In 2002, IWC introduced quite possibly its most iconic watch ever. The luxury fake IWC Big Pilot’s Watch ref. 5002 was modeled after the famous IWC Beobachtungsuhren or B-Uhren that the brand supplied to the German Luftwaffe in 1940. These oversized watches were a massive 55mm and were powered by pocket watch movements.
Swiss made replica IWC supplied the Luftwaffe with 1,000 pieces of the B-Uhren produced according to the Air Force Ministry specification Fl. 23883. Two dial variations were available for the B-Uhren, but IWC only produced the Type A dial that featured Arabic-numeral hour markers around the dial. The best quality replica watches with ref. 431 were known as the Grosse Fliegeruhr in German, which means “Big Pilot’s Watch” in English.
When the legendary Günther Blumlein was the CEO of top copy IWC, he already wanted to reintroduce the Big Pilot’s Watch. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2001 before the new Grosse Fliegeruhr ref. 5002 was unveiled at Baselworld 2002. This modern version of the AAA replica IWC Big Pilot’s Watch featured a case that was just over 46mm, making it 9mm smaller than the original. The case is 15.8mm thick with a 22mm lug width and a 60m water-resistance rating. Its size and presence made the Big Pilot one of the most influential watches during the early 2000s when oversized watches were really popular.
A refined dial design
Overall, best 1:1 replica IWC refined the original design and used a different font type for the numerals on the dial. Looking at the dial, you will see that the watch does not feature a full set of numerals from 1 to 12. The 2, 3, and 4 have been sacrificed to fit the seven-day power reserve indicator. Furthermore, the 6 has been replaced by a date window. The date is printed in black on a white disc, and it often ranks as one of the few design elements that owners of the Swiss movement fake IWC would have liked to see executed differently. But despite the design optimizations, the watch still featured the standout marker at 12 o’clock and the diamond-style screw-down crown.
Speaking of the crowns, the first series of the watches featured crowns with the famous fish image. Those crowns were replaced because they were known to leak, letting in moisture and dust. For that reason, IWC replica for sale UK would replace the crowns with the “Probus Schaffhausen” crowns. Inside the large case, super clone IWC equipped the watch with the in-house caliber 5011. This automatic movement operates at 18,000vph, has 44 jewels, and features a massive 168-hour power reserve that you can check on the dial.
The high quality fake IWC comes on the characteristic chunky and riveted alligator strap. Besides being functional, it has also become an iconic design element. The wholesale copy IWC Big Pilot’s Watch ref. 5002-01 has become an industry icon and is a much-wanted collector’s piece. Expect to see prices between €7K and €10K depending on the condition and the crown.
