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Patek Philippe Replica

Replica Patek Philippe Ref. 5235 Annual Calendar Regulator

Patek Philippe’s new Ref. 5235 Annual Calendar Regulator embodies a number of novel facets never before featured in the manufacture’s collection. It is the first Patek Philippe wristwatch with a regulator dial!

The  luxury replica Patek Philippe Ref. 5235 Annual Calendar Regulator features a dial with an unusual arrangement – large sweep minute hand combined with subsidiary hours at 12 o’clock and subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock. Free-standing precision pendulum clocks with regulator arrangement kept the precise time in replica watchmaking workshops and observatories, for more than 200 years, until they were finally superseded by quartz- and radio-controlled reference instruments. When adjusting their timepieces, replica watchmakers needed an unobstructed view of the seconds hand, which is why the hour display was moved to an off-center location where it would not sweep over and thus partially cover the seconds dial for several hours in the course of a day.

Originally Patek Philippe wanted to use the legendary caliber 240 as base for their first regulator wrist replica watch, because it is a very thin self-winding movement. This 2.53 mm thick self-winding movement with mini-rotor features a its subsidiary seconds dial at 5 instead of 6 o’clock, which didn’t suit the ideas for the regulator arrangement. So Patek created the entirely new self-winding caliber 31-260 REG QA. The actual movement is 2.60 mm thick and the annual calendar is 2.48 mm thick, resulting in a total thickness of 5.08 mm. The basic movement is 0.07 mm thicker that the in 1977 developed caliber 240, but it is also the very first totally new basic movement designed to accommodate Silinvar components!

The new movement features four innovations. 

The oscillator in Silinvar

For the first time in the history of Patek Philippe, a movement was designed from the very beginning to accommodate oscillator components crafted from Silinvar, a high-tech material derived from silicon. Silinvar components are totally anti-magnetic, remarkably shock-resistant, non-corroding, and require no lubrication. The Spiromax balance spring that is flat yet breathes absolutely concentrically thanks to its patented geometry with the Patek Philippe terminal curve. The Pulsomax escapement with Silinvar lever and escape wheel also feature enhance isochronism delivered by the Spiromax hairspring and the improved energy efficiency contributes significantly to higher rate accuracy and long-term dependability

A new going train – tooth by tooth

Patek Philippe’s engineers totally revamped the going train, the wheels and pinions between the mainspring barrel and the escape wheel. The shapes of the wheel teeth and the leaves of the pinions were recalculated and individually redesigned for the center wheel, the third wheel, and the fourth wheel with their respective pinions. These new profiles improve the meshing of wheel teeth and pinion leaves, reduce friction and boost the efficiency of energy transmission from the spring barrel to the escape wheel. The result is a perceptible improvement of energy conversion efficiency with a concurrent reduction of wear.

An unusual frequency of 3.2 hertz

While the classic self-winding caliber 240 beats at a rate of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, the frequency of the new movement was increased by nearly 10% to 23,040 vph, equivalent to 3.2 Hz, and at the same time, its power reserve was increased. In turn, a higher frequency makes it possible to more easily adjust the rate accuracy to – 3/+2 seconds per 24 hours as stipulated by the Patek Philippe Seal. Concurrently, thanks to the greater energy efficiency of the going train and escapement, it was possible to reduce the tension of the mainspring and thus the shear forces to which the wheels are exposed. This means less friction between the fine wheel pivots and the bearing jewels, which enhances longevity and reliability.

An extra-long mainspring for power to spare

Thanks to the energy efficiency of the caliber, it proved possible to choose a softer but also longer mainspring. So despite its increased frequency and the deployment of only one mainspring barrel, the new caliber 31-260 REG QA has a power reserve of up to 60 hours as opposed to a maximum of 48 hours for the caliber 240. The extended length of the mainspring has another advantage: its torque curve stays much flatter as it relaxes, so the amplitude of the balance and thus its rate remain stable most of the time between the fully wound and the fully unwound states. The result: greater rate accuracy for a longer period of time. And the option to set the replica watch aside for an entire weekend without having to readjust the time and the calendar on Monday morning.

In comparison with the 34-year-old caliber 240, the new caliber 31-260 REG QA beats at a 10% higher frequency and has 25% higher power reserve, which adds up to an efficiency increase of about 30%.

