Sgang 0 Posted June 28, 2018 Hi all, I’m new to the rep world but I’m trying to learn from every post I read. Recently I bought from a trusted dealer (Kuvarsit) two watches, the Pam 438 tuttonero and the IWC Big Pilot 5009-01 ZF. I’ve not received yet the watches so In regard of the iwc I would like to know you “iwcers” (is this the name of the brand fan ? ) what I have to check on my watch to verify everything is ok and what are the mod you usually suggest ? Straps, glass ecc Thanks to everyone! Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,273 Posted June 28, 2018 I don't think you'll really need to do anything. Just be careful with the normal things like don't try and adjust the date between [insert your preferred hours here] - 6pm to 1pm for me. Some of the new ZF straps are pretty decent these days. If you get a good one, you might not even want to change it. You'll see when it turns up, they're either utter dog shit or half decent. Of course you would no doubt improve the rep with a good strap, but you might not have to. Other than that, I'd say don't bother improving the Big Pilot, just enjoy it. Certainly I'd say don't think about improvements until you've owned it for a couple of months because you might find after that time that you don't wear it much or at all and want to move it on (I doubt it - it's a cracking design and one that I will keep in my collection forever). I hope both watches turn up working beautifully and not battered by the postman! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blueoysterboy 17 Posted June 28, 2018 I agree with GB, don't go expecting problems. Enjoy your new timepieces. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasonbaylee 192 Posted June 28, 2018 Read up more. Forum is an oasis of great knowledge for your future purchases. Welcome n enjoy this addictive hobby. Smile "There are more than 1 road to Rome...." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sgang 0 Posted June 28, 2018 Thank you all ! i will upload pictures of the qc as soon as i will receive from the dealer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,273 Posted June 28, 2018 14 minutes ago, Sgang said: Thank you all ! i will upload pictures of the qc as soon as i will receive from the dealer Yeah, about that...... What do you reckon @Kool-Aid, do you think that's a good idea Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted June 28, 2018 16 minutes ago, Sgang said: Thank you all ! i will upload pictures of the qc as soon as i will receive from the dealer QC pics are strictly forbidden mate. They are for you only. But do post some pics when you have the watch on your wrist. Everyone loves a good wristie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sgang 0 Posted June 28, 2018 Can l know why are not allowed? For a particular reason i imagine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sgang 0 Posted June 30, 2018 Do you think guys the rep from ZF could be recognized from the wrist from a iwc expert? And what are the most weak points of this replica? Is the registering the correct hour so fast as the original?Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sgang 0 Posted June 30, 2018 I don't think you'll really need to do anything. Just be careful with the normal things like don't try and adjust the date between [insert your preferred hours here] - 6pm to 1pm for me!Hi Snot what does it mean? Sorry maybe it’s just my English, but what you ‘mean? I don’t have to adjust the date between 6pm 1pm? Only in the morning? Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,273 Posted June 30, 2018 2 hours ago, Sgang said: Hi Snot what does it mean? Sorry maybe it’s just my English, but what you ‘mean? I don’t have to adjust the date between 6pm 1pm? Only in the morning? Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk The opposite. Personally I only adjust the date when the time is at 5pm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sgang 0 Posted June 30, 2018 The opposite. Personally I only adjust the date when the time is at 5pm.Thanks I’ll do the same ! Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,497 Posted June 30, 2018 As on nearly all mechanical watches: never set the date with crown when the automatic date change is engaged. To stay safe 9PM -> 3AM And never set the time going backward. 10 mins are fine but don't go back on 6 hours or so: if you pass through midnight that you can break the date changing system (which isn't done to work backward). And who cares if an IWC expert can spot it or not, none will give a fuck about your watch and you're not going to bring it to an IWC dealer, are you??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sgang 0 Posted June 30, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, GenTLe said: As on nearly all mechanical watches: never set the date with crown when the automatic date change is engaged. To stay safe 9PM -> 3AM And never set the time going backward. 10 mins are fine but don't go back on 6 hours or so: if you pass through midnight that you can break the date changing system (which isn't done to work backward). And who cares if an IWC expert can spot it or not, none will give a fuck about your watch and you're not going to bring it to an IWC dealer, are you??? Thank you for the precious informations! Ahaha right! i was just wondering if someone at arm distance can spot it. and what could be the details that he will first look at. I think, maybe, the strap is the first indicator? Also in the first class replica i understand straps are not always great especially the one in leather. (mine, 5009-12, is coming from ZF ) p.s. i'm sure some dumb has already brought it to an iwc dealer Edited June 30, 2018 by Sgang Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,497 Posted June 30, 2018 Thank you for the precious informations! Ahaha right! i was just wondering if someone at arm distance can spot it. and what could be the details that he will first look at. I think, maybe, the strap is the first indicator? Also in the first class replica i understand straps are not always great especially the one in leather. (mine, 5009-12, is coming from ZF ) p.s. i'm sure some dumbs had already brought it to an iwc dealer Yes new straps are a good idea. Especially when it is fake crocodile...Beware that what I meant is "to stay safe do not change date between 9pm and 3am". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
