Michael_B

Depends: If I were to buy this watch (I already have one) I would pay close to a watch without a stuck day wheel. This is a very easy fix if you've done it before, but it's easy to break things (especially on reps). I don't know for how much these go, but I think 10-20% off a used one is quite a good deal for both parties, provided you can repair it yourself.

This is the v1: http://puretime.co/product/big-pilot-5004-ss-grey-superlumed-dial-on-black-leather-strap-a25j/ This is the v2: http://puretime.co/product/big-pilot-2nd-edition-7-days-black-dial-1/ Just compare it with a genuine picture next to it. The v2 just looks wrong. Most disturbing is the date window. I think it's quite obvious without looking at the genuine watch. The proportions on the v1 look very good. And some members have been able to switch it with a genuine dial.

How about asking if he can ship it with a buckle? Best of both worlds! It shouldn't bee too expensive if he can find one. Wow if never seen a quality picture of this replica. This one looks very accurate. The only thing bothering me is that the crown looks a little too far outside. But maybe it's pulled out, so I don't know. (This is from what I remember the last time I had this on my wrist.) EDIT: Removed the pictures from the quote to make it more readable.

Get the mesh bracelet. The replica leather strap quality is horrible and you'll probably replace it with something nicer very soon. Seriously, it should be forbidden to sell these straps. If you don't like the mesh bracelet, just buy a simple non-replica leather strap afterwards. It doesn't have to be genuine, everything will be better. That being said, excellent choice of your watch! I hope that someday I can build one of these myself from mostly genuine parts.

It is a little thinner (15mm), while the classic Top Gun is a little less than 1mm more. I don't think it's too noticable. But this one has a 48mm case, which is huuuuuge (compared to other IWC watches). This one is a little bigger than the 5004. It's 48mm wide!

Wow at first I was like "this is the best IWC rep I have seen so far". Too bad, but it's genuine. It looks nice, but I prefer the steel version with the alligator strap. This should be rep'able without inventing too much, but I'd rather see some of the Miramar models being rep'ed.

I thought the version 2 had a working power reserve? But the V2 big pilots look horrible. The V1 is much more accurate in my opinion, but has a non-working power reserve indicator. I would take the V1.

Hi 10pgb20, nice answer . Thank I didn't know about the exact diameters. The small hands fit without problems, but as said the big second hand won't fit without modification. A watchmaker should be able to adapt it for you. I've read that some members have managed to widen it themselves. And some members like me have broken the big second hand .

Oh okay, now I get it. Yes, you can replace the Asian 7750 movement with an ETA 7750 movement, BUT you will have problems fitting the chrono second hand. The hole is a little too small, but some members say it can be widened to fit the ETA 7750 movement. My Top Gun 3789 has the paint removed. It looks pretty cool now! The small Top Gun is 44mm and it is the same size as the 3718, just the height is a little different. Yes, Swiss guy here .

Hi and welcome here. The watch is 44mm. You mean close the hole if you remove the pusher at 11 o'clock? I am not aware that anyone has tried this. If you plan to put a Top Gun dial, why not go directly with a 3789? It doesn't have the 11 o'clock pusher and is the same size. A Top Gun dial in a 3718 looks fake and is a much bigger tell than the non working pusher. Besides that, it would look weird with the spitfire hands.

A large part probably went to his IWC source. While he probably gets them at a lower price than he sells them, he probably doesn't get them for free either. These parts are with texski now, who disappeared. Please give him some time, he's trying to do the right thing and refund the people who have been scammed. As hard as this may sound to those who are concerned, I agree with that statement. I wouldn't hold a trusted dealer responsible for a faulty watch either if I bought it directly from the factory. (That's common sense.)

I don't think Hacra is active on this board. Hacra answered me on RG and RWI. Try it there. Concepta is active here (more or less), I saw him answering posts recently. He usually answers within a few days, if he doesn't answer, then he probably can't get it. Unfortunately it is getting harder and harder to source IWC parts (from what I've read here). No guarantees that they can get them.

IWC has many real in-house Portuguese, but unfortunately they aren't cheap. Search IWC 5001 for example. From what I've read, Swatch Group - which owns ETA - wants to restrict (even more) the sale of its movements to only quality manufacturers to protect the Swiss watch industry. A step I welcome by the way. I hate those "hey look, we manufactured a cheap case in chine and put a Swiss made eta movement inside. Let's sell it for USD 5000! I haven't heard nor read about ETA movements being used exclusively for Swatch Group Watches. If anybody knows more about this, I'd be happy to hear it. Concepta and/or Hacra can source them sometimes, PM them!

No, I really meant the 3789, because it is exactly the same size. The 3799 is 46mm, but probably still lighter than the 3718.

It's 44mm and it looks very manly!!