ebzen02 341 Posted February 10, 2010 (edited) WORLD PREMIER THE IWC PILOT REVIEW [ A Very Brief History [ The story started with the original big pilot watch produced in 1940 for none other than fighter pilots. The original watch weighed in at 183g, had a 17.5mm thickness and had a 55mm diameter- the largest watch ever built by IWC. It had an 18,000 BPH and a 16j movement . The crown was made large so that pilots could operate it with their gloves on and it had an extra long strap so that it could be worn over their flying suits. The BP 5002 was produced in 2002 as a tribute to the Vintage Big Pilot watch. I will not get into specifics on the history of the Big Pilot because I think Niko over at Repgeek did a fabulous job. But I will say this, I think that there are two versions of the 5002: the 5002-1 and the 5002 transitional. Shortly after the Transitional 5002 came out it was discontinued and replaced by the current 5004. The only difference I see from the 5002-1 and the transitional is in the Crown. The 5002-1 has the Fish emblem whereas the 5002 transitional has a Probus crown. Probus scafusia Crown (meaning good solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen) Onto the Review: Before I start here is my rating system EBzens 5 point system 1-Horrid! Please put it back on the stand you bought it from in China Town 2-Good enough to fool the total noob that has never seen a nice watch 3-Okay but could be better, nice enough, but no were near 1:1 4-Can fool a watch enthusiast/rep nerd at arms length and could pass as gen to about 99% of people 5-It’s so good you can sell the damn thang on ebay as gen and no one will notice unless they open the case to view the movement. REP INFO MOVEMENT: Decorated Asia Auto 25J (21,600bph) CASE DIAMETER: 46.2mm THICKNESS: 15.8mm DIAL COLOR: Black Dial with white markers (Lume on Hour Indices) CASE MATERIAL: Solid Stainless Steel 316L BRACELET: Premium Thick Leather Strap with Deployant buckle FRONT GLASS: Sapphire Crystal with Swiss Standards Double AR Glass BACK GLASS: Solid Case Back with detailed engraving (Inner and Outer with correct wordings) HACK MOVEMENT: Yes CLASP TYPE: Deployant Buckle DATE INDICATOR: At 6:00 position (Same Correct Date Font Date Wheel) Weight I will give this a high mark because the gen weighs in at about 150g and the rep at 144g (as adverstised by the rep dealers). IMHO this is such a minuscule amount that I don't think anyone could tell unless you weigh them on a scale. Score: 4.5 Hands REP GEN To my untrained eye they look identical. Perfect replication here!!! Score: 5 Case REP GEN Pure perfection here!! Could not find a flaw and as you can see it is the same as gen Score: 5 Caseback Detail REP GEN Gave this a fairly high score although it could go higher depending on what picture you take from the internet. The gen’s engraving is deeper and thicker, but not by much. To my eyes they look almost identical. I actually like my rep's better--must be the pic. Score: 4.5 Crown detail REP GEN The screw -down crown has the older fish engraving, 5002 transitional models have the Probus engraving. Anyhow, the crown looks great and firm when unscrewed. Beware, there is a tendency for these crowns to strip, so be nice to it I would have preferred the Probus engraving. But fit and finish on this crown is excellent in my opinion. Score: 4.0 Date Window Serious props given to the dealers for addressing this and the fact that it is not sucken anymore. Mine seems to be a little on the dirty side.. but fixable. Score: 4.0 Lume I suck at lume shots so I am taking points off. Nah! It's better than fair of rep lume but not Vac or gen. Although, I keep on hearing that the Gen’s lume sucks. I’ll give it lower score as compared to Vac standards. Score: 3 Dial REP GEN Unless you are a WIS you could not tell the difference. I took 1 point off because of the non-functional PR and the fact that the could be a bit more space between the PR indicator 15min marker See pic 2. Score 4.0 AR I have not been impressed by any of the gen pictures I have seen. I scored this one high and perhaps I should have given it a 6 because I think it’s even better on the rep—strange but true. Could also be that the photogs out in Gen-land are horrible. I didn’t not compare it to the AD because the pics they have been photoshopped I think. Score: 5 Conclusion TOTAL SCORE: 39/9= +/- 4.3 The overall score indicates that this watch could easily pass as a gen to 99% of people in my opinion (as long as they don't use a magnifying glass) since I think it's 98% spot on. Is it a super rep? Well that is up to interpretation and there are those that say that since it does not have a working power reserve it is not such. However, my standards are simple, if you can look at a picture and cannot determine the real from the fake then it's pretty super to me. As a result, I think this rep deserves a Super Rep right out of the box title-- at least in my books!!! BTW, this is my first review ever...so be nice:) FYI.. I didn't review the strap, but it is a little better than the typical Rep strap. I have an aftermarket strap, but I'll post some pics of the rep strap if requested. Edited April 17, 2010 by ebzen02 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AustinTech 0 Posted February 11, 2010 Wow, great review! I gotta find an AD that carries one of these so I can feel how it fits on my wrist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebzen02 341 Posted February 11, 2010 Wow, great review! I gotta find an AD that carries one of these so I can feel how it fits on my wrist. I have 7" wrist and it fits comfortable. It doesn't feel as big as I thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted February 11, 2010 Great review, Ebzen!!! I have 8" wrist, and it fits me perfectly. Strap on my 5004 is just great - soft, long, dark brown color, very comfortable. BP is "a must!" to any collection. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebzen02 341 Posted February 11, 2010 Great review, Ebzen!!!I have 8" wrist, and it fits me perfectly. Strap on my 5004 is just great - soft, long, dark brown color, very comfortable. BP is "a must!" to any collection. Thank you Luthier!! I love the 5004 as well- very clean watch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GC 5,338 Posted February 11, 2010 Great review ebzen02!!! And a phenominal BP, bravo! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 107 Posted February 11, 2010 Great review!!! You've set the bar pretty high for the competition - well done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverspeed 10 Posted February 11, 2010 Very good review and great pics! The IWC BP is a great rep! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebzen02 341 Posted February 11, 2010 Great review!!! You've set the bar pretty high for the competition - well done! I didn't do this so much for the competition, but the fact that I was really impressed by this watch and I have never done a review--nice to contribute a bit after being on these boards for so long and filling up space...lol!!! As a matter of fact..You can raffle the watch if I win and take the proceeds for the forum:) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 62 Posted February 11, 2010 Great review!!! You've set the bar pretty high for the competition - well done! I didn't do this so much for the competition, but the fact that I was really impressed by this watch and I have never done a review--nice to contribute a bit after being on these boards for so long and filling up space...lol!!! As a matter of fact..You can raffle the watch if I win and take the proceeds for the forum:) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 107 Posted February 11, 2010 ebzen, you're a class act Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 1,086 Posted February 11, 2010 A class act AND a class reviewer! Mate if that is your first ever attempt at a review I am very impressed indeed. Well done and I hope we see many more from you. That was one hell of a review! Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBH 7 Posted February 11, 2010 Excellent review. It did exactly what a good review should do, entertained and educated. It made me think about actually buying this watch that I've never even looked closely at before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sconehead 5 Posted February 12, 2010 You know what ebzen, even if this review had been poorly done. The simple fact that you felt the need to contribute something back to this hobby we all love far outweighs it's content. If we all shared this view, posting snippets of info here and there, even if only to benefit a new members search in the distant future, it's commendable. It's what having a forum is all about...well done mate, here's to many more... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pix 0 Posted February 12, 2010 That was a very professional review. And I love your pics. Indeed, you set the bar very high and I hope it will not afraid the other contestants Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lex2009 0 Posted March 2, 2010 vergood review, congrats ... But to correct a little: Probus scafusia doesn´t mean "The Honest One". You´re right, it is latin and it means in german "Gutes aus Schaffhausen" in english you can say "good work from schaffhausen". Schaffhausen is the city where IWC is located BR Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 62 Posted March 2, 2010 vergood review, congrats ... But to correct a little: Probus scafusia doesn´t mean "The Honest One". You´re right, it is latin and it means in german "Gutes aus Schaffhausen" in english you can say "good work from schaffhausen". Schaffhausen is the city where IWC is located BR Alex welcome to the nuthouse Alex. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebzen02 341 Posted March 2, 2010 vergood review, congrats ... But to correct a little: Probus scafusia doesn´t mean "The Honest One". You´re right, it is latin and it means in german "Gutes aus Schaffhausen" in english you can say "good work from schaffhausen". Schaffhausen is the city where IWC is located BR Alex You are correct..it does mean: Probus Scafusia - meaning good solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen. Thanks for the correction! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coolin 0 Posted July 5, 2010 like WOW! I need me one of these beauty's and thanks for the awesome review and great pics Colin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyboy 0 Posted August 26, 2010 Ebz... great review... thank u. Saw this watch in the wristcheck thread... my next purchase. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulro 2 Posted December 11, 2010 Ebz... great review... thank u. Saw this watch in the wristcheck thread... my next purchase. Really informative review. Where did you get yours? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
msblgd 0 Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) . Edited September 12, 2014 by miguel_balsagodes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
higginsd 0 Posted January 8, 2014 Thank you for reactivating or reanimating this dead thread... Every TD has this watch in stock. They all came from the same factory. Be shure to order a 5002 (with the '9') and the faux PR - one of the best reps available! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hazz 0 Posted January 8, 2014 Hi, who is the TD? I want to buy one to my collection!! I got mine from Kuvarsit, just last week Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
