Hi people, here's my review for IWC FA jones. Had it posted in RWI but I like to post it here as well to share with fellow members. Hope you like it.
Here goes...
There are very little mentioning of an IWC model that we don't usually talk about here. Try doing a search for FA jones and the result is pathetic.
I will like to provide a mini review as I thought that this model should be given some limelight too.
The watch is actually a homage model to IWC founder Florence Ariosto Jones
Below is some description and spec of the watch.
There are 3 types of case used in FA jones series. They are the SS, rose gold and platinum.
The most common model will be the SS case with white dial, blue arabic numerals and hands. Total of 3000 pcs produced.
Next will be the rose gold case with white dial, gold arabic numerals and hands. 1000Pcs were produced for this limited and numbered edition.
Finally, the most expensive of all 3 will be the special edition platinum case with white dial, black arabic numerals and hands. Only 500 pcs were produced.
The rep factory has followed rather closely in this case to suit our taste.
There are 2 version of FA jones rep.
First version comes with gen swiss 6498 ETA movement while second version comes with decorated chinese 6498 movement (which look better and closer to the gen)
Let begin by looking at the comparison pics.
The first thing you will notice is that the arabic painted numerals on the gen looks thin and neat whereas the rep looks bolder, thicker and slobbish. The colour used for the numeral are also different, darker blue for the rep and brighter blue for the gen.
The dial of the rep is too glossy IMO thus giving it a cheap “plastic†feel. The white enamel dial on the other hand looks like a paper surface and not glossy.
The above is only noticeable if you see closely. But, it still look great from a distance.
The display case back is another attraction. The engravement on the bridge beautify the whole movement altogether. The rep factory did a great job in decorating the movement this case. Notice how close it looks comapred to the gen. Unless a die hard IWC fan, otherwise, it is quite hard to tell from the first look.
Almost perfect but one major flaw. You can tell which is which from the different position of the gears.
Only the second version with chinese 6498 has the decorated movement.
The rep leather strap looks ok physically as compared to the gen except it is softer while the gen strap is harder. The rep uses the incorrect buckle which is meant for portugese in this case. The buckle on the gen has rounder corner while the rep is squarish.
Close up to see the differences in greater details.
There is a production number engraved on the side on the watch case. On a gen, for example, if 105th piece is made. It will have 0105/3000 engraved. For the rep, they share the same production number for all three types of cases. Eg. 117/3000. The zero is missing in front of the 117.
For my case, it is an old school FA jones with decorated movement and the bonus as you can see is that my one has got 0117/3000 engraved same as the gen.
In summary, like other reps. The rep factory has basically fix a number of flaws but also bring in new flaws. I have handled a gen in an AD before. The second version with chinese 6498 decorated movement is too light and it is a sure dead giveaway if anyone hold on to it. On the other hand, the rep with gen swiss 6498 has almost the same weight as the gen but miss out the accuracy in appearance at the display caseback.
Wristshot
Reliability vs appearance? Hmmm....
You make your own choice if you like this watch.
For me, I go for the appearance which was why I choose the second version and well of course with the main reason also that it is one of the cheapest rep that look closest to the gen.
Hope you like my review.
Thanks for viewing.
Here goes...
There are very little mentioning of an IWC model that we don't usually talk about here. Try doing a search for FA jones and the result is pathetic.
I will like to provide a mini review as I thought that this model should be given some limelight too.
The watch is actually a homage model to IWC founder Florence Ariosto Jones
Below is some description and spec of the watch.
There are 3 types of case used in FA jones series. They are the SS, rose gold and platinum.
The most common model will be the SS case with white dial, blue arabic numerals and hands. Total of 3000 pcs produced.
Next will be the rose gold case with white dial, gold arabic numerals and hands. 1000Pcs were produced for this limited and numbered edition.
Finally, the most expensive of all 3 will be the special edition platinum case with white dial, black arabic numerals and hands. Only 500 pcs were produced.
The rep factory has followed rather closely in this case to suit our taste.
There are 2 version of FA jones rep.
First version comes with gen swiss 6498 ETA movement while second version comes with decorated chinese 6498 movement (which look better and closer to the gen)
Let begin by looking at the comparison pics.
The first thing you will notice is that the arabic painted numerals on the gen looks thin and neat whereas the rep looks bolder, thicker and slobbish. The colour used for the numeral are also different, darker blue for the rep and brighter blue for the gen.
The dial of the rep is too glossy IMO thus giving it a cheap “plastic†feel. The white enamel dial on the other hand looks like a paper surface and not glossy.
The above is only noticeable if you see closely. But, it still look great from a distance.
The display case back is another attraction. The engravement on the bridge beautify the whole movement altogether. The rep factory did a great job in decorating the movement this case. Notice how close it looks comapred to the gen. Unless a die hard IWC fan, otherwise, it is quite hard to tell from the first look.
Almost perfect but one major flaw. You can tell which is which from the different position of the gears.
Only the second version with chinese 6498 has the decorated movement.
The rep leather strap looks ok physically as compared to the gen except it is softer while the gen strap is harder. The rep uses the incorrect buckle which is meant for portugese in this case. The buckle on the gen has rounder corner while the rep is squarish.
Close up to see the differences in greater details.
There is a production number engraved on the side on the watch case. On a gen, for example, if 105th piece is made. It will have 0105/3000 engraved. For the rep, they share the same production number for all three types of cases. Eg. 117/3000. The zero is missing in front of the 117.
For my case, it is an old school FA jones with decorated movement and the bonus as you can see is that my one has got 0117/3000 engraved same as the gen.
In summary, like other reps. The rep factory has basically fix a number of flaws but also bring in new flaws. I have handled a gen in an AD before. The second version with chinese 6498 decorated movement is too light and it is a sure dead giveaway if anyone hold on to it. On the other hand, the rep with gen swiss 6498 has almost the same weight as the gen but miss out the accuracy in appearance at the display caseback.
Wristshot
Reliability vs appearance? Hmmm....
You make your own choice if you like this watch.
For me, I go for the appearance which was why I choose the second version and well of course with the main reason also that it is one of the cheapest rep that look closest to the gen.
Hope you like my review.
Thanks for viewing.
