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Pesman

New ZF Rose Gold IWC Spitfire from Fat Panda (WatchFinder)

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Pesman

My rep buying has seriously tailed off of late and you may have noticed me off-loading the majority of my collection, on here, over the past few months to fund a move to gen's. However, having clocked the gorgeous Rose Gold IWC Spitfire on Hugh Laurie's wrist in the recent BBC Series 'The Night Manager' and realising I could never run to the £15k for a real one I decided that the rep was the only way I would ever get to bring out my inner International Arms Dealer.

 

http://watchesinmovi...s=night+manager

 

So, I returned to the RWG forums to see if any improvements had been made to the reliability of the rep mechanisms and sec@6 issues for this watch and was pleased to see Kenny's thread on just such a subject.

 

http://www.rwg.bz/bo...howtopic=113529

 

Feeling a little more confident I did a bit of searching around and turned up links to a new version of the Rose Gold from ZF and asked Tim (aka Fat Panda) at WatchFinder to source one for me. With hindsight, I probably would have asked if an SWF version was available but Kenny had implied that the ZF mechanism was now equally improved so I took the plunge. I was vaguely aware of the Chronograph not counting the full hour issue but kept my fingers crossed that it wouldn't apply to the ZF version - unfortunately it looks like it does. However, as I have no intention of using the stopwatch for timing anything, I don't have to be concerned about overcooked boiled eggs....

 

Anyway, the QC shots looked amazing and the QC Video confirmed (with careful watching as it was a bit all over the place) that the watch was solid (Tim set the chrono running and then shook it to bits on the video and it ploughed on regardless) so I asked him to ship.

 

3 days later (yes 3 days!) and the watch is in my possession. So here goes with my review to help others - who like me - are nervous to flip around $350 on a rep.

 

First Impressions:

Obviously, I have never seen (and probably never will see) a real one but the quality of the rep seems amazing.

 

Here is a screen grab of the original...

 

26457780395_640201ffa0_n.jpg

 

and here is a shot of mine...

 

26365189432_70bd1dd8fd_z.jpg

 

The watch has great weight and 'feel'. Even the rep strap isn't horrendous although mine was fitted the wrong way around. I have already swapped it for a Bob leather strap and it looks great. Clasp works fine and everything functioned out of the box.

 

I ran the chrono for a couple of minutes (the QC video had inspired my confidence in this respect) and it ran and reset fine. It does jump 2 mins a sweep though so clearly, the ZF will only count 30 mins not the hour.

 

Dial

The sunburst grey is stunning and complements the rose gold really nicely. The AR is faultless and knocks spots of my original Hamilton Vintage Chrono which has the same sunburst grey finish but is virtually unreadable due to the amount of reflection.

 

The date is not at all sunken and the grey is a perfect match for the dial. The number aligns nicely at 3 and it flicks over at midnight.

 

26457514485_c1cd38af48_z.jpg

 

The red accents on the second hand and date really jump out and greatly enhance the dial. I admit I was a little sceptical about the red but it really works.

 

Quality of Rose Gold Plating.

 

I only own one other rose gold watch and that is my gorgeous Lange and Sohne Datograph rep. I was, therefore, a little dubious that the rose gold would look 'legit'. I can report that it does. The finish is lovely and flawless. Pushers, crown and clasp all match and the back is a piece of art.

 

26431597736_7077ce21d0_z.jpg

 

26391354901_953a681811_z.jpg

 

Clasp and Back

 

The clasp functions really nicely with a solid 'click'. The IWC is crisply engraved and the brushed appearance all first class.

 

26391346021_57c2028a9d_z.jpg

 

The back has the familiar Spitfire logo and is also deeply etched and high quality. Compared to some of the token engraving I have seen on some reps - especially Breitlings - this is deep and classy.

 

25852635054_4fdb0b4bfc_z.jpg

 

 

Seconds@6

 

I am no horologist so cannot comment to the extent that Kenny has on this. All I can offer (if the link works) is a video I have shot of mine in action....seems pretty smooth but I have no idea how bad the old ones where...

 

26431584326_7e564401bc_z.jpg

 

Summary

 

The watch is stunning. It would be interesting to compare it to an SWF and if anyone lives near Kettering and has one - lets do it!

 

Here's a wrist shot to finish...

 

26184654290_918105dcd3_z.jpg

 

Is it worth $350? At this point I would say yes. I remain stunned at the quality of finish China now achieves compared to retail watches of a similar price point. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the mechanism hangs together and will probably look to get it serviced fairly soon to ensure it is running as smooth as it can with all factory debris removed.

 

Finally, it was interesting to see that it came with a Z Factory tag - good to see pride being shown in these now!

 

Hope this was of interest and comments and thoughts welcome. I have a feeling a SS version will not be far behind this one - probably an SWF though...just to see the difference...

 

Now, you'll have to excuse me, I have some serious negotiating to do with these nice Gentleman from the Middle East....anyone want an F16?

