asking for a friend which one AUDEMARS vs IWC

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Back in 1996?? I saw an ad for the IWC in the news paper. I knew next to nothing about watches at the time. I had felt I stumbled on to something no one else knew about. I had my wife call and ask the jeweler running the add how much it was? IIRC they said "we don't have the one pictured, on a strap, its on a bracelet $15,000" my wife ask how late they were open on Saturday???

Suffice to say I have had my eye on it for all this time. Since I returned the Atmos I may just be in the market...While trying to do some research on them, I guess there were two movements used over the years, I ran across the Audemars...and well I am not sure I an make p my mind. They are both about the same price on the used market. The IWC's onion crown isn't a deal breaker, and I like the added year to the complication, but like the scale around the moonphase on the Audemars. Both cases look good maybe the IWC wins that round...Although the added Automatic and perpetual help balance the dial I see it as unnecessary??? 

I think I like the Audemars a nudge better, but after wanting for so long it almost seems like cheating on the IWC...

Both images ripped off of eBay sellers.

IWC "Novecento" 



AUDEMARS PIGUET "EDWARD PIGUET"




Anyone have any experience with either brand?  Anything i'm missing in the style department? 

[philsinclair]

Hi. Audemars is a member of the holy trinity, IWC is not. Enough said. Cheers Phil

[nordlys]

Apr 28, 2020 21:46:44 GMT -8 philsinclair said:

Hi. Audemars is a member of the holy trinity, IWC is not. Enough said. Cheers Phil

This. If both were around the same price, I would be going for the AP. Much more likely to hold its value as an "heirloom" piece than the IWC. Plus I just like the styling on the AP a bit better than the IWC. IMO an onion crown on a dress watch is a terrible design choice.

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Apr 28, 2020 21:46:44 GMT -8 philsinclair said:

Hi. Audemars is a member of the holy trinity, IWC is not. Enough said. Cheers Phil

Funny I had been thinking that too. That doesn't make IWC a slouch mind you still a quality brand with a rich history... 

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Apr 28, 2020 22:37:43 GMT -8 nordlys said:

Apr 28, 2020 21:46:44 GMT -8 philsinclair said:

Hi. Audemars is a member of the holy trinity, IWC is not. Enough said. Cheers Phil

This. If both were around the same price, I would be going for the AP. Much more likely to hold its value as an "heirloom" piece than the IWC. Plus I just like the styling on the AP a bit better than the IWC. IMO an onion crown on a dress watch is a terrible design choice.

Thanks I agree that the onion kind of just sticks out, but I don't care for those crown really anywhere??? Some show the crown, and it might actually be different, but ones that are less bulb like.

[nordlys]

Apr 29, 2020 3:46:02 GMT -8 small said:

Apr 28, 2020 22:37:43 GMT -8 nordlys said:

This. If both were around the same price, I would be going for the AP. Much more likely to hold its value as an "heirloom" piece than the IWC. Plus I just like the styling on the AP a bit better than the IWC. IMO an onion crown on a dress watch is a terrible design choice.

Thanks I agree that the onion kind of just sticks out, but I don't care for those crown really anywhere??? Some show the crown, and it might actually be different, but ones that are less bulb like.

I think the onion crowns look decent on Pilot's watches. At least, I understand why the giant oversized onion crowns were originally used on pilot's watches (so fighter pilots could easily grab the crown with gloves on). An onion crown on a modern pilot's watch at least serves a practical purpose... even if very few people who wear pilots watches are fighter pilots haha.

But an onion crown on a dress watch? Just... Why?

[donciccio]

I understand that these are valuable, desirable, sought after timepieces, but damn it all I think they're ugly.

[chafouin]

my AP going psycho - Audemars all the way 

[aapalileo]

The AP here is also better designed - the subdials are well positioned. I feel the IWC's negative space is awkward. 

Apr 28, 2020 15:59:44 GMT -8 small said:

Anyone have any experience with either brand?  Anything i'm missing in the style department? 

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Jan 9, 2022 18:39:15 GMT -8 aapalileo said:

The AP here is also better designed - the subdials are well positioned. I feel the IWC's negative space is awkward. 

Apr 28, 2020 15:59:44 GMT -8 small said:

Anyone have any experience with either brand?  Anything i'm missing in the style department? 

And here I felt the IWC had placed those dials more in the 3.6.9.12 position and the AP seemed to crowed them in the center...and the negative space in the corners was greater on the AP.

Since posting I have shifted my priorities daughter's in college and buying a house vs. rent a dorm for her. Maybe I'll make enough on the sale, when she graduates...or maybe...