Adz

Sick!

20mm. Usually they are a 75mm/115mm in length.

For a long time I've been searching for a good comparison of genuine v replica parts without much success so I decided to take some pictures of my own parts so others wondering the same can see in detail.

To begin with, I'd have to say that the IWC 3714 replica is very good. Sure it has movement problems but nothing that can't be fixed with a genuine movement. In order to fit a genuine movement the case must be milled slightly.

When it comes to colour choice, the black face/black subdial and black face/white subdial (panda) certianly have the advantage as the black colour is a lot easier to replicate. The 3714-14 (Silver face, blue numerals) is the least accurate I believe. In saying that, it's still quite good but side by side the difference is easy to spot. The rep has a sparkly silver flake though it where as the genuine item is a basic flat silver.

The biggest flaws with the 3714 replica in my opinion are the subdials - the texture of the grooves is too defined, and the numbers on the main dial - they are not smooth on the edges like the genuine and looking closely they are clearly stuck on and not finished as cleanly with colour as the genuine.

Other minor flaws (and now I'm being very particular) are the print on the tachometer ring - it is not as crisp as the gen. The replica tachometer ring also meets the dial flush. The genuine ring does not, it's has a step/facet of about 1mm. The other minor flaw is the printed "IWC Schaffhausen" and "Chronograph Automatic" text is slightly different on the rep. One thing to note is that the genuine tachometer ring requires slight modification in order to fit the rep case.

One thing that is near perfect is the hands, I think they are as good as the genuine item though I noticed with mine that there are slight flaws with the finish and for this reason, I am using gen hands also.

I haven't bothered with a replacement strap yet but the rep is horrible. It looks cheap and nasty and should be the first thing replaced on any 3714 rep.

The caseback also needs to be brushed in the centre to match the gen but this is also a very easy fix.

I'm replacing the replica old style fish crown with a genuine new style Probus Scafusia crown. Many people say that the replica crown is fine but the genuine crown is slightly different where it meets the case, it tapers slightly and the teeth are also slightly different and more defined on the gen. A 7750 winding stem and tube is required to fit the genuine crown.

Ultimately I'd love to source a genuine case with crystal and pushers etc but this doesn't seem possible like the 3717 so for now a good double AR on the rep crystal and a brushed caseback will have to do. If genuine cases become available in the future I'll go 100% gen.

I hope you find this post informative

Yep bloody nice watch that one. I think the black is too close to the 3717 which I prefer.

OK, not the best, I'll take a photo when I'm home but you can see the gen case has more "meat" on it and the font is not as thick. It's a bit hard to see the back is not brushed in these images but on my rep it's smooth and shiny like the outer caseback.

What's the main difference, pushers and the bubble back on the reps.

The case back more than anything I think. The gen seems a bit more "chunky" I think. I'll try and do a picture comparison. The font is also thinner on the rep.

Hey, I replied to your thread on Repgeek. But in short - the "Concepta" case is a standard cartel (rep) case. The major difference is the caseback is not brushed and the inside needs to be machined out slightly to accept a gen movement. The Crowns are also a little shorter than the gen, they don't sit out as far and the real crowns. The Crystal also really needs a good double AR coating. None of these things are big problems though and all can be fixed. I've compared the case to a gen and they are very, very close.

You can not source a gen case, caseback, pushers or crystal I believe. I've tried and failed for my project.

Not sure about water mate, I wouldn't risk it personally.

Very nice leather strap on that gen!

Hot! Wish it wasn't a lefty though.

Fair enough.

I was about to say that. Lighting is important, the 117L has depth.

I have one on at the moment and yes it's green. More green that the 177L for example.

I've just gotta say, how good is this rep! I simply love it, it's so good it looks real. Love love love....lol

I noted that Repgeek and Puretime was also down yesterday, I figured something big was up. No good

What I was trying to say is, my 117L had a loose caseback when I received it. It was literally finger tight, I was wonderign what the noise was. Based on this, I would not personally trust the construction quality of a rep watch to be waterproof regardless of o-rings etc.

Considering my 117L case back could be unscrewed with my finger, I would NEVER get mine wet. Just sayin.

Delays in production I'd say.

Nice offerings mate. If I didn't have a 3714 in the works - yoink!

Looks tops! Send it to me hehe.

What price was this?

What are you looking to have done?

Yeah the more common dials, that I've seen anyway, all seem to be the non-smooth recessed dials. In saying that, it MAY be older models.

I reckon a replacement dial is the only way to go personally. I know that Hacra (Hugo) @ Repgeek has/had a black and white panda dial and hands in stock.

It's the same as the 005 I believe yes.

As Chilenito mentioned, it is a rep dial, but one of the best rep dials available for this model.

Yeah I agree, it's a lot different to other 3714 models.

Is that a gen black dial? The tachy ring looks more like the gen and the subdials are deeper but the numbers don't look stamped like the gen.

Fantastic write up. This has sealed the deal for me

I started reading this and thought oh no, but when I saw your pics, it looks awesome! Nice work man. I think I'll do te same