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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Canada
Watch: The Cyclops l SD43
Posts: 171
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Thoughts on IWC Top Gun 41 Ceratanium?
Seriously considering
PILOT’S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH 41 TOP GUN CERATANIUM® (IW388106)- $16,500 CAD ![]() ![]() https://www.iwc.com/en/watch-collect...eratanium.html OR PILOT'S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH 41 TOP GUN CERAMIC (IW389401)- $11,100 CAD ![]() ![]() https://www.iwc.com/en/watch-collect...1-top-gun.html Both are 41mm but the Ceratanium is thinner. Is the material worth the price difference? New to IWC and there isn't that much info on these online unlike Rolex. I had a Rolex SD43 before but found it a bit big and top heavy, just wasn't comfortable as a daily and was kinda paranoid wearing it (didn't want to ding it). I'm new to IWC, so please give me your thoughts or if you own one of these two, please post photos! There isn't much info or video online Looking forward to your replies and photos! ![]() |
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#2 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: USA
Watch: YM42 Ti
Posts: 2,617
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The quality is there with IWC. I can’t quantify value or worth with luxury items, but If I like something enough it doesn’t matter. Never hurts to ask for a discount.
Being thinner is a big deal, especially if you were worried about dinging your SD43. I don’t always want a display case back, but given those two options, I prefer seeing the movement. It looks interesting! Judging only from those renderings, I like the ceratanium better but I would find out how bright or dark the lume is. Black lume is usually dim and doesn’t last long. From that rendering, the loom plots appear gray? I would find out how bright it is if loom is important to you. Are you able to try these on before purchasing? Often times, the watch I like best in pictures is not the watch I like best on my wrist.
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Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019 |
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#3 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2024
Real Name: Mike
Location: USA
Watch: Swiss Made
Posts: 596
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I would go with the second option. Dial is more legible and you have easy change strap system. Both great watches and very light ideally for the summer
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#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: West Side
Posts: 2,643
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So in practice, the 1mm difference in thickness is hardly noticeable so I wouldn't say that was a deciding factor for me in choosing the ceratanium. A bonus, yes. But I chose the ceratanium because I just thought the more subtle color of the lume plots (which is sometimes grey, sometimes even a little cream in color) and the absence of the red second hands, felt a little more upscale to me. I also liked that the pushers were of the same material, again also making it feel a little but more upscale. And while I realize that it's not on the dial anywhere, I just never liked the in your face Top Gun branding (even if it was on the caseback!) and so the display back was also a huge plus for me!
Overall the ceratanium mode is definitely still sporty/rugged but when compared to the ceramic version, just feels more refined. And I'm happy to report that I have yet to see any marks on the case so perhaps the resiliency of the ceratanium is as advertised! |
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#5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: West Side
Posts: 2,643
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![]() Oh and I also had the IWC spring bars that work with the easx straps installed at the boutique so now have the option to use the easx straps! You do have to get a separate buckle for these straps (which unfortunately are not ceratanium) but the boutique was kind enough to give that to me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#6 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: usa
Posts: 19,312
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There is an all lumed up model announced today
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: West Side
Posts: 2,643
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Another reason for the ceratanium version…just goes better with any color strap you put on due to the monotone colorway. The splash of red is cool but for me, wouldn’t look great if you introduce another color.
![]() Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#8 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: USA
Watch: YM42 Ti
Posts: 2,617
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I like that.
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Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019 |
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#9 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Houston
Watch: SkyD, SD43, GMT2
Posts: 5,016
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Quote:
IWC’s Website has photos of them in the light and dark showing the lume. Good suggestion on checking the lume before buying. https://www.iwc.com/us/en/watch-coll...eratanium.html |
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#10 | ||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Canada
Watch: The Cyclops l SD43
Posts: 171
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Quote:
Quote:
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#11 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Canada
Watch: The Cyclops l SD43
Posts: 171
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Quote:
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#12 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Asia
Watch: Audemars Piguet RO
Posts: 2,495
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amazing watches, you might get a deal in the secondary market.
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#13 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Asia
Watch: Audemars Piguet RO
Posts: 2,495
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that, sir, is an excellent combo
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#14 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: USA
Watch: YM42 Ti
Posts: 2,617
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Every time I see the word Ceratanium, I suddenly hear Metallica Sanitarium playing in my head. I hate that name.
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