IWC Top Gun 389101

[R4dcu]

You’ve found a good one, my mate bought an air king as that’s all they could offer he could afford, registered interest in all the hard to get ones and has been mugged off whenever he goes back in to have a chat or ask for an update. He came to my AD and we’re having beers, loads of chat and a table top full of watches and you could see his disappointment.

I know, you raise valid points and they’re ones I’ve considered too, having that brand new, never touched piece is worth the cash to me and I have a 9 year warrantee with invites to any of their events with it too.

There will be no shortage of pics, don’t get me wrong I’m fighting hard with just buying a LHD pelagos on grey market and saving myself £5k

 

[eBoy]

I managed to get a Batman after building a real relationship

As long as that's necessary —as a customer without a purchase history—, I won't buy a Rolex at retail (or with a gray market markup, for that matter).

I want to build "real relationships" with my kids or my wife (or mistress) and perhaps my friends. Not with sales assistants or shop owners who sell me stuff to make a profit.

It's just not the right thing for me as a self-confessed and proud misanthrope and happy anti-socializer.

 

[LongyUK]

As long as that's necessary —as a customer without a purchase history—, I won't buy a Rolex at retail (or with a grey market markup, for that matter).

I want to build "real relationships" with my kids or my wife (or mistress) and perhaps my friends. Not with sales assistants or shop owners who sell me stuff to make a profit.

It's just not the right thing for me as a self-confessed and proud misanthrope and happy anti-socializer.

I hear you @eBoy but I don't see a problem when the relationship is based on the love of watches and not a pressure sell to buy jewellery etc to get the spend up. I felt like I was being checked to make sure I wouldn't flip the watches I have bought and I have no absolutely no problem with this as that's why we're having this convo in the first place.

Its no different to business. Sometimes we have to court people we don't necessarily like to win a big contract etc. Unfortunately its the same for lots of items. Try and order a 992 gt3.... If you want it bad enough you'll play the game. If not; they don't want you to have it anyway.

Don't get me wrong. Its wrong on many levels and some stories are bonkers - but - supply doesn't meet demand so what's the alternative? Find out when the watches are delivered and set up a tent outside a few days before? That would cost me more time than a few phone calls and a couple of in person chats about my passion (watches) with a dealer.

Feel like im defending the process here... Trust me I'm not. I'm just saying my experience on procuring a 'top tier' Rolex at retail was not painful at all.

 

[eBoy]

I hear you @eBoy but I don't see a problem when the relationship is based on the love of watches and not a pressure sell to buy jewellery etc to get the spend up. I felt like I was being checked to make sure I wouldn't flip the watches I have bought and I have no absolutely no problem with this as that's why we're having this convo in the first place.

Its no different to business. Sometimes we have to court people we don't necessarily like to win a big contract etc. Unfortunately its the same for lots of items. Try and order a 992 gt3.... If you want it bad enough you'll play the game. If not; they don't want you to have it anyway.

Don't get me wrong. Its wrong on many levels and some stories are bonkers - but - supply doesn't meet demand so what's the alternative? Find out when the watches are delivered and set up a tent outside a few days before? That would cost me more time than a few phone calls and a couple of in person chats about my passion (watches) with a dealer.

Feel like im defending the process here... Trust me I'm not. I'm just saying my experience on procuring a 'top tier' Rolex at retail was not painful at all.

Hear ya too, bro!

I was not hating on the idea of a "relationship with an AD" per se. I could see myself befriending one too.

But... It's just that I'm naturally shy and not very sociable, which is kinda ironic, because once the ice breaks and I befriend somebody, they absolutely love me (I honestly don't get why, but I guess most people must find me pleasant because my personality is not intrusive, invasive or something like that? I don't know..).

Bottom line is: If I go into a boutique for luxury watches, the last thing that would come to my mind is "building relationships". I'm just being honest. But I'm not at all trying to diss the concept of being friends with a watch dealer itself....

 

[R4dcu]

Hear ya too, bro!

I was not hating on the idea of a "relationship with an AD" per se. I could see myself befriending one too.

But... It's just that I'm naturally shy and not very sociable, which is kinda ironic, because once the ice breaks and I befriend somebody, they absolutely love me (I honestly don't get why, but I guess most people must find me pleasant because my personality is not intrusive, invasive or something like that? I don't know..).

Bottom line is: If I go into a boutique for luxury watches, the last thing that would come to my mind is "building relationships". I'm just being honest. But I'm not at all trying to diss the concept of being friends with a watch dealer itself....

