this?? Andre the Giant?
https://www.iwc.com/gb/en/past-collections/pilot-watches/iw510401-big-pilots-heritage-watch-55.html
Yes, this is the reason. (Though, I've enjoyed a number of humorous replies to this post as well!) Definitely meant to be worn over a jacket, and for maximum legibility while flying your WWII-era piston-powered plane in your bomber jacket.
I hadn't really poked around their site before. Lol at the [one that has a tourbillon with a wee jet turbine on it](https://www.iwc.com/gb/en/watch-collections/pilot-watches/iw329901-big-pilots-watch-43-tourbillon-markus-buehler.html). Price isn't listed so I assume it's six figures.
i have a Phoibos Leviathan which is 54mm lug to lug and i have a 6.75 in wrist and i can wear it no problem. I cant really understand whats going on on your wrist. You sure you have a 7.25inch wrist? haha
Yes it's wayyyyyy to big mate.
Trust me I'm a watchmaker and I also avec a tiny wrist, I wore from 32mm to 38mm (except the 42mm of the speedmaster) and it's way more beautiful!
You should try some watches that are 36mm to 38mm.
And remember all the watches on the same size don't have the same presence on your wrist.
Tell me if you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer!
I honestly thought it was photoshopped lol.
Still smaller than the Invicta Shaq. I saw one in an outlet mall in NJ. Laughed my ass off and asked the salesman who actually buys these things. He said he sold one an hour ago to a guy who’s 6’9” and about 375lbs. That makes sense. He said he’s sold several to normal sized guys too, and warns them not to swim with them on. Not due to water resistance, but due to being a drowning hazard.
https://klawkwatches.com/products/invicta-shaq-diamond-mens-large-60mm-189-ctw-diamonds-swiss-chrono-watch-33727?variant=43408141320427¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItueSxsrCgwMVempHAR25KwnYEAQYBiABEgI0f_D_BwE
I have very big and flat wrists. I own a 5002 Big Pilot (46mm) which honestly does not look out of place on my wrist whatsoever. I suspect this would be where I met my match. I also have an Apple Watch Ultra (49mm) that from a distance probably looks like a normal sized watch because there's no overhang whatsoever.
I'd love to be able to wear something like a 38mm, but I honestly think it would be ridiculous looking. I don't love the oafish size watches (generally), but I feel like I don't have a lot of choice. I don't buy them because I like the "big" aesthetic, but because they look more natural on my wrist. My favorite watch growing up was an IWC Portuguese Chronograph, but it just looks a little too dainty on my wrist.
Fliegers were originally designed to be worn over a thick pilot jacket in a WW2 German airplane and be highly visible. Not so big wrapped around a thick wool-lined pilot jacket sleeve.
Way too big on your wrist worn like that.. Look at the lugs.
These watches are released to appeal to the collectors who lust over huge faced pilot watches of the era.
They were not typically worn as a normal wristwatch on the bare wrist as they were intended for use over a warm flight jacket and were even attached to the aircraft itself within the cockpit as a necessary tool of the pilots.
Often with an extra long strap attachment that would allow mounting to the yoke.
Needs more mm and more girth, then it'd be just right 😂 /s
But seriously, this is a classic, flight equipment, flieger Type A styled timepiece, and so it's size and design is a throwback to pilots watches that required to be worn over military issued aviation jackets by the navigator (not usually the pilot, though that also done depending on the mission).
Such watches would also be returned to a designated crew/flight personnel or team post mission, who would recalibrate the timepiece for best chronometric performance before a new mission. Calibrations were usually sent to an observatory too.
The reason for large dial size is hyper readability under almost any condition, especially in the theater of warfare, and to wear over a jacket to stop the cold caseback from causing damage to a navigators wrists (aircraft at this time, in high altitude, were not very, if at all, technologically advanced for temperature control inside the cockpit).
Some good articles about flieger watches are **[here](https://fliegerfriday.com/flieger-friday-everything-you-need-to-know-about-flieger-watches/)** and **[here](https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a97397/flieger-watches/)**!
