Big Pilot second hand too short

[zzmonster]

I ordered a IW500901 Big Pilot ZF (supposed to be a super rep) from a TD and received the QC pics. To my dismay, the short tip of the second hand is way too short. It doesn't cross the word "SCHAFFHAUSEN" and I think it's an obvious tell.

My QC pics:



Reference to gen:



My TD has checked with ZF, who clarified that the second hands are done this way already, no more the longer ones.

Questions:
1) Would you accept or reject the watch?
2) What options do I have if I reject the watch?

 

[Teamjlf]

I ordered a IW500901 Big Pilot ZF (supposed to be a super rep) from a TD and received the QC pics. To my dismay, the short tip of the second hand is way too short. It doesn't cross the word "SCHAFFHAUSEN" and I think it's an obvious tell.

My QC pics:



Reference to gen:



My TD has checked with ZF, who clarified that the second hands are done this way already, no more the longer ones.

Questions:
1) Would you accept or reject the watch?
2) What options do I have if I reject the watch?

Well…..
You’ll also notice that minute hand on the rep is longer than gen. Minute track markers on rep are slightly thinner and the list goes on. How much you can stomach is up to you. No one is likely to notice or pull you up on it unless a forensic side by side examination is done. I’d accept it and move on.

 

[Plaasbaas]

I am afraid to say that ZF started with this flaw a long while ago with all newly produced Big Pilots. You will not be able to buy one with the correct seconds hand.

The older batch of ZF Big Pilots did not have this flaw, but you can"t get those from a TD anymore, only m2m if you are lucky.

It is still a fantastic watch but as has been said, it is up to you if you can live with it. If you reject, don't ask for an other ZF - it will be the same.

 

[BucksInFive]

let your wallet decide, they'll be more inclined to fix obvious issues like this if people stop buying.

1. if you reject the watch, you'll likely just get another with the same issue
2. depends on your TD

 

[mindvision]

I wouldn't choose this watch with this known flaw. They need to update it.

 

[centrum]

Are these flaws present in the Le Petit Prince version of 5009-16 too? And y'all are saying all the new batches of the Big Pilot have these flaws that weren't present before?

 

[zzmonster]

Are these flaws present in the Le Petit Prince version of 5009-16 too? And y'all are saying all the new batches of the Big Pilot have these flaws that weren't present before?

Highly likely. Besides IW500901, IW500912 has this flaw too. So it is likely that IW500916 will suffer the same fate too, since the all these watches seemingly have the same second hands.

Apparently the initial batch of IW500901 didn't have this flaw, thus qualifying it as a super rep.

 

[Mahoro]

I try getting one from my dealer (through 1688) and he also said the same thing , every iwc big pilot comes with shorter second hands ...

 

[zzmonster]

I try getting one from my dealer (through 1688) and he also said the same thing , every iwc big pilot comes with shorter second hands ...

Don't worry about the short second hand. It's really not that noticeable especially when the hand is moving. Overall the watch feels amazing and the movement is very smooth and well-made. The power reserve is fantastic too.

 

[EuroTime25]

Just remember its hard to tell in real life. Even when they call it a SuperRep its not perfect. Mine has the correct second but when mine came in the second hand was bent and the watch would just stop. Also my lume was off on the min hand. Again nothing is perfect.

 

[Mahoro]

Don't worry about the short second hand. It's really not that noticeable especially when the hand is moving. Overall the watch feels amazing and the movement is very smooth and well-made. The power reserve is fantastic too.

I didn't consider that it's moving all the time.
Tho I don't have the urgency to get it . I was offered CNY 2400 (not including shipping) to get one , paid CNY200 deposit and the dealer verified to me that it has shorter second hand and refunded the 200 back to me already.

I have a ~2000 era gen IWC portfolio that recently got it for USD450 equiv (it's a 34mm) that doesn't have much wrist time. I probably can wait a bit until they can fix up the watch. ZF went through 5 revision on the Portuguese 7 days, I am sure they can fixed up the second hand in no time.

The movement should use the same one as the Portuguese 7 days V5 , which has a PR of 70 hours which is nice.