If you compare the IWC Perpetual Calendar Big Pilot vs Rolex Milgauss in order to find the most scientific timepiece around, you have come to the right place. In honor of the National Science Day coming up on February 28 we are going to compare these two iconic timepieces and uncover the best of the best.
In reality, we love both brands here and both timepieces are spectacular achievements in horological history. Arguably, these two timepieces are completely different. Comparing them is almost like comparing an apple to an orange. However, we are going to put on our white jacket, dust off our microscope, and get to work.
IWC Perpetual Calendar Big Pilot vs Rolex Milgauss
Before we start comparing the watches themselves, let’s compare IWC vs Rolex.
Both watchmakers make a beautiful timepiece. Rolex and IWC are highly recognizable brands, however Rolex gets the edge since its brand is probably the most notable brand in the world. The Rolex crown is recognized as luxury the world over.
The design of a Rolex timepiece generally makes slow changes and sticks to the same tried and true Oyster case that it always has produced. This means, that Rolex does not put sapphire crystal on its case back, hiding the beauty of its in-house calibers. IWC doesn’t have this conservative outlook, and will often flaunt its designs with an open case back.
IWC tends to be more free to make new designs. Rolex will experiment with adding gems, changing the colors of the dials, and sometimes making subtle changes such as adding an Oysterflex band to its tried and true lineup of timepieces. However, these changes are subtle and more often than not, Rolex keeps their foot planted in the history of its design, and pivots ever so slightly.
Rolex produces a more valuable product. Prices of Rolex timepieces have been rising outrageously, and even the lowest price Rolex will start at 2-3 times the price of the lowest IWC timepiece. Rolex timepieces have the highest resale value of all watch brands. This should not make you think less of IWC, because Rolex resale value beats out Patek Philippe and AP as well.
Although Rolex makes its own in-house calibers, IWC may take an existing caliber and do unique and challenging things with it. From a craftsman standpoint, there is no question that IWC makes a more interesting timepiece. However, Rolex has perfected their lines of timepieces over the years. In terms of precision and durability Rolex is the king of the hill.
Rolex takes great care to make sure each timepiece undergoes strict testing to make sure that each and every product that leaves the workshop has the correct waterproofness, durability and accuracy.
IWC Schaffhausen though, will attempt combinations of complications in their timepiece that Rolex will most likely never attempt. Although Rolex might add a chronograph to the Daytona, they will often not mix it with a perpetual calendar, or add a moon phase to the same timepiece. Rolex focuses on creating exceptional tools. Their watches are made specifically for one purpose. For example, the Daytona is made for car racing, and the Yachtmaster II for yacht racing. Rolex prefers its brands to stay within their lanes.
The IWC Grande complication timepiece is something you will likely never see in a Rolex brand. This timepiece has everything except the kitchen sink added to it. It has a perpetual calendar with day, month and year. It has a moon phase and a chronograph function as well. An outstanding timepiece and impressive by any horological measurement.
For this comparison I am going to use the Rodeo Drive edition of the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition. It is reference IW503001. This is probably one of the most impressive timepieces ever made. It is a serious timepiece with a 46.5 mm case. It is water resistant to 200 feet.
It is a ceramic and titanium case with a gorgeous blue dial. The strap is a black calfskin leather which runs at 22 mm. Most likely you will want to replace this immediately with a custom designed band engineered to fit the IWC Big Pilot by Rubber B to preserve its original value.
The movement is the most unique aspect of the timepiece because it is a caliber 52615 which has an amazing 168 hours of power reserve. It beats at 28800 vph and is made with 386 components and 54 jewels.
This timepiece features a perpetual calendar with the date, day, month, and a 4 digit year. It has a moon phase for the northern and southern hemispheres, and a 7 day power reserve display. The white luminescence against the blue creates exceptional visibility in both day and night.
IWC proudly displays this outstanding complication with an open back protected by sapphire crystal. A very masculine timepiece, it is certainly something you can wear anywhere. Priced at $33,000, this timepiece isn’t cheap, but you certainly get your money’s worth.
The 40mm Rolex Milgauss above is featuring the Rubber B Orange band from the classic series which matches the bright orange seconds hand. The green sapphire crystal adds a stunning look to this timepiece from Rolex.
The Milgauss is shielded to keep its time even when subjected to magnetic field interference. It has a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. It comes with an Oyster bracelet.
It is powered by a 3131 caliber with a 48 hour power reserve. It is water resistant to 330 meters.
The Milgauss is probably the first Scientific timepiece ever made. It was made to help scientists at the CERN laboratory who noted that their timepieces were affected by their equipment. For this, Rolex gets all the credit in the world.
Although the Milgauss is a stunning timepiece, made even more eye-catching with the matching Rubber B band, even at the far more reasonable price of $8,300, this timepiece is far less spectacular than the IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Edition. Although the waterproofness of the Rolex surpasses the IWC, the IWC is pound for pound the more impressive timepiece.
The IWC has more jewels, more components, and more features than the Milgauss. It even has 3x more power reserve than the Milgauss, and a Power Reserve Indicator to boot. This is like spiking the football in the end-zone and doing a heroic dance right in front of the Rolex bench.
Even though Rolex has a new caliber with 72 hours of reserve installed in other watches, it hasn’t paid much love to the Milgauss. Keep in mind that many machines today will have interference much greater than the original design of 1000 gauss.
The original problem Rolex set out to solve is no longer solved by the Milgauss. It hasn’t kept up with the requirements. Unlike other Rolex timepieces that have adapted – such as the Submariner lineup coming out with a timepiece that goes deeper, the Milgauss has not improved its resistance to Magnetism with the same intensity.
Although you can’t go wrong with owning either timepiece, I have to award the most scientific trophy to the IWC. In the IWC Perpetual Calendar Big Pilot vs Rolex Milgauss, battle the IWC features are outstanding, especially fitting all of them in one case that is only slightly bigger than the Rolex. The power reserve alone is expertly impressive, but the back window showing its inner design, makes this decision an easy one.