The new basic caliber incorporates an Annual Calendar mechanism that can be found on several other Patek Philippe models. The dial shows apertures for the day (between 10 and 11 o’clock), month (between 1 and 2 o’clock) and date (at 6 o’clock). A feature that I personally like a lot about annual calendars is that it recognizes 30-day and 31-day months and only needs to be corrected only once a year, on March 1.

Its case features the classic Calatrava silhouette that has defined round wristwatch for nearly 70 years. Thanks to the ultra-thin movement, its height is a mere 11 mm, astonishing for a self-winding replica watch with an Annual Calendar. With a diameter of 40.5 mm, it is has a more contemporary size. The classic three-part case made of 18K white gold  features a bezel that is gently chamfered and the caseband is decorated with straight graining. The Ref. 5235 Annual Calendar Regulator comes on a night-blue hand-stitched alligator strap with square scales with 18K white-gold buckle with the Patek Philippe signature. The display back of the case allows the owner to admire the movement.

One last photo to enjoy the sheer beauty of this new Patek, the first with a regulator style arrangement and featuring an entirely new movement with the Silinvar components and a very unusual beat rate!

More information can be found on the Patek Philippe website.

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Speake-Marin Replica

The Replica Speake-Marin Original Piccadilly Collection with Enamel Dial

Peter Speake-Marin’s first wristwatch was the Piccadilly and he produced several series and many unique pieces, always featuring the typical Speake-Marin style. These first series, called the Original Piccadilly Collection with Enamel Dial and the Original Picadilly Serpent have now come to an end.

Some designs are so strong and coherent that they will leave a indelible impression. The stylish replica Speake-Marin Piccadilly made such an impression on me. When I saw another typical Speake-Marin replica watch for sale, the Shimoda, I realized the era of the original Piccadilly has come to an end. Although sad, it’s good to know it will be replaced by the new collection featuring Speake-Marin’s own movement also featuring the typical Speake-Marin style.

I saw this particular Shimoda at the Timezone sales corner. This is a very special Peter Speake-Marin replica watch – the 38mm Shimoda in Rose Gold, Number 1. In addition to being the first of the Shimoda series in this metal, other features include a hand-engraved plate under the trademark PSM winding rotor and a violet hand, specially re-finished by Peter in order to match the hands on his Foundation Replica Watch. A beautiful fired enamel dial and one relatively stealthy fun feature: a small diamond mounted on the “seconds hand” shaft so that it rotates once per minute.

Besides models available on the second hand market, there are only a few of the Original Piccadilly Serpent collection (with date) and of the Original Piccadilly Collection in steel available.

The Enamel Dial Series of the Original Piccadilly Collection are probably the most simple and sober of all Speake-Marin’s timepieces. The beauty of the enamelling, wether on a clock, an anique pocket replica watch or a modern wristwatch is clean and simple, classical and elegant in the mean time. Enamel dials have been used in replica watchmaking for several hundred years. They will always retain the same beauty from the first day they are munfactured, never tarnishing with age.

Enamel dials are being repeatedly fired in an oven in excess of 800 degrees Celsius. An additional layer of enamel is applied ar each of the six baking stages, including numerals, markers and logo application, prior to a final polishing stage.

The Serpent was the first calendar replica watch designed by Speake-Marin. The idea goes back over a century, to early pocket replica watches that used the outside diameter of the dial and an extended hand to indicate the date, also called pointer-date. Peter Speake-Marin loves the combination of four hands that indicate the time and date from the center of the replica watch.

The hour, minute and seconds hands of both the Original Piccadilly Collection Enamel Dial Series and the Piccadilly Serpent Collection are designed in the same style as Speake-Marin’s Foundation replica watch. This is one of the Speake-Marin style elements, you will see in all his replica watches and this is what makes a Speake-Marin replica watch so recognizable.

Both the Piccadilly and the Piccadilly Serpent feature a hybrid  automatic movement based on a modern ETA 2834, originally designed in 1971. Calibre FW2012 features a large balance for precision in timekeeping as well as a solid overall construction. The in-house custom-designed rotor wheel is inspired by the replica watchmaker’s topping tool and this has become one of Speake-Marin’s original signatures.

The bridges, motion gears, setting lever spring, mainplate and rotor wheel have been replaced and/or redesigned, oversizedm circled, spotted, straight grained and polished by hand.

