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IWC Top Gun Ref No. IW3890-01 Review!

galla07

Horology Curious
5/2/19
15
6
0
Singapore
Hi all,

I recently receive the IWC Top Gun Ref No. IW3890-01 by ZF, which I ordered from PureTime (great service by the way! Kudos to PT!)
This model is basically the Top Gun model first released by IWC in 2016, featuring 2 subdials on the 12th o'clock, with the outer for minutes and inner for a 12-hour stopwatch dial.

As you can see from the Imgur link. it came nicely packed in a long ziplock bag by ZF was nicely protected from scratches with protective films pasted all over the watch itself which I removed prior to taking the photos.

Dimension wise, everything is accurate to the gen. Chrono function works great with good depress feel and reset function works brilliantly with flyback action. The double subdial on the 12 o'clock works (both the minute hand and the 12-hour counter dial hand), contrary to what others believed

The Calfskin strap is 90% close to gen in terms of detail, quality and feel, with the rep feeling a bit stiffer (which I am ok with, understanding that we have to give-and-take at some point when dealing with reps).

The clasp works perfectly very close to the gen, with a secure, firm and load clip sound when wearing the watch and closing the buckle to secure the watch onto the wrist.

The lume is bright and clear, evenly applied across the markers with lume. Indices and numbers are accurately applied in great details.

Sapphire glass is beautifully done with blue hue under light.

Winding is firm and smooth. Screwdown crown function with no issue at all.

The only downside for me is the difference in the 12 O'clock double sub dial, in which the gen has the inner dial countersunked while the reps have in pop-out slightly. But considering the fact that ZF able to modify the A7750 to have double sub dial working, I personally can overlook that part.

All in all, the watch feels very solid and well built! Well-done ZF!

Highly recommended to any IWC Top Gun lovers!

Images are in the link here: https://imgur.com/a/FIbOXA3

Cheers to all! Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
 
Last edited:

dee306

You're Saying I Can Sell?
9/1/14
76
22
8
Thanks for the review and clarifications about the watch! This will be on my list. I am so impressed ZF got that subdial working with flyback function??? Wow
 
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JJS123

Active Member
12/3/18
269
54
0
Conus
Great review, I think I might have to pick up one of these. I used to have the 46mm version which I loved but it was a little large. I think this being a 44 will be perfect.
 
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Lliu31

Renowned Member
Supporter
Certified
3/2/17
792
196
43
NYC
JJS123 jjs123 mine is on it's way from TD, I'm happy to sell you mine. Im going to the military so I wont get to enjoy it
 

mydnytrydr

Mythical Poster
25/9/09
7,800
219
63
I bought one of these for my brother last Christmas ……. He loves it and I gotta say, so do I!!
 
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levinson22

Looking Around
6/3/19
2
1
3
Because of your review i also ordered the watch and received the watchtoday. This is my first rep and so i wonder if it is normal that movement makes some noises when i move the watch?

Otherwise the watch looks great and i love it!
 
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galla07

Horology Curious
5/2/19
15
6
0
Singapore
Because of your review i also ordered the watch and received the watchtoday. This is my first rep and so i wonder if it is normal that movement makes some noises when i move the watch?

Otherwise the watch looks great and i love it!

Yes it's fine. It's just THE rotor sound of the A7750.
 
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jochen70

You're Saying I Can Sell?
7/1/13
45
11
8
Hello gents,

first of all, many thanks for that great review, galla07!
I ordered mine yesterday, hard to wait for it..........

Besides the "issue" with the sunken / eraised / wrong subdial at 12, i like the watch A LOT!

The Big Pilot is too big for my wrist (unfortunately), i've tried it several times. In the end i'm happy to have the opportunity to get my hands on a wearable version.
Thus i like (the brand) IWC a lot due to it's military / avionic / masculine appearance it was an additional motivation to buy an example of the 389001 (and i'm also a even greater fan of FLAT colours...;-)

I like that Top Gun Version and i'm long enough in the "rep-game" to know about issues, flaws and / or discomfort of reps and to live with them. I'm really looking foreward to get it on my wrist.

