The Coolest IWC You'll Ever See! Aquatimer Automatic Dive Watch Review (IW329001) - Perth WAtch
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- Review of this innvotative diver from IWC Schaffhausen, featuring the unique "Safe Drive" bezel & patented quick release strap!
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IWC Aquatimer Automatic IW329001
- Official: www.iwc.com/en...
- Amazon: amzn.to/2IeaBFc
- Jomashop: www.anrdoezrs.n...
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Perth WAtch - Sharing my passion for horology and watches. Enjoy the videos on watch reviews, general thoughts & discussions, side-by-side comparisons, horology topics, and more!
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Best review I've seen on this watch, I now want one.
Thank you - very kind :)
Absolutely BRILLIANT.... one of the first IWC I can actually say ‘that’s worth it’ even with the ETA movement and not in-house...
Thanks for that - yeah I found this is almost at odds with the usual more conservative feel of IWC! :)
There is a version with the in house movement now.
Nice
Well, my friend, I finally picked up this exact model - rubber strap and all - just the other day. Believe me, I am just as enthusiastic as you are. What a watch! I absolutely love it, and simply cannot take it off my wrist. Everything is done to an exacting standard, really unlike any other dive watch I have seen. I have also shared this video with some friends, especially so they can see that amazing bezel in action! Cheers, Carl
That’s awesome man - glad you’re enjoying the watch and loving it! :)
I'm not a huge IWC fan, but that's a really interesting watch with amazing details. It's big, but doesn't look too big on your wrist at all. Awesome design. Great review as always!
Thank you - yeah very true, it manages to still sit well on my not-very-big wrist despite it's size, thanks mostly to the clever lug design and the way that rubber comes out I think :)
I bought this watch a month ago based upon this review, and I couldn't be happier! So thank you! Everything you say is true about the watch. Bezel is great to play with, and the quick clasp makes the watch easy to take off and clean. I believe my wrist and yours are about the same size. I was on the last two holes of the band, and then I found out IWC makes three sizes for this watch. I got the smaller one (AD switched for me no charge). Watch fits great for its size. Surprisingly better than my 40mm Oris BC3. Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing that - very happy to hear you are loving it! I wasn't aware they make 3 sizes of band for this, thanks for pointing that out. Cheers, Ivan.
Great review. Have had this watch for 18mths. First high end mechanical watch and I love it. It’s that little bit different to other more ‘generic formula’ divers with the trick bezel, strap release and deep dish dial. I think the rubber strap is perfect and the steel bracelet would make the watch very heavy, physically and visually. The only thing that could be improved is the longevity and brightness of the lume....and possibly addition of crown guards to visually balance with the differential housing.... An in house movement would have been great for that full IWC experience. The benefit of the ETA should be ease of servicing and not as costly as a ‘bespoke’ in house.
Thanks for sharing that - all very good points you make about the specifics of this watch. Cheers!
Very nice!
I love It! 😍
I love all IWC watches (Aquatimer, Ingenieur, Portugieser, Portofino, da Vinci and Pilot).
Thanks :)
Although this is an expensive watch, it really looks and feels properly high end in the flesh. It’s just impressive. Not saying I’d pay 5k for it, but no video can do this justice. I’ve found it’s something you have to hold to appreciate.
Yep agreed... it's really quite impressive in the "steel". Mind you that goes for pretty much any watch at this price or higher - you can't really convey it all just on video.
The strap and the change system is probably the most impressive thing about this watch, a very impressive watch overall though.
Thanks man! I reckon that bezel system is pretty darn cool too, and feels very refined! :)
This is such a beautiful watch. Just so gorgeuos. I have the Aquatimer 2000 and love it. Will be looking at the newer blue dial one. Selling one of my Rolexes to compensate. I'm over the whole Rolex crap. This is a better looking piece everyday.
