whitestripes

I'd definitely pickup the $200 CN ETA version.

Here's the thing. You can spend roughly $400 on a Seiko Sumo or Samurai and I guarantee the lume, reliability, and longevity of the movement and watch will far surpass the reps. But you have to consider why it is we are buying reps of $2000 and up watches--we love the designs of the high end watches, but hate the price, resulting in this illegal business. You are not paying fore reliability or lume. The high prices that the superreps command are a function of their desirability (expensive brands, popular models), availability (Hublot big bang, anyone, with "OEM" bezel?), movement (Basic ETA movements are NOT $400), and accuracy to the gen. Nowhere is reliability a factor. As long as it doesnt break down within a month of receipt, the dealers are not liable for it. You are paying for looks.

Although he's not a dealer here, Hont is the dealer I'm ordering my 3717 from. His reviews on RWI were impeccable, prices good, and pre-sales service EXCELLENT. He's new, so I'll let you guys know how my experience goes. This is my first rep in a year (sold all of them a year ago for a gen!)

I highly doubt this rep will sell for $450. At that price, they are all chronos or ceramic or something special. I bet it will be at the current prices, like $270 for ETA, $200 for CN ETA (or A21J)

I couldn't help but notice this sounds almost like a Biblical prophecy. Just switch "Savior" for "SMP" or "SMP Model" and "humanity" for "this market."

I've also been told by one of the big dealers that this is in the works. I'm getting a 3717 to hold me over til that happens. (can't stand reps with horrible inaccuracies...)

The crownguards are nice and high, though they require a little bit of shaving to make it look like gen. With CGs, like haircuts, you can always shave a little off but you can never add more!

Right. This is a gem for the rep factories: unlike the PO, Breitlings, and HBBs, this Omega case is used throughout the seamaster line. Change the bracelet (Bond or Speedy, both have been repped already), the dial (all have been made), bezel insert (all have been made) and caseback (again, all of them are out there), and you have like 6 SUPERREPS. The case has ALWAYS been the let down, the He valve and crownguards, in particular. Is this going to happen?

Hey guys, So I'm looking into buying the IWC 3717 as my first rep after I sold all my old reps for a gen about a year ago. I am planning to get it double AR'd and switch to ETA day/date wheels. I am planning to make this a keeper, long term. As I will have around $400 in this rep, what recourse do I have if the movement breaks down? A servicing/repair from watch shops is often in the hundreds of dollars, or the price of a new rep (without the upgrades, of course). Since the upgrades are only cosmetic, I was hoping to just be able to switch out the movements. Many dealers will do this for you if it dies shortly after you receive it, but what happens 2 years down the road when it breaks? Swap for ETA 7750 (at a price of $4-500?) Then the hands won't fit because it'll have the new 28,800 high beat. Wouldn't it be prudent to buy an extra A7750 or two to just swap it in when the time comes? I know the DG2813 movements (ETA copy, of course) can be bought for about $25. A chronograph is more expensive. Would any dealers do this? Is this a good line of reasoning? I don't want a "disposable" rep, though they are reps... At these prices, they should not be novelties, but have easily-available replaceable parts.

1000 cases is not too much, considering the fact that there has been no "super rep" of the Bond SMP. The new Red seamaster will make big bucks.

I will buy a 3717 soon. I'm going to get it on bracelet, just be cause it's unique and looks nice. Questions: 1. Everyone seems to have a hard time removing the bracelet. Hints/tricks to doing so? 2. What quality is the rep croc strap/buckle? is it worth getting it from the dealers as well, or just getting an aftermarket one? Thanks.

Does the closed factory model have the right crownguards?

