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Franken IWC Ingenieur Chronograph 3725-01/04 Hybrid Today I'm going to present you a rare bird...my franken IWC Ingenieur 3725-01/04 Hybrid Chronograph. The 3725 chrono seems to be not that popular at the rep fora...at least there is no introduction and not that much else to find around here and the other rep fora. So here are a little infos about the gen... Ingenieur Chronograph Ref. IW3725 Features Mechanical chronograph movement small second with stop device Movement Calibre: 79350 Vibrations: 28,800/h Jewels: 31 Power reserve: 44h Winding: automatic Case Material: stainless steel Inner case: soft iron for protection against magnetic fields Glass: sapphire, antireflective, resistant against pressure drop Crown: screwed Water-resistant: 12 bar (120 m) Diameter: 42.5 mm Height: 13.5 mm Weight Watch and bracelet in stainless steel 205 g A very informative article about the Ingenieur can be found here at purists.com http://www.p178host.com/iwcgallery/ingenieur2005/_inge2005.html Now back to my watch Only a few weeks ago I was able to buy this as a Noob version over at the other rwg. The moment I saw her for sale I fell in love with her and had to get her. The bracelet was too short for me but I didn't care...if it wasn't possible to find a new bracelet or at least one or two links I still could buy a nice strap. While on the hunt for a link or a bracelet I stumbled over a gen 3725-04 dial in great condition...why not franken it I asked myself and within a heartbeat the dial was mine I already had a gen swiss 7750 to put into and the day the dial arrived I went to Domi to let him build my franken. And...lucky me...he had a gen link which perfectly fit to the noob bracelet That was Tuesday this week...yesterday he was done with my watches and so I picked her up. Once on the wrist he told me that he had a present for me but it's already on the watch... He had some older gen hands lying around that were initially for the 3725-04 Chrono but since I already had a 3725-04 dial on it he decided to put in on my watch The gen swiss 7750 is modified with Domis famous sec@6 mod and is as reliable as the gen 79350 now (which is in fact a modified 7750 ) Specs of my IWC Ingenieur Chrono: Gen 3725-04 dial Gen 3725-04 hands Gen swiss 7750 with Domis sec@6mod Noob case, crystal, cb and bracelet (except one gen link) Now on to the pics...

@Avenue @ChrisBlank I've just picked up what others have taught, reading the Rolex-forums here, on RWI, RG and so on. A lot can be found using the search function either here or on google. A good "background" to start is this: http://rwg.cc/topic/142137-gen-rolex-gmt-master-ii-ceramic-vs-noob-rep Although it's from 2012 and GMTc, the basics are still valid. Then look at genuine pictures, and Noob v6s and compare to other reps. Go to a Rolex AD and feel + look at the watch in question. I'm using the Noob v6s (as the bracelet is almost spot-on) as example and pictures from InTime (since the lighting is excellent!) Okay, step 1, The angle & lengths REP GEN ^ 1) The angle of the "middle link" in the SEL is a bit "higher" and less slope than the case lugs slope ; 2) It is also (of course) longer ^ 1) The "outer links" start by following the slope of the case lugs, but then starts declining and has a higher slope around the middle of the distance REP ^ 2) They are shorter Step 2, tightness and flush ^ The backside should basically sit flush to the case (a little tiny gap, yeah) however the level of the SEL should neither create a "step up" or a "step down" ^ also the gap between the lugs and the SEL should be tight (little light passing through). TC, that makes the classic Sub 11610 matches his SELs/bracelets with different tolerances to create this effect. However... there is no such thing as a gap-less bracelet. GEN ---- When you think you've picked up what it's all about, check this thread out: http://rwg.cc/topic/183576-noob-116610-v6s-sel-irregularities Train that eagle eye. It was hard in the beginning, I didn't understand all the SEL-talk either... --------------------------------------- Also.. I should add. The SEL-fitment is that way on most BPs. It simply has to do with the fact that the BP-bracelet isn't "100%" so... Live with it, or look for a JF / LF-bracelet in the the M2M-ads. I would chose to live with it and accept it's flaws. Otherwise... The mish-mashing begins, and you will notice how you suddenly have a Noob v3/v6s midcase, gen bezel insert, LF/Noob-bracelet, gen crown, gen crystal, TC LV v2-hands, relumed dial+hands and a big hole in your pocket and spare parts you have no use for.

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Seems like you always know what to look for very well, helps many members out. Would you be so kind and explain me what to look for in QC pics regarding SEL-Fitment? I can spot the rest fairly well but I keep being troubled by the SEL-fitment. Thank you for your kindness. The bottom of the case does not appear scratched to me, just very strong lightning conditions to take pictures highlight the brushing done on the watch. You also mentioned the platinum coloured engravings on the bezel insert, they indeed look kind of odd to me as well. The "10" and the "50" differ in color from the rest of the numbers, and that's not a lightning problem but seems to be slightly under-filled with paint or perhaps a slight different color mix (if you ask me). I would mention this in response to the QC pics and ask if they can swap the bezel insert for a different one. My advice: Do not let them change the watch because, as hologramnet said, the rest of the watch looks perfectly fine straight from factory; consider yourself "lucky" for not getting crooked cyclops, misaligned rehaut, uncentered date, etc. So try to get them to swap only the insert instead of the entire watch!

Rehaut alignment looks good (from the very narrow angle) Dial looks good Bezel insert looks ok SEL-fitment isn't the best Crystal looks well-aligned Date wheel overlay looks centered Other than that, what is there to say... A good BP-Sub.

Well that's the way reps are sometimes. Some days you are the bug, some days you are the windshield. I learned to be very careful and ask for extra QC pictures, and also refusing some watches during QC. My first rep was a SubC Noob v3 from one of the biggest TD's. When I received it, the first thing that happened winding it up was declaring it dead. I had it repaired for 150€ but then it went +/- 5 secs for 2 years... I got 20USD refund. I would ask for a 20 USD discount on next purchase or something and just accept it. Anyways... New dial or not. With genuine superluminova you will be very-very surprised. No rep dial even comes close. Flakey lume or not. (it's actually a bit more lumey than genuine Rolex Chromalight, Zocker made a post about it on RWI)

Bart u should be a trusted modder here!

Yep. Now I'm not afraid to use it, and use it hard. The others with gen movements mostly live on the shelf now. It's a glorious thing to see a serious vintage dive watch in its element.

Of course Nightwatch is correct but do get discouraged we have all bought a few stinkers in our time some due to inexperience and some due to alcohol ! Keep reading around there are plenty of nice watches around that price point .I suggest looking at our sales board as most watches very fairly priced as many knowledgeable guys look at it, hard to get a over priced stinker through without getting called out.