The last three Speake-Marin replica watches with calibre FW2010 were recently delivered to the Grönefeld Boutique in the Netherlands. The Piccadilly in steel with enamel dial is priced at € 11,500 euro (tax included), the Serpent Calendar in rose gold (2 available) is priced at € 24,950 euro (tax included).

Tim Jackson of Passion Fine Jewelry has 3 Piccadillys available (a 42mm cream enamel dial and black roman numerals, same dial in 38mm and a 38mm white enamel dial with black roman numerals) and one Serpent Calendar in steel (38mm).

More information can be found at the Speake-Marin website, the website of the Grönefeld Boutique and the official Speake-Marin Facebook page.

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Girard-Perregaux Replica

Replica Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar now in White Gold

Girard-Perregaux releases the 1966 Full Calendar in White Gold. Available with a silvered-white or black dial and this one is not limited like the previous version in paladium!

Girard-Perregaux is one of those classic manufactures who remain making perfectly beautiful and elegant replica watch, no matter what the latest trend is. The best example of this is the 1966 collection, comprising several complicated and simple time-only timepieces. The newest release is a non-limited version of the 1966 Full Calendar in white gold.

The first Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar was in paladium with silver/white dial and was limited to 199 pieces. This was simply not enough, so there was a strong demand for this model in white gold, which I can fully understand. And to be honest, the 1966 Full Calender WG with black dial exeeds my expectations.

Some specifications:

  • Functions: hour, minute, sweep second, full calendar with date, day, month and moon phase indicators
  • White gold case measuring 40mm in diameter with sapphire crystal on front (anti-reflective coated) and back
  • Automatic movement, calibre GP033M0, 11 ½’’’ ligne, 27 jewels, 28’800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz), Power reserve 46 hours

The first 1966 Full Calendar I saw was on the wrist of Alex, whom I met at the third European Horomundi GTG. His paladium version was without the blue seconds hand and had an even cleaner look than this replica watch already has. The paladium case feels heavy, but absolutely not to heavy. After all it’s still a classy dress style replica watch with dimensions you might expect from suh a replica watch. Paladium is part of the platinum family and this metal is twenty times more scarce  than gold.

Good to see Girard-Perregaux makes a white gold version of this stunning replica watch. Something I was hoping for and personally I just love the black dial version. Although the white dial version is also magnificent. The details are great, like the blue seconds hand, blue font for the day and month indicator and the blue number 31 of the date. All together a very beautiful and elegant replica watch. No word about the price yet, but the limited edition in paladium was $ 19,800.

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Longines Replica

The Replica Longines Comet Hands On

The Longines Comet, a short-lived mystery dial from the seventies, is an unusual replica watch from Longines, featuring a broad arrow for hours and an orbiting dot for minutes. Both are on revolving discs, making them appear to move without being connected to the dial, hence the term ‘mystery dial’.

The indication ‘T Swiss Made T’ on the bottom of the dial means that the swiss replica watch contains a certain quantity of tritium that emits less than 227 MBq (7,5 mCi). This particular replica watch still has some lume appearing on the tips of the markers when the replica watch is placed close to the light of a lamp; natural light does not seem to have any effect. The dot and the arrow have a tendency to discolour to a yellow colour over time.

The replica watch is considered to be uncommon, as the design was deemed too avant-garde for tastes at the time, so comparatively few were sold. Red is the most rare colour, followed by yellow, the most common colour being blue. It was also produced in black and white, and in brown, maroon and green variations.

Size : 35mm x 40mm (42mm including crown, 38mm lug to lug)
Movement : Cal. 702 manual wind
Crystal: Original Longines plastic crystal
Case material: Stainless steel
Case thickness: 8mm
Crown: Longines signed
Caseback: Stainless screw-on. Signed.

Mine came on a 1970s Longines strap with original buckle. A brown punctured one. Suffice to say that it wasn’t really a good look, and I wasn’t comfortable with wearing it. A trip to a replica watch shop and a NATO whose colour scheme is pretty close to the dial’s.

I think it looks pretty good. I have a soft spot for mystery dials, alternative time displays and the like, and own one or two 1970s jump hours. This Comet fits within that 1970s theme for me, and it’s a fun replica watch to wear whose look has been lifted immeasurably by the strap. I’ve been enjoying this replica watch with its new strap so much that for the past few days, I have been close to buying a red variant, with the aim of having one in every colour.

