DVS

Cheers D....I

wh0000t!

Finally

Congrats!! It looks hot!

btw, you can see that Panerai is part of the Richemont group. They have adapted IWC's strap system

wow!!! Amazing trio C.

Great pics as usual

If you need gen straps, you know where to find me

My IW3717 on a 20mm heavy duty Panatime

This is a review I wrote a while back at RepGeek.

I received my Skyland V3 from Peter and I love it!! It felt gen right away. The strap feels nice, the watch is heavy and built quality is great.

I took these pics at work, sorry for the quality...

Gen vs Rep

When I first compared the rep to the gen the first thing I noticed was the difference in AR and dial quality. The gen AR is stronger. The rep AR has a more blueish tint. This is very difficult to capture on photo, but is very noticable when held next to each other.

Another difference are the subdials. The subdials have some kind of texture. This can be seen when it reflects light. Also, this is very difficult to photograph...

A side by side comparison:

rep:

gen:

Nothing to add here.. they are identical....

Pearls, rep vs gen:

rep:

gen:

I think the pictures spoke for themself...

Then the most discussed part of the Skyland, the lumedots!!

gen:

rep:

The dial close up.

If you see the dials up close you can see the difference in quality.

gen:

rep:

Casebacks:

The rep caseback is very good! The sticker isn't very accurate, but that's an easy fix

rep:

gen:

Some more shots:

And last but not least... the wristie

Fantastic comparison. Thanks for putting this together...awesome...and thanks for supporting the forum with both a membership upgrade and fantastic content.

Thanks

That was the least I could do since you guys gave us (geeks) a place to stay when our home crashed.

The IWC IW3717 is one of the most popular IWC watches, both rep as genuine. The IWC pilot's watch is also one of the oldest IWC models still produced. More on the history of the pilot's watch can be found in Niko's article.

It is said that the IWC Pilot Chrono is one of the best replica's available today. Since I own the genuine watch, I was curious how good it was. I saw Silverspeed was selling his watch and I knew my dad wanted an IW3717, so I bought his.

THE WATCH:

I have been wearing the gen for about two or three months, almost every day. I am wearing the rep for a day now and it doesn't feel strange. It has almost the same feeling on the wrist. The difference lies in the details.

THE CRYSTAL:

The biggest noticable difference is the AR.

It is very difficult to capture it, but the AR on the gen is a lot better. The dial on the gen just pops out. The AR on the rep has a much more blue tint.

THE DIAL:

The most important part of a watch, is the dial. This is what you look at to read the time. In my opinion, it is also the most important part to be replicated.

If you look closely, you will see that the markers on the gen dial are white and the markers on the rep are more off-white.

Another difference is how the 12, 3, 6 and 9 hour markers are applied. On the gen, they are nicely curved, while on the rep the markers are more angular.

The seconds hand on the gen is painted bright red. The rep has a more dark red hand.

This rep has a modded datewheel, but the original rep has a really bad datewheel. Modding this is a real must!

The colour of the dial itself on the gen looks darker. If you look at the pictures, you see that the gen dial looks a bit metallic. When you look close the difference in quality of the hands an how they are applied is very noticable.

THE CASE:

The overal look and feel of the rep case feels very similar to the gen case. There are a few minor differences though.

In the first two pictures, the gen is on top.

The lugs on the gen are a bit more curved. It is not something you will see or notice when wearing the rep.

When you look closely you will see that the biggest difference lies in the finishing. The finishing of the gen case is far more superior.

The engraving is also deeper and more crisp.

THE CROWN:

When you put the gen and rep next to each other, one of the first things you notice is the difference in size of the crown. I haven't measured them (I haven't got calipers here..), but I think it also lies in the finishing.

The gen crown is more curved at the end, which makes it look smaller. You can also see that the gen has the thread inside the crown, while the rep has the thread on the case.

Screwing the crown on the gen also feels smoother. On the rep it almost feels like you are grinding the thread.

THE FOLDING CLASP:

The rep IW3717 comes with a pin buckle. The pin buckle is from the same quality as the gen buckle.

But I like the folding buckle, so I added a rep folding clasp to this review.

Not many words needed here. The difference is obvious. Again, it is the finishing. This clasp came with an IW5002. It is an older style clasp.

The gen clasp costs EUR 350,-. For that kind of money you can buy two rep Big Pilots and get two folding clasps!

LUME:

I don't have a lumeshot yet, but the lume on the rep is just as good/bad as on the gen.

THE VERDICT:

The feel on the wrist is almost like wearing the gen. I would recommend to change the datewheel. I think if you get a decent AR, this watch would even be better.

I haven't discussed the strap that came with the rep. It is common knowledge that the replica straps are of horrible quality. The IWC rep strap is made out of plastic... Adding a gen strap would also help in making it a credible rep.

I don't know if I can call the IW3717 an Ultimate Rep. It is not as good as the Chopard Mille Miglia or the Graham Chronofighter Tech Seal.

