Thanks to @leo6929 for the recommendation.
The IWC Pilot Top Gun range has always been one of my favourites, especially the chrono versions. I always associate the open (altimeter style) date window showing the previous date and the following date at the same time part of the identity. Unfortunately by the time I found the replica market those Top Gun models were no longer produced by factories. The newer IW389101 replaces that style of date window with a more conventional single date window, which isn’t terrible but my preference is for the former.
Dimensions
Case
The case is made from ceramic and has a nice matte finish to it. The case looks very close to gen including the shape of the lugs. The pushers on the gen are made of titanium as well as the crown and case back. To be honest I can’t tell if they are made from titanium on the rep. I’ve included the weight of the rep above so If anyone knows the weight of the gen, may be able to work it out.
Dial & Hands
I really love the shape of the IWC Pilot hands, for some reason they just appeal to me. The rep hands are shaped very close to gen including the chrono hands. The running seconds on gen is at 6 o’clock but on this rep it is at 9 due to the A7750 movement. The gen running seconds hand is red and is one of the only splashes of colour on the dial. I’m glad that AZF kept the red sub-dial hand at 6 even though the running seconds is at 9. It keeps the overall look of the watch consistent and in my opinion balanced.
The dial markers are well done and very close to gen. If you really scrutinise the numerals are a little fatter, noticeable on the 4 and 5. Lume is strong and consistent with gen. The dial itself is matte black making it quite easy to replicate. The sub-dial spaces and markings are all good and close to gen. The sub dials on both gen and rep have decreasing circular groves or lines that give it a reflective sunburst quality when the light hits it right. It looks like these grooves are bigger or slightly more pronounced on the rep as they can be seen even from normal distances. Whereas you have to get very close images on the gen to be able to notice them, from a distance they blend nicely.
Gen on the right
Complications
All of the complications on the watch work well. The chrono with re-arranged sub dials, day & date complications. I ran the chronograph for several minutes and confirmed the sub dial at 12 reflected the elapsed minutes. The chrono pushers feel nice with decent resistance and a nice click when depressed. Winding is very smooth and the crown action feels solid. Date changes at 11:00 and the day changes at 02:00. The day and date font look accurate but slightly fatter on the rep.
Gen on the left
Strap & Clasp
I’m a big fan of the textile strap used, I like newer materials and think this compliments the watch very well. The rep strap is well made and feels quality but it is also quite stiff. You really have to break it in before it feels comfortable. I found just squeezing it in the palm of my hand helped. The clasp is OK and well finished but I’m not a fan of the design and this is probably true for gen as well. Initially it kept opening by itself as it doesn’t have a release mechanism. After some adjustments I managed to get it to stay on and now it feels OK. As I like to wear this watch quite tight I worried about it opening when flexing my wrist (but this hasn’t happened yet so probably worrying about nothing).
On the Wrist
It feels very light and comfortable due to the ceramic case. Although the lug length is quite long it fits my wrist comfortably as the lug holes are inset and the strap pulls straight down. My wrist is about 16.3cm with about 5.4cm flat side, I have the watch on the second to last notch in the strap and the end of the strap comes round almost to the lugs on the other side. The clasp can pinch a little but usually just requires a small adjustment.
Conclusion
Overall I think this is a really well replicated watch, it is very close to gen barring the sub dial configuration. In my opinion I don’t think it is worth buying the gen of this watch if you can live with the sub dial config. If you did want to go gen then one of the older models (eg. IW379901)l with double chrono and open date window would be my pick
Thanks for reading
.
The IWC Pilot Top Gun range has always been one of my favourites, especially the chrono versions. I always associate the open (altimeter style) date window showing the previous date and the following date at the same time part of the identity. Unfortunately by the time I found the replica market those Top Gun models were no longer produced by factories. The newer IW389101 replaces that style of date window with a more conventional single date window, which isn’t terrible but my preference is for the former.
Dimensions
| Gen | Rep |
| Diameter 44.5mm | Diameter 44.5mm |
| Height 15.7mm | Height 15.8mm |
| Lug Length 55.4mm | |
| Weight 125g |
Case
The case is made from ceramic and has a nice matte finish to it. The case looks very close to gen including the shape of the lugs. The pushers on the gen are made of titanium as well as the crown and case back. To be honest I can’t tell if they are made from titanium on the rep. I’ve included the weight of the rep above so If anyone knows the weight of the gen, may be able to work it out.
Dial & Hands
I really love the shape of the IWC Pilot hands, for some reason they just appeal to me. The rep hands are shaped very close to gen including the chrono hands. The running seconds on gen is at 6 o’clock but on this rep it is at 9 due to the A7750 movement. The gen running seconds hand is red and is one of the only splashes of colour on the dial. I’m glad that AZF kept the red sub-dial hand at 6 even though the running seconds is at 9. It keeps the overall look of the watch consistent and in my opinion balanced.
The dial markers are well done and very close to gen. If you really scrutinise the numerals are a little fatter, noticeable on the 4 and 5. Lume is strong and consistent with gen. The dial itself is matte black making it quite easy to replicate. The sub-dial spaces and markings are all good and close to gen. The sub dials on both gen and rep have decreasing circular groves or lines that give it a reflective sunburst quality when the light hits it right. It looks like these grooves are bigger or slightly more pronounced on the rep as they can be seen even from normal distances. Whereas you have to get very close images on the gen to be able to notice them, from a distance they blend nicely.
Gen on the right
Complications
All of the complications on the watch work well. The chrono with re-arranged sub dials, day & date complications. I ran the chronograph for several minutes and confirmed the sub dial at 12 reflected the elapsed minutes. The chrono pushers feel nice with decent resistance and a nice click when depressed. Winding is very smooth and the crown action feels solid. Date changes at 11:00 and the day changes at 02:00. The day and date font look accurate but slightly fatter on the rep.
Gen on the left
Strap & Clasp
I’m a big fan of the textile strap used, I like newer materials and think this compliments the watch very well. The rep strap is well made and feels quality but it is also quite stiff. You really have to break it in before it feels comfortable. I found just squeezing it in the palm of my hand helped. The clasp is OK and well finished but I’m not a fan of the design and this is probably true for gen as well. Initially it kept opening by itself as it doesn’t have a release mechanism. After some adjustments I managed to get it to stay on and now it feels OK. As I like to wear this watch quite tight I worried about it opening when flexing my wrist (but this hasn’t happened yet so probably worrying about nothing).
On the Wrist
It feels very light and comfortable due to the ceramic case. Although the lug length is quite long it fits my wrist comfortably as the lug holes are inset and the strap pulls straight down. My wrist is about 16.3cm with about 5.4cm flat side, I have the watch on the second to last notch in the strap and the end of the strap comes round almost to the lugs on the other side. The clasp can pinch a little but usually just requires a small adjustment.
Conclusion
Overall I think this is a really well replicated watch, it is very close to gen barring the sub dial configuration. In my opinion I don’t think it is worth buying the gen of this watch if you can live with the sub dial config. If you did want to go gen then one of the older models (eg. IW379901)l with double chrono and open date window would be my pick
Thanks for reading
.