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GT86

Great review. I've had my eye on one of these (BP version on Toro's site). Yours looks great, and a bargain too! Enjoy her mate :thumbsup2:

 

well-played-445681.gif

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tonyh7

That's a really nice looking watch. I've always shied away from chronos, but that looks fab. I've bought a couple of watches off Tim, and I must say it's been a really good experience. Especially the QC process which he seems to apply very thoroughly.

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MAJ75

Excellent review Pesman all credit to you mate, I'm jealous you beat me to the punch on this one.....

 

Having said that it is the first in depth review I have seen of this model in RG.

 

My motivation to purchase came from seeing it in The Night Manager too.

 

I will now proceed to purchase your work here has confirmed the need for yet another transaction......

 

All the best,

 

Mark.

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GT86

Excellent review Pesman all credit to you mate, I'm jealous you beat me to the punch on this one.....

 

Having said that it is the first in depth review I have seen of this model in RG.

 

My motivation to purchase came from seeing it in The Night Manager too.

 

I will now proceed to purchase your work here has confirmed the need for yet another transaction......

 

All the best,

 

Mark.

HA! +1...This is a 'must have' for me too

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Dawg

The finish on that looks really good .....nice pick up

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Gazzla

Very nice and great review.

 

What's the strap like? Usual crappy cardboard affair? I had the SS version and the strap was shocking:

 

 

 

x2T6L1D.jpg

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Pesman

Strap not brill. Suprised how short the buckle side is. Is that deliberate from the original?

4db97dad15da9828ef8037adb82825e8.jpg

 

Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk

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Pesman

Great review. I've had my eye on one of these (BP version on Toro's site). Yours looks great, and a bargain too! Enjoy her mate :thumbsup2:

 

well-played-445681.gif

 

Not such a bargain! Apologies but got my $ and £ mixed up on first edit. Watch was $350 have amended now

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Gazzla

Strap not brill. Suprised how short the buckle side is. Is that deliberate from the original?

4db97dad15da9828ef8037adb82825e8.jpg

 

Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk

 

 

If I remember rightly these are 21mm. This guy does a great gen for about 30 quid:

 

http://stores.ebay.com/vnhandcraftart/Alligator-watch-strap-21mm-/_i.html?_fsub=8322010012&rt=nc&_pgn=2&_ipg=48

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Pesman

Strap not brill. Suprised how short the buckle side is. Is that deliberate from the original?

4db97dad15da9828ef8037adb82825e8.jpg

 

Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk

 

 

If I remember rightly these are 21mm. This guy does a great gen for about 30 quid:

 

http://stores.ebay.c...&_pgn=2&_ipg=48

 

Perfect! Just ordered this one...seems to match...

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21mm-Red-Brown-ALLIGATOR-SKIN-LEATHER-WATCH-STRAP-for-IWC-Portuguese-SANTONI-/222084256049

 

May take a while if shipping from Vietnam!

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Gazzla

Strap not brill. Suprised how short the buckle side is. Is that deliberate from the original?

4db97dad15da9828ef8037adb82825e8.jpg

 

Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk

 

 

If I remember rightly these are 21mm. This guy does a great gen for about 30 quid:

 

http://stores.ebay.c...&_pgn=2&_ipg=48

 

Perfect! Just ordered this one...seems to match...

 

http://www.ebay.com/...I-/222084256049

 

May take a while if shipping from Vietnam!

 

 

Yep, that's a great strap. did you tell him to punch the holes?

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Pesman

Strap not brill. Suprised how short the buckle side is. Is that deliberate from the original?

4db97dad15da9828ef8037adb82825e8.jpg

 

Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk

 

 

If I remember rightly these are 21mm. This guy does a great gen for about 30 quid:

 

http://stores.ebay.c...&_pgn=2&_ipg=48

 

Perfect! Just ordered this one...seems to match...

 

http://www.ebay.com/...I-/222084256049

 

May take a while if shipping from Vietnam!

 

 

Yep, that's a great strap. did you tell him to punch the holes?

er no... I'd best reread the ad - assumed it would come with holes....

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Kaiser

Nice review, great watch! You state however that the strap came on the wrong way round, that is not the case. All IWC deployants (gen and rep) come with the tail end of the strap facing towards you. The buckle side is indeed short, perhaps you will understand when viewing the picture below. Because the folding buckle is quite long, it would be pressing into the side of your wrist if the buckle side wasn't short. Here's my 5001 on a gen IWC Santoni

 

2378324D-CA06-44AC-AF72-BE0EC3169B18_zpsgmgi6grw.jpg

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Pesman
Nice review, great watch! You state however that the strap came on the wrong way round, that is not the case. All IWC deployants (gen and rep) come with the tail end of the strap facing towards you. The buckle side is indeed short, perhaps you will understand when viewing the picture below. Because the folding buckle is quite long, it would be pressing into the side of your wrist if the buckle side wasn't short. Here's my 5001 on a gen IWC Santoni

 

2378324D-CA06-44AC-AF72-BE0EC3169B18_zpsgmgi6grw.jpg

Cheers interesting. ..

 

Sent from my SM-G850F using Tapatalk

 

 

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dator

Thanks for taking the time for this great review

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