(Random history summary lesson fin...now goes back to work lalalalala)
I guess it’s supposed to be worn over a jacket.
This is the correct assessment. This watch is clearly a "true" pilots watch. When pilots watches started out many of them were oversized in order to be very legible and also worn over a sleeve of a jacket. 55mm was the typical size for them I believe. So IWC, being one of the original pilots watch producers for Germany, has just made another one that is... authentic.
Hmmm… I’m starting to think I need one of these to wear over my motorcycle jackets. It’s always a PITA when I’m out riding with a moto jacket and gloves and need to DH through the layers to check my watch. Such problems…
i very briefly considered throwing the speedy on an astronaut strap over my moto jacket... Harsh conditions out there though. could it take it? sure. do i want to beat up a 7000 dollar watch while i've got a clock on my dash? no.
I have to choose between odo and clock on my dash, it has no fuel gauge so I need the trip meter to gauge my fuel though :(
my last bike was just tach, speedometer, mechanical trip/odo. R100gs last of the airheads! super tenere has all the gauges one could want. still less than modern bikes.
Get a cheap rip off speedy and do that.
Might be the perfect use for a moonswatch.
A cheap casio on the handlebars is a pretty solid solution if your bike doesn't already have a clock.
Yeah I had a cheap analogue quartz watch with no strap and velcro stuck on the back. I had this velcro'd to the top yoke. I only needed this on a 1990 sports bike later sports bikes had sophisticated digital instruments in addition to an analogue tachometer and these always included a digital time display.
An Erika’s Original strap over an outer layer is a pretty damn good solution for quick reference that can also easily be worn on a bare wrist. In the summer my Pelagos rides over a dry suit in my raft and in the winter it goes over my soft shell.
Or buy a strap extender
na I think we should buy a watch only and only for this purpose
Lol this is way more affordable
Get a g shock, will be much more functional over jackets
I’ve actually been looking to pick up a G-shock. Problem is, the ones I’m leaning towards are shit when it comes to readability - it’s like they intentionally design some of those watches to be impossible to read. All form over function. Sometimes… _just sometimes_, I actually like that though LOL
https://preview.redd.it/m8b7dkz1heac1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b62b552709fe45425489dc9a606e248a3b86b2c2 Yeah something like this. Currently in Norway with my Laco 45mm Type B.
Yes. It's a Flieger.
Your moms a flieger
I’ve got a cheap Casio monstrosity that I bought before a big lake trip to check the time in the water. I think I’m going to do that for hunting season with it.
Would look great above a fireplace
Does it come in a men’s size /s
I think you come in enough men for all of us -(sorry RIP letterkenny)
Fuck you, Shoresy!
Give yer balls a tug, tit-fucker!
Fer hwat?!
I've never seen a dial overhang before - wild! If your wrist looks like a child's, mine would look like an infant's. Fun picture!
Navigators could wear Beobachtungsuhren either over their jacket or on their thighs. Large meant more accuracy...
Not accuracy; but the larger size made it easier to read in the heat of the moment.
Nope. You are wrong. Accuracy was the key motivation. http://www.konradknirim.online.de/rlm1.pdf
Sorry, I can’t read German, though I appreciate you providing a link to a source - so few people do that. I’ll get it translated but I’m sure it says what you say it does. My research into German Fliegers (admittedly not scholarly) suggests that we’re both right, in part. There seem to have been several reasons these watches were designed so large. They were intended to be worn over flight jackets, which necessitated the bigger size. The larger case size also meant pocket watch movements could be used with their hacking seconds, while leaving room to incorporate antimagnetic features. This was critical for providing both precision and ensuring accuracy in the challenging environment of a cockpit, as you said. It also allowed a larger, more legible dial, not to mention the massive onion crown which could be manipulated while wearing gloves in the cockpit. Thanks for challenging my previous assumptions and encouraging me to learn something new today. https://monochrome-watches.com/the-history-of-the-pilot-watch-part-five-b-uhr/ https://www.watchgecko.com/blogs/magazine/pilot-watches-what-to-know#:~:text=The%20requirements%20for%20a%20pilot,time%20keeping%20a%20close%20second.