I’m neurodivergent so I never set out with that in mind, I struggle to and often don’t want or even care to try build a relationship

I just love watches and all the details and go there and nerd out… took me 30 mins to accept a drink off them 🫢

 

[eBoy]

I’m neurodivergent so I never set out with that in mind, I struggle to and often don’t want or even care to try build a relationship

I hear ya. I'm not entirely sure whether I'm on the spectrum myself, but I have an extremely unique personality. I'm the most team-play-capable loner you may ever meet. I don't proactively seek relationships, but when I build one, I'm a bulwark of loyalty and love and I'm usually the "good soul" of any group or team.

I just love watches and all the details and go there and nerd out… took me 30 mins to accept a drink off them 🫢

Well, it's not that bad for me. But I can relate nevertheless ... In my younger years, I was too shy or reluctant like that as well. Nowadays I'll immediately accept refreshment offers.

 

[Soltangris]

Beautiful

 

[leo6929]

I don't know you personally @eBoy and I feel I like you already

 

[eBoy]

I don't know you personally @eBoy and I feel I like you already

 

[Cziggy]

Love that dark blue dial and white band. Such a sharp looking watch.

 

[leo6929]

Just for anyone looking into buying this IWC model, I bought the AZF from Andrew about a month ago, so apparently it´s back in stocks (not the ZF though).

Sadly, I just noticed that AZF and ZF models both have inverted seconds hand / chrono subdials (6 and 9 positions), so its not a 1:1 replication, by far.

Nevertheless, it´s as close at it gets and after seeing the gen in the AD last week I´d say I'm pretty happy with it

 

[CF_Stan]

@R4dcu after reading your other thread about the arrogant AD behaviour you initially experienced, I’m really pleased that you found a professional and courteous one. Great choice of watch, looks superb on you mate, enjoy it .

@leo6929 if you have time I'd really appreciate a review of the AZF version, I'm probably not the only one

 

[leo6929]

Sure thing. Will upload some pics and opinion sometime this week.

 

[R4dcu]

@R4dcu after reading your other thread about the arrogant AD behaviour you initially experienced, I’m really pleased that you found a professional and courteous one. Great choice of watch, looks superb on you mate, enjoy it .

@leo6929 if you have time I'd really appreciate a review of the AZF version, I'm probably not the only one

Thanks, they’re definitely out there!

I’ve had my 124060 since the week before Christmas as they promised and they’re in the process of getting me my next.

 

[CF_Stan]

Sure thing. Will upload some pics and opinion sometime this week.

Thank you mate, I’ll keep an eye out for it.

 

[CF_Stan]

Thanks, they’re definitely out there!

I’ve had my 124060 since the week before Christmas as they promised and they’re in the process of getting me my next.

Lol, I was referring to the TopGun. Rolex are overrated to me. But glad you got both watches and you’re happy with them that’s the important thing.

 

[R4dcu]

Just a safe way of me storing cash tbh, I can’t say I really enjoy wearing my sub and tend to grab the IWC most times.

 

[leo6929]

So just my two cents on my AZF rep. I saw the gen in the AD last week (obviously not a side by side comparo) and the rep is pretty close.

At first sight, the numbers of the dial look kinda whiter on gen, but this could also be a lighting effect of the boutique, as you know those things on the counter are to be displayed in a really nice way. However, you can also compare my pics with the gen at the start of this thread (both in natural light it seems). Everything is nice, but alas, never of quite the same quality as the gen. The gen also seems heavier. As with most reps, this one is quality-wise maybe 80-90% there... that is, if you are willing to forgive the big difference on sub dials at 6 and 9 which are inverted.

Of course, given that tiny detail, chrono operation might be also wrong altogether, but all sub dials work (seconds hand is at position 9). But hey, I was after this one for months, so if you get your hands on one, you might as well enjoy it. Lume is green.

Actually I was very close to buy the gen when I was in LA last year, but I waited and searched for the rep instead. A month ago I asked Andrew and he got it for me.

 

[CF_Stan]

Thanks for the review @leo6929, definitely looking good. I prefer to have the seconds at 9 on a 7750 clone as it's much more stable.

 

[R4dcu]

I’m going to have to disagree, those subdials are a huge tell as there are no concentric circles in mine, sticks out the minute I saw it.

The step between the day and date is also deeper on the date on the rep for understandable reasons.

Finishing on pushers… I know this watch intimately tho as it’s my daily.

Happy to do side by sides if you want to start a new thr