Best IW3716 Factory?

[bhehe6813]

I'm looking to pick one of these up. The options I see are the following:

V6S

IWC0516D - Portuguese Chrono Ed SS/LE Wht/Blue Num V6S A7750 [IWC0516D] - $398.00 : Trusty Time Watch, Your Trusty Watch Shop

Trusty Time Watch IWC0516D - Portuguese Chrono Ed SS/LE Wht/Blue Num V6S A7750 [IWC0516D] - V6S Factory IWC Portuguese Chronograph IW3716 MOVEMENT: Asia Valjoux 7750 Automatic movement, 28800bph CASE DIAMETER: 40mm THICKNESS: 13mm DIAL COLOR: White Dial with White Subdials & Blue Numeral Markers...

trustytimewatch88.io

AZF

IWC0506B - Portuguese Chrono Ed SS/LE Wht/Blu Num/Blu AZF A7750 [IWC0506B] - $388.00 : Trusty Time Watch, Your Trusty Watch Shop

Trusty Time Watch IWC0506B - Portuguese Chrono Ed SS/LE Wht/Blu Num/Blu AZF A7750 [IWC0506B] - AZF Factory IWC Portuguese Chronograph IW371605 MOVEMENT: Asia Valjoux 7750 Automatic movement, 28800bph CASE DIAMETER: 40mm THICKNESS: 13mm DIAL COLOR: White Dial with White Subdials & Blue Numeral...

trustytimewatch88.io

YLF

IWC0397B - Portuguese Chrono 150 Years SS/LE Wht/Blu YLF A7750 [IWC0397B] - $378.00 : Trusty Time Watch, Your Trusty Watch Shop

Trusty Time Watch IWC0397B - Portuguese Chrono 150 Years SS/LE Wht/Blu YLF A7750 [IWC0397B] - YLF Factory IWC Portuguese Chronograph 150 Years EditionMOVEMENT: Asia Valjoux 7750 Automatic movement, 28800bphCASE DIAMETER: 40mmTHICKNESS: 13mmDIAL COLOR: White Dial with White Subdials & Blue Coated...

trustytimewatch88.io

ZF

Portuguese Chrono IW371605 ZF 1:1 Best Edition White Dial on Blue Leather Strap A69355

puretimewatch.io

RSF (no idea what this factory is, only see it on puretime)

Portuguese Chrono IW3716 RSF 1:1 Best Edition White Dial Blue Markers on Blue Leather Strap A7750

puretimewatch.io

 

[johnlogan]

I’m unsure if all those factories actually have them in stock. AZF to my knowledge will probably have the lowest quality and plenty of QC issues.

 

[SteveMcQueen1930]

ZF

 

[Evilspell]

We have the same taste !

 

[bhehe6813]

ZF

The gem/metal holder on the balance wheel on the ZF is wrong, while on the RSF it’s much closer to gen.

 

[SteveMcQueen1930]

The gem/metal holder on the balance wheel on the ZF is wrong, while on the RSF it’s much closer to gen.

You can’t fool anyone that movement is real with the obvious fake / non working column wheel on the deco plate on any 3716 version anyway
However, the case, the dial and the hands are still closest to gen on the ZF imho.

 

[bhehe6813]

You can’t fool anyone that movement is real with the obvious fake / non working column wheel on the deco plate on any 3716 version anyway
However, the case, the dial and the hands are still closest to gen on the ZF imho.

How do you feel about the movements on some of ZFs other works? I think their movement on Portuguese Real PR IW500701 RG ZF looks quite good, I bought one from them a few years ago. Afaik that is considered a first class watch though on the nwbig list.

Any other iwc chronos to recommend? There’s also a non display case back variation (I think it’s another year), but I still think the movement and decos are nice to look at on this watch, even though it doesn’t pass the eye test.

 

[bhehe6813]

Here's a comparison between ZF, RSF, and V6S:

Sub dial and numbering color:

ZF

RSF

V6S

GEN

 

[bhehe6813]

Polishing and texture around balance wheel

ZF:

V6S:

RSF:

 

[bhehe6813]

Looks to me that RSF gives ZF a run for their money. Eager to see if anyone has some more opinions between the two.

 

[drillerz]

Subdials still look too shiny with RSF. That's like the one thing that needs to be fixed with this rep. Also the specs on PT say RSF is 14.3mm thick vs 13mm for gen and ZF - that's a substantial difference. Not sure what the point is of the RSF release given it's more expensive than ZF too.

 

[bhehe6813]

Subdials still look too shiny with RSF. That's like the one thing that needs to be fixed with this rep. Also the specs on PT say RSF is 14.3mm thick vs 13mm for gen and ZF - that's a substantial difference. Not sure what the point is of the RSF release given it's more expensive than ZF too.

I also noticed the dots around the dial appear “flat” on the RSF while on the ZF they appear 3d, like the gen.

I think the finishing / pattern on the movement is better on the RSF, the gem holder above the balance wheel is better on the RSF, and parts of the stainless steel line pattern finish looks better on the RSF.

Given that the movement is not a real clone, and has fake decos, the front of the watch is more important IMO. And I think ZF wins that.

 

[bhehe6813]

Went ahead with the ZF, biggest factor was the size. ZF is closer to gen, while RSF is thicker.

 

[SteveMcQueen1930]

Some comparison pics of a current batch ZF Ref. 3716 (left) and a Portugieser with gen 3714 dial and hands (right side with strap).

 

[bhehe6813]

Some comparison pics of a current batch ZF Ref. 3716 (left) and a Portugieser with gen 3714 dial and hands (right side with strap).

ZF did a great job!

 

[bhehe6813]

Some comparison pics of a current batch ZF Ref. 3716 (left) and a Portugieser with gen 3714 dial and hands (right side with strap).

Here's current batch ZF QC:



LGTM, I'm going to GL I believe.

 

[bhehe6813]

Looks a little shoddy around some of the gems, but not enough to RL it by any means. Dial looks good to me, can't spot any QC issues. Strap and clasp (not pictured) also look good. Overall very pretty, can't wait to have it on my wrist.

 

[Evilspell]

@bhehe6813​

I am waiting for your "report" with impatience regarding this splendid IWC

 

[bhehe6813]

@bhehe6813​

I am waiting for your "report" with impatience regarding this splendid IWC

I've gone ahead and green-lit it, this one is from puretime FYI, took around 10 days to receive the QC pictures, they let me know after purchase that it would take a little bit to get QC, so not a worry.

Here's the biggest issue I can see (in terms of QC, not vs Gen):

https://i.imgur.com/B6CR4EE.png

 

[JamesJW]

I've wanted a green dial on a SS bracelet for awhile and have decided to go with the IWC 3716.

Sadly the ZF is only available with a leather strap and the RSF is a non-starter at 14+mm.

I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the V6S as the thickness seems to be right.

Anyone have any experience or thoughts on V6S?

I'll update once I get QC and/or the watch itself.