It has some flaws and the finishing on the case, dial and hands is not even close to the quality of the gen.

With some mods you can have a killer rep for sure!

looking good............you might try here

http://www.redfingerprint.com/IWC/IWC_Ingenieur_Chronograph

I know a better source who has one in stock...

just subscribed for a year

I still regret selling mine!

very nice!!!

Congratulations

I see you bought it in Amsterdam

If you look at the prices of a white dial 1680 right now, they go for around $4400.

I dont' know how much a case from Phong is but consider the prices of the other gen parts.

hands: Easily $250-$350+ for good ones.

Dial: White dials I'd say are around $400. I dont' know about a red dial though.

Insert: New ones from my AD are $100. That is their set price.

Crowns: IIRC they charge $35 for one.

Tube: Same, $35 (I honestly don't remember).

Crystal: Tropic 127's can be found easily but I think they average around $75.

Movement: Around $1000?

Not including the case, if you went with all gen parts and the phong case you're looking at roughly $1850 + case to recreate a white dial 1680 that won't appreciate in value. Pay more for a matching dial and hand set regarding the tritium and it could be around $2000. I paid $850 for a matching MkIII dial and hand set for my Gen 5513 and got a great price as I was being quoted $1000 for them and I know they are original.

I'd also go gen in that case.

I've seen gen 1680 white dials for around $850,-. ND trading sells dials for around $400,- but these aren't accurate.

DVS,

Looking like a nice start.

You may have stem alignment issues with an ETA movement, not 100% sure about that as the question remains if this is the same case as sold by Jewelry & Watch (Phong) or NDT. I had that issue using a 2846 in my Phong 5517 case which in the end I had to disassemble -too much stress on the stem/crown due to the uneven alignment of the mvmt to the stem hole.

There are not many good Red 1680 dials out there, believe me I've been waiting. The ones out of Vietnam all have the wrong fonts and spacing on the print. I think this one is a little better but not by much.

Please let us know how your project progresses!

-TMG

I can buy an adapter from a member here, this should solve the movement problem. If not, I will have to go gen

What do you think of my dial, in comparison with the better dials? Imo the triangle on 12 is a dead giveaway.

I agree, TMG. The VN and HK dials have a lot to be desired- Wrong fonts, spacing, etc. Personally, I think the MBK dial actually looks better than either the HK or the VN...

I've read that the MBK/MBW doesn't accept a gen dial. Will an MBK dial fit this case?

Looks like a great start to the project! Should turn out nicely, especially with a 1570 inside!

Thanks

I will start with an ETA, but I would love a Rolex motor

I have searched on this forum, but I can't seem to find Phong... who is he and where can I find his products?

I've decided to build a 1680 project. I just love the crystal and I've wanted a vintage Rollie from the day I found out watches are cool In fact, my first rep was a 5517.

Two things in this, and probably every project, that were very important: what do I want and how much do I want to spend..

1. I want a vintage 1680 that looks and feels authentic and looks and feels like it is older than me

2. Max $1,000.-

But I wanted a case that could fit a gen Rolex movement, just in case I wanted to upgrade. And I found Yuki. His service is excellent and his prices are good too!

I have ordered a complete case set, Rolex and Tudor hands and a dial. And two Nato's from Panatime (also excellent service and price).

I'm still waiting for an adaptor to fit an ETA inside this case and for an ETA 2846 and ETA 2824-2. I (or the modder) will transplant the 2846 on the 2824 mainplate, so it will have a slow beat movement.

I'm also searching for a good datewheel

On to the pics!

The case (I have no idea if this is in fact a 1:1 case, experts, please chime in):

Case with straps:

Side:

Pearl:

CG's and crown:

Lugs:

Between lugs:

Dial (The dial is wrong.. The triangle on 12 is too short.. that really bugs me. I can't find a good red dial.. and the serial on this case belongs to the red dial.. If anyone knows where to find a good dial, please let me know.):

Tudor Hands:

awesome!!!!

btw, are you Dutch??

Capice and I were thinking of having another GTG in Amsterdam on Sunday, November 23.

Anybody interested?

Never was in for it till I saw one in the flesh;;; yesterday at the Amsterdam GTG. I love the grey one....

Are you refering to this one

Same plans, different day:

Sunday 27th

yep, I think you are nuts

Unless you plan on building the 5517 with gen parts..

Otherwise, sell the Airking..

voor de mensen die zin hebben..

We gaan met een paar man sowieso een GTG houden..

When: Saturday July 26th

Where: Amsterdam

What time: h13:00

We will meet at h13:00 at the PC Hooftstraat at the Van Baerlenstraat side.

I'm back in NL August 28, so the last weekend of August is fine by me

Hey mannen!

Hier ook een Amsterdammer

Ik ben er graag bij, alleen de hele maand augustus zit ik in Turkije