Introducing: IWC Big Pilot Heritage BRONZE IW501005 (Live Pics, Pricing & Availability)

Article by B. Walker – bwalker@shrevecrumpandlow.com

IWC has been releasing some incredible new Pilot’s watch references over the years. This new addition to the Big Pilot family in particular is especially unique. This new reference IW501005 is IWC’s first Bronze pilot’s watch and limited to only 1,500 pieces globally. IWC-Big-Pilot-Watch-Heritage-Bronze-front

The blued steel hands and vintage creme colored lume pay hommage to the original IWC Pilot’s watches worn throughout WW2 by the German Airforce.

IWC-Big-Pilots-Watch-Bronze-3

This bronze version is powered by the same cal. 52110 automatic seven-day power reserve movement that is in the current production stock Big Pilot. The case has a titanium back engraved with the serial number and special edition inscription, (note this piece is non-specific limited edition) as well as a soft iron inner cage to protect the movement from magnetism. As of today’s date 2/13/2018 Shreve, Crump & Low currently has one of these Bronze Heritage Big Pilot’s for sale MSRP $13,200.00 USD

It important note that unlike other bronze references from IWC such as the Bronze Aquatimer Chrono tribute to Charles Darwin which has a fine brushed finish as seen in image below the IWC Big Pilot has a high-finished polish.

IWC-Aquatimer-Chronograph-Charles-Darwin-Bronze-12 — IWC Bronze Aquatimer Chronograph tribute to Charles Darwin Bronze image via Ablogtowatch.com

This high-polished bronze-chrome like finish gives the piece an immediate appearance of high-polished gold. See some live shots below from a collector’s instagram.

25037544_2039917769622501_4127568596291289088_n — image via private instragram account

The watch may look shiny and new out of the box, but no one really knows how the bronze metal will age/patina down the road. That is part of the personal journey of owning one of these pieces, it oxidizes by the way you wear the watch, where you go with the watch, and what you do with the watch. Over the years different types of bronze alloys will age differently, an extreme example is the below image of a Panerai Bronzo (the original modern day Bronze timepiece) the PAM00382, which was released in 2010, and has just turned 8 years old. (it is highly likely this piece has been artificially enhanced in a salt bath to a collector’s desired patina).

e349582d995485b35caca18e41467d72 — Extremely Patina’d PAM00382 (image via private instagram account)

STOCKED!: Panerai Due PAM00728 & PAM00729 (Live Pics, Pricing & Availability)

Article by B. Walker – bwalker@shrevecrumpandlow.com

The Panerai Luminor Due collection officially debuted in Spring 2016 to much collector fanfare, and an equal amount of controversy. While stylistically in line with the traditional Panerai form, the new Luminor Due reference incorporates a much slimmer case than the Luminor 1950s and Luminor base model. Just how much slimmer? The new case measures only 10.5mm thick.

When originally launched the Due collection was available in stainless steel with a sunburst gray dial or rose gold with the sunburst gray dial in 42mm and 45mm case options. Price starting at $7,900 for the 42mm stainless steel Due, and moving up from there.

These two new blue dial references released in 2017 are the only blue dial options in the new Luminor Due collection. The 42mm PAM00728 is priced at $8,600 and the 45mm automatic PAM00729 is priced $11,200. Why the premium over the stainless base model? These new blue dial references are only offered in a titanium case metal, which is something to love as they are feather light on the wrist.

While the die-hard Paneristi will criticize this new watch for being a bastardization of the classic Panerai aesthetic, it opens up the market to an entire new collection who formerly found it difficult to wear 47mm Luminor 1950 or 44mm Luminor. The only other subtle downside would be that these new Dues arewater resistant to only 30 meters opposed to the standard 100 meters for the Luminor.

However there is far more to love on the new Due – the ultra slim profile and light weight build, well the creme colored sandwich dial accents the sunburst blue dial beautifully. Both of these references are equip with fully in-house manufactured Panerai calibers the P.1000 in the 42mm and the P.4000 automatic micro-rotor movement, please keep in mind the automatic movement does not require an increased case size.

PAM00728 42mm Titanium Luminor Due

06.-pam729 — PAM00729 45mm Titanium Luminor Due

These two references are delivered on blue alligator straps with Titanium buckles come standard!

As of Feb. 9, 2017 these two references are in stock at our Boston location. For sales inquires, kindly email sales@shrevecrumpandlow.com or call 617-267-9100 and ask to speak with one of our timepiece professionals today.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Diamonds and rare gemstones have always been my true passion.

The beauty of an exquisite fine diamond or gemstone has always

made my heart jump with excitement.

This why every gemstone or diamond you discover at Shreve Crump and Low

has been vetted and approved by me personally. You get what I have already

approved and invested my own resources into as a purchase which will last for eternity.

Let me tell you a story of one my last rare purchases.

Screen Shot 2018-01-25 at 12.13.16 PM.png — 7.82 Carat D / Flawless Oval Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring.

I recently was offered the finest quality diamond in the world by a collector similar to myself. The collector is just as passionate so it is never easy to get a like minded collector to part with something they truly appreciate. Buying and selling is a little like poker you never really know what facts make the other tick. I can tell you the most exciting purchase is always my next purchase and my friend is in the market to purchase something and that means he has to sell to buy. This diamond is a 7.82 carat D Flawless Oval cit with matching D IF Heart Shape diamonds on each side and comes with a type IIA letter from GIA the ultimate judge of quality in the industry. The D is the whitest diamond you can buy unless it has the type IIA letter from GIA that says it is really a C color because it has no trace of nitrogen. Nitrogen is what makes a diamond yellow

and yellow or brown is not always a positive unless it is really saturate qualifying it for fancy color status. That topic I will leave for another story.

It is also rare to have a flawless grade which is rarer than internally flawless which means the diamond has a minor surface flaw usually around the girdle.

Well the conversation started out with the seller telling me what he thought about the diamonds value. It was a fare price but there was a little more work to be done. Sometimes a buyer like myself can syndicate an important diamond like this to other buyers. As a member of the diamond dealers club in NYC there is never a shortage of partners. Partners are for dancing due to the lack of control one has on the asset one covenants. I discuss the present market and clarify the sellers thoughts on my competitors ability to buy. The total negotiation can sometimes take days or even weeks to finalize. A transaction is best between to parties that trust 1000% that whatever conclusion is reached final completion is assured.

We went back and forth and finally came to an agreement. The diamond was mine now all I had to do was pay for it. So goes the never ending challenge of buying and selling the rarest of gemstones. High to low and back again the cycle always prepares itself for next great purchase. Now that I own one of the most beautiful diamonds I have ever purchased it will be my goal to find a buyer that has the same passion for beauty has myself. Will you be the next owner of the 7.82 D Flawless Type IIA Oval diamond? I may call it the Crump after one of my old partners in the firm Shreve Crump and Low since 1796.

Happy gem hunting until next time.

The American Jeweler

Shreve Crump & Low