IWC Top Gun ZF Factory Review

The IWC Top Gun model is produced by ZF Factory with a solid 316L stainless steel case, standard case diameter and 7750 automatic chronograph 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.

Today I bring you ZF's new product, IWC Pilot TOPGUN. Most people probably don't know where the name TOPGUN comes from, so let me give you some information. Top Gun is actually a movie starring Tom Cruise; It was translated into Turkish as Top Gun. This name comes from a private training institution established for US navy aircraft carrier warplanes and is a home that trains the best fighter pilots of the navy. Once you've trained in Top Gun, you're considered a world-class fighter pilot. As you know, IWC is a brand focused on making watches for pilots. Pilots need a set of functions they can easily use in the sky, and IWC is specifically researching these. This is the origin of TOPGUN; We can also say that it is a part of its original culture. Today I will give you a detailed review with these two watches; All photos are real product shots taken by me.

There are two color options in total: black and army green. Between these two, I lean more towards army green; After all, these types of watches are in the military watch category and army green is their representative color. Black looks more dignified. Apart from the color difference, there is also a difference in the dial surface. On the black dial, the hour markers are placed directly on the edge, giving it a simpler, more public-facing appearance. In military green, the hour markers are placed in the red ring in the middle, and the edge is divided into seconds. If you have high expectations for a chronograph, this function seems simpler; The outermost ring allows you to read the seconds directly, this layout is quite special. In terms of dial layout, the two models are almost identical. Since it is a 2016 model, it is very similar to the previous 388001; The difference between the two is in the date window. The previous model had a three-date display aperture, but many people like this single-date design and ZF has followed suit. In terms of size, the previous model was 46 millimeters; This model has been scaled down to 44 millimeters, which is more suitable for most people's wrists.

Glass and Sapphire Crystal

Sapphire glass is used and its transparency is extremely visible; As I often say, this is one of the points that show whether a watch is good or bad. Another one is the blue coating; its color gradually reaches a more accurate tone. Almost 80 percent of IWC watches have a blue finish. The entire dial has a matte texture; The hour and minute hands are located in the center of the dial, the hour markers are smooth and sharp, with no clutter. Font size and thickness are the same as the original; Swiss lume paint was used on the hour markers and hour and minute hands. Upper-lower eye design is adopted; The small dial at 12 o'clock allows you to read the chronograph hours and minutes simultaneously. The function is quite complex, but reading the chronograph time is the same as reading the time from the regular main dial. There is a standard small seconds hand at 6 o'clock; A red hand is used, making it easier to read the time and looking beautiful and eye-catching. There is a single date window at 3 o'clock; simpler compared to the three dated span designs.

Dial and Hand Details

As for the details, the smoothness and paint work on the entire dial surface gives an extremely high-quality feeling. The upper and lower two eyes are also embroidered with a CD pattern; Ring to ring, very fine workmanship. It gives a luxurious feeling, including the concave detail work on the small eyes of the dial. In general, the visual effect it offers us from the front in terms of workmanship is really good. On the function side, the original has a flyback feature, but the replica watch does not have this feature. Flyback means that when you press the reset button while the chronograph is running, the chronograph hand returns to the zero position and immediately starts keeping a new time. This type of mechanism has not yet been developed for replica watches; It may take a few more years to meet you.

The watch is 44 millimeters in size and 16.5 millimeters thick. The entire case is made of ceramic material. Whether it is a polished ceramic surface or a matte ceramic surface, no matter how you scratch it, it regains its former smoothness when you rub it with something that provides friction; This is an advantage of ceramics. At the same time, its resistance to corrosion is extremely high; It is also a preferred material for a soldier. However, its disadvantage is that it is sensitive to falling. However, it does not break so easily with light impacts and ordinary impacts in normal use. A screw-down crown is used; With its coarse tooth patterned design on the outside, it increases friction and facilitates time setting. On the right and left of the crown, there is a chronograph start/stop button and a reset button, respectively.

Case and Body Workmanship

Closed case back design is adopted; The back cover is made of 316L stainless steel. The Top Gun naval air combat unit's insignia is now engraved on the case back; It looks simpler and more restrained compared to the colorful emblem on the old 46 millimeter model. The texts on the back cover are quite deep, completely embedded. The movement is Dandong's 7750 automatic caliber adapted to the IWC 89361 caliber. The biggest change is that it combines the chronograph hour and minute dials into a single dial; This can be said to be ZF's biggest breakthrough. The only shortcoming is that it does not have a flyback feature; such a mechanism may not mature much in the next three years.

Strap, Buckle and Comfort

The watch is accompanied by a black soft strap; When combined with the titanium buckle, it becomes both more stylish and more comfortable. This is the most suitable type of strap when doing sports; It prevents the problem of sweating and becoming sticky. The buckle and crown are compatible with each other; Both are made of the same titanium material as the original. When you open the buckle, the watch logo embroidered on it is also perfect. In short, we can say that it is a perfect replica of ZF Factory.

General Evaluation and Conclusion

In general, the ZF Factory IWC Pilot TOPGUN series ceramic replica watch is a model where ZF Factory buys the original by paying a lot of money and produces it from a 1:1 mold. In line with the original in appearance, material and function; The details are kept in place and the atmosphere of the original is largely reflected. Most importantly, thanks to ZF Factory's quality control, the quality of this chronograph watch is extremely stable.

If you read until the end, I hope my article was useful to you. Interested watch lovers can continue to follow me. I will share more detailed reviews in the coming days.