Franken Mark XV

[exeekias]

Hi all,

I bought a Mark XV from Hont just before CNY in order to do some mods on it.

I could only get the Spitfire version from Hont so there isn't really a direct comparison before & after.

The rep came without AR and with what is probably a clone 2824 movement. I hope the crystal is sapphire but who knows. It also came with a cheapo plastic movement holder which is unfortunate but there's not much i can do unless I find one in the right size to fit the case. Overall the rep is of decent quality, the caseback is incorrect as with all of them, and I am positive the case is about 1.5 mm too thick as well when compared to the gen.

I added a gen dial of the non Spitfire type, replaced the hands with Bill Yao hour and minute hands which are just about the proper length, size and shape, and painted the second hand white as the Bill Yao hand had more of a teardrop shape on the end than the gen.

I also replaced the date wheel with one from a 2892. I know there are better franken Mark XVs out there (saw one on this forum last year for ex.) but I'm pretty happy with my results. I'd be interested in hearing what you IWC lovers think.

overall specs:

rep case 39mm

rep steel bracelet

sapphire? crystal

eta? 2824 movement

gen Mark XV dial

Bill Yao hands

rep second hand repainted white to match gen

eta 2892 date wheel installed

Here are the results.

"before" pic taken by hont, before he replaced the band with SS:

and "after":

Family photo with my v3 3717, which has no mods other than taka's crystal installed.

Lume! 1/2 sec exposure as you can see:

Wristie:

The caseback is of course incorrect but not much I can do about that, unless I can find a sticker or something to cover the "UTC". If anyone knows where I can find a sticker please let me know.

future plans:

I may end up getting AR coating done on it to match my 3717. As of now it doesn't look too bad, if you think of it as a rep of the older model without AR. I'm also thinking of getting a leather strap for it so if anyone has suggestions for a good one I'm all ears.

P.S. Cross-posting this from RWI as there are some people here who don't go there. Hope you don't mind.

[nakortheblue]

Very nice. AR will probably help bring out the gen dial. HK Tan can probably help you with an appropriate leather strap.

[exeekias]

Thanks! I'm seriously considering AR for it, yeah. I would go for one of Aaron's straps but the last one I got from him took a looong time.

[lanikai]

Very nice..

[dluddy]

Nice transformation. Looks great

[Jkay]

Really nice work. Keep going!

[exeekias]

Thanks guys

[plaifender]

I like it way better. The spitfire dial has never done anything for me.. on any of the iwc lineup. Very nice

[FxrAndy]

Looks great

[valerian]

I absolutely love it! Was the dial a direct swap? (Gen 3706 does not fit the rep case.)

Val.

[exeekias]

I absolutely love it! Was the dial a direct swap? (Gen 3706 does not fit the rep case.)

Val.

The dial was just barely big enough to fit the case. I had to center it properly on the movement holder with dial dots before installation.

[trombone]

if somebody is in search for a nice gen Mark XV dial, i just posted one

in the tools & parts section of the trade area.