Pugwash Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 This review is of the IWC Flieger Chronograph replica currently available. The Flieger line are pilot's watches (Fliegen is German for "To fly", so Fliegerchrono means "Chrono that flies") that IWC has had as part of its history since 1936. This particular model, the 3706, is a 39mm watch that was replaced a few years ago by the 42mm 3717 that's designed to cash in on the popular looks of the Big Pilot, IWC's flagship watch. This simpler design is cleaner than its replacement and appears to have directly inspired several subsequent designs, like Fortis's Flieger design. The replica has got an Asian 28k 7750 movement without any dial-moving mods, so it should be a sight more reliable than those with moved dials. As long as you follow the usual procedures for using a 7750, you should be fine. All the features of the original are present on the replica: it is functionally identical. I got this one off Sash, so I was comfortable in knowing that if it had died in its first week or so (the telling period for Asian 7750s) then it would be dealt with. Check with your dealer on their policy if this worries you. The case is brushed steel and fits in with the grey and black feel of this watch. It's classy in its subdued monochrome look. The case is a different depth to the original, but not enough for it to give it away. Also, the replica is missing the deep AR coating on the gen, but it's not milky on a side view so I suspect it's lightly treated, like most replicas. The crown is a screw-in crown with the familiar IWC fish motif. Both the crown and the pushers are apparently slightly wrong sized, but I think you'd need a gen and a rep side by side to see it. The strap supplied is exactly the same MooCroc as the one supplied with the IWC Portuguese Chrono. It's a 20mm strap with a brushed clasp. It does the job and I don't plan on replacing it just yet. The faults and flaws on this watch are pretty much all on the dial. The numbers on the 12 and 9 subdials should all be horizontal, there are three dots missing in the 12 subdial and the 12 and 6 dials should be ringed in white. Apart from that pile of errors, it's damned close. I think a genuine dial would finish it off to a T. Now, I'm going to do something I don't normally do and that's use someone else's photo without permission. I cropped this photo of the genuine article from one of the magnificent photos from the Joyful Collection website. Click on the photo to see their IWCs in their natural habitat, but be warned it's all in Japanese. You can see the subdials very clearly on that photo and see where they differ from the replica. While there are faults, as with other replicas, I don't think they're enough to turn me off this watch. I would check, though, before you buy one that it has the correct white hands on the subdials as this is apparently a recent fix. Older models have silver hands that are incorrect. Conclusion: Good replica (not perfect, but good enough) of a timeless classic. In closing, I'd like to thank Sashwatch, the supplier of this magnificent timepiece, By-Tor, for not complaining when I ripped off his opening picture style and Ryaku, for pointing out the dial and case differences. Without them, this review would be a lot less interesting. Edit: My German has been corrected by Seadweller 4000. Another one to add to the thanks. His correction is as follows: In german "Flieger" means pilot, while "fliegen" is translated as flying. So a Fliegeruhr does not mean a watch that flies, but a pilot's watch. Yes, it's a repost, but I thought I needed at least one review in the IWC section ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovepanerai Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 great review thanks for spending all the time and effort on this! great idea BTW to repost in the IWC Area - just did the same with my older IWC Portugieser Laureus review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craytonic Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 great review. So many good watches recently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Tracy Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Excellent Pugwash.... gives all the serious aspects to allow one to make the proper decision on a purchase...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted January 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Excellent Pugwash.... gives all the serious aspects to allow one to make the proper decision on a purchase...! That is, in fact, the point. One day, my reviews may be as good as By-Tor's, and until then, I'll try to make them at least a little entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I said it once... but doesn't matter saying it twice: this was a great review. I loved it. Thank God I haven't gotten the "IWC bug" yet (although I like them and respect the brand). I always seem to have enough watches I want to buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faide Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Excellent review! Thanks _Faide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshot Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 we are soooooooooooo lucky the dealers do not have pugs pics if i hadn't bought an ultimate p.o. yesterday i would have been emailing joshua for one of these just from those pictures! great job mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FasTTaP Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 (edited) Pug, you made me pull the triger on this one Just ordered mine from Josh... Edited March 2, 2008 by FasTTaP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbchubb Posted March 2, 2008 Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 Thanks for this nice review. I especially like the monochromatic picture style... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2008 Thanks for this nice review. I especially like the monochromatic picture style... Well spotted. It's a very classy monochromatic watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now