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IWC Big Pilot LPP IW500916 review

Overworkin

You're Saying I Can Sell?
13/1/17
81
2
0
Ok this is my first attempt at a watch review so forgive me if its not well done.

Let me begin by stating I have tried the genuine watch on less than a month ago during a cruise to the Caribbean. This is were I first began to appreciate the beauty of this watch.

This watch was purchased from Ryan inTime advertised as:
"Big Pilot IW500916 ZF 1:1 Le Petit Prince Best Edition on Brown Leather Strap A521111"
Size: 46mm x 16mm
Movement: Base Movement: Asian 23J automatic movement; Decoration: Platinum plated movement plate and rotor which are made according to the genuine movement, the best looking IWC 521111 Movement Clone at the moment.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and power reserve display
Case: Solid 316L stainless steel case
Crystal: Scratch-proof sapphire crystal with double AR
Dial: Blue dial (Sunbrust effect same as genuine)
Clasp: Deployant clasp
Strap : Brown Leather strap
Water resistance: Yes

Other than the movement calibre number being wrong, should be 51111, the watch is as advertised at least dimensionally. I have not removed the case back to verify the "Platinum" plated movement plate or that its the best looking version of the calibre 51111. Not confident enough to try this yet.

The dial looks very true to the gen. Some comments on other threads indicate that the font for the 8 o'clock hour has been improved over previous versions. The only thing I can see is the the 6 o'clock indicator is a little miss aligned with the date indicating window. I feel the crystal is well done with very slight dome and good AR.

The sunburst and dial color are very acceptable imo. The blue doesn't pop as much as the gen but still very nice. Lume looks quite good although I have not compared it to the gen and am no expert. Power indicator sub-dial is fully functional and seems to be fairly well executed. The automatic winding of the movement keeps the indicator from reducing just as it should. When the watch is at rest, which i admit has not happened too much, the PR declines fairly slow. I cant attest to it having true 7 day PR, which I cant imagine but so far I have not touched it in fours days. Accuracy is very good also, -4sec in 4 days!! Wow have to see how well this holds up over time.

Case back has well defined engraving although the E in prince is a little off. The little prince in his robe with sword engraving is well defined with a little detail lacking in the face. I even think the strap is quite good and wont even look for a replacement until it begins to wear some. Definitely an Orloff is in its future.

I have looked over the watch with a loupe since I know there will be very critical observations from the group, which I would appreciate. That said with my limited experience with real luxury watches I am truest impressed with this watch.

Hope this has been informative.

some Pics
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atgm

Put Some Respect On My Name
Patron
21/11/15
3,605
10
38
I'm not sure if you have unrealistic expectations or not here...


I have not removed the case back to verify the "Platinum" plated movement plate or that its the best looking version of the calibre 51111. Not confident enough to try this yet.

This is a 23J (probably DJ2813 with mods) movement, not at 51111. When they say "best looking IWC 521111," they mean that it's a replica of the 521111 and looks good from the back. It's not a 521111 or a 51111. I wouldn't normally explain this since it's pedantic, but...

I cant attest to it having true 7 day PR, which I cant imagine but so far I have not touched it in fours days.

These reps do not have a 7-day PR. When advertised with a "working" PR indicator, it just means that the indicator goes up and down as you use/wind the watch.
 

Hyjynx

Put Some Respect On My Name
28/9/13
3,510
522
0
Nice review. Other than the apt critique by atgm, you did very well for a debut. [emoji6][emoji106]
 

timnic54

Put Some Respect On My Name
16/2/16
3,409
1,245
113
Thailand
Great review thanks. I also have this watch and have had it about a year. I am super impressed with it a great rep.

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Overworkin

You're Saying I Can Sell?
13/1/17
81
2
0
Sweet, really nice strap. Where did you get it?


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Repworld

Mythical Poster
27/12/16
6,344
1,533
113
Very Nice waiting For RG Grey Dial font upgrade
Like this


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mat2006

Renowned Member
31/7/17
720
84
28
one main flaw is: the datenumbers from 10-19 tend not to be centered in the datewindow which is easy to spot, if you know where you have to look at.
 
Last edited:

MKTimer

Known Member
10/12/17
126
115
43
one main flaw is: the datenumbers from 10-19 tend not to be centered in the datewindow which is easy to spot, if you know where you have to look at.

Most of ZF BP with the 23j movement have this issue. Ironically, many, MANY gen Big Pilot’s have off centred dates too.