Pugwash Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 First of all, I would like to thank PureTime for donating this watch for review; it's very much appreciated. Thanks, Angus. From here on in, I would like to stress that all photos in this review are straight off the camera, with no retouching at all. The watch was delivered pristine and any dirt and marks visible in the photo are my doing. Let's get one thing clear. This is a fantasy watch. It is not an actual model produced by IWC. It's based on the new IWC 3799 "Edition Top Gun" double-chronograph, but it differs in too many ways to list all of them. For instance, the 3799 is 4mm wider, is made of Ceramic and is a double-chrono. Comparison photos appear further in the article, but I wanted to make sure that we all started off knowing that we won't be able to compare accuracy with a real watch as much as we normally would. Also, the hour-subdial hand was at 1 when the watch arrived and remained there until today after it was photographed and I reset it with the button. I should have noticed, but didn't until I was examining the photos. Sorry about that, it's not a problem with the watch. As you can see, the unique design feature of this watch is the date window, spanning yesterday and today. This is available on a few brands, but looks really good on this black design. The case is identical in every way to that of the IWC-3717 apart from the stealthy black PVD covering and the faux-pusher at 10-o-clock. The strap is a faux-kevlar with what appears to be a slightly bulkier than usual buckle. The chrono pushers are polished stainless steel and the crown is another item from the 3717. The caseback, however, is very unique. It uses the same logo as can be found on the steel caseback of the ceramic 3799, which may or may not put people off the watch as it's the logo from the movie Top Gun, instead of the actual TOPGUN logo used by the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, to whom this watch is a homage. In further keeping with its 3717 roots, the case does not feature the Top Gun logo on the side of the case, unlike the 3799. You can see in this picture the quality of the PVD coating. It looks good to me. The sapphire crystal is advertised as having AR coating, and it does. However, it's heavily tinted, making for more blue than you should see. The blue tint looks good on a black strapped black watch, but I may be tempted to get the crystal AR coated in the future. While the 3799 has a Kevlar strap to add machoitude or something, the replica has a faux-kevlar strap that passes as Kevlar at a glance, but I can't help think how cool this watch would look on a NATO. The pusher at 10-o-clock on the 3799 activates the split-chrono feature. I won't go into it too much as on this replica, it acts as a stress-relief button instead. I find pressing it makes me feel good, but it doesn't actually do anything on the watch. Enjoy the button; think of it as a freebie. As you can see, the hands are the same as the 3717 and the lume is equally as poor. We buy reps, we get poor lume; it's the rules. However, Angus advertises this watch as waterproof to over 50m, which is why you won't see a movement shot in this review. I won't be swimming with it, but I had no problems walking in the snow and getting it splashed cleaning stuff today. It's a watch to wash your car in as opposed to pearl-diving. In a comparison with a 3717, you can see the blue tint of the sapphire much clearer than in any other pictures. You can also see how damned good it looks in PVD. The day and date wheels on the 3717 are ETA ones, so don't compare the two. Owing to the fantasy nature of this watch, I won't be considering a wheel change. Yes, this watch is a PVDed 3717 with a funky dial and a useless extra pusher. It's up to you if that's cool or not. I think it is, but that's just me. Angus sells this watch for $268 and it'a available in his section. Bonus Section: IWC Top Gun replica vs IWC 3799 Double-Chrono Here you can see the sheer size difference. Check the subdials on the picture of the 3799 and you can see the massive spacing round the outside. The ceramic watch is simply huge. Yes, even the genuine has the same movie logo slug in the centre of the caseback. Once more, I would like to extend my gratitude to Angus (PureTime) for supplying this watch for review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 Great review and nice pics as per usual! I wonder if they have plans to release the standard version of this watch.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted February 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 Great review and nice pics as per usual! I wonder if they have plans to release the standard version of this watch.... The 46mm Ceramic one? I don't think they ever will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daytona4me Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 Bravo Pugwash! I wanted to look more seriously at this replica, thanks for reviewing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rckh Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 It's NOT based on the new IWC 3799 "Edition Top Gun" double-chronograph. it's based on new IWC Ceramic Doppelchronograph, ref. 3786-01. Limited edition of 1,000 pieces. But they made the caseback wrong: http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=tre...79384&rid=0 Best Regards, Raymond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratchpot Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 It's NOT based on the new IWC 3799 "Edition Top Gun" double-chronograph. it's based on new IWC Ceramic Doppelchronograph, ref. 3786-01. Limited edition of 1,000 pieces. But they made the caseback wrong: I think you're probably right, and the rep manufacturers have done this type of thing before (for example, some AP reps have a City of Sails case back, even though the rep isn't a CofS model). Still a great review though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobs1971 Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 Thnx Pugs for another great review!