Thanks for the great review.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Excellent, thorough review of this amazing dive watch. And you really covered all the minute details. Excellent photography, too. I got to see this watch last week, and I was really very impressed. That 'Safe Dive' technology is remarkable, and a unique and welcome change to the normal dive bezel. Much better than having a separate crown. Of course now, with the 8 years maximum warranty, I wouldn't worry too much about having to get repairs. I don't really have a dive watch now, and I think this will be the one. I have just ordered the new Big Pilot 43, as my first IWC, so I think this one will have to wait a while. I actually found the rubber strap to be very comfortable, and with the added detail on the back of those extensions, should keep the wrist fairly cool. While it is still a cool looking tool watch, that bezel really does dress it up a bit. Thanks again for your great review!
Thank you for the kind words and positive feedback - glad that you found this review informative and enjoyable :)
That is one lovely watch. I really like IWC, everything they do is excellent. Very nice review Ivan. Bet it really hurt to have to give that back to Graham!
Thanks for that John. Haha well I guess I'm used to returning pieces like these by now... it's a privilege to be able to preview these and get a taste when borrowing. Anything I really love... well I suppose I'll get my own :)
It s a brilliant watch isn't it. I actually like that they went with the ETA 2892, as its a tried and tested movement that is known to be solid, reliable, and accurate. Plus as I understand, they are built, adjusted and finished to IWC specs in the top grade configuration. So, its not really surprising you are getting those accuracy figures. In fact, I have heard from folks this is more accurate than some of their in-house 7 day movements.
Thanks for sharing the thoughts... well for the price I think that would be a reasonable expectation of extra work that is put into the movement :)
@@PerthWAtch Haha yes, of course! I have seen pictures of the similar movement in their other lineup fully decked out with Cotes de Geneve, Perlage and engraved "adjusted to 5 positions", etc. So, I would expect this one to have the same treatment. The IWC official website definitely says the decorations are there.
Brilliant watch, it challenges the Patek Phillip aquanaut with a far lesser price point
Thanks for that... although not sure if it will go toe to toe with an Aquanaut myself. For one, it doesn't have an in-house movement... but yeah, it does have some pretty special quality and features! :)
It's too thick
All the better to... defend yourself with? ;)
It has similarlys if you see the watch live...
I really like the understated Teutonic style of IWC. I realize its not for everyone but for me, I quite like it. Would buy this, except the chronograph version.
Thank you for those thoughts, I would be inclined to agree! :)
Brilliant review mate. Love the piece.
Thanks :)
Great review! It’s a beautiful and interesting watch.
Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it! :)
Super late to the convo, as a rec diver, pin buckles are most practical and secure attachments for a dive watch. I have this aquatimer in blue and couldn't be happier. Very good bezel grip under water and the lume is very good during those late afternoon dives.
Thanks for sharing the thoughts. Wouldn’t a good quality bracelet clasp be more secure?
@@PerthWAtch @Perth Watch Not necessarily the bracelet but the clasp. Sand, salt and other debris can compromise the clasp if you need to make quick adjustments with wrist expansion during a dive, especially if you have a ratcheted or glide lock type extension. A rubber strap w/ a pin buckle is a simple design that resists diving grit and has more levels of quick adjustability.
Ah I see, that makes a lot of sense!
If they had a In-House movement... love the amazing design... it’s so unique and cool
Yeah price is steep for still being ETA powered
Nice ... I'll take that one and a white face, blue hand Portuguese Chrono and I'll be happy
Haha that would be a good pair to have for sure :)
Just a little background the quick change strap on the iwc was originally found on the Cartier roadsters
Oh how interesting, I didn't know that!
@@PerthWAtch thanks for the reply always enjoy your content
Fantastic and unique diver. Fits you well.
Thanks for that man :)
IWC! One of my fetish brands. Cool!
Awesome - thanks! :)
hi Ivan, thanks for this review. Finally something "high-end" watch after so many "Chinese off brands". Don't take it wrong. I like your cheap Chinese watch reviews. some are quite fascinating to say the least. But IWC is and was one of my favorite watches. I actually owned few, but sold them all few years back....
When you say "innovative diver" (BTW, innvotative is a new vocab from Perth? :+), I am not so sure that is really necessary to make it that way. It is bit, just a bit, interesting to look at, but I do not see the point making that way which is a lot more complicated and very costly to make and do R&D... And eventually the consumers will pay for that unnecessary feature. I think that regular Bezel (good tight bezel) would do just fine. (well, that is just my opinion, but if they really wanted to innovate something new, they should have tried something else in my opinion...)
