Big Pilot 5009 Gen crown on latest zf 500901 rep. Time for a fully Franken IWC Big Pilot.

[MKTimer]

Hi All

Firstly thanks for all the amazing info you members put out.

Before any burns - if there’s a thread on this, please point me to it. I e looked (and searched) and couldn’t find anything.

I’ve pulled the trigger with Angus at PureTime on a ZF Big Pilot ref IW500901. I’ve owned the gen 5004 and owned and sold a gen 5009. Looking at this watch it’s (to me) 99.8% on point with the gen. However the obvious flaws are:
1. strap and deployment clasp (which I’ve ordered genuine ones of each) and
2. The crown (logo is sunk by a fraction of a mm on the rep) vs the gen
3. Dial... well actually the red on the PR of the dial and the slightly not as crisp white numerals. So if any one has a gen 500901 dial and knows it would fit please pm me
4. The Crystal is EXTREMELY good but not quite perfect. So I can live with that for now.
5. The ever so slightly thicker (we splitting ball hairs here) lug width on the side view, at the bottom of the curve....

However, as I am no BP expert, I am hoping that one of you can tell me if the gen crown first the ZF rep? All help would be greatly appreciated!

Also if you guys have Franken Big Pilots. Please show them off here! I will definitely be poring my beast in its rep state and as she gets more and more frankened

Thanks in advance


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[KEV87iwc]

The gen crown will fit the watch ????

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[MrBeasy]

Franken 5004. Gen dial.

 

[MKTimer]

Franken 5004. Gen dial.

Drool. What a beaut. You must be proud. Did the dial fit easily or did it need modding?

do you know if the gen date wheel will fit the a23 jewel movement of the ZF?

 

[MKTimer]

The gen crown will fit the watch ????

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That’s what I’m asking, if the gen crown will fit the rep with a gen tube. The tube and crown are about USD264 from this site:

http://www.scotchwatch.com/IWCparts.html

 

[MrBeasy]

Drool. What a beaut. You must be proud. Did the dial fit easily or did it need modding?

do you know if the gen date wheel will fit the a23 jewel movement of the ZF?

Dial fit fine once legs were cut. The movement on this was the ZF working PR. Works perfectly.

 

[higginsd]

That’s what I’m asking, if the gen crown will fit the rep with a gen tube. The tube and crown are about USD264 from this site:

http://www.scotchwatch.com/IWCparts.html

Yes, but the tube should be installed by a watchmaker, because it's not so easy.


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[pippo]

Yes, but the tube should be installed by a watchmaker, because it's not so easy.


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It all depends how you want to install the gen tube on the rep case.
But you are right, it's usually not a straight fit and the easiest method is attaching the tube with 2-parts-epoxy.
Almost anyone can do that but quality wise it 's not ideal.

 

[vingsam]

Here is my franken with gen dial/tube/crown/strap:


It needs some work on the case to fit the gen tube.

 

[pippo]

It needs some work on the case to fit the gen tube.

May I ask to be more specific?
Was the case hole too narrow or large to accommodate the gen tube? What kind of work was done?
Cheers

 

[higginsd]

Soldering AFAIK


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[vingsam]

May I ask to be more specific?
Was the case hole too narrow or large to accommodate the gen tube? What kind of work was done?
Cheers

Here is the comparison of gen tube and rep tube. You should either drill the case to enlarge the hole a bit or make adjustments to the gen tube.

You may also refer to omgiv's Franken 5002 Project, omgiv has the best Franken Big Pilot:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...ject-completed

 

[pippo]

Here is the comparison of gen tube and rep tube. You should either drill the case to enlarge the hole a bit or make adjustments to the gen tube.

You may also refer to omgiv's Franken 5002 Project, omgiv has the best Franken Big Pilot:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/for...ject-completed

Thanks for clarifying that
Just one more question, did you use 2 parts epoxy to install the tube or you succeed to enlarge the hole of the exact right size to press fit the gen tube?
Cheers

 

[higginsd]

The art is to drill the correct hole. Or to use a reamer the right way.


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[higginsd]

Has anyone experiences with gen 5009 handset on rep movement? The stems are correct or what is the difference?


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[pippo]

The art is to drill the correct hole. Or to use a reamer the right way.


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Yes, I am aware of that, I was just wondering what vingsam did, assuming he did himself.
I agree it's not a simple job at all, unless you use epoxy which is not a professional job at all.
In his case drilling the hole larger was the task. I am curious to know what to do when the case hole is too large. Creating a sleeve?
Filling the hole with steel (I believe they do that with laser) and drill a new hole of the right size?
Probably yes but this mod would cost more than the watch itself unless DIY.

Maybe he doesn't know exactly and that's why he didn't elaborate about the "make adjustments to the gen tube"

 

[vingsam]

Yes, I am aware of that, I was just wondering what vingsam did, assuming he did himself.
I agree it's not a simple job at all, unless you use epoxy which is not a professional job at all.
In his case drilling the hole larger was the task. I am curious to know what to do when the case hole is too large. Creating a sleeve?
Filling the hole with steel (I believe they do that with laser) and drill a new hole of the right size?
Probably yes but this mod would cost more than the watch itself unless DIY.

Maybe he doesn't know exactly and that's why he didn't elaborate about the "make adjustments to the gen tube"

Sure I didn't do the modification myself

My watchsmith drilled the case while omgiv modded the GEN tube (you may refer to his photos).

 

[kosemkamtsan]

I believe the crown mod is no longer necessary for those with a 5009-12 or 5009-16 rep, as the new gen bp crowns have sunken crown logos almost identical to ZF crowns on all new similar models (501001 and 501002). Those with a 5009-01 and 5004 would still need the mod.

 

[MKTimer]

I believe the crown mod is no longer necessary for those with a 5009-12 or 5009-16 rep, as the new gen bp crowns have sunken crown logos almost identical to ZF crowns on all new similar models (501001 and 501002). Those with a 5009-01 and 5004 would still need the mod.

This is true. The ZF crown is very close to the new model gen crowns


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[MKTimer]

Hi All

I picked up my Gen strap from the IWC boutique in London today. And I must say, whilst the ZF strap looks nearly spot on (although the alligator grain print looks a bit low budget close up) - the feel of the two straps is chalk and cheese. This gen is as soft and smooth as butter. Plus going to the boutique was a great experience in service as one would expect, and the single malt I enjoyed whilst the gent and I spoke about Big Pilot references and limited editions was so good, and an welcomed touch.

The strap came in a box and IWC bag. ( funny that the box says “made in China” how funny), the strap obviously says made in France.

Here are some pictures (Gen is not installed whilst ZF rep strap is on the watch)

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