higginsd

No, there is a rep of 5019 (BP Miramar) on the market. But it is not as good as other IWC reps - like the BP 5002 or 5004 - are. The case is not yet from pure ceramics, it is only PCD'ed. And the coating is brushed ceramics, not polished like the gen. The dial is good related to dimensions and positions of markings and fonts. But the dial is a little bit too bright in color. Hands are ok, date wheel is black and not recessed.. The case back is made from titanium and the engravings are good. The crown is made from titanium and also good. The strap is a crap and the first thing I changed a gen strap on my 5019 which arrived last week. Now I'm trying to source a gen dial of the Miramar. I'm also waiting for the super rep of the 5019 announced from Toro for spring of 2014. But: end of 2012 the TDs announced the PilotChrono 3777 for early 2013 - and it finally arrived the market in late october 2013. I don't think the Miramar will be available before summer 2014. So you have to be very patient or take the existing rep of the Miramar as a nice "preview" or appetizer like I do. ;-)

The/my 3777 bracelet doesn't have this problem.

Thanks! I sourced the dial - at an AD in germany! I called him, asked and he said: "No problem. Send me 250$ (185€) and I'll order it for you. Delivery time 3-4 weeks." No questions like "Why?" or "What is your serial number?" A simple, good deal. The strap is a HKTan distressed brown leather. Contact Aaron if interested. I'm waiting for my BP-strap in grey alligator with light blue stitch like the strap on the attached picture! Jacob is a fantastic strap maker but he has looooooong waiting lists. Can you tell me more about the vaclume AR? What is the difference to the rep AR? Where can I get it (in europe)? Price? Last question: does anyone know where to find a gen crown with tube? OK, I can try my AD again...

Arrived today: my gen 3777 dial. The differences I (am quiet sure to) see: the white color is more white on the gen dial. The black is more black. The small fonts look a bit clearer or more "cutting". I can't describe it better. Possibly it's only an imagination. But the main flaw and the reason why I sourced a gen dial: the triangle at 12 on my rep dial is a little bit crooked. Normally nobody can see this. But you know: I know it is crooked and so I see it every day. This is annoying and so I start my first franken.

Sorry. Mod: please delete my post.

BTW: I have a unworn rep IWC-bracelet which was attached to my 3777 (PilotChrono). Now I wear the 3777 with leather strap. If anyone is interested in buying the bracelet: PN me! The bracelet is in europe/germany.

Buy as long (and as soon) as you can: there are rumors in german forums about the bracelet production: "Unfortunately the biggest bracelet Maker in China has packed up his factory and moved back to Taiwan. There are rumors that he is re-opening his factory in TW, but we have yet to hear from him, and this is why watches with bracelets are usually out of stock these days, and this is also true for the AP Diver, there are no bracelets in stock, with no idea when and/or if they will be in stock. :(" A statement of Francis/Puretime. This are bad news for the bracelet fans.

Yeah, it is a beauty! I hope concepta can source some gen 79350 movements and will offer them here.

Forget about the functional PR - for a gen dial with functional PR you need a gen movement because the stems of the rep movement are not fitting. A gen BP-movement is extreme expensive and (nearly?1?) not available! I'm searching for over a year now and not able to source one... You don't really need a functional PR. If you wear the watch with PR it winds up and the PR will show "full" after a short time. The gen will also wind up and show "full". A rep with faux PR shows - "full". So where is the difference? Crown and tube are nice to change to gen. It will cost you round about 200$. But your first thing to change should be the dial (to gen), the clasp (to gen) and the strap (to gen or to a very good strap maker). Gen dials are easy to source (for the 5002, I don't know exactly for the 5004), search ebay. The price is about 100-150$. A gen clasp and a gen strap is available from an AD. Take some money with you, it's expensive. 700-800$ for the strap and 200-300$ for the clasp... But look at some really good strapmakers like HKTan, JacobStraps, Peter or Hamilton. The user rolojack in this forum has also a source to really fantastic rep BP-straps and to high-end reps of BP-clasps. Hope this helps you to get your dream watch ready.

Why don't you look for a BigPilot 5002 (I think one of the best reps available) or a PilotChrono 3777 (if it has to be a chrono)? I think these watches are better for beginners without experiences and contacts to a good (and rep-friendly) watch smith.

I'm sad to say I contacted Domi a few days ago: he isn't offering the mod for the sec@6 problem anymore! The reason is that although doing the mod some problems can happen and he cannot source the jewels anymore. :-( So the problem with sec@6 still exists and is still a big problem! Possibly it can be fixed with graphite grease but possibly it is unfixable.

Concepta is right. Read the TD section and choose a trusted dealer. They all sell the same watches. The 3714 is a ticking time bomb because of the seconds dial at the 6. nearly all of them will suddenly stop in a few months. Then you have to lubricate the sec-at-6-gears with graphite powder and you'll have to pray... Choose a 5002/5004 BigPilot or a PilotChrono, they're very good rep'ed and come with long working movements. Or a Portofino Automatic if yo don't like the pilots.

I think it is still build by ETA, IWC only wrote the specs. Like they do for the ETA-7750 chronos, which they call IWC-79320... I don't believe IWC puts a manufacture movement into the cheaper watch (Mark VXI compared to PilotsChrono).

Sorry, what is TRL?

The "Full-PR-mod": look at the PR hand - it is pointing to the number "7". That's not correct. With a working PR like in the gen, after a short time and some windings of the movement the PR will be wound up full and showing full. Which is on the ruler between "DAYS" and "7". Have a look at the attached pic, there you can see what i mean. To correct this, your guy only has to move the PR hand carefully towards full. No problem, I did this myself for my 5002 and I'm no watchmaker.

This is one of the best reps on the market and also one of my most liked (and worn) watches! Tell your guy to perform the "Full-PR-mod" while doing the service. And: change the strap, it is crap, sorry. Look at this thread and contact Jack, he has the best straps for BP: http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/161079-iwc-5002-big-pilot-alligator-strap-source/

Look at ebay?!? But you'll find only gen boxes there - and they cost a lot of money!

This is a 3264...

Help this man to source some really good IWC rivets! His straps are awesome, but for a big pilot they MUST have rivets. ;-)

According to this thread the "V2" isn't better: http://www.replica-watch.info/vb/showthread.php/3777-v2-161982.html

Mine is the version with faux PR, the stem for the PR is fixed to the dial I think. So possibly an ETA-2836 will fit?

Hi all! Any suggestions or any experiences here in fitting an ETA movement into a rep BP 5002? Which ETA movement will fit in the case? What else to change or to work on: the datewheel, the tube/crown? Is that an easy job or better contact a watchsmith? I like my 5002 very, very much but - the asian 25J is horrible! So I decided to invest some money - doesn't really matter how much - and make a nearly perfect watch from my 5002. It's so sad that a gen 5011 movement won't be realistic to get anywhere. And if so, I think the price will be extreme high! BR

To know it is Platinum...

You think there is a difference between a "gen" gasket and a gasket from a watch part supplier?!?

Yes, the BP! THE watch for real men! ;-) You should do the "DAYSI"-mod. Straps: HKTan has some really nice BP straps. http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=6246599&rid=0#msg_6246599 Scroll down for the BP straps. Or have a look at this thread: http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/161079-iwc-5002-big-pilot-alligator-strap-source/ But - the next green strap he'll get is mine, sorry! :-)