A watch with an in-house chronograph movement is something quite special. Even many well-established brands do not offer their own factory-built movement with a stopwatch function. One notable exception is Patek Philippe, which developed one for its collection only recently. It’s no wonder such movements are so rare: a chronograph is a huge complication whose implementation requires enormous care and attention. The existence of cheaper chronographs is explained by the wide distribution of simpler movements that have been built for decades, like the Valjoux 7750 from ETA.
For the longest time sports-watch brands like Replica Watches and Breitling didn’t produce their own chronograph movements, either. But things have recently changed at these two companies: at the 2009 Baselworld watch fair, Breitling introduced its long anticipated in-house movement, the B01, and the first and only watch model to contain this movement, fittingly named the Chronomat B01. IWC Replica Watches presented its Big Ingenieur Chronograph at Geneva’s SIHH watch fair in early 2009, with an in-house movement that debuted in 2007 in the company’s Da Vinci chronograph.
The IWC watch makes an even sturdier overall impression due to its larger diameter. All the numerals are executed in the same type found on other Ingenieur models. The standout features of the IWC Fake Watches Big Ingenieur Chronograph’s dial are the subdials located at the top and bottom, with a silver ridged structure that sets them off from the rest of the black main dial. A geometric pattern fills the inner section of the dial. Luminous coating is applied deep within the grooves of the silver-colored markers, whose shape reflects the elongated hour and minute hands. The Ingenieur case has rectangular pushers that are neatly integrated with the crown guard and bezel.
For the 89360 caliber, IWC developed a new double-pawl winding system based on its standard Pellaton winding system. With two double-pawl winders, it doubles the number of pawls that push and pull to wind the mainspring. They are no longer controlled with a cam but by a crank similar to the type used in automobiles. The pawls are arranged to apply winding torque even at the slightest motion of the rotor. This winding system is said to be 30 percent more efficient than its predecessor, making it possible to reduce the weight of the rotor and thereby reduce wear. The movement features a free-sprung oscillating system, a sign of high quality. Plus, the flyback function in the Cheap IWC Replica Big Ingenieur Chronograph (not featured in the name of the model, as is usually the case) requires a great deal of time and effort in the design stage. The minute counter does not jump, but advances slowly. Unfortunately, the date disk moves slowly, too, and begins visibly advancing at 11 o’clock.
Even though the watches run neck and neck in nearly all respects, there is a huge disparity in their prices: The price of the Chronomat B01 is less than half that of the Big Ingenieur Chronograph. Even when both watches are equipped with a similar strap or bracelet, the IWC Replica still costs more than twice as much as the Breitling. Prospective buyers for whom price is not an issue can decide solely in favor of the design that best suits their personal style.
