Hammy1

I don't have a gen to show you but it should be plainly obvious at close range the difference between a rep and gen dials. The clarity of the markings and the texture should give it away. Sorry if that wasn't what you were looking for.

I had a Taka crystal in my V3 before I got my V1 and put it in there. No problems with either case. I did it myself so it wasn't a big deal. I don't know about your rep crystal but there was a huge difference with mine between the clarity of the crystal itself even with the purple AR removed. The stock rep crystal was dirty looking and the Taka is crystal clear in comparison and makes the white markers on the dial look much better. Anyway, what I'm getting at is that you shouldn't take your rep crystal and spend big bucks on AR treatment if it's not a clean and clear crystal. It's a beautiful watch and enjoy! I wish the movement in mine hadn't given out. It's just been sitting idle for a while now.

Yes, that's the latest and greatest. There is another version which is the same outside but with Asian movement for like half price though. Premium for "Swiss" isn't worth it. Gen co-axial movement is lower anyway. I don't know if Andrew carries that one but you can check around.

Have you read his opinion on Panerai? http://www.askmen.com/fashion/mens-watches_500/564_watch-snob-stop-wearing-panerai.html :o :o

Looks nice. When is the rep coming out?

There is a good side by side review on the geek: http://www.repgeek.com/showthread.php?t=130752

If you can't get one from the dealer, I have an extra 3717 crystal. I swapped mine for a Taka crystal and don't need the spare. PM me if interested.

N_I_C_E Snowflake!

IWC 3717 V1 with Takashi 2Geeks AR crystal and ETA DDW

Steinhart straps are really nice. I believe I read somewhere Steinhart has their straps made by RIOS in Germany. I just ordered a RIOS padded dark brown buffalo strap for my 3717. I plan to order a German-made deployant (RDH, Axel Jobst, or similar) instead of the buckle if I like the strap. Out of curiosity, what size buckle is the Top Gun?

Looks straight out of the catalog.

For which model? Post a WTB ad and see what kind of response you get. Good luck.

Sometime last year there was a SOSF wrist check thread (at least I think it was here in RWG). Do a search.

If you read up on the little white lies from some dealers, you'll find you are much better off buying an Asian movement watch and having one of the modders add an aftermarket movement. This way you'll know the providence and know what you are actual getting. That said, I would buy the Asian watch and wear it with pride until there was a problem.

I've read all sorts of shady things going on with "Swiss" movements. Older models, used parts, using clone movements all the while charging premium pricing. Just get the Asian 7750 movement. If you love the watch and want to put a Swiss movement in it, have one of the forum modders put an aftermarket movement in. That way you know what exactly goes into your watch and not some Little White Lie. Probably cost you less anyway.

If he can spend a just bit more or find a deal used, check out the Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic and Ollech & Wajs watches: Both are historical brands although O&W is probably more true to it's history still being a small manufacturer whereas Hamilton is part of the huge Swatch conglomerate. http://www.gnomonwatches.com/Ollech&WajsWristWatchAll.html . . . . . . . . . . . And if he doesn't want to spend that much, the Khaki is available in...gasp...quartz for much less.

Thanks. If it weren't for all the pics of other versions (including your most beautiful gen), I would think this is a nice watch. There are others with lume that doesn't look as greenish as this one. BTW, it's not my pic but one out of Robert's ad (my camera skills aren't up to yours either) and the dial has some texture but not shown in the pic. Anyway, it's better than some and not as good as others but still pretty nice for my first rep. Especially after I put a well used but gen rubber strap on it. It's the perfect knock around sports watch to go with jeans on casual Fridays. We'll see what happens after my 3717 arrives though.

This one look closer to my T4D version (although mine has the arrow seconds hand) and may be the same factory. The font on the numbers and the flat greenish lume. The green lume looks completely off to me and ruins the looks especially with the blue dial. Mine is missing serial number and bezel B stamp but I think those are QA issues. It has me looking for another version so I would pass on this new version from Silix.

A ball of duct tape worked for my SOSF. Might work for you too. And no need to worry about scarring the case back with tape.

If you look at resale, gen ETA adds a lot of value. If you look at macro shots of the guts on the movements there is a huge difference in finish between the Swiss and Asian movements. Obviously, it's nothing you would see wearing it, but the movement is the "heart and soul" of the watch. So it's certainly not a waste of $150 but again, it depends on how much you want to put into it. EDIT: I just remembered another benefit with the ETA swap. You can easily sell your A7750 (assuming there isn't anything wrong with it) making the cost difference negligible.

I found this on RWI while researching the same question: http://www.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/3717-and-swiss-movement-26754.html?t=26754 So as you can see, the old A7750 was a direct fit but the new one has some differences. As to servicing the A7750 vs replacing with ETA, the A7750 service costs about $200+ and a new ETA 7750 can be had for less than $400. It depends on how much you want to put into it. The gen ETA has the advantage that it may come with the day/date wheels which are a popular mod for the 3717. Concepta had a good deal going on the ETA 7750 and he is in the EU. I decided I wouldn't worry about it either way until there was an issue. That is...if I ever get this watch. I can't seem to get any response from the dealers.

My buddy at work picked up a Tag Monaco Steve Mcqueen quartz from WE. I'm a bit of a auto snob and recommend against it but he really liked this watch and bought it anyway. It turned out to be really nice, especially for $108. The strap was crap of course but other than that it looks like quality. Sure it ticks but most people doesn't know the difference, if they notice or even care. I wouldn't worry about fantasy watches either. How many people in the world have the entire watch catalog from a given manufacturer memorized. If you like it, wear it. I wish the economics was there for quality quartz pieces. It seems you can get a great rep of $5000+ swiss chrono for $250. Don't you just wish you could find a nice rep of these $1000 quartz for $50. I'd have a couple.

That's why I opted for taka's crystal (and it's available now rather than months from now). It's not as disappearing as chieftang but supposedly made to gen spec and much better than rep. Some of the rep crystals have some yellow tint making the dial markers/hands look tainted. The takashi crystal lets the watch look cleaner. There are pics on 2geeks.net and search RWG for more info.

I see where you where going and it sounds good on paper if everything were the same except for the movement, but that's usually not the situation with these reps. A 3717 "Lite" if you will sound great. Unfortunately doesn't exist though. I've never seen closeups on the 21J but I would suspect the dial, case, crystal, etc are not as good as the v3 A7750 version even if it fit (which it doesn't). So get a v3 with ETA day/date wheels and aftermarket AR crystal, you've got a winner. I have ETA date wheel, German day wheel, and AR crystal inbound from takashi on RWI. Now I just need to find a good price on a watch. I toyed with the idea of the ETA 7750 but that double the price of the project so decided it could wait. Can't see it anyway.

Love it!!! I've been in a bit of analysis paralysis with this watch but I just need to get over it and just buy one. It really looks awesome.