Wiz 0 Posted January 10, 2011 Last month I've asked Domi build me an IWC 3717 out of gen parts, so I took the time to make a little comparision pictorial with the Vac's IWC 3717 I got from JC7 a few weeks earlier. On the right corner, the one assembled by Domi: all gen parts except for the hands, because I couldn't find gen hands. On the left corner, the Asian rep, relumed by Vac, with Chieftang's AR. First thing you'll probably notice is the AR. It is kind of a surprise, but the one from Chief is waaaaaaay better than the gen. When looking at the case from the side, we notice it is pretty damn close. The brushed effect is spot on, so is the polished edge of the lugs. Only the fixed bezel looks a little different: on the rep, the beveled part is thiner and the polished part is larger. Caseback is thicker on the rep. The major visual difference is the crown. Modding it would be rather difficult, so I'll ask Domi to install a gen one Pushers' shape and placing is perfect. Sorry for the blurry pic of the rep crown. Even if ou can't see it, from the side the crown looks very close Except for the already discussed issues, here again we can see that the replication is very close to perfection. The only flaw here is that after measuring the spacing between the lugs it appears that the gasp is 0.17mm larger on the rep. No big deal We're now looking at the back of the watch. To me the caseback is the second major visual difference. As you can see the finish in the center is different. The rep has a simple circular brushing, while the rep has a more complex spyral brushing made out of smaller circular brushings. That aside, writings and engravings are pretty damn close. Few more pics. Lume shots. Even though the dial is gen, I wasn't quite happy with the lume. Color was very nice, but brightness was weak, so I asked Domi to relume it. Good point is that the lume is now better, bad point is that I couldn't make a comparison shot with gen lume. Finally, here some pics of the inside of the watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spboudart 0 Posted January 10, 2011 Beautiful review! Love the pics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 62 Posted January 10, 2011 great review Wiz. Price for each? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trksh-bzr 3 Posted January 10, 2011 great pics, mate!! I just got two of these for a couple of buddies, glad to see that they are so damn nice B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wiz 0 Posted January 10, 2011 great review Wiz. Price for each? I think Vac is selling his 3717 for $650. Total investment for the gen was somewhere between 1500 and 2000 euros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,962 Posted January 10, 2011 Nice review B). Although there are small differences between the gen and rep, you'd probably be hard pushed to tell which was which . Great looking watch too;). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wombosi 0 Posted January 10, 2011 Very nice comparison. Keep up the good work and enjoy your watch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrboombasteke 0 Posted January 20, 2011 solid review...thanks mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 61 Posted May 10, 2011 Why I have stumbled upon this review ? now I want this watch super Wiz, thanks ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pentax 0 Posted May 10, 2011 Great Topic and Comparison Well done ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
graman 2 Posted May 10, 2011 I love this watch......on my top 10 list..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfcdre 0 Posted May 10, 2011 Very well done Wiz, great review mate, superb rep, i want one now damn it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pannalstaroz 0 Posted May 10, 2011 Very well done Wiz, great review mate, superb rep, i want one now damn it! :P Does anyone know if there are any really good reps of the black faced IWC Portuguese 5001? I've looked everywhere and have seen ordinary one's, but I'd like to get my hands on as good a one as possible. Any help would be appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kolchak 17 Posted May 10, 2011 Awesome review. Note to self - stop reading these reviews! Life was just fine before knowing this IWC was so sweet. BTW - How does out of the box / pre mod rep stack up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David543 0 Posted May 10, 2011 I can only echo what others have said here: 1. Superb review, very informative and detailed. 2. The rep is bloody amazing 3. Your Gen is fantastic as its entirely gen, making it solid value. 4. Just what I needed, another watch to add to my list........ Why oh Why do I read these threads....... One Question Wiz What is the 'feel' of the rep like. I know from my watches that there is an 'indefinable' sense of 'genuineness' about the genuine watches that few reps can match. It can't be seen and its hard to explain, a 'je ne sais quois' few reps can match. How does the rep compare for this 'feel'? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wiz 0 Posted May 11, 2011 I can only echo what others have said here: 1. Superb review, very informative and detailed. 2. The rep is bloody amazing 3. Your Gen is fantastic as its entirely gen, making it solid value. 4. Just what I needed, another watch to add to my list........ Why oh Why do I read these threads....... One Question Wiz What is the 'feel' of the rep like. I know from my watches that there is an 'indefinable' sense of 'genuineness' about the genuine watches that few reps can match. It can't be seen and its hard to explain, a 'je ne sais quois' few reps can match. How does the rep compare for this 'feel'? The gen was a gift to my brother, so I didn't had the chance to wear it more than just a few minutes, but I couldn't see any real difference in term of look and feel. I've noticed that little "je ne sais quoi" you're talking about on othre watches, but not on this one. The only real difference is that the steel of the rep is "softer" than the gen, and therefore is easier to mark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 61 Posted May 11, 2011 The only real difference is that the steel of the rep is "softer" than the gen, and therefore is easier to mark. by that you mean lower, softer quality of steel ? Not that hard ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wiz 0 Posted May 11, 2011 Awesome review. Note to self - stop reading these reviews! Life was just fine before knowing this IWC was so sweet. BTW - How does out of the box / pre mod rep stack up? I had one on the bech for a few days but didn't thought about taking pics. The major differences are the lume, which is very weak on the pre mod version, and the AR, which is of course worst than Chief's, but actually closer to gen and has the same purple tint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wiz 0 Posted May 11, 2011 The only real difference is that the steel of the rep is "softer" than the gen, and therefore is easier to mark. by that you mean lower, softer quality of steel ? Not that hard ? Yes, sorry, I didn't knew how to put that sentence together Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
solkryssare 109 Posted May 11, 2011 Great review and thank you so bloody much for adding another thing I cant afford to my wish list Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
texski 0 Posted May 13, 2011 Wiz, Thanks so much. I was trying to decide gen or rep case. You answered my question. Thanks again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fongpi 0 Posted December 20, 2011 Is it possible to order a rep with a gen case? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryce 0 Posted December 26, 2011 I dont understand the "build a watch from Gen parts" bit. Is it entirely Gen or am I missing something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anhel 0 Posted January 17, 2012 Awesome review Wiz....! Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spooky driver 0 Posted February 3, 2012 I dont understand the "build a watch from Gen parts" bit. Is it entirely Gen or am I missing something? yeah iwc didnt make it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
