LightGeek 25 Posted January 22, 2014 Just a quick comparo between the $250 and $100/150. And yes, I know the times are set different. The cheapie is the $100 version special from WI. It originally came on crappy leather but swapped a bracelet on there. The high beat version was about $250 and came with a slightly better, but still crappy leather strap. So where does your money go? 1. Much better AR, a little bluish on the high beat whereas the low beat has a slight tan tint. For those in the know, it's the difference between a Hoya multicoated and super multicoated filter. 2. Date font is larger and bolder on high beat. Date change near 11:30 rather than starting at 10:15. 3. Low beat is some crappy 21J that has nearly no detents when engaging the stem positions. 4. Hands stacked farther apart and higher on low beat. 5. Very noticeable "tick tick tick" on the low beat. 6. The movement "cover" under the caseback restricts rotor movement on the high beat. Probably just a QC thing on my copy. I removed the "cover". 7. Unfinished sharp edges all over the place on the low beat. All edges are smooth on the high beat (eg. lug inside edges) 8. Both have similar lume, not super, but very even. 9. Lug hole location on the low beat is different. That is, I couldn't use that bracelet on the high beat version because of the spring pin holes. The fitment is fine but it won't stay. 10. Caseback engraving is shallow on the low beat. Which one will I keep? Hard to say. It would be unanimous if the low beat didn't have the bracelet -- and that's really all it has going for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ElvisFreak 73 Posted January 22, 2014 I will buy the one with the bracelet. Just made the decision for you. See, was it easy or what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hondo 0 Posted January 23, 2014 LG, is your low beat version the same as KW (talked about here and here)? I thought I saw some versions with a decent SS bracelet popping up with a Miyota movement (not w/ a TD though... so take that at it's face value). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lars_St 0 Posted January 23, 2014 Lightgeek, Is this cheapy you are talking about the KW version? I own the KW 21J and really dont find it that crappy? Strap sucks tho.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted January 23, 2014 Yes that is the same. This is the third Mark XVII I've got (second KW cheapie). Nothing ever appears as bad without comparison. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hazz 0 Posted January 23, 2014 could just be your luck, my $150 from KW , changes date dead on 12, agreed on the engraving though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lars_St 0 Posted January 23, 2014 Yes that is the same. This is the third Mark XVII I've got (second KW cheapie). Nothing ever appears as bad without comparison. Truth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noobie 0 Posted January 23, 2014 Hi LG. Which TD did u get the high beat from? Does the high beat come with 2824 or 2892? The high beat with 2892 and leather strap are usually priced above $320 mark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted January 23, 2014 Hi LG. Which TD did u get the high beat from? Does the high beat come with 2824 or 2892? The high beat with 2892 and leather strap are usually priced above $320 mark. It's a 2892 from my usual TD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghoststar 0 Posted February 2, 2014 That leather strap on the left looks terrible on the Mark XVII. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted February 2, 2014 On the contrary, it looks awesome in real life. That's just a bad pic without that strap I wouldnt keep that watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghoststar 0 Posted February 4, 2014 On the contrary, it looks awesome in real life. That's just a bad pic without that strap I wouldnt keep that watch. Really? Hmm. In the photo it almost looks plastic. But I guess it can't be any worse than the plasticky, fake alligator strap that comes with most of the XVII reps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghoststar 0 Posted February 4, 2014 Does it have IWC imprinted on the underside? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted February 5, 2014 Does it have IWC imprinted on the underside? It's not a rep strap, it's aftermarket Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Libertatia 0 Posted February 5, 2014 SO which one did you keep in the end? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted February 5, 2014 MK XVII, high beat version. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Libertatia 0 Posted February 9, 2014 I have to agree with your decision..... they may look identical, but to anybody who sees, the sweep of the second hand is the difference between night and day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted February 10, 2014 SO which one did you keep in the end? And that's the problem -- I almost always order several different copies of each. Having comparisons is a terrible way to go Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spursian 0 Posted July 8, 2014 Argh... Still wondering if I should plonk my money on the 2892 v2. Sora from Shinewatch is selling for $298 and Toro is selling for $328... decisions decisions decisions.... Shinewatch: http://www.shinewatch.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=200_208&product_id=352 Toro: http://www.torobravos2014.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=56_133&product_id=754 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Libertatia 0 Posted July 8, 2014 shinewatch aren't even a td here.... Never heard of them :/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spursian 0 Posted July 8, 2014 shinewatch aren't even a td here.... Never heard of them :/ Oops, he is on the RWI TD list. Could be easier for me to use him because he's also based in Singapore, easier for me to bank transfer to him. Anyway, ordered a PAM from him. Will see how it goes... (I've also used Toro and Josh too...!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dudeman500 0 Posted July 31, 2014 SO which one did you keep in the end? And that's the problem -- I almost always order several different copies of each. Having comparisons is a terrible way to go Which dealer was selling the 248$ one? And is it still available Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
higginsd 0 Posted July 31, 2014 Can anyone tell me the width at the lugs? Possibly the bracelet fits to the 3777 pilot chrono? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSJ 0 Posted July 31, 2014 Can anyone tell me the width at the lugs? Possibly the bracelet fits to the 3777 pilot chrono? No it doesn't fit the 3777 mate unfortunately. I've been round that circle a couple of times. If you want I can measure mine later but I have a feeling the Mk XVII is 20 mm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
