watchfreund

Dear all,

before I start I want to thank this really nice community! I already bought some nice pieces here from some members and met some really friendly people - Also from Germany or Netherlands. Lots of support here!! I did not know that the scene would be so big in Germany too. Sorry to copy and paste that from my IWC thread. But I am really impressed here!

So here is my work log for my Franken Rolex Submariner 16610LV and of course I have some questions!!

What I have:

• TW-Best case (same case BK uses)
  
• 50th anniversery edition (green insert and bigger indexes) dial
  
• GEN crown
  
• GEN LV insert
  
• GEN crystal
  
• Yuki Tube
  
• Datewheel from the latest Seadweller
  
• Noobfactory bracelet (overworked)
  
• Cousins Bezel Click Spring
  
  The movement needs to be changed to an Swiss ETA 2836. Already have it here - See pictures below.
  
  First questions:

1. 
   
2. Is this a good base to move on? Are there better cases available?
   
3. Is the GEN dial worth to change?
   
4. The bracelet is too short for my wrist. Is this the best REP bracelet I can get or would you recommend this. GEN is to expensive in my opinion.
   

So what are your thoughts? Any other ideas or hints or feedback?

Thanks!!

I am not sure what else there would be. Strap is certainly common. You wouldn't bother with hands or datewheel as they wouldn't fit the Asian movement. Crown would likely require a custom stem as I would doubt the stem is the same size on the two movements so you would likely require a stem tapered down on one side. The other possibility is crystal but I don't know of anyone who has tried it.

Hi Watchmeister, thanks for your feedback! I just bought the watch and the awesome IWC buffalo strap. As soon as it is here and the dial arrived I will change this and post some pictures. Lets see what can be done than.

Thanks, Watchmeister! Any other GEN Parts that fit? Or have been mounted in the past?

Thanks, Watchmeister! Any other GEN Parts that fit? Or have been mounted in the past?

Wow I am really jaleous of the parts you already gathered! I am pretty sure you will be able to fit the dial into your replica watch. Although I have not tried it myself. Worst case you cut the feet and you are good to go.

Thanks! Did anybody ever fit a GEN Dial in the Big Pilot?

Would you mind telling us where you got your IWC parts? I having a hard time finding pieces for my 3717 pilot & 3718 spitfire project...

Sure! I just looked at Ebay and was really lucky I think!

Dear all,

before I start I want to thank this really nice community! I already bought some nice pieces here from some members and met some really friendly people - Also from Germany or Netherlands. Lots of support here!! I did not know that the scene would be so big in Germany too.

So one of my favorite watches is the IWC Big Pilot. I already tested it as a GEN and it charmes my wrists.

I want to build my own (almost perfect) REP now and hope for your help.

What I already learned is that the recent 5002 (Available at all trusted shops here) is already near to perfection - Except the strap. I have a nice offer from a German member for the recent 5002 including the GEN brown leather strap. So if it will be still available and we meet at a good price point this will be my base.

I was just able to buy a GEN Dial for the IWC Big Pilot (IWC Caliber 5011). I think I was very lucky because what I have read GEN IWC parts are getting harder to source, right? But here is already my first question: will a GEN Dial fit the 5002?

What else can be changed to GEN? I am thinking of the clasp (read that it is not as good) and the crown. Hands should be good right?

AR and relume is not necessary anymore at the recent 5002, right?

So my total goal (at the moment) is this:

• IWC Big Pilot REP 5002
  
• GEN brown leather strap
  
• GEN dial
  
• GEN crown
  
• (GEN clasp)
  

So what are your thoughts? Any ideas or hints or feedback?

Thanks!!

Wow! Thanks for this awesome feedback! I really apperciate that!!

Think I will either go for the 5002 from PureTime and a GEN strap or wait for this kind of bundle to be sold here.

Thanks again!

Dear all,

I am new to this forum. I already bought some watches here.

Now I am looking for an IWC Big Pilot.

One which got really nice was this one:

http://www.rwg.cc/topic/103226-fully-modded-iwc-big-pilot-5002/

I am already looking in the Sales forum all the time if someone sells something similar.

If this does not happen: what can I do from Germany? I would love these mods:

- Double datewheels to raise the height of the datewheel (no recessed datewheel).

- Chieftang double AR'd crystal.

- Power reserve hand moved to full power.

- Fully relumed / Vaclumed dial and hands

- Rotor bearings greased to quieten.

- Case refinished and brushed.

But these modders are all located in the US. Which makes it difficult from Germany. Any ideas or solutions?

Thanks!!