In the replica watch circle, IWC Pilot’s Watch has always been a representative of tough guy style. When it comes to this series of replicas, the model recently launched by the APS factory equipped with the Dandong 69385 integrated movement is undoubtedly the focus of the market. Today, we will put aside the tedious parameter stacking and talk about what makes this watch “scenty” from the perspective of actual wearing and detailed workmanship.
Size and color matching: restore the wearing feeling of the original version
First of all, the size issue that everyone is most concerned about. This APS IWC has a case diameter of 41mm, and the thickness is controlled at around 14.6mm. What is the concept of this data? It’s almost infinitely close to the original’s 14.5mm thickness. There will be no sudden heavy feeling after getting started. For watch friends with a wrist circumference of 16-18cm, this size is very friendly, retaining the toughness of the flight watch while taking into account the comfort of daily wear.
In terms of color matching, APS can be said to be “full firepower” this time. There are currently ten colors in circulation on the market, covering classic black, deep blue, retro green, as well as black, white and blue ceramic shells, and even a rose gold version with a green plate and steel belt.
When many watch friends are struggling with color, what they are most worried about is “color difference”. The blues and greens, while attractive, tend to deviate slightly from the originals in different lights. If you are a “perfectionist” or the first to buy one, it is strongly recommended to choose directlyblack disk. Black is not only versatile and has the highest error tolerance, but the luminous effect looks particularly sharp against dark backgrounds, so there is no need to worry about chromatic aberration.
Disk details: Exquisite feeling under macro
Hold the watch in your hand, don’t look at the time in a hurry, look at the dial. APS has really put a lot of effort into the dial processing of this watch.
The CD texture of the three small dials is very delicate and will have a radiating luster under the light. This texture is unmatched by low-end versions. The scales are neatly printed, with no ink spillage and a strong three-dimensional effect. Especially the luminous scales at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock are fully filled and echo the luminous coating of the hands.
The cutting process of the pointer is also the key to inspecting the workmanship. Magnified observation shows that the edge of the pointer is smooth, with no obvious burrs or edges, and the central axis is also solid, without any hollow feeling. The calendar window is also neatly cut, the fonts are straight, and there is no skew. The logo part has been three-dimensionally processed, no longer flat printing, and the texture has been significantly improved.
Core soul: Dandong 69385 integrated movement
The biggest selling point of this watch, and what sets it apart from older models on the market, is the movement.
In the earlier versions, many small factories used the Shanghai 7750 movement. Friends who know the industry know that although the 7750 movement is classic, it has a flaw when used in IWC watches: the second hand is in the wrong position (usually at 9 o’clock), and the functional layout needs to be modified, resulting in average stability and a relatively high after-sales rate.
This time APS usesDandong 69385 molded integrated movement. What does this mean? The structure of the movement, the position of gears, the position of screws and even the position of gems are all molded and made according to the original movement.
- Functional version: There is a small seconds at 6 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock. The large second hand moves once and the small dial at 12 o’clock moves once. The logic is completely correct.
- Operation feel: The upper button controls the start/pause of the timing, and the lower button controls the reset to zero. The pressing feedback is clear, and the pointer can quickly bounce back to the 12 o’clock position when returning to zero, without any sloppy feeling.
- Stability: Because it is an open-mold movement, the structure is more reasonable, and the power reserve and travel time stability are much better than the modified 7750.
Recommendations from veteran players: Although the timing function is cool, it is recommended to turn on the timing less frequently for daily wear. The mechanical structure is precise, and frequent operation will accelerate power consumption, which is not particularly friendly to the longevity of the movement. It can be played with occasionally, and it is its true duty when walking on a daily basis.
Case and strap: details determine success or failure
The case uses a combination of brushing and polishing. The sides are finely brushed, the lugs are polished and bright, and the transition is natural. The crown is a screw-in design with certain waterproof properties. It has a three-dimensional logo engraved on it and feels solid in the hand. The mirror surface is made of sapphire, coated with a blue film, which has good light transmittance and wear resistance, and is almost invisible when viewed from the side.
As for the strap, APS is equipped with a quick release system. Whether it is a calfskin strap or a steel strap, it is very easy to replace without tools. The buckle is a pin buckle design with clear engravings and no rough edges in workmanship. This quick-release design greatly increases the playability. You can wear the belt for business today and change the steel belt for sports tomorrow.
Summary: An advanced choice worth buying
In general, this IWC pilot chronograph from the APS factory equipped with the Dandong 69385 movement belongs to the “first echelon” in the current market.
It solves the pain points of the old 7750 movement with incorrect functions and poor stability. From the CD pattern on the disk to the internal structure of the movement, they all show a very high degree of restoration. If you are a player who has requirements for details and wants to wear the watch stably and worry-free for a long time, this watch is very playable and cost-effective.
Among the ten colors, black is the most stable, while green and blue are more personalized. No matter which one you choose, APS’s new movement solution represents the current high level of replica technology in this series. For friends who want to buy Wanguo Feiji, this is definitely an option that cannot be avoided.