IWC Big Pilot 5009 - GEN vs REP Comparison

[thermalboyz 0]

IWC Big Pilot 5009 - GEN vs REP Comparison
 
IWC comes back with a new limited edition, honouring one of its favourite ambassadors (unfortunately not with us anymore), Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, pilot and writer, and its most famous character, ‘le Petit Prince’. Using the same concept as several other editions of the Pilot collection, it is now the Big Pilot that is paying tribute to one of the most classical books of all time. Please welcome the IWC Big Pilot Watch Edition ‘Le Petit Prince’. Several other watches of the Pilot collection had been used to serve as a tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and ‘Le Petit Prince’.
 
Specifications
Mechanical movement Calibre 51111
Pellaton automatic winding system
7-day power reserve when fully wound
Power reserve display
Date display
Central hacking seconds
Glucydur®* beryllium alloy balance
Breguet spring
Screw-in crown
Limited to 1,000 watches
Special engraving featuring the little prince and inscription “IWC ∙ LE PETIT PRINCE ∙ ONE OUT OF 1000” on the case back.
 
Case and folding clasp in stainless steel, midnight blue dial, rhodium-plated hands and indices, coated with Super-LumiNova®*, brown calfskin strap with quilted stitching
 
 
Glass: sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides, withstands drops in air pressure
 
 
Case diameter 46mm, Case Height 16mm, Water Resistance 6 bar

 

 
Credit to author from Lingmuwatch
 
General Impression : Le Petit Prince (5009-08)
 
From the dial, the overall configuration of the two watch basically looks the same. Genuine hands thinner and have a bit of curvature, ZF at this point engraved techniques quite strong, are basically the same axis with the genuine.
 

 
 
Dial Logo / Colour :
 
Then compare the two Trademark / Logo of the watch, shown ZF plant still have the room for improvement. Gen IWC logo shown slightly bold than ZF although not that obvious from naked eyes, still point it out in this comparison. Sunburst effect and blue are very close to GEN but the sub-dial not quite as it looks a bit shinier than the GEN sub-dial.

 
 
Crystal :
 
The genuine watch used an exquisite style domed sapphire crystal glass, with double-sided anti-glare (AR) treatment for a translucent clear view, rounded at the edges of the arc reveals elegant retro temperament. ZF crystal in the appearance looks very close to the Gen.
 

 
 
Dial :
 
The numerical / index on the dial is our main focus here, the GEN index border has some metal reflection effect where ZF index making is very close to the GEN too.
 

 
 
Hands :
 
Perfect! To point it out the second hand on GEN and REP is bent inwards to the dial (So it's not defects) It is because of the curvature of the crystal so that the second hand won't get stuck at the end of the crystal. Like pilot and Portuguese, the hands are bent.
 

 
 
Index @ 12 :
 
Very well made from ZF.
 

 
 
LUME :
 
The luminous effect due to differences in the extent of absorption of light, GEN colour lighter brighter. But ZF luminous hands seems not very uniform, which can be seen as a big difference.
 

 
 
Crown :
 
GEN crown with a unique design and large design brings comfort. ZF crown looks consistent with the GEN, especially difficult to see the difference from the naked eye. In high magnification, the GEN crown has deeper curve than ZF plant, very hard to see but you can feel the differences.
 

 
 
Crown Logo :
 
GEN is one piece crown but ZF looks like the logo is stick on the plate and it sits deeper inside.
 

 
 
Case :
 
Carefully observed from the side, ZF has slightly thicker than the GEN, the outer periphery of the metal finishing brush process is very delicate, almost exactly the same with the genuine.
 

 
 
 
Back Case :
 
Next, we focus on the back cover of this watch - "the little prince". Despite engraved items back cover design is still impressive, but the matt finished inside the circle still not up to the GEN standard. GEN Matt finished looks smooth but ZF still needs to improve its matt finish.
 

 
 
Inside Back case :
 
Huge difference here where GEN is smooth but ZF had a circle dip in the middle. Finishing also looks different.
 

 
 
Back case engraving :
 
GEN Font is slightly bolder than ZF, but this is harmless, only notice when open the back cover.
 

 
 
Movement :
 
Personally, I think ZF has done a great job on its movement rotor and deco. From the movement deco plate to the rotor, ZF has done a good job on this with engraving. Although it a closed back watch and this shown ZF had put effort into every detail.
 

 
 
Deployant :
 
The differences inside the clasp is still relatively small, GEN IWC trademark engraved on the clasp is deeper and ZF slightly shallow.
 
 

 
 
Leather Band :
 
This watch with a brown calfskin strap reveals a tough industrial style genuine calf leather strap bring elegant to the watch and not compromised comfortable wearing feel. ZF factory engraved bracelet also achieve the same effect, very close to GEN.
 

 
 
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General Impression : Big Pilot Black (5009-01)
 
 

 
 
Dial :
 
The picture below you will find the details of the work is good, the PR colour (RED) in sub-dial has different red. Calendar font colour bit whiter on GEN (background colour is the same) and date window size was done quite perfect too. PR hand is quite good too and it just the pinion is slightly large look on the ZF model.
 
