greg_r 81 Posted April 22, 2015 Some years ago I owned an IWC BP that I bought via M2M from Del (I seem to recall that he originally bought it from Robert/PWC). It was the working PR version and whilst I loved the look of the watch, it never really quite hit the spot. There were the usual known issues - i.e. the inaccurate placement of the PR subdial and the white DW (should be black on the 5004), but that wasn't the real problem. My issues with the watch were a: it just felt rather cheap and b: the &8!@£££ing fiddly flush pusher @8 for quick-set date, which was so bloody awkward to use that I eventually resorted to wearing the damn thing only once a month so's I didn't have to fark around with the date! Ever since I got rid of it, I've been wanting another. The newer faux PR version was tempting - but having a non-working complication always bugs me and the known weakness in the crown tube was another issue that I wasn't sure I would be willing to deal with. So I picked myself up a budget gen BP homage (DeTomaso Savona) and decided I'd be happy with that for a while. Then I found a new version in the listings of an off-board dealer I've been talking to recently and decided was worth mystery shopping (one of the many who approach us wanting to be trusted here). The watch has working PR, same inaccurate DW, same Sea-Gull movement but NO fecking date pusher!!! It was also very inexpensive ($115) and I figured I'd give it a punt. The inaccuracies were as anticipated and the rep strap is just as crap as I expected BUT the watch itself feels surprisingly good quality (much better than the previous one that I had) and quick-set date is where God intended - adjusted via the crown. I can't whole-heartedly recommend the dealer I bought it from - who will not be joining us here - but I would imagine that our TDs can get hold of this version too - it's also available with the 5002 dial. It's not the greatest rep in the world, but for a cheapie it's not bad at all. I'll be hanging on to this one for a while until I find something better (or buy the Christopher Ward C8 Pilot). Enough drivel. Pics!!! The worst part of this whole thing is that I seem to have caught the watch bug again. I managed to get away with only three watches last year. This is my third fourth already this year (which reminds me, I have another watch I need to photograph and review) and I still have two three incoming. Not to mention that I was planning to buy another gen next month Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gazzla 23 Posted April 22, 2015 Not too shabby at all. Mineral or sapphire? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted April 22, 2015 Not too shabby at all. Mineral or sapphire? Sapphire, surprisingly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gazzla 23 Posted April 22, 2015 Not too shabby at all. Mineral or sapphire? Sapphire, surprisingly. Then that, Greg, is a nice pick-up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micscave 1 Posted April 22, 2015 I bought one similar from Turkey about 4 years ago with no date pusher but adjusted with the crown. It's a 5002 dial but with 5004 hands, very odd. It's also got 24mm lugs instead of the correct 22mm ones. What's the lug width on yours Greg? Mine keeps great time but I never wear it because of the hands issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted April 22, 2015 I'm actually perfectly happy with my one with the quick set pusher although it maybe a different one than you had as it sets quite easily and the watch itself certainly doesn't feel cheap. The strap it came on was crap but the deployant buckle was really nice so I got phizzy to make me a strap for it, now the only thing that bothers me about mine is the lume, its absolutely crap! What's the lume like on that one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted April 22, 2015 I'm actually perfectly happy with my one with the quick set pusher although it maybe a different one than you had as it sets quite easily and the watch itself certainly doesn't feel cheap. The strap it came on was crap but the deployant buckle was really nice so I got phizzy to make me a strap for it, now the only thing that bothers me about mine is the lume, its absolutely crap! What's the lume like on that one? They may have improved - mine was from several years ago. The lume on this one is still crap Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted April 22, 2015 I bought one similar from Turkey about 4 years ago with no date pusher but adjusted with the crown. It's a 5002 dial but with 5004 hands, very odd. It's also got 24mm lugs instead of the correct 22mm ones. What's the lug width on yours Greg? Mine keeps great time but I never wear it because of the hands issue. I wonder if that's the even cheaper version - I had one a couple of years back from another prospective dealer, but it, like yours, had the incorrect hands and was generally so nasty I ended up binning it. I haven't measured lug width on this one yet, so I'll report back. I'll be replacing the rep strap asap. There's been a couple of versions with incorrect lug width - wouldn't surprise me if this isn't the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,749 Posted April 22, 2015 it's the little frame around the date window that floats my boat, many many, including the grey dial version i have (M2M via HWG) do not have it sadly Not too shabby for the money pick up Greg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted April 22, 2015 it's the little frame around the date window that floats my boat, many many, including the grey dial version i have (M2M via HWG) do not have it sadly Not too shabby for the money pick up Greg. Bastard! Mine doesn't have it and I never noticed until you just pointed it out on greg's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,749 Posted April 22, 2015 it's the little frame around the date window that floats my boat, many many, including the grey dial version i have (M2M via HWG) do not have it sadly Not too shabby for the money pick up Greg. Bastard! Mine doesn't have it and I never noticed until you just pointed it out on greg's Throw it in the canal behind sainburys, it's a box queen from now on......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted April 22, 2015 it's the little frame around the date window that floats my boat, many many, including the grey dial version i have (M2M via HWG) do not have it sadly Not too shabby for the money pick up Greg. Bastard! Mine doesn't have it and I never noticed until you just pointed it out on greg's Throw it in the canal behind sainburys, it's a box queen from now on......... Im on my final warning for throwing crap in the canal after I dumped my ex in there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted April 23, 2015 Just to say that I measured lug width this morning. As expected, it's incorrect - 24mm - which is going to make finding a decent strap that will fit the 18mm deployant a little more difficult than I'd hoped. Such things happen with cheapies... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted April 23, 2015 Just to say that I measured lug width this morning. As expected, it's incorrect - 24mm - which is going to make finding a decent strap that will fit the 18mm deployant a little more difficult than I'd hoped. Such things happen with cheapies... Drop Phizzy a PM, he made me a really nice strap for mine and pricing was very reasonable! I just sent him my old one and he made this one to the same spec. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted April 23, 2015 Nice pickup for the money that Greg. I need to get myself one of these, there's a lot around $90-$100 on good old aliexpress and I've been contemplating just pulling the trigger on one to see what they're like, guess they could even be this version. That said, I think the 'better' version with the non working PR can be had from our TD's for $250 ish if I recall correctly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 81 Posted April 23, 2015 Nice pickup for the money that Greg. I need to get myself one of these, there's a lot around $90-$100 on good old aliexpress and I've been contemplating just pulling the trigger on one to see what they're like, guess they could even be this version. That said, I think the 'better' version with the non working PR can be had from our TD's for $250 ish if I recall correctly. Yup. Non-working complications bug the hell out of me, though, which is why I never got around to buying one. Beware on Ali - there's also a lower-quality version around that's absolute crap Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted April 23, 2015 Cheers for the heads up, I'd insist on some pictures of it first but still no guarantees for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duzza 182 Posted April 23, 2015 Im interested in picking up a cheap ali version as a donor for the case and tube. Mine has the usual issue of the crown not screwing down on to the tube. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kremmen 0 Posted April 29, 2015 looks bettr than the bp I found on dhgate. would like someting better still tho Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JBJtw 1 Posted April 29, 2015 it's the little frame around the date window that floats my boat, many many, including the grey dial version i have (M2M via HWG) do not have it sadly Not too shabby for the money pick up Greg. Bastard! Mine doesn't have it and I never noticed until you just pointed it out on greg's Throw it in the canal behind sainburys, it's a box queen from now on......... Are the watches i keep fishing out from my barge from you?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JBJtw 1 Posted April 29, 2015 Greg our of curiosity will you pm me the url of the dealer or are you not happy promoting a non TD? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