Here are examples of bargain Bonds with nice crownguards, but fall short in other areas. (from CQout--the "red" seamaster is GBP32 and the older seamaster is GBP30, so roughly $56 with an Asian movement. Edit: I tried to link the pics, but it won't let me include imgs from "dynamic" sites. Easiest: go to cqout.com and search "seamaster." The two cheapest are 30/32 GBP. First, the red seamaster: This one looks ok and blows Jandrew's new red seamaster out of the water, especially because the Seamaster is under the Omega, not down by the 6 o'clock marker. I considered buying it, but the seller would not show pics of the back, which is important because the caseback has been upgraded to look like the PO's. Also, if you'll notice, the applied Omega has bars going through the center of the letters, not through the bottom like the Aqua Terras, very very inaccurate. The older seamaster: That clasp looks engraved instead of etched--nice! However, the 300m/1000ft is too big, which I have seen on other Bargain Bonds. What these reps have in common, other than low, low price, is that they have nicer crownguards. While a little sharp looking, you can always file them to shape. The current crownguards available from dealers for the blue bond are too short, which makes an accurate reshaping impossible to do (i.e. a little flat near the case, angles out toward the crown with most of it, well, guarded. What worries me about these bargain bonds is the crappy bracelet. I don't want it to be made of oyster-style single links instead of the more flexible multi-piece bracelet style on nicer reps. Hope this helps in your sourcing, Eurotimez.

Is this too big? Or are we talking ridiculously big ones?

Hey guys, Seriously considering the 3717 as my next rep. I currently have a gen Speedy Pro (~42mm) but the tachy scale around the dial makes it look smaller, imho. This watch is probably as big as my wrist can take (lugs don't hang off the sides, fits well). The IWC is also 42mm, but there's a lot of dial, I think. I've also had an Omega Bond GMT that fit my wrist, too. Can you guys post some comparison shots between the 3717 and others? This is why we need a good 39mm Mark XVI (but it'll never come). Anyway, I don't want to end up like one of those guys who look like a kid wearing their dad's watch. It happens, 'specially with the 45mm PO. This is smaller, but I've seen it happen with the 3717, with the lugs hanging off and the strap pointing inwards. ::shudder::

Hey Bond, Mind posting pics of your new SMP?

The crownguards are typical; not tall enough to cover the crown. He valve placement, but that's no surprise. I'm holding out til the next generation.

If you don't mind, what mods do you have done, other than gen dial? Is the SEL/bracelet gap there? New crown? Thanks!

I've sent multiple dealers inquiries about this... and here's the latest: Hi Josh, I noticed you have many new IWC reps out, like the St. Exupery. I'm sure if you've been checking around the forums, you have seen the great interest in the IWC Mark XVI. This thread alone has 326 replies: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=65579. I know we are not a great segment of the market, but the Mark XVI is definitely a mainstay of the IWC line--behind the Big Pilot, but still quite a popular model nevertheless. The first dealer to carry a good super-rep version of the Mark XVI (ETA movement, or 28,800 bph Asian movemnet) with accurate dial and case will make A LOT of money. Is this project in the works? The reply: Hi,. No sir. Watch is not popular when compared to others.. No plans.. So... are all 300+ posts shot to $hit? joshua

Haha, I feel like I've been pushing and looking for a good Bond SMP for a while now. Here's to hoping... (along with the IWC Mark XVI!!!)

That bezel font is horribly inaccurate.

Hey Bond, where are those midsizes sold? Are they accurate about the new coax look? Ah, it might be too small. I'm used to the Speedy Pro.

Wait... 4th gen is 42mm. That's a 45 (the date is farther away from the 3 o'clock marker).

The Fortis does look good, but IWC pioneered the "pilot watch" look. The hands are similar to IWC's, but they are not as elegant. Besides, I think there is a higher chance of repping an IWC vs. a Fortis. I'm just waiting for this to come out. And perhaps a good rep of the new coax Bond SMP. and and ultimate 42mm PO. Then I'd be set.

Well, I started this thread, and yes I was after the original 2531.80. However, if the rep factories are over the old Bond, which it seems, I would hope that they undertake the new "red" Bond, and I'm not talking about the crappy ones already out there. Reasons I like the new one: I like how the red Seamaster is grouped with the applied Omega and logo, balancing out the dial a little, instead of being bottom heavy like before. The applied markers are classy, and the new caseback is very, very handsome. Eurotimez, if you can source a good rep of either, you will make a killing. (not that you won't be already with that Euromariner...)