b16a2 Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 When I first set eyes on the classic lines of the IWC 3714, I knew at that very moment it was the grail piece for me. The size of the timepiece strikes the balance of being 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Thanks for the review, b16a2. I'm getting hooked on this watch- I like the gold case/white dial/dark brown croc strap the most. Even if you spend a few hundred dollars servicing it, it's still cheaper than the gen by a long shot, and if I bought another gen, there woould be hell to pay from my wife! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgchrono2 Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I prefer the Skyland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Great write-up and analysis. A great contribution to the forum. I do love this watch...but like many, am afraid of the movement. The graphite treatment seems to work...so maybe that is one solution to it. Inaccuracies aside...the watch if stunning...one of the most elegant in the IWC line...and the inaccuracies are so minor that this is a really nice rep to get. Thanks for the great read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltatahoe Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 nice writeup b16a2; i'll agree that this watch is an absolute beauty with a double AR coating (see picture below courtesy of verbal; sorry for the huge picture), the dial on these watches really does pop deltatahoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Excellent review For me, the quickest way to tell a gen apart from a rep (from pictures), is the "bite" that is taken out of the top of the "6" on the gen: (Also, the color of the blue hands...But that can vary due to lighting). Anyone interested in brushing the case back can see my complete instructions here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormTooper4 Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Wonderful Post B16 thank you for taking the time to put this together I have the itch bad for one of these, always have one day , one day ST4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eunomians Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Great post and gorgeous watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francisco Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 James, thanks for your comments. Francisco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted January 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Thanks for the comments everyone, the 3714 was a pleasure to review, it's such a beautiful watch.. Just to note the crown is fully extended in some of the pictures, I forgot to push it in, so it gives the illusion that the crown is too wide (but it is not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asds Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Great review with really fine pics, now i'm just waiting for the one I ordered (white/gold one) to be delivered. Just can't wait Just need to find any european watchsmith to make an AR treatment on it, adn it would be perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgbAgent Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Fantastic review ... thanks for your efforts ... thats a way bewdiful watch !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadweller4000 Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Damn, how could I miss this? Awesome post which I naturally linked to the guide. Thanks for your work and effort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerman Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 I've been enjoying reading your reviews, and this is another great one. I really like the way you express yourself. It's a joy to read something so well written. Your passion for watches just shines through. You've got me thinking about selling my first born son to get a gen Porto Chrono. Sadly I don't know if I'll ever be able to justify this particular grail. Thanks anyway and keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Love the review love the watch ... just took this photo of the 7 day as im of to work... Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted January 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 I have been pondering the 7days rep since it came out, I think the pictures exagerrate the subdial spacing sometimes because on your wrist that thing looks great! Thanks for the comments btw everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobs1971 Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Great review, thnx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champ Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Great review b16a2 of a fantastic watch. I fell in love with this watch but what I have read in the last days it is maybe a unfortunate love. I have some (nooby) questions to that watch. - will this problem with the movement by the sec at 6 came in any case/watch or is there let's say a 50/50 chance? - is there no way to change this incorrect working movement to a other one? - is it right that this graphite method is just tested for a short time (a few month) what could mean, that the problem can come back every time. and last question, could everybody with watchmaker experience solve the problem if it happend? (My fingers are all thumbs) By the way, I have to say sincere thank to seadweller4000 for his review about the SOH46 and his recommandation. I bought this watch as my first rep and this piece is working so accuracy and it is a pleasure the wear it. And now the "hunting" has started for me. Champ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 Great review b16a2 of a fantastic watch. I fell in love with this watch but what I have read in the last days it is maybe a unfortunate love. I have some (nooby) questions to that watch. - will this problem with the movement by the sec at 6 came in any case/watch or is there let's say a 50/50 chance? - is there no way to change this incorrect working movement to a other one? - is it right that this graphite method is just tested for a short time (a few month) what could mean, that the problem can come back every time. and last question, could everybody with watchmaker experience solve the problem if it happend? (My fingers are all thumbs) By the way, I have to say sincere thank to seadweller4000 for his review about the SOH46 and his recommandation. I bought this watch as my first rep and this piece is working so accuracy and it is a pleasure the wear it. And now the "hunting" has started for me. Champ Thanks Champ, the 3714 is one of the nicest watches on the market at the moment. With regards to your questions; 1) It's very difficult to put a probability on the liklihood of the movement surviving, there is only one thing that is certain....it is a ticking timebomb. 2) Unfortunately the rep makers haven't designed a new improved movement. The Zigmeister has written extensively on how they could improve it (less transfer gears and more jewels) but the rep makers never listen. There is a member selling genuine IWC movements, but whether the genuine movement would fit into the replica case without modifications is another question. Although IWC use the 7750 is used as a base movement, the thickness of the two movements is unlikely to be the same due to the different methods used to transfer the running seconds. 3) Again, it's difficult to attribute a length of time that graphite treatment will extend the movements life by. Some have been running for a year since the graphite trteatment was introduced, I remember FxrAndy's 3714 ran for years without the treatment.....and still is for that matter. The graphite treatment has had great results in reviving 'dead' movements so it should help in adding to the longevity of the life of the movement. As far as I know, there hasn't been any tests to see if it reduces the stress on the movement or not (i.e. the amount of resistance on the movement caused by friction before and after the treatment is applied) My advice would be; A) Buy the 3714, have the graphite applied and hope for the best Buy the 3714, remove the gears that transfer to the six o'clock position, thus freezing the seconds at six. This will prevent the extra resistance on the movement from ocurring. C) Do neither of the above and pray to God it keeps running Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellomen Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Great read, thanx Laz my mate... that's a beauty!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony7777 Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Agreed great review! Which of the rep makers in your collective opinions are making the finest IWCs? Ive been looking for an "ultimate" model but have yet to see one. Thanks! Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkerouac Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 If I could only buy one new rep for the rest of my life, this would be the one -- if I could feel comfortable with the reliability and survivability of the movement. As it stands I have held out since the first generation of the Portugese came out.... and I will likely wait longer. Thank you, though, for your excellent review, and for reminding me why I love this watch so much (or perhaps despite reminding me why I love this watch so much). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkerouac Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Agreed great review! Which of the rep makers in your collective opinions are making the finest IWCs? Ive been looking for an "ultimate" model but have yet to see one. Thanks! Tony Tony, The Ingeneur sold by most dealers is an ultimate (with date wheel swap and AR), and the GST is fantastic as well. Many people also rave about the Cousteau, although I've only seen one Cousteau rep briefly at a get-together. If I had to reduce my collection down to only one brand, it would be IWC, no contest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony7777 Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 JKerouac, thanks! Have you used Watchmark in the past? The author apparently likes them. I checked out the site today, 'timeshops.com' and I noticed several other items, including wallets and purses for sale. Dunno made me feel a bit odd...I think the collectors should be purists, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timepiece Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Great review, thanks for this informative post!! Still love the 3714 - 01. It is a great dress watch. I once made this gen-rep comparison set-up with mine: I put it recently in the Watches area for sale since I do not wear it much wih its black gator strap. Yesterday I found this great combo with a HK Tan custom brown strap that I would wear much more considering the colour of my belts and shoes. Having a great HK Tan on my 3717, I am now seriously considering to go for this combo and withdraw the offer!! Wear 'em well! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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