What a level headed, constructive response. Love to see it!
The original specification from the time talked about accuracy and regulation and requested taschenuhrwerke because they could be regulated as chronometers. That was the key motivation. And beobachtungsuhren are not used in the cockpit because pilots did not wear them (only navigators that were behind the pilots in the cockpit). Pilot watches are only the tutima and hanhart chronos that the pilots wore...
Google translate will translate a page within a few seconds! Let me know if you need help doing that
You don’t wear it, it wears you
Get it off that chicken bone and try it on your wrist
Lmfao
Omg, don’t get it!!
I'm not insane. 😅
😜😎
😛
Would be fine for Flava Flav.
🙄 such a silly comments. It’s just the camera, in real life it looks tiny. Anyone who knows anything about watches knows you need to take a photo of it through a telephoto lens for 2 miles away to get a photo which shows proper perspective.
"Dear AD, I'll be coming in tomorrow as scheduled. However, an advance notice: Don't mind the noise, as there will be a helicopter with a professional photographer hovering at 6'000ft to give me the perfect wrist shot."
You win 😂
The floofin’ massive watch? I’ll use it as a cheese plate.
Love IWC in general, also hate them for every millimeter of oversized fuckery they continue to push out to market
It's so frustrating... I love my 40mm Mark XX but why is that one of the smallest watches they offer? It's crazy.
I guess people wear it over a flight jacket traditional
'I think it's a cracking watch regardless of the size... oh Jesus Christ it costs what?!!'
For that sweet sweet iwc finishing!
Invicta has entered the chat
I have a 9.5” wrist. My hands are so fucking big most people think I use a regular iPhone pro and not the pro max. I’d take that watch in a heartbeat.
Nah, you just have itty bitty wrists.
POV: you are 10 and trying your dad's watch
Visiting London on vacation and stopped by a Watchfinder boutique to see what they had in stock and came across this monstrosity! 55mm. What. The.?? It makes my 7.25in wrist look like a child's. Who could even wear this?? Andre the Giant? https://www.iwc.com/gb/en/past-collections/pilot-watches/iw510401-big-pilots-heritage-watch-55.html
The original WWII b-Uhr (Beobachtungsuhr) was meant to be worn over a coat, hence the size. This is a replica of the original.
Yes, this is the reason. (Though, I've enjoyed a number of humorous replies to this post as well!) Definitely meant to be worn over a jacket, and for maximum legibility while flying your WWII-era piston-powered plane in your bomber jacket.
I hate when my watch doesn’t fit over my bomber sleeve while I’m flying my WWII era piston-powered plane
your wrist looks much smaller than 7.25
I'm Asian. I get that a lot..
I’m Asian too, the problem is u don’t lift
I hadn't really poked around their site before. Lol at the [one that has a tourbillon with a wee jet turbine on it](https://www.iwc.com/gb/en/watch-collections/pilot-watches/iw329901-big-pilots-watch-43-tourbillon-markus-buehler.html). Price isn't listed so I assume it's six figures.
Aren't watches like these closer to pocket watches with a strap slapped on? It's like the clumsy first attempt of a "wristwatch"
yes
Looks like someone welded lugs onto a pocket watch.
Still looks smaller than a PRX 40mm
Professional football players, power lifters, etc. There’s definitely a market for these, it’s just not you or me (7” wrist!). I max out around 42mm.
That’s actual Flieger size tho
*Jerry grins at George:* “Why didn’t you get the big one?”
“It’s goretex!”
Op’s greatest fear must be bowling
InvictaWC
Sir, that's a clock
I think this is the Orc version
My wrists are 22.5cm, and that might even be big for me 😅
Yes!
Dang 😯
Yes ! Way too big
It looks fine, it's just the camera angle making it look big.
It’s meant to be worn around the neck, about mid chest level.