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 Thanks much for the review, Pugs. Very informative. Would you please comment on the PVD coating? It seems a bit thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted February 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 Would you please comment on the PVD coating? It seems a bit thin. As I don't own any other PVD watches, I can't comment too accurately, but yes it's probably thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadweller4000 Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 Thanks for your work, Pug! Nice Pictures as always. Linked to the guide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z3k0 Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 It's NOT based on the new IWC 3799 "Edition Top Gun" double-chronograph. it's based on new IWC Ceramic Doppelchronograph, ref. 3786-01. Limited edition of 1,000 pieces. But they made the caseback wrong: Best Regards, Raymond It is closer to Ceramic Doppel because of center seconds hand shape, but still wrong size - 3786 is 44mm. regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted February 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 It is closer to Ceramic Doppel because of center seconds hand shape, but still wrong size - 3786 is 44mm. Clearly, this is a fantasy watch that's inspired by two watches, but it could never be mistaken for a ceramic watch. It's pretty obvious I like this watch and did so from the moment I saw it. It's one of those decisions a buyer has to make: do they like decent fantasy watches or do they need their watches to be based on specific models? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 Awesome watch, and awesome review I quite agree, the watch would look awesome on a NATO strap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mentalist Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 I don't really see the point of this. Unless they make a proper IWC Doppel Top Gun rep with the side case engraving and the red planes on the hands, this will always look like what it is: a 3717 with a Top Gun sticker on the caseback. A really poor effort, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 I don't really see the point of this. Unless they make a proper IWC Doppel Top Gun rep with the side case engraving and the red planes on the hands, this will always look like what it is: a 3717 with a Top Gun sticker on the caseback. A really poor effort, IMO. However...it does have the cool expanded date window...and Angus says you can swim with this one...that alone might be worth it!! Other FREE features are, it also has everybody's favourite serial number!! The REALLY important question is not "what the point of this" is...it's "Pug, how would the PVD look on a brown croc strap?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted February 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 The REALLY important question is not "what the point of this" is...it's "Pug, how would the PVD look on a brown croc strap?" I've put it on a 20mm NATO for today and can put it on the 21mm 3717 strap tomorrow. I'll let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 I've put it on a 20mm NATO for today and can put it on the 21mm 3717 strap tomorrow. I'll let you know. Ace! I'm thinking the black on black might be better than brown on black. Do you know if the Di-Modell Imperator 22mm is the one that fits properly on the 3717's?? They don't seem to have a 21mm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Ace! I'm thinking the black on black might be better than brown on black. Do you know if the Di-Modell Imperator 22mm is the one that fits properly on the 3717's?? They don't seem to have a 21mm... Ooops...I just answered my own question with a bit more reading: 3717 Strap Sizing It appears the 3717 case lug width is 21mm, but some have put 22mm in with no problems...minimal to no compression. The alternative is a 20mm but that leaves a gap, and the oversizing of the 22mm means only 0.5mm per side which is negligble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted February 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 From what I hear, Angus is trying to get a non-TOP GUN caseback made. I hope he manages as it'll make the watch just a few inches cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eunomians Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 I'm going for it. And I would also be picking up a more correct non-doppel caseback when available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Ooops...I just answered my own question with a bit more reading: 3717 Strap Sizing It appears the 3717 case lug width is 21mm, but some have put 22mm in with no problems...minimal to no compression. The alternative is a 20mm but that leaves a gap, and the oversizing of the 22mm means only 0.5mm per side which is negligble. Yep. I went with a 22mm DiModell Chronissimo for my 3717, and it fits fine.. BTW, lonestar has the Imperator for only $54. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted February 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 I'm going for it. And I would also be picking up a more correct non-doppel caseback when available. I may also get a non Top-Gun caseback when they're out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffymom Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 in that case, how is the accuracy compared to IWC 3786. is the sapphire glass meant to be curved out? I love this watch, so aero dynamic in many ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronus Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 The 46mm Ceramic one? I don't think they ever will. That's a pity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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