Will I regret a IWC Top Gun Chrono Purchase?

[Watchlover1981]

Hey bros, like to ask a question.

I am in the market for a IWC Top Gun Double Chrono. However, I am VERY CONCERNED about how sturdy the ceramic case is.

I know that ceramic watches are really scratch resistant but they cannot withstand hard knocks to the case. I do not wish to 'baby' this watch as I want to wear it on a daily basis.

IWC Forummer says that he dropped his watch onto a table from a height of 10cm and e case cracked. It will cost him 4300 (GBP i think) to replace the case.

So I would like to ask all Top Gunners out their on their experiences of wearing this black beauty on their wrist.

Thanks and happy Saturday all!

[75s]

You won't regret so much if u buy used :-)

[coopster9]

I can affirm to that, my hulk cracked n replacing it would cost 1k plus. Not worth it, ceramic that is.
And it started from a light knock n scratch!!!

As for Top Gun, hasn't the novelty worn off yet?

[75s]

yeah - may be better off saving the money and getting a pilot chrono or spitfire. OR alternatively a non-TG double chrono

[KuchingKu]

I used my Top Gun for many months but no crack. Never drop the watch. For steel, even if case not crack, the shock will harm the movement too.

But I did hear of ceramic cases cracking. Now, I wear my rubberized cases IWC Galapagos. Sure won't crack non-scratch but may chip off.

So the best is to get a deployment buckle.

[monstaR]

I have a top gun double chrono and have no issues wearing it often. You will definitely enjoy it as much as I do.

[lthg25]

IWC will be launching new Top Gun models in 2012. Check out their website

[fishcake2005]

http://blog.breitlingsource.com/wp-c...WC-Ceramic.pdf

Ceramic is hard but not tough. I currently own one and loved it.

[monstaR]

IWC will be launching new Top Gun models in 2012. Check out their website

Would this be the last installment of the top gun edition? Heard that there will be 3 editions in total and the single chrono has been discountinued, the double will soon be phased out leaving this latest one for 2012 as the final?

Not too sure..... C

[monstaR]

The latest one is 48mm! http://www.iwc.com/en-us/news/2012-t...e-high-flyers/

[fishcake2005]

my baby

[lthg25]

Offical respond from IWC on their ceramic case

Ceramics are characterized by their density, which makes them optimally resistant against scratches and from corrosive attacks from sea water, or perspiration. Compared to other materials, ceramics are brittle- meaning that they can break more easily, due to hard hits to a weak area on the case.
The ceramic used by IWC Schaffhausen is Yttrium stabilized Zirkonoxid, which is the most commonly used high performance ceramic. It showcases the best characteristics of fracture resistance. From the first step of a watch’s development, we optimize the case construction against problems such as these. All our watches go through rigid testing processes to guarantee the best quality possible.

Nevertheless, as a matter of principle, you should avoid strong vibrations and impacts. A mechanical wristwatch is a precision instrument whose manufacture involves working to tolerances of hundredths or even thousandths of a millimetre. Therefore sharp impacts (e.g. dropping the watch on concrete or wooden floor) could damage the case or the movement

[feudallordcult]

TS, you will never regret an IWC chrono. I bought mine sometime ago and gave it to my brother when he graduated from flight school. Still looks pretty good but I know of his colleague who had a cracked bezel. replacement was NOT cheap at all.

[monstaR]

my baby

Nice!

[Watchlover1981]

Hey bros, thanks for all your thoughts!

How much did it cost to replace the cracked ceramic case?

I am thinking of double chrono but for my 16cm (6.3") wrist, not sure if 46mm is too big. I am currently wearing a Speedmaster BA GMT at 44.25mm and I think I can hold the size. So also considering the 44mm single chrono.

Decisions, decisions.

In your opinion, what would be a "hard knock" that would crack the ceramic case? Don't count drop, but say, I knock my watch onto a hard surface while walking??