Real vs. replica: Is the MKS Factory IWC Pilot titanium case Mark XVIII good workmanship?

The IWC Pilot model is produced by MKS Factory with a 5th class titanium case, 40 mm diameter and Miyota 9015 high frequency movement architecture. It is among the most successful 1:1 super clone watch reviews on the market, with its sapphire crystal AR coating glass, original case tolerances and detailed workmanship.

From the first IWC Pilot watch, the Mark IX in 1936, to the Mark XVIII in 2016, 80 years have passed. In the large pilot watches category, the brand has taken one step closer to the roots of the large pilot watch. Although IWC's "Mark" is not an official series name, in the eyes of many watch enthusiasts, the "Mark series" is considered IWC's flagship model. Whether it is the "great pilot" or the "Mark", they are all models carried over from the war period and still remain fresh. Mark XVIII, an IWC entry-level model that everyone can wear comfortably, is the choice of many watch lovers.

Review of the MKS Factory IWC Pilot IW327006 titanium case Mark XVIII compared to the original watch:

Looking at this photo you all know that the one on the left is the MKS, the one on the right is the original. So if there were no markings, would you be confident in being able to tell which one was real and which was a replica?

Let's enlarge and look at the dial that covers the largest area of the watch. MKS used the same blued annealing technique as the original in engraving the hour and minute hands; Its main benefit is resistance to oxidation. When we look at the dial surface, we see that the dial of the MKS is made perfectly in terms of the full and three-dimensional appearance of the font, the thickness of the text, and the granular feeling of the sandy texture of the ground. The date window is the same as the original in terms of both its proportion and location on the screen.

The body of the original watch consists of four parts: case back, case, antimagnetic protector and movement stabilizing cover. MKS is also four-piece and structurally identical to the original. Both the assembly sequence and the after-sales disassembly process completely match the original.

Since the original watch was not new, dirt accumulated in some of the recesses in the body; Since MKS is zero, color comparison may not be complete. But looking at the processing quality of MKS, there is an indentation where there should be an indentation, and a line where there should be a line; There are grooves of the same depth as the original.

When viewed from the side, it can be seen that the MKS's body form and lines are very similar to the original; From the curvature of the ears to the area of ​​the ear chamfer surface, they are all exactly the same. When we enlarge the crown, we can see that the MKS is the same as the original: the tooth form is sharp and distinct, the logo text is clear and full, and has a three-dimensional appearance.

There is not much difference between the measured data of the original and the official data; original diameter 39.9 mm, thickness 10.7 mm. MKS has a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 10.7 mm. We can say that the diameter and thickness of MKS are almost exactly the same as the original; After all, the mold removed from the original has the advantage.

The original material of the IWC Mark XVIII Pilot IW327006 model is titanium; The weight data of the original is 58.35 grams, and the data of MKS is 59.49 grams. The MKS is less than 1 gram heavier than the original, roughly the weight of a paperclip. Clearly, the MKS used the same titanium material as the original. The entire case, case back and case are made of titanium material; It is very light and comfortable when worn, and is a blessing for watch lovers with metal allergies.

The MKS uses the Citizen 9015 movement, which is said to have zero malfunctions; The date setting direction is opposite to the original, and the balance position is also different, but since this is not visible behind the closed case, it can be ignored.

It uses genuine Italian calfskin on the strap side; MKS also chose the same imported Italian calfskin as the original, it is comfortable when worn, fits the wrist well, and is well ventilated. The buckle is again made of titanium alloy, its chamfers are distinct, its closing feeling and size are exactly the same, and the IWC logo text is also deeply engraved.

I hope this article was useful to you.