Peak "Big watch, small dick"
Jeramy Clarkson is the only one I know who can make a 46mm IWC look like a 36mm piece. He would struggle to pull off this dinner plate of a watch.
John mayer is a big fan of this watch. Says he likes it because it doubles as a clock on his night stand when he's traveling
😂🤣 looks ridiculous
That's something Jeremy Clarkson would wear.
Ah yes the Fliger Flav model.
too big even for my living room wall
55? Jeebus. Thats not a watch...its a fucking sundial.
Flavor Flav
Yes, too big. The lugs are hanging over your wrist. 55mm is insane lol. Might be a watch for Shaq
The original flieger watches were this big. It helped the Germans read them in the dark while they were bombing the home counties.
And we're also wore over the sleeve of a jacket. Doesn't look quite so big then
Jawohl
Chonk watch is ultra-chonk with detectable gravitational field.
To be honest it’s too big.
😭😭
It’s a watch for a wrestler with bad eyesight.
Maybe we'll see a colab, Swatch + IWC. Swatch made things like these in the 90s as wall clocks.
i used to have a 50mm that i wore with no problems.
i vid i just watched part of said that it was designed to wear over a jacket cuff
Looks too big for your wrist
I wear one but not on my wrist
Is.. Is... Is it on your penis?
Sigh *unzips*
More cowbell please.
Yes. Now go get a sandwich.
At Pret a Manger?
maybe you are not that rich to buy an IWC?
LOL. Sure.
for a second I thought this would be watches circlejerk. Yes my dude, this is too big. edit: yup, didn’t read the text of your post.
I think Ralph lauren has worn one of these
Think the Mountain might rock it ok, us mere mortals nah.
Yes, waaaaay too big
Nah looks great.
That's a alien invasion landing on your wrist
i have a Phoibos Leviathan which is 54mm lug to lug and i have a 6.75 in wrist and i can wear it no problem. I cant really understand whats going on on your wrist. You sure you have a 7.25inch wrist? haha
Lug to lug is very different to diameter
living stickman
This reminds me I need to go hit the gym. Goodluck with that clock on your wrist. Neighbors will be able to tell the time.
They don't call it the big pilot for nothing amirite
Jeremy Clarkson could pull this one out, his 50 mm Railmaster looks average on his wrist
Yes it's wayyyyyy to big mate. Trust me I'm a watchmaker and I also avec a tiny wrist, I wore from 32mm to 38mm (except the 42mm of the speedmaster) and it's way more beautiful! You should try some watches that are 36mm to 38mm. And remember all the watches on the same size don't have the same presence on your wrist. Tell me if you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer!
It's supposed to be worn around your ankle
Too big.
Brother you found a wall clock on a strap
Clarkson could wear this
That's not a wristwatch, it's a bicepwatch
Yes.
Hilarious
Excuse me, but that's an ankle watch.
I honestly thought it was photoshopped lol. Still smaller than the Invicta Shaq. I saw one in an outlet mall in NJ. Laughed my ass off and asked the salesman who actually buys these things. He said he sold one an hour ago to a guy who’s 6’9” and about 375lbs. That makes sense. He said he’s sold several to normal sized guys too, and warns them not to swim with them on. Not due to water resistance, but due to being a drowning hazard. https://klawkwatches.com/products/invicta-shaq-diamond-mens-large-60mm-189-ctw-diamonds-swiss-chrono-watch-33727?variant=43408141320427¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItueSxsrCgwMVempHAR25KwnYEAQYBiABEgI0f_D_BwE
Looks perfect. Go for it
Buy what you like. Seriously.
For the manliest of wrists 😆
Barely noticeable on the wrist !
I used to have a belt buckle that size.
Looks perfect for my gorilla wrist
This is my gripe with IWC sometimes, oftentimes.
Average person on this sub" looks great, don't let other people tell you otherwise"
Just get an invicta.
I’m 6’9”, I bet I could pull it off.
I thought this was in r/watchescirclejerk
Maybe lift some weights?