$5K for this watch? mmmmmmmmmmmm with ETA2892-A2 movement which is similar to SW300?! with a rubber strap? Yes, I give a point for that nicely done rubber strap clasp, but maybe few dollars more for that chamfered edges. However, the quick change system is awesome! Hope that they do the same thing for metal clasp (like Rolex glide-lock style which is a lot more useful than lug changes)
And $1000.00 more for bracelet version? if IWC is keep doing that, that by itself will turn off a lot of potential customers. IWC's glory days are over and they must do something really good and different AND WITH REASONABLE PRICING in order to turn the company around.....
Sorry to say to IWC, but that watch reminds me of $1500 to $2000 watch ranges. I owned a Monta Oceanking (SW300) and it does look much better, Bezel action is as good as $10K Rolex!, and one of the most accurate watches that I own. I would take Monta over this IWC. (of course, IWC will go on for next hundred years... but who knows.. Monta might be gone in a decade or so. But I am strictly talking about watch itself and quality of the watches).
It has been many many month that I have seen a IWC watch reviews. Probably since IWC is not making much waves, not many youtubers are reviewing... but Glad to see that you have done so. Thanks Ivan. Good day to you.
Thanks again Alex - a lot of good thoughts there as always. I have done GP, JLC, Breitling and Omega before... I don't do a lot because it all depends on what I can get my hands on. Even did a VC before but that really didn't get that much attention... it seems like the sweet spot is somewhere below $1000 as that's where value meets pricing appropriateness for many people.
The innovation here is pretty cool IMO... it's absolutely unnecessary as you say, but that's precisely part of what makes luxury, it's by definition unnecessary. Indeed it could've been put towards something else, but all the same I do appreciate these unique features.
I don't have a good feel of where IWC is these days... I can say that they did open a new boutique in a pretty posh location in my city last year, combined with Omega and Rolex under the Kennedy company. But you may be right in that their glory days are past. The bracelet version of this watch is pretty kickass I think, but I don't think it's got a glide lock like Rolex does.
@@PerthWAtch thanks for your comment. As I remember, about 20 years ago, IWC and Rolex were about even. And that was when I started collecting highend watches. at that time, I bought IWC over Rolex because I believed IWC was more rare and reputable than Rolex.. of course, how time changed.... personally, I think that IWC has lost footing mainly due to two reasons. Lack of advertisement & marketing. (when you think about it, I think that Rolex does the most among all the high end watches. probably 10 times more than IWC at least) and second might be "line-extension" by creating so many different watches (including quartz) without proper marketing and goals....
@@alexsdg3441 this watch looks very premium in person.
Straps are of different sizes, S would fit pretty small wrist, if you’re 17 cm and strap is big - it’s probably L, not even M. M on my 17,5 cm wrist fits around middle holes and the replacement L strap that I have fits on last or pre-last hole, depending on a day.
Interesting info
Good review and showcase.
Thank you :)
IWC all day, every day.
Hooyah ;)
Well done!
Thanks ;)
Throw in one of their new in house movements and drop the diameter down to 40mm and the lug to lug to 48mm, and I’m sold.
I think that’s be quite a winner! :)
I love this watch in blue. Definitely on my shopping list.
I envy your shopping list!! What else you got one there? :)
IWC DaVinci perpetual calender chrono, Ball pulsemeter chrono, Tag aquaracer calibre 5, Longines master collection moonphase, Frederique Constant world timer
Cool man, you have some very nice choices in there! :)
Interesting watch.
Thanks :)
I don’t know, I think IWC seems to charge entirely too much for their watches with ETA movements. It’s a nice looking watch but for the money there are others I’d choose over this.
Yeah fair enough man, you're not alone in having that sentiment, that's for sure!
I'm not sure you can just call them ETA movements. It's like saying a Hennessey Vette is just a Corvette. There's a lot of in house parts and tuning that go into it.
Like what?