THANKS, great Forum btw

Yours
Jochen
 
Last edited:
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Lliu31

Renowned Member
Supporter
Certified
3/2/17
792
196
43
NYC
The incorrect 12oclock subdial isnt that bad looking in actuality. You can hardly see the flaw, and at certain angles and lighting's it actually seems sunken like gen. Macro blown up QC pics always spotlight the smallest of flaws
 
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daveos

You're Saying I Can Sell?
Supporter
Certified
26/6/17
58
2
8
hey there. I recently picked up the IWC 3890-02 from Intime, and I love the look of the watch. Only thing I've noticed is that my seconds hand at 6 o'clock doesn't seem to work. Was expecting it to have a constant sweep, but it doesn't move at all. I had assumed from intime description that this was working correctly, did you have any problems in this regard? Any advice much appreciated!
 

aristole

Renowned Member
Supporter
Certified
23/8/19
633
248
43
this watch is excellent, I have the ZF too, but the 7750 movement is crap...you can litterally hear the rotor spinning free when you move your arm and it make the feel of the watch so cheap...pity because the overall quality is terrific
 

Pejs30

Horology Curious
22/3/20
12
2
3
Hi all,

I recently receive the IWC Top Gun Ref No. IW3890-01 by ZF, which I ordered from PureTime (great service by the way! Kudos to PT!)
This model is basically the Top Gun model first released by IWC in 2016, featuring 2 subdials on the 12th o'clock, with the outer for minutes and inner for a 12-hour stopwatch dial.

As you can see from the Imgur link. it came nicely packed in a long ziplock bag by ZF was nicely protected from scratches with protective films pasted all over the watch itself which I removed prior to taking the photos.

Dimension wise, everything is accurate to the gen. Chrono function works great with good depress feel and reset function works brilliantly with flyback action. The double subdial on the 12 o'clock works (both the minute hand and the 12-hour counter dial hand), contrary to what others believed

The Calfskin strap is 90% close to gen in terms of detail, quality and feel, with the rep feeling a bit stiffer (which I am ok with, understanding that we have to give-and-take at some point when dealing with reps).

The clasp works perfectly very close to the gen, with a secure, firm and load clip sound when wearing the watch and closing the buckle to secure the watch onto the wrist.

The lume is bright and clear, evenly applied across the markers with lume. Indices and numbers are accurately applied in great details.

Sapphire glass is beautifully done with blue hue under light.

Winding is firm and smooth. Screwdown crown function with no issue at all.

The only downside for me is the difference in the 12 O'clock double sub dial, in which the gen has the inner dial countersunked while the reps have in pop-out slightly. But considering the fact that ZF able to modify the A7750 to have double sub dial working, I personally can overlook that part.

All in all, the watch feels very solid and well built! Well-done ZF!

Highly recommended to any IWC Top Gun lovers!

Images are in the link here: https://imgur.com/a/FIbOXA3

Cheers to all! Thank you for taking the time to read my post!

Hi Galla07

Thanks for a great review... Just wondering what flaws this model may have beside the difference in the 12 O'clock double sub dial, in which the gen has the inner dial countersunked while the reps have in pop-out slightly.
 

Micha-IN

Known Member
4/4/12
183
49
28
Germany
the rep has no "flyback" functionality of course... it's a A7750 based movement. (which is no "crap" movement, but reliable and servicable)


nvxNt.jpg


nvG0p.jpg

nv055.jpg

nvbtF.jpg


pT5LWw4.jpg


f5Cp5Hu.jpg

KBNb5Ze.jpg
 
Last edited:

Micha-IN

Known Member
4/4/12
183
49
28
Germany
the watch is really wonderful, I immediately pulled the trigger, when a "Miramar" IW389002 Version was offered to me.


XE7gX.jpg



XENoi.jpg

XERPb.jpg
 
Last edited:

alexutzuro

Renowned Member
Certified
22/9/15
920
66
28
Fantastic review, thanks for sharing OP!

Just bought myself one from a great guy and looking forward to receiving it! Except for the minor flaw at the 12 that is dependant on the light, this is a NWBIG in my eyes! Might just be the only Top Gun right now from what i have seen.

Initially, i was worried the flaw would not leave my mind, but when i look at more pics, i realize it's minor. They could have made it sunken still.

Does anyone have any idea if a gen 7750 could fit? I might actually look for one with flyback like the BE-83AR on the Bremont.