Watchmeister

The polished sides is an interesting development as prior to this year no SS models had polished sides to my knowledge - not 3717, BP, Aquatimer. Then again last year was the one when IWC introduced 6 new models with larger cases and different finishes as evidenced by the top gun with larger ceramic case so if it were ever going to happen it would be now. IMHO, I would leave it brushed. I have seen a half dozen gens over the last couple of years and they all had brushed sides. That is one of the few details you can notice from a quick glance on the wrist.

You certainly should be able to change over the crystal from one to the other. Of course, to get at it you have to take off the caseback and remove the movement. As this one is a chrono you would have to be careful removing the crown and pushers. As to the question on availability of first generation ti CA's the simple answer is no other than from a current owner. Just look for the open 4's on the bezel. They do come up for sale. Also if you love the watch and have the budget the gen's often come up everywhere and you can find them for $2,200 or less.

Preliminary feedback has tilted the buyer towards the BP. So now the question is new or old version? Here is a link to an article comparing the two. Which one? http://watchinghorology.com/2006/04/sihh-2...-pilot-new.html

Can't wait to see the final watch. Very cool using actual tritium on the dial.

A- Mine is a franken with first generation rep case, swiss movement and revised datewheel, gen dial with pearl relumed to match. B- The Super bezel came up on ebay and another forum member was good enough to buy it for me.

Thanks for the info on the GMT movement. I hadn't known there were problems with it. I will also suggest the 190. I suspect his issue will be that it is too close to the 183 which I believe he has.

A friend (not me) is deciding between an IWC Big Pilot and the first generation PAM 233 (8 day handwind with GMT function). He says they are both around the same price. Which would you pick? I will post pictures later in the day. Just curious. And we are talking gens - not reps. See my last post. And thanks for all your previous input. Buyer now is leaning toward BP.

D- One beautiful watch.

Very nice. Wear it well.

Today: The rest of the weekend has yet to be decided. That DeWitt is really growing on me.

Is that a Super or Chrono Avenger? Here is my rep Chrono version with Swiss movement and gen dial: I am looking for a Super as well. Another forum member was nice enough to source me a gen bezel for the super. Now I just have to find the rest of the rep. So I would also welcome dealer suggestions for a Super. Anyone?

Good luck with the project. It certainly isn't cheap but J&W does some wonderful frankenwatches.

Between gen hands, crystal, etc. Palp and full Jimmy I think that second one is fairly priced. If you have the budget go for that one. I do have one question on the crown guard (if you want to get incredibly picky) which relates to the lever on the CG. I have never seen that level of spacing between the lever and the body of the CG (looking directly on from the side). It may be because of the Palp crown or it may be a replacement lever which doesn't degrade the value in any way but is a common occurrence as Jimmy CG's get ever rarer and are increasingly being reused. Make no mistake, IMHO that second watch is beautiful.

Too cool for school.

So is the gen. IWC has two basic Genta bracelets - bubbles and blocks.

Wishful thinking. They will delay this one until after Chinese New Years to try and clear out as much of the older inferior inventory as possible. Let's face it, if you were the factory (dealer) would you make more (buy more) if you hadn't sold out of your original stock?

. That is a humorous way to out it but entirely true.

Absolutely beautiful. Excellent work. You have one of a kind, literally. As I recall there was only one ever made as it was the prototype for the subsequent 3646.

I am getting ready to give in on this one. And no the bracelet will not fit on the Cousteau - different lug width.

Wow. Thanks for the pics. Perhaps there will be a tourbillon in my future. I would settle for a single though.

Rolli- Whose dials did you start with? The aging is very nicely done. I am working on a 3646 as we speak using WM's case and dial and a proper Cortebert. I will never be able to get those beautiful lugs though. Looking forward to seeing the final results.

Lanikai- Thanks for the informative post. I had done the dial and crown as well on one. That crystal does make a big difference though. Wear it well.

Ubi- We are honored. Those Daytonas are looking fabulous. And of course when you get tired of them.... By the way I was wearing the Naughty Patek just yesterday. In honor of your reappearance I will trot out a few classics: Today: Tomorrow: Thursday:

Very nice review. I hadn't known they never got the series number right on the Asian and ignored it completely on the Swiss. If you are going to keep the Franken I would suggest you add a Lello datewheel as it significantly improves the rep. And enjoy that gen.

As far as I know there has never been a Muller even vaguely like this one in the Conquistador so this would consititute a Fantasy watch. It looks like they are trying to emulate a tourbillon in that watch and to the best of my knowledge there has never been a tourbillon Conquistador. More knowledgeable folks can weigh in though.