ubiquitous Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Been a while since I've really given any thought to my 3717 Pilot frankenstein. I had been after a gen crown and tube set for a long time, and I finally got my hands on a pairing. Seems to be the little details that fine tune the build; while the crown and tube are pretty small in their own right, I expect that they'll make for a pretty big impact to the overall feel and aesthetics of this one. Now I just need to find some time to install...
modelizer Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Nice find there R! I have a gen crown and tube on my 3717 franken and it really does make a big difference (both feel and aesthetics)!
dbutlerman Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Cool Ubi! It's all in the details, no doubt!
vlydog Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Small details make such a difference; I'm a firm believer.
Texski Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 Wow, that was quick. Nice pictures, too! Have you screwed the crown on the tube? It feels so smooth. You will be reminded of this every time you cinch the crown down ... GZ cannot replicate this. Congratulations Ubi, Mike
HauteHippie Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 The crown and tube indeed do make a surprising difference. The gen crown really sparkles compared to the rep. With the gen case set I would rank each item in this order: 1. Gen caseback - adds bulk that is noticeable on the wrist compared to the rep and is contoured differently. 2. Gen crown/tube - the crown sparkles, and the internal threading is night and day compared to rep. 3. Gen case - the edge chamfers are crisp and noticeable compared to the rep, the gen lugs are slightly longer and contoured differently. 4. Gen crystal - yea it's gen, but the AR sucks.
sempire Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 What does a gen crown and tube run for ?
Texski Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 The crown and tube indeed do make a surprising difference. The gen crown really sparkles compared to the rep. With the gen case set I would rank each item in this order: 1. Gen caseback - adds bulk that is noticeable on the wrist compared to the rep and is contoured differently. 2. Gen crown/tube - the crown sparkles, and the internal threading is night and day compared to rep. 3. Gen case - the edge chamfers are crisp and noticeable compared to the rep, the gen lugs are slightly longer and contoured differently. 4. Gen crystal - yea it's gen, but the AR sucks. Gen saphire is VERY expensive. Last 2 I got was $400, and generally back-ordered. I am going to compare it before I ship it, but I think the IWC saphire might be clearer than the rep, not quite as grey. I have been wanting to photograph these to highlight the difference. Didn't Taka do a comparison where the lighting and angles were consistent?
HauteHippie Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 Gen saphire is VERY expensive. Last 2 I got was $400, and generally back-ordered. I am going to compare it before I ship it, but I think the IWC saphire might be clearer than the rep, not quite as grey. I have been wanting to photograph these to highlight the difference. Didn't Taka do a comparison where the lighting and angles were consistent? You're not going to notice a difference in sapphire quality to the naked eye, I don't think. Even with a scratch-dig on the low quality end of the spectrum, the naked eye probably isn't going to detect it unless there is a really bad manufacturing defect in the rep crystal (which might not be too far fetched in some). But I had just become used to my rep crystal with my own AR, and it was crystal clear. Now with the gen crystal and gen AR, I get these pesky reflections all the time. Annoying to say the least. It really detracts from the watch. Some peeps worry about AR "accuracy" per the gen. Me? I want my AR to do what it's supposed to do... and I'm ready to strip and recoat this gen! $400 for a gen crystal?!? Absolute highway robbery!
asf Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 Some peeps worry about AR "accuracy" per the gen. Me? I want my AR to do what it's supposed to do... and I'm ready to strip and recoat this gen! Dooooo it!
Jkay Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 Sounds great. The only rep I've had with a good crown/tube is my original Eurotimez DSSD .. precise and sure. All the others are sketchy at best.
Texski Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 And BP's are much more. That's why suggest AR'ing the rep. At 1/4 the price, it is more reasonable.
sempire Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 The crown and tube indeed do make a surprising difference. The gen crown really sparkles compared to the rep. With the gen case set I would rank each item in this order: 1. Gen caseback - adds bulk that is noticeable on the wrist compared to the rep and is contoured differently. 2. Gen crown/tube - the crown sparkles, and the internal threading is night and day compared to rep. 3. Gen case - the edge chamfers are crisp and noticeable compared to the rep, the gen lugs are slightly longer and contoured differently. 4. Gen crystal - yea it's gen, but the AR sucks. How does the caseback screw on the rep case? is it a perfect fit? any threading issues? is it really that noticeable?
HauteHippie Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 How does the caseback screw on the rep case? is it a perfect fit? any threading issues? is it really that noticeable? Threading issues? No. But it doesn't screw on smoothly like the gen does to the gen case. It's noticeable, but then again, how often do you take the caseback off/on? What's most noticeable is the bulk. The gen case + caseback compared to the rep combo is noticeably thicker. Set them side by side on a flat surface, and you'll notice it. And you can see the difference on the wrist as well.
sempire Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 Threading issues? No. But it doesn't screw on smoothly like the gen does to the gen case. It's noticeable, but then again, how often do you take the caseback off/on? What's most noticeable is the bulk. The gen case + caseback compared to the rep combo is noticeably thicker. Set them side by side on a flat surface, and you'll notice it. And you can see the difference on the wrist as well. What do you think is a rough estimate of what that would cost. I'm thinking it's probably a bit..
HauteHippie Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 What do you think is a rough estimate of what that would cost. I'm thinking it's probably a bit.. Cost of gen case set? These days I don't know. If the crystal alone is $400, I'd hate to think what the case, caseback, crown/tube, and crystal set goes for.
permabull Posted September 8, 2011 Report Posted September 8, 2011 Guys, FYI here is a shot of my gen 3717 (from an IWC AD) next to an all-rep one on the left.
sempire Posted September 8, 2011 Report Posted September 8, 2011 Guys, FYI here is a shot of my gen 3717 (from an IWC AD) next to an all-rep one on the left. Maybe it's a mm thicker if anything? They look so close it's crazy. The crown is definitely a difference, Thank god I have Texski hooking me up.
superlative Posted September 8, 2011 Report Posted September 8, 2011 The polished part around the lip of the bezels of the cases are also different. That's what I look for to tell if it's a rep or gen case.
Texski Posted September 8, 2011 Report Posted September 8, 2011 Maybe it's a mm thicker if anything? They look so close it's crazy. The crown is definitely a difference, Thank god I have Texski hooking me up. S, You are so funny. Glad I could help. Let's see pictures when it gets back. And Superlative, good to see you again. You have one of the sharpest eyes I know. One of the best comparisons of Rep and IWC cases is found here. IWC 3717 Flieger Chronograph (Rep vs Gen) I hope you can access it. They did a great job repping this case.
rafi717 Posted September 10, 2011 Report Posted September 10, 2011 That's a one beautiful piece! All gen I presume... Well maybe not the buckle
PPN Posted September 11, 2011 Report Posted September 11, 2011 Guys, FYI here is a shot of my gen 3717 (from an IWC AD) next to an all-rep one on the left. Nice comparison shot. It's really 99% of the way there I think. Difficult to tell unless you have them side by side.
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