 

 
 
Index / Number :
 
Number and index quite spot on. Only the "Swiss Made" at the bottom of date is thinner on the REP. (5009-01 model does not have the metal look frame outside the boundary of the Number like the LPP)
 

 
 
Hands :
 
Hands are pretty spot on too, the length is perfect as you can see from the pictures below in different angle.
 

 
 
Crown :
 
Crown groove is spot-on, I've counted them and it's the same. Crown logo is a bit sunken on the REP but the engraving is pretty well made.
 

 
 
Side view :
 
The only small difference if anyone can spot it here. It's the curvature of the lug on the REP is slightly thicker. Otherwise, brushing and finishing is perfect.
 

 
 
Back Case :
 
Fonts on the GEN is thicker and deeper engraved. On the back of the Back case, it has engraving too and it's the same as the LPP version. Movement comparison is the same as LPP version. (Pictures without RED wording represent the REP.

 
 
Deployant :
 
GEN engraved finer and deeper compared to the REP. The REP engraving also looks a bit flat to me. Back of the deployant is an obvious difference to spot.
 

 
 
Conclusion :
 
LPP
Very well made pieces from ZF, Blue sunburst effect with real PR is the main buying point. However, it has a few minor discrepancies between them where ZF still have room for improvement. Especially the Sub-dial looking too shiny than the GEN and the matt finished back case. Apart from that other are not too obvious to spot unless you have a GEN beside you to compare with.
 
Black
Black version is pretty well made too again very similar to the LLP flaws (Room for improvements). The sub-sial bit shiny, PR red is not the same colour, Crown, back case plus buckle. In general, it's pretty spotted on the model.

Edited January 18, 2018 by thermalboyz

[AustinTech 0]

Thanks! :AT:

[boredpanda 1]

Appreciate the review, really detailed!

[OLDBLOKE74 8,693]

Excellent post

[Sakurai 1]

Fantastic comparisons, thanks for sharing!

[Cleebeauregard 2]

Great review!! Thank you for taking the time to do such a nice and thorough job!

[gavmeister 1]

Outstanding analysis! Thanks for sharing this. I'm still learning and this just took things up a level for me.

[Clovis1 0]

Nice review, thanks for sharing!

[RepC 0]

Amazing review. I appreciate your thoroughness.

[Simurgh 0]

Wonderful review! I may make the 500909 my next purchase based on your analysis. Thank you

[Not Quite Dead 9]

Excellent work, watch is back on the list

[Hoffmeister OK 0]

A great comparison. Thanks. New to this forum. Keen to purchase the replica LPP. Is ZF the Z Factory. How do i go about making a purchase and to ensure to get a good quality replica. Cheers

[JSJ 0]

A great comparison. Thanks. New to this forum. Keen to purchase the replica LPP. Is ZF the Z Factory. How do i go about making a purchase and to ensure to get a good quality replica. Cheers

Some reading of the noob threads would work wonders for you.

[I like to watch 0]

Great article. Very helpful for us newbies.

 

[Phille30 0]

that's one hell of writeup, I'm on a major learning curve!

[gresh34 0]

who can i order both big pilot's from? what is the email address or website?

[Emre 0]

The originals are better thats my opinion.

price not very much 1-2K

[onzenuub 325]

The originals are better thats my opinion.

price not very much 1-2K

 

You really wanna be gulashed.

[Chiquita Fanjita 1,835]

The originals are better thats my opinion.

price not very much 1-2K

 

You really wanna be gulashed.

Looking that way.

[Nhrob 0]

Superb write-up and comparison. Many thanks!

[watchcraze 3]

Wow great review. Feel like buying that rep IWC now. Gonna try to find out which dealer is the best source.

 

IS this the right one?

 

http://www.tb-688.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=56_133&product_id=2078

Edited March 3, 2017 by watchcraze

[watchcraze 3]

Wow great review. Feel like buying that rep IWC now. Gonna try to find out which dealer is the best source.

 

IS this the right one?

 

http://www.tb-688.co...product_id=2078

 

I guess I will answer my own question lol

 

It doesn't seem to be the same one. The case back is different. This one says from Z factory, I wonder if that's difference than ZF factory?

 

Anyway, anyone know where the one is OP is available for purchase from?

[JSJ 0]

Wow great review. Feel like buying that rep IWC now. Gonna try to find out which dealer is the best source.

 

IS this the right one?

 

http://www.tb-688.co...product_id=2078

 

I guess I will answer my own question lol

 

It doesn't seem to be the same one. The case back is different. This one says from Z factory, I wonder if that's difference than ZF factory?

 

Anyway, anyone know where the one is OP is available for purchase from?

ZF, Z factory, same thing. These are reps, batches vary, even watches from the same batch vary. Even gens can vary. It's a bit of a lottery if you set your heart on a specific finish, depth of engraving, etc. Generally, the watch will be OK. Just buy one and be happy with it.

[zedleppelin13 0]

who can i order both big pilot's from? what is the email address or website?

 

Just look at the trusted dealers section. Everyone of them should be able to get it.