In terms of replica bezels, the IWC Pilot’s Watch chronograph (commonly known as the “Flight Watch”) has always been the most popular. In the past few years, ZF factory has almost taken the lead, firmly occupying the C position in the hearts of players with its stable performance and high degree of reproduction. But at the beginning of 2026, a new force has quietly emerged – APS Factory has entered the market with a new Dandong integrated movement. It not only claims “accurate balance wheel position alignment”, but also plays a hard-core combination of “column wheel + 70 hours power reserve”. Is this a technological breakthrough or marketing rhetoric? Let’s take a hands-on test to find out.
1. From “case modification” to “one-piece mold opening”: the evolution of replica watches
Early replicas of flying watches mostly used 7750 or SW500 universal movements, with plywood installed to disguise the original structure. Although the cost is low, the balance wheel is always at 11 o’clock, which is fake at first glance. This time, the APS factory directly cooperated with Dandong to develop an exclusive integrated movement, imitating the IWC self-produced 69380 movement from the underlying structure. The most important thing is——The balance wheel finally moved to 8 o’clock! This detail is one of the core basis for experienced players to judge authenticity.
2. It’s all about the details: not just “looks like”
Open the dial, and the APS factory’s intentions can be seen everywhere:
- The case is made of 316L fine steel with fine brushing treatment, retaining the rough feel that a pilot’s watch should have without losing its sophistication;
- The sapphire mirror has anti-glare coating, which is still transparent and clear under strong light;
- The three-eye counter uses a record pattern, which is consistent with the original version. The luminous coating is full and even, making it stress-free when reading in the dark;
- Double window calendar day at 3 o’clock, neatly printed fonts, no burrs or offset.
The most surprising thing isThe feel of the timing button——There is a clear sense of passage when pressed, and the rebound is crisp and clean. This is the advanced experience brought by the column wheel structure. Compared with the “softness” of traditional cam movements, the APS factory has obviously put great effort into the operational quality.
3. Movement comparison: data speaks
| Project | APS factory Dandong integrated movement | Traditional 7750 modification | IWC original 69380 |
|---|---|---|---|
| balance position | 8 o’clock ✅ | 11 o’clock ❌ | 8 o’clock ✅ |
| control structure | Column wheel ✅ | Cam ❌ | Column wheel ✅ |
| power reserve | ≈70 hours | 40-48 hours | 46 hours |
| Gear linkage | Fully functional and movable | Partly decorated | full function |
It can be seen that the APS factory is infinitely close to the original factory in key structures, and even surpasses it in power storage. Although it is not completely equivalent to Swiss production, at a price within 10,000 yuan, it is currently the closest replica to the original version.
4. Who should buy it? Accurately target advanced players
If you just want a decorative watch that “looks like it from a distance”, then the APS factory may not be the cheapest option. But if you pay attention toMovement structure, operating feel, and detail restorationFor advanced players, this flying meter is definitely worth considering. It does not rely on gimmicks, but uses solid craftsmanship and awe of the original to redefine the upper limit of “high imitation”.
When your fingertips lightly touch the crown, you feel the smooth adjustment damping; when you press the chronograph button, you hear the crisp “click” sound; through the bottom cover, you watch the regular rhythm of the golden balance wheel at 8 o’clock – at this moment, what you own is not only a watch, but also a tribute to mechanical aesthetics.