Such an option didn’t exist before, but it’s finally here. Back in the days of the basic Mark XVIII, only MKS Factory and V7 Factory were producing this model. Eventually, V7 Factory pulled ahead by offering two variants fitted with either Chinese or Swiss movements. That was also when M+ Factory first emerged. To outperform V7 Factory’s movement, M+ Factory invested heavily in many upgrades, including engraving the genuine IWC in-house movement hallmarks and reworking the finishing on the movement bridges. These extra steps raised production costs, so its selling price was higher than V7’s. Though it marketed itself with the so‑called “Taiwan factory” gimmick, it still lost out in sales.

At that time, the Mark series had relatively simple craftsmanship. For these entry-level watches, the visual finish from different factories was quite similar, and the competition ultimately boiled down to movement performance. V7 rose to fame thanks to its Mark XVIII. In the replica watch market, popular models sell best. Customers chase well-known versions, and sellers naturally prefer to push them — it creates this self-reinforcing cycle.

I thought M+ Factory would fade away after that setback, yet it persisted with remarkable tenacity and kept launching new releases. Today let’s check out its new Big Pilot!! Personally, this is a model I highly recommend.

Let’s start with what I believe makes it stand out from the crowd. After factories such as V7 gained popularity, they began cutting corners on new releases. Take the new Mark XX as an example. The genuine updated model came with a new movement, and its date adjustment direction is reversed compared to the Mark XVIII (2892). However, V7 Factory still sticks with the 2892 movement. I suspect two reasons: leftover stock to clear, plus unused parts such as the inner case ring. Regardless, they keep using the 2892 setup and craft marketing copy that glosses over this flaw. Once a brand gains fame, the watches still sell. Eight out of ten replica buyers simply read marketing articles and gather so‑called “expert information” before purchasing. Very few truly pay attention to design changes on the genuine timepieces.

I recommend this Big Pilot primarily because its case size has been reduced to 43mm, tailored perfectly for Asian wearers, abandoning the oversized 46mm design. What impresses me about M+ Factory’s replica is its use of the original Miyota 8N24 movement. This movement comes factory-built without a date position, and since the watch features a solid case back, no modifications to the movement are required at all. Many new watch enthusiasts wrongly assume Citizen movements are inferior, simply because replica makers frequently tamper with Citizen calibers. In its stock form, the Miyota movement boasts excellent stability!!!

This movement is widely used in many entry-level mechanical watches, including domestic brands such as Tianwang and Rossia. Some readers often comment: “I own a Rossia watch that has run flawlessly for five or six years, so why do replicas tend to have issues?” Those watches use this very same movement. It runs quietly and delivers reliable durability — exactly what people expect from replica timepieces. I see the factory’s choice of this stable, original movement as a sign of genuine commitment, rather than just tossing in generic Hangzhou movements or Chinese-made 2892 clones without much thought. The manufacturer has genuinely prioritized long-term reliability and proper compatibility for this replica model.

I think the factory has done an outstanding job on the dial! Take the luminous ink on the yellow-marked hour indices in the photos, for instance. Its three-dimensional effect is nearly on par with the genuine watch. The matte finish across the entire dial is also excellent. Setting the movement aside and judging by the dial alone, I believe the craftsmanship cost matches or even exceeds that of the V7 version.

The whole watch is crafted from titanium, and this lineup also comes in a ceramic variant. The ceramic edition was previously featured in our new arrivals section; feel free to check it out if you are interested. Sourcing these materials is not overly challenging. The raised graphics and three-dimensional craftsmanship meet the expected standard. Small easy-to-overlook details, such as the gaps around the quick-release components, are neatly finished. Most importantly, the watch case has no sharp edges to cut your hand! Hand feel delivers the ultimate wearing experience. All watch controls operate smoothly, without the misfiring or sharp, scratchy edges common on low-end products.

I’ve published this original article on the homepage. Lately, the replica watch market has felt rather uninspiring. For one thing, tightened inspections have made factories hesitant to make bold moves. I believe the main factor is a sluggish consumer market. Large inventories are hard to sell, and there are barely any standout releases, hence very few new products. Among the recent high-quality offerings, I think this new M+ Factory titanium (ceramic) Big Pilot deserves a detailed discussion.