It’s just an ETA movement. They want you to believe it’s special but it’s not. Heck they don’t even bother getting the chronometer grade
@@PerthWAtch . Yes true. I've had ETA movements for 30 years. Reliable, accurate and easy to service, especially the 2892. Not an issue for me. My Gshock solar quartz has a better movement than an IWC and a Rolex. I love the aesthetics of this piece.
Hi from Perth as well.
Hello Anthony :)
I can't decide between this one and the Cousteau. The black one looks aggressive, kind of "tacti-cool" but the Cousteau has the stunning dial color with that orange detail on the seconds hand, making it more of a holiday watch than a travel-diver.
Interesting watch that Cousteau... I wasn't aware of that model. I think if faced with having to choose only one, I would personally go with this plainer black. The Orange reduces versatility and whilst it's cool, it's much harder to pass the more formal things get.
@@PerthWAtch Excellent point. Something to consider indeed. Cheers!
Which model of this watch has the in house movement, this watch is stunning, i wish they came out with the titanium version that would be pretty cool
Did someone say it’s got an in-house movement?
@@PerthWAtch from what im hearing is that from the comment section is that ETA movements aren't necessarily in house movements. I could be wrong on that
Yep, nobody would consider an IWC with an ETA as having an in-house movement. Why would you think they made a variation with an in-house movement?
@@PerthWAtch I'm new to these kind of higer end watches I sorta expect to have in house movements at the price point they are going for. Nice to know on these price point watches that some may or may not have in house movements. The most expensive watch I own is the Hamilton khaki aviation x wind chrono
I wouldn’t just go by the price. A $200 Swatch will have an in-house movement and there may be watches even more expensive than this IWC that do not.
Great review mate! I've heard a few problems with the strap 'self releasing'! Any experience with that - not ideal on a diver?!
Yeah apparently it has happened before where it joins the case… not 100% sure but I understand that they’ve refined this since.
@@PerthWAtch Thank you very much for responding - I've heard the same, but I'm slightly dubious! I may go and have a play with an AD's stock. Won't I be popular ;-)
Haha that’d be a test of their retail service commitment! Let us know how you go!
Now the IWC releases the updated model with in house movement. Is it a great deal with the patented mechanisms ?
To answer that, one would have to see the watch in hand and know the price
Hola, Where did you get the image shown at 9.16, the technical drawing of the external/internal rotating bezel?. Thank you. Best from Spain!!!
Can't remember now... I was just searching around and came upon that image one day, so I saved it :)
awesome good watch
It is! :)
I'm torn between this and the navitimer. Which would you pick?
If I was considering picking my first Breitling it would be Navitimer hands down.
If I was considering my first IWC, it would not be this model.
I wouldn't be tossing up between Navitimer and this watch... not sure why you are comparing two rather difference models.
It has holes in the gear housing so you can hold it under a tap and rinse out the salt water.
Who told you? You must know something the rest of us don’t 🤔
Wondering why the word Schaffhausen is slanted.Does it made that way?
English please??
Hi, what size of your wrist? I will not be able to try it before buying one and I'm afraid my wrist will be too small.
17cm - I said so when I did the wrist shot ;)
Great watch, not beautiful , but absolutely very functional and a definite must have
Thanks for that Lance... yeah it's not the most pretty but oh those features are so nice :)
Hey, are some of the markers on the chapter slightly misaligned or is it just ?
Not that I saw… I thought it was all perfect
@@PerthWAtch I bought a pre-owned watch from Chrono24. Case and everything else is immaculate, except 2 markers misaligned. So upset, and really didn't expect this from IWC.
Oh dear… yeah it really should be better than that!
I really like the watch but even more the Cousteau version with the blue dial and some orange colors.
Yet I think this watch is way too expensive if you compare it with the latest Omega Seamaster 300 which is absolutely remarkable in everyway ... and that costs almost 1000 Euros less than this IWC that has an ETA movement. I mean come on...
Ok they worked on the outside: the nice bezel and the easy removing rubber bracelet but they cat expect to sell it 1000 Euros more than the Omega.