omegex 0 Posted June 30, 2018 5 minutes ago, GenTLe said: Beware that what I meant is "to stay safe do not change date between 9pm and 3am". @Sgang Please bear in mind that what GenTle said also applies to genuine watches with day and date mechanisms, so this is an excellent rule to follow - and I most certainly do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sgang 0 Posted June 30, 2018 13 minutes ago, GenTLe said: Yes new straps are a good idea. Especially when it is fake crocodile... Beware that what I meant is "to stay safe do not change date between 9pm and 3am". No data adjustment between 9pm and 3 am No hour adjustment going anticlockwise Do you suggest to get serviced at the arrive ? (is the ZF version) Where do you buy good straps? i'm planning to add a NATO (never had one and want to try right in time for the summer) Great vademecum btw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,497 Posted June 30, 2018 27 minutes ago, Sgang said: Do you suggest to get serviced at the arrive ? (is the ZF version) Where do you buy good straps? i'm planning to add a NATO (never had one and want to try right in time for the summer) If it works don't touch it. Nato on a big pilot? Naaa... Nato looks fine with smaller / thinner watches (at least in my view). For a strap you have plenty of options: from the cheap ones: https://ziczacleather.com to our strapmakers here in their section (https://www.rwg.bz/board/index.php?/forum/187-trusted-dealers-straps-amp-accessories/) to others that proved to be good like this guy (my favorite): http://orloff-straps.blogspot.com/p/crocodile-straps-available.html or this guy here: https://www.flickr.com/people/124068590@N04/ Beware: wait the watch to arrive, check the size of the strap and compare how it fits on your wrist so that you can get one of the right size and don't run to get a strap that can be too short or long or even the wrong lug/buckle size. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VMSG 2 Posted June 30, 2018 27 minutes ago, GenTLe said: If it works don't touch it. Nato on a big pilot? Naaa... Nato looks fine with smaller / thinner watches (at least in my view). For a strap you have plenty of options: from the cheap ones: https://ziczacleather.com to our strapmakers here in their section (https://www.rwg.bz/board/index.php?/forum/187-trusted-dealers-straps-amp-accessories/) to others that proved to be good like this guy (my favorite): http://orloff-straps.blogspot.com/p/crocodile-straps-available.html or this guy here: https://www.flickr.com/people/124068590@N04/ Beware: wait the watch to arrive, check the size of the strap and compare how it fits on your wrist so that you can get one of the right size and don't run to get a strap that can be too short or long or even the wrong lug/buckle size. a bit off topic, but how ziczacleather.com sell so low? you get a croc strap for ~50$ while other asks at least twice. There are major quality differences? it is not a real croc? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,497 Posted June 30, 2018 32 minutes ago, VMSG said: a bit off topic, but how ziczacleather.com sell so low? They are in Vietnam, it's full of crocodile farms there (https://www.asialifemagazine.com/vietnam/crocodile-farming-in-vietnam/) and the labor cost is cheap (http://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/engineers-technicians/ha-n-i-vietnam note that these are yearly wages...). Believe me that those 50$ for them are quite a lot of money... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VMSG 2 Posted June 30, 2018 29 minutes ago, GenTLe said: They are in Vietnam, it's full of crocodile farms there (https://www.asialifemagazine.com/vietnam/crocodile-farming-in-vietnam/) and the labor cost is cheap (http://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/engineers-technicians/ha-n-i-vietnam note that these are yearly wages...). Believe me that those 50$ for them are quite a lot of money... so why do you prefer someone else? style? quality? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,497 Posted June 30, 2018 Communication is difficult, organization is messy, 1 month minimum to have your strap, sometimes quality not perfect... For my AP straps I went with Orloff (Mario, he's Italian), for easier straps with them... But consider that I provide them with full detail drafts like this: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VMSG 2 Posted June 30, 2018 WOW! Thanks for the info, this is great to know Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stfrance 17 Posted June 30, 2018 Thanks @GenTLe for the clear and helpful information. I have been saving some of your advising threads on my laptop. Now I wanna see your collections.. Thanks again.. learned from you a lot.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
