Chronus Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 I'll take a studio front-on shot and overlay it on the IWC stock shot when I get a chance. It'll not be this week though. Did you ever get round to doing this ? Great review, I've been away from forums for a while and missed out on this at the time...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rblippy Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Preface This review has been a long time coming. Back in June, we were informed that we'd have it in two weeks, but the tales of this replica date back even further. One year ago, almost to the day, I proposed this watch as the "Dream Watch" candidate where whichever replica we voted for would be made. This watch was the clear winner and we all settled down to wait for it to be built. Nothing came of that, but six months later we were informed that a different replica factory, the one that brought us the so-called Ultimate Planet Ocean, would be releasing this watch in two weeks. It took a further six months for this to become a reality. So, the most anticipated replica to date? I hope not as I doubt anything could live up to the hype. History of the Aquatimer The first Aquatimer was made in 1967 and even then it had the famous rotating bezel, operated by a crown at around 4-o-clock, but it wasn't until 1997 that they released the GST that would evolve into the IWC3719 Aquatimer Chrono we have in front of us here. This watch featured prominently in the film Lucky Number Slevin, which is where it earned its nickname The Slevin. The Purchase I got my Aquatimer from Precious Time in the UK as I wanted to be sure I got a good one and that if there were any QC issues, I could deal with them in the EU as opposed to crossing customs dozens of times. If you've dealt with Precious Time, you know what service to expect - the usual high-quality packaging and speedy responses with great products. Precious Time, I'm sorry if I'm glossing over the purchasing aspect, but it's so straight-forward and painless there truly is nothing to say about it, and that's a good thing. If you're in the EU, give him a go. The Replica Ok, first impressions. If this were December 2006, this would be fighting for best replica of 2006 and holding its own. A year on, does it cut the mustard? We'll come back that. The Case Wow, solid and well-built. It feels like a proper watch. It has heft and clean edges. The crystal, while not being up to the standards of an after-market AR job, is decent enough with the AR giving the dial a blue hint from certain angles. Features For those who don't know the famous Aquatimer bezel, it's unique enough to merit its own section here. The chrono reset button also serves as a rotator for the bezel that's on the dial, much like the slide-rule on a Navitimer. It's a clever idea and the replica reproduces the original almost perfectly. It clicks positively in one direction and ratchets in the other. The alignment isn't absolutely perfect, but it can be made to line up (as can be seen in my photos) with very little effort. The Dial Two years ago, the IWC GST was heralded as one of the most perfect replicas available, yet the dial had no lume and the text was slightly wrong. This replica improves on the tradition, with near-perfect printing. reading between the lines, that means the Lume sucks. Why does lume on replicas suck so much? Well, let me tell you. Superlume is worth more than gold and can be stolen so very easily by an unscrupulous counterfeit labourer that the factories simply cannot afford to use it. It's a shame, but we just have to accept that we will never ever get good lume straight from the factory. This watch is an extreme side effect of that. Still, the dial and hands look beautiful. The Movement The Asian 7750 fitted in this watch feels better than any other one I've had. The 7750 in my Chrono-Avenger was until now the cleanest feeling, but this one has better ratcheting in the winder, the keyless works feels more positive and it feels and sounds solid. I realise I'm using unscientific terms, but it's all about the feel. The Chrono runs perfectly and it's as good as you can expect from an Asian 7750. Yes, the datewheels could do with replacing with genuine parts, but we're used to that. The Strap Perfect. It's the right feel, the right material and the right quality. Nice and soft and it doesn't attract dust. I don't feel at all upset by the lack of steel bracelet. Conclusion A well put together watch. Yes, it has its issues, like no lume and insufficient AR, but these are things I can live with very easily. Does it stand up to the so-named super-reps? Is it a good 2006 rep or a good 2007 rep? It's a winner, but not outright. It's up there, but not at the top. All it needs, and I mean all it needs, is an AR job on the crystal and it'd be a class-leading 2007 replica. Out of the box, it's worthy enough and I'd recommend it highly, but if you get an AR coating, Valjoux datewheels and a relume (although I will not be bothering with the relume myself - it's a minor consideration), you will get a replica that is indistinguishable from the genuine and is a modern classic. Without mods, it's still a damned fine watch, even for 2007. The test will be how long before I put one of my other reps on my wrist, and I suspect it'll be a while now. Please excuse the lower than usual quality of photos, but I was relegated to the kitchen without my light tent due to the impending festive season requiring a large tree in the living room. Any questions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rblippy Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Can you share the UK source you are refering to?? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Can you share the UK source you are refering to?? Thanks This forum has chosen to make this information freely available to supporters only, I'm afraid. Search for "Precious Time" here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerblade Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Hopefully this will be the missus doing something wrong but does the crono actually work on this rep?. I'm stuck away for the next week so when my slevin arrived yesterday from PT I got the missus to give it a quick look over, everything seems to be ok including the bezel rotating using the bottom button but she says nothing happens when you press the top (crono) button, I hope its not faulty but I would say I'll be as dissapointed if this one has no crono. I havnt contacted PT yet because i want to check it over myself 1st but if I may drop him a line if its supposed to be a functioning item. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahchard Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 oh no.... i am hoping she let the watch run and shook it a few times or wound it before she started the chrono? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerblade Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 oh no.... i am hoping she let the watch run and shook it a few times or wound it before she started the chrono? I was on the phone to her when she did it, watch was running as far as I'm aware as she told me the 9'oclock hand was running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andreww Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Pug, I'd be interested in knowing how much attention this watch is getting from you after having it a few months? Has the appeal worn off slightly, or is it still a fave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_brian_ Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Pug, I'd be interested in knowing how much attention this watch is getting from you after having it a few months? Has the appeal worn off slightly, or is it still a fave? Good question... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted June 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Good question... Still a fave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eunomians Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I'm considering buying this watch again, but this time with the bracelet. I must've missed something the 1st time 'round. This rep game is utter madness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted June 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I'm considering buying this watch again, but this time with the bracelet. I must've missed something the 1st time 'round. This rep game is utter madness. Oh yes, the bracelet revitalised this one. It's the version we were waiting for all along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_brian_ Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Oh yes, the bracelet revitalised this one. It's the version we were waiting for all along. It Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a german in denmark Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 For me it's bracelet, definitely. Got my watch from PT the other day... Apart from needing it AR'ed and date wheel changed, it's great. Love it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshy Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Hi All I'm new to this and hoping to purchase the "Slevin" as my first rep. Could anyone please tell me where's the best place to get it from in Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takashi Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Contact Precious Time. Save you from customs trouble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erwinner Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 I'm still not sure to go for a (second) GST (this time Ti) or one of these nice aquatimers. Since my current GST is allready SS, I'm thinking of a nice Ti this time.. any one knows if this one is also available in Ti? And what about sizes? The GST is 39mm and looks great... What's the smallest Aquatimer? I've seen them with both 42.5 and 44 mm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshy Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Contact Precious Time. Save you from customs trouble Thanks takashi Appreciate the info! I've just done that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AP Pete Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Thanks for taking the time to write up the review. Does anyone sell this watch with a swiss 7750? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_brian_ Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 I'm still not sure to go for a (second) GST (this time Ti) or one of these nice aquatimers. Since my current GST is allready SS, I'm thinking of a nice Ti this time.. any one knows if this one is also available in Ti? And what about sizes? The GST is 39mm and looks great... What's the smallest Aquatimer? I've seen them with both 42.5 and 44 mm... I prefer the design of the Slevin but I have to say that I find it a bit too big for my taste. Even if it is smaller than the Cousteau Diver, sometimes I think the GST has the better size and the Slevin is also unnecessarily heavy. After a while someone can get used to it though, it wears well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroAvia Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 I tried the Slevins (both yellow and white) at an AD this week. There is nothing big about this model, it is simply a nice size. I am not sure, but I believe it is smaller (equal, at most) than the porsche flat 6, for those who know this other watch. The strap and bracelet are equally narrow, I believe under 20mm at the lugs and narrower at the clasp. And I have to add that the yellow Slevin is A LOT prettier than the white one, but this is only my opinion. And I have just bought a yellow rep on bracelet, but it is SS and not Ti though. I prefer the design of the Slevin but I have to say that I find it a bit too big for my taste. Even if it is smaller than the Cousteau Diver, sometimes I think the GST has the better size and the Slevin is also unnecessarily heavy. After a while someone can get used to it though, it wears well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbieG Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 The AT's are 42MM but wear larger as they are all dial. External bezels make watches look smaller by effectively shrinking the dials. The 44Mm special editions wear WAY bigger. Anyway you get it, these bracelets are arguably the best design around. I still can't figure why they never did the Ti version although I understand there may be a raw materials Ti shortage in China right now. I think they really nailed the whole Slevin SS version rep though. Pretty tough to find many faults with it when comparing it to my gen. I considered getting the Slevin rep just to have both as I like the white accents a lot too. I also considered getting a rubber strap for mine but I doubt I could see wearing it much. Like I said, nothing beats these bracelets... I prefer the design of the Slevin but I have to say that I find it a bit too big for my taste. Even if it is smaller than the Cousteau Diver, sometimes I think the GST has the better size and the Slevin is also unnecessarily heavy. After a while someone can get used to it though, it wears well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marblegranite Posted March 16, 2012 Report Share Posted March 16, 2012 The Dial Two years ago, the IWC GST was heralded as one of the most perfect replicas available, yet the dial had no lume and the text was slightly wrong. This replica improves on the tradition, with near-perfect printing. reading between the lines, that means the Lume sucks. Why does lume on replicas suck so much? Well, let me tell you. Superlume is worth more than gold and can be stolen so very easily by an unscrupulous counterfeit labourer that the factories simply cannot afford to use it. It's a shame, but we just have to accept that we will never ever get good lume straight from the factory. This watch is an extreme side effect of that. Still, the dial and hands look beautiful. Great review! So glad things have changed since 07. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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