In the end how many reviews of this watch is there on youtube and how many videos of the seamaster tells everything. How many people buy an aquatimer today and how many a Seamaster.
Honnestly I would buy this watch if it had a in house movement at least cosc certified. But I think I'll go for the seamaster instead.
Yep, I agree with your comments. The value proposition at this price range is indeed seriously brought into question because it uses an ETA movement.
I have the same opinion like you - I love the design, I love the look (unique in the all same looking type of divers out there) but an ETA movement? That’s a killer - if they have in-house movement, I definitely will take this one over the Seamaster or submariner
Is it possible to use normal straps with this model?
Depends on what you mean by "normal" but I'm gonna say "yes" :)
Only a NATO or Zulu strap. Bars are fixed (not the normal spring bar) so can’t be fed through the end of a normal strap.
Before the video starts, how much is this beast?
Check 4:17 - I'll leave the suspense hanging :)
@@PerthWAtch I snuck a peek at the website lol
For a £4650 watch id expect a much nicer box, no plastic any where. The watch is georgous but the box is terrible.
Wait... is not THAT expensive! ;)
Smoothy wear the watch and not the box
helloo teacher
Hello again :)
Ivan I tried really hard not to like this one, I've failed I really want it, like a hobo who's not eaten for a month and sees a burger wants it
Did that burger have cheese on top?
Cornish - Haha that's a bit extreme no? I reckon a starving hobo would go for an expired block of spam! You on the other hand have had the chance to sample a range of horology... so it's more of an aspiration for something higher :)
@@PerthWAtch this hobo finds spam too posh mate lol
@@jtec99 yes but no pickle 👍
😂😂
Nice watch..But the box is really poor for a 5,000 dollar watch..
Yeah fair point!
nice box or a piece of cardboard, they're all getting thrown in the back of the closet just the same, so what's the point?
Some use it for a cool display
The case looks like an Invicta from the side....just saying
So you mean it looks like a Rolex Sub??
No not the pro diver, one of their other monstrosities
Ah, how interesting ;)
:)
;)
That box is just bad. I actually like the watch but for that retail price I would chose so many other watches that look far better Tha than this Modell. Reminds me too much of a Maurice lacroix pontos...
Interesting... what don't you like about the box? To me it's much of a much-ness.... indeed, rubberized dressing on plastic is better than the faux leather on cardboard that Omega used for so long (although their current wood ones are much better).
Also, what watch models/brands would you go for given the same budget?
@@PerthWAtch Hello my friend. Well the box just does not make a statement of a high quality end watch for me... I don't know it's just my opinion. I have recently bought a ORIS aquis source of life limited edition and that box just looks awesome, the booklets look and feel great, the ones in this box remind of a user manual for a mixer. Now the watch itself does not look bad at all its just noty cup of tea. For that money I would probably buy a Breitling or an Omega - sorry I just like those two brands... Again I apologize the watch you have is a nice looking watch but to me a IWC pilot, portuguiser etc are tho ones I would go for if I was buying a IWC. Thanx. Have a great day.
Also that buckle just don't belong on a watch of that price.
Thanks for the clarification. Yeah the monotone manuals do indeed look rather boring and cheap. But as for the box, I think it just doesn't translate well on video perhaps. I own a couple of Oris myself and in hand, there is no question this is superior to the cardboard boxes of my Oris pieces. This watch itself vs Portugueser models, well I guess there's subjectivity in that, although this is definitely not the first watch people would think of with regards to IWC. Cheers, Ivan.
@@PerthWAtchnice having a mature conversation about watches. The box that I have from my Oris aquis source if life is really nice. I would say nicer than the breitling box u have which is kind of a mix of leather and some other materials that make it look like something that characters out of the show gossip girl would wear 😂
The quick strap change is pointless. What strap are you going to get? Nothing...
The metal bracelet option.
Perth WAtch common! that watch looks like shit on metal and it’s also not worth 1k more making this 6400... get out of here iwc with this bs
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Perth WAtch it’s a fact! They are offering a product with a basic movement at 2x the price of day a breitling superocesn..... and an omega seamaster at 30% off is a bette product!
@@ripperx444 You're one of those, aren't you?