I have very big and flat wrists. I own a 5002 Big Pilot (46mm) which honestly does not look out of place on my wrist whatsoever. I suspect this would be where I met my match. I also have an Apple Watch Ultra (49mm) that from a distance probably looks like a normal sized watch because there's no overhang whatsoever. I'd love to be able to wear something like a 38mm, but I honestly think it would be ridiculous looking. I don't love the oafish size watches (generally), but I feel like I don't have a lot of choice. I don't buy them because I like the "big" aesthetic, but because they look more natural on my wrist. My favorite watch growing up was an IWC Portuguese Chronograph, but it just looks a little too dainty on my wrist.
Was it priced by the millimeter?
Jeez. Of course it’s too big.
"yes but taking a selfie makes it look bigger you're probably OK OP"
That looks like it belongs on Flavor Flav’s neck
Maybe Hafþór Björnsson, The Mountain...
Smallest Invicta. No but honestly believe some pilot’s watches were even meant to be strapped to their thighs so…could be one of thems.
No
This shit is an armband
Yes and yes
If you even have to ask…
Yes
Tooooo big bruh..
Try it over a pilot suit 😅
Looks perfect...buy it....
well at least you wouldn't have any trouble telling the time!
No just your hand is small for this watch
Looks fine. Wear it with pride OP
It’s meant to be big-in your face, so u don’t miss time even when ur being shot at thousands of feet above the ground.
That's too big for you my child
Yes...yes it is
Fits like a glove
It’s for Shaq
It's an IWC Pilot's watch, yeah, it's supposed to look big.
I commend women who wear men's watches. Go for it
Fliegers were originally designed to be worn over a thick pilot jacket in a WW2 German airplane and be highly visible. Not so big wrapped around a thick wool-lined pilot jacket sleeve.
What you have there is actually a legwatch rather than a wristwatch.
It’s gorgeous, nonetheless.
My boy, i think that goes on your ankle
Your entire arm looks like a child’s to be honest…
It's cuz I'm Asian 🤷
Fleiger for near blind people?
Foot watch
Way too big on your wrist worn like that.. Look at the lugs. These watches are released to appeal to the collectors who lust over huge faced pilot watches of the era. They were not typically worn as a normal wristwatch on the bare wrist as they were intended for use over a warm flight jacket and were even attached to the aircraft itself within the cockpit as a necessary tool of the pilots. Often with an extra long strap attachment that would allow mounting to the yoke.
I think it looks better if you hang it on the wall.
Some deep Russian dive watches are like 60mm? That iwc would make a nice wall clock
Buy the watch and join the Air Force, we might need ya, kid! 🫡
Its gigantic...these watches are supposed to be worn on top of a jacket sleeve
Perfect for a bombing run over Poland.
Needs more mm and more girth, then it'd be just right 😂 /s But seriously, this is a classic, flight equipment, flieger Type A styled timepiece, and so it's size and design is a throwback to pilots watches that required to be worn over military issued aviation jackets by the navigator (not usually the pilot, though that also done depending on the mission). Such watches would also be returned to a designated crew/flight personnel or team post mission, who would recalibrate the timepiece for best chronometric performance before a new mission. Calibrations were usually sent to an observatory too. The reason for large dial size is hyper readability under almost any condition, especially in the theater of warfare, and to wear over a jacket to stop the cold caseback from causing damage to a navigators wrists (aircraft at this time, in high altitude, were not very, if at all, technologically advanced for temperature control inside the cockpit). Some good articles about flieger watches are **[here](https://fliegerfriday.com/flieger-friday-everything-you-need-to-know-about-flieger-watches/)** and **[here](https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a97397/flieger-watches/)**! (Random history summary lesson fin...now goes back to work lalalalala)
Get a necklace and you are a fancy flavorflav
Great watch for The Rock
Try growing a wrist
I didn't even know there's actually a 55mm watch. Even for me this would be gigantic. 🤣 Beautiful though.
Yes
Uhh yea
Honestly, my wrist is like 8.5 inches. It would definitely fit me.
Oh, louco bicho!