r/RepTime • u/Desperate-Cancel-818 • 16h ago
Discussion Well that was unexpected...
Bought a Pilot Mark XX about 6 months ago and took the time to source an Asian 2892 variant on a bracelet (not every dial colour was available on bracelet, a lot ship on a strap instead, including most of the black dials I'd asked about). Figured I'd maybe add a strap at a later date.
Recently decided to grab one, but really wanted to try and get a proper version - with the Ease-X Change style quick release - rather than a generic FKM / fluoro-rubber strap with regular spring bars.
Why have a bracelet with a perfectly replicated quick release if you have to remove the spring bars to put a strap on, right?
Not fancying spending nearly £200 on a genuine one, I trawled through Ali to try and find some options. There were plenty, but the prices were still pretty wild. Found options ranging from £30+ all the way up to £60 and even a bit more than that.
I ended up pulling the trigger on the cheapest one I could find. After coupons and discounts it came to £24.24 and it arrived today.
Excited to finally get it on strap, I got the packaging open and found that the quick release button on both parts had a little square of taping covering them up. So I peeled it off, and what do I find underneath....
That's right. An IWC logo etched into the steel! 😂
Nothing on the listing showed a logo (not that they would), but I was still surprised! I wasn't looking for a rep strap, but somehow I managed to end up with exactly that. What a result!
Unfortunately the buckle and tang are no where close to gen. The buckle is shorter and doesn't have the IWC logo on it but I don't care one bit about that. It's comfy and fits great, and now I can put the bracelet away until warmer weather prevails (I'm currently between links in this cooler weather, even using the quick adjustment system in the clasp).
Anyway, thought I'd share for anyone else who has a Mark XX on bracelet ✌️
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u/GeorgeN95X1 16h ago
Love the IWC watches! Which Factory is yours? I've read ZF now top dog after APSF going under. How's it holding up?
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u/Desperate-Cancel-818 15h ago
Well the answer here might not be quite as simple to answer, but basically, I asked around about getting the Mark XX (with three specific requests: black dial, on bracelet, Asian 2892 movement - not the Miyota 9015 version - and ideally from V7F)
I got told that V7F was gone (I JUST missed the boat, this was back around March time this year) so I asked who else had it and I was told by the TD they could get it from 8F, but they were honest and said 8F was a lower tier factory.
I said that's fine, lets get it ordered and see anyway. QC came in, I posted it on RepTimeQC and got a few people to check it over and ended up giving it a GL pretty much straight away.
But... after it arrived, I had a couple of people comment on my original post saying they had asked other TDs about getting one and some of them said 8F doesn't make this and it couldn't be sourced.
So, roundabout way of answering your question but my answer is "I got it from 8F", but I can't 100% guarantee that's correct. I can only go off what I was told.
And at the end of the day it doesn't matter, because the watch itself is faultless. I've compared it very closely with a gen and I can't spot one single area (externally) where it doesn't look gen. Even the dimensions and weight are basically spot on (give or take upto half a mm here and there).
I've even got it regulated and running within +1 to 2 secs/day. Couldn't be happier 😄
Also worth pointing out that a) I don't know about ZF, I haven't had anything from there (although I think a Tudor is on my list soon) and b) APSF was never an option for this as far as I know. APSF was the go-to for the 41mm Pilot Chrono, not the Mark XX.
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u/GeorgeN95X1 14h ago
Thanks for the detailed response! I'd not heard of 8F until you mentioned it. I'll do some more research then because clearly my knowledge is off 🙏
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u/Desperate-Cancel-818 14h ago
Its a minefield of information out there bro. I know what I know and I don't know what I don't 🤷🏻♂️😄
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u/Humble_Draw_6958 12h ago
Send the link, im looking to replace the strap on my iwc IW328101 (rep)
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u/custardfrogs_ 9h ago
Maybe you can't post a link, maybe you can, but can you let us know what you searched for on Ali so we can find it too
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u/slatfreq 5h ago
I got the leather strap with my Mark XX rep. Strap came with IWC branding as well but was complete trash
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u/Desperate-Cancel-818 5h ago
Always gotta go bracelet if you can imo. Straps easier and cheaper to acquire afterwards.
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u/Silly_Tangerine_469 12h ago
Which TD did you get it from? I’ve been wanting a Mark XX too, especially the Mercedes version.
What do you think of it? Would you recommend getting the steel bracelet? I
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u/Desperate-Cancel-818 12h ago
Read the big reply comment I made above earlier in the thread for the full story of where I got mine from ☝🏼
And yes, always get the bracelet if you can. For any watch, gen or otherwise.
Can always buy a rubber strap. Can't always get a bracelet (and will be more expensive to do it separately).
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u/Silly_Tangerine_469 12h ago
Can’t find the TDs name
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u/Desperate-Cancel-818 12h ago
I'm not in the habit of recommending TDs. I wouldn't want to be responsible for somebody getting themselves into a situation after not doing the research themselves.
I bought something from someone six months ago who was a trusted dealer at the time, but TD status can change and people can have different experiences depending on who they are and who they speak to.
My advice is to figure out which model/reference you want, which configuration, dial colour, bracelet options etc., and then use the wiki to approach a list of TDs and ask them if they can source what you want.
Hope that helps.
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u/Still-Celebration255 16h ago
Great find! Bought a blue and brown for $60each. Has all correct logos and dimensions. The Gen is $450. Aliexpress is awesome.