ZF IWC MARK XX - A warning against decorated movements

[BucksInFive]

sucks you got a dud.

but i'd also like to mention that the V7F also sits in a metal case mount that is not secured to the case, with only the winding stem holding it in place. my V7F dial has similar damage from moving around, and the 2892 clone it came with stopped working within a year.

 

[Mkempes]

sucks you got a dud.

but i'd also like to mention that the V7F also sits in a metal case mount that is not secured to the case, with only the winding stem holding it in place. my V7F dial has similar damage from moving around, and the 2892 clone it came with stopped working within a year.

Did you swap the movement for an ETA 2892 or a SW300?

 

[BucksInFive]

swapped for a 2892A2.

very seamless process, everything fit perfectly.

 

[BigDatta55]

I agree, I was very surprised when the stock rotor wouldn't seat at all. Forgive me for not knowing the proper terms if I make a mistake here, but this is what it appears:

The trainwheel bridge is of a larger diameter on the modified movement and the rotor supplied is not only cantilevered up as noted in the og post, but the weight crimped to the bottom is also thinner. A stock Miyota rotor has a weight that extends too deep towards the center and thus hits the bridge. This also means the stock rotor is a good bit heavier and is why I wanted to swap it out.

On the other side, the calendar wheel is of a larger OD than a stock Miyota and the top plate has a slimmer lip around the edge to accommodate. I didn't take a picture, but I seem to remember that this extra diameter was largely unused, meaning it could be shaved down to fit a stock 9015, but I'm not certain on that.

I wonder if this movement is so heavily modified for a different watch made by ZF and it was just carried over into this one? It really seems that this level of modification is wholly unnecessary for the small market that is IWC, especially ones with a closed caseback.

Hey mate I was thinking of ordering that TOP GUN mark xviii... is the watch rally tha tpoorly built? Is the movement also only held on with a crown?

Guess I should just get the damn MK+F one instead with the 2892 clone...

 

[Everett270]

Hey mate I was thinking of ordering that TOP GUN mark xviii... is the watch rally tha tpoorly built? Is the movement also only held on with a crown?

Guess I should just get the damn MK+F one instead with the 2892 clone...

The watch itself is built very well, I just have a very low power reserve with the 9015, though my rotor is nearly silent, so I guess I traded one potential issue for another. Isn't the MK+F missing the blue AR? Don't quote me but I believe I've read that before. In my opinion, the AR is crucial for the look, so I'd rather deal with low reserve over no visible AR.

Overall, I would love to have the 2892, and if V7F makes the ceramic Top Gun model I would probably get one to replace my ZF, but I'm happy enough as is.

 

[Twinny]

I have had the ZF Top Gun for 4 months and I am overall very satisfied with the watch.

The only thing worth mentioning is the one with the comparatively slightly louder rotor. But that doesn't bother me at all.

Overall, it is a very nice and well-made watch.

 

[bhehe6813]

Hey mate I was thinking of ordering that TOP GUN mark xviii... is the watch rally tha tpoorly built? Is the movement also only held on with a crown?

Guess I should just get the damn MK+F one instead with the 2892 clone...

Watch itself is fine, superior to mk+f in terms of quality and accuracy to gen. Movement however sucks but oh well. Also I don’t think you’ll have issues with the ZF, my ZF movement still works fine.

 

[Enthusiast101]

sucks you got a dud.

but i'd also like to mention that the V7F also sits in a metal case mount that is not secured to the case, with only the winding stem holding it in place. my V7F dial has similar damage from moving around, and the 2892 clone it came with stopped working within a year.

Not good for it die within a year! Always wanted these but unsure now of the longevity of the movements!

 

[crypteddj]

Watch itself is fine, superior to mk+f in terms of quality and accuracy to gen. Movement however sucks but oh well. Also I don’t think you’ll have issues with the ZF, my ZF movement still works fine.

Doesn't the date dial on ZF look bad compared to M+F? Would you still consider ZF after all the noise issues?

 

[Gtmatt22]

swapped for a 2892A2.

very seamless process, everything fit perfectly.

So no modifications to the date wheel? My newly acquired mark xx only has a power reserve of 3-4 hours and I am thinking about a movement swap given everything I have read in this thread.