Fortunately, two people have talked me out of it, though if one came up at a bargain price…

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Vacheron Constantin Replica

Replica Vacheron Constantin RoyalChronometer

HISTORY

The term ‘chronometer’ was coined by English replica watchmaker and writer Jeremy Thacker in 1714 in his pamphlet ‘The Longitudes Examin’d’ for clocks used to calculate longitude on marine voyages.  He invented a marine chronometer, a clock encased within a vacuum chamber that protected the movement from the inevitable effects of humidity and atmospheric pressure.


Thacker’s Chronometer

Unfortunately, it was a failure as a chronometer.

Accurate to six seconds a day, it fell somewhat short of the three seconds a day required to win the £20,000 first offered by the English Board of Longitude in the same year (1714) to anyone who could solve the problem of establishing the longitude of a ship at sea.

Thacker was thus condemned to the historical shadows of John Harrison, who also managed to score a ranking of 39 in the BBC’s 2002 poll of ‘100 Greatest Britons’ for his achievements, something which I am sure, had he been able to discover this from an alternate universe in which he was still alive in 2002, would have mollified him somewhat for his lifetime’s worth of horological trials.

Clockmaker John Harrison (24 March 1693 – 24 March 1776) presented his first attempt at a marine chronometer in 1730. It was his H5 ‘pocket’ chronometer, produced in 1772, and accurate to one-third of a second per day, which solved the problem of establishing the longitude of a ship at sea, thus revolutionising and extending the possibility of safe long distance sea travel, and earning him the title of ‘The Father of Longitude’.By the time of the H5’s public unveiling, he had been working on the chronometer problem since 1730.

Harrison’s Chronometer H5

(Collection of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers)

In 1773, Harrison received £8,750 from Parliament for his achievements, after the direct intervention of George III.  He appealed directly to the King, and in 1772 Harrison’s son William was summoned to an audience with the King. George III is reported to have said: “By God, Harrison, I will see you righted!”.

Until the advent and implementation of global satellite navigation, an accurate chronometer was essential for marine and air navigation.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN ROYAL CHRONOMETER

Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) defines a chronometer as “a high-precision replica watch capable of displaying the seconds and housing a movement that has been tested over several days, in different positions and at different temperatures, by an official neutral body (COSC).”

Since 1973 the term ‘chronometer’ has designated a replica watch having successfully passed the COSC trials.

Launched in 1907, Vacheron Constantin’s Chronomètre Royal has most notably been recognised in recent years through VC’s celebration, in 2007, of its centenary with the Chronomètre Royal 1907.

For a comprehensive history of Vacheron’s Chronomètres, see Alex Ghotbi’s brilliant post at The Hour Lounge.

The example below dates from the 1960s.  In 1962 VC’s manual calibres 1007 and 1008 were replaced by calibre 1072, making it Vacheron Constantin’s first automatic calibre with COSC certification.

Cal 1070: automatic with small seconds, no date
Cal 1071: automatic with central seconds
Cal 1072: as cal 1071 but with date
Cal 1072/1: as 1072 but with Gyromax.

 Vacheron Constantin “Royal Chronometer”
SPECIFICATIONS :

Caliber : 1702
Jewels : 29
Metal : 0.750 18ct WG
Case :  Two-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back, horn lugs, caseback engraved with the Maltese cross and “Chronomètre Royal”.
Dial : Original silver dial with diamond set in Maltese Cross
Diameter : 35mm
Thickness : 12mm

Although 35mm is small by today’s standards, where a minimum of 40mm seems  almost de rigueur, the Ref. 6694 does not seem particularly small when worn.

The idea behind the Chronomètre was that of a legible precision instrument robust enough for everyday use. With its distinctive case design clearly indicating its 1960s origins, this uncommon replica watch is a deceptively elegant functional piece, with a wink to frivolity courtesy of the discreet diamond in the Maltese Cross.

When I first saw this replica watch (which has some signs of age discolourisation on the dial) I admit that it didn’t grab my attention in quite the way that it grabbed its owner’s, but as I spent some more time looking at it, in reading about the history, and in looking back at the photos, I was struck foremost by how much I missed in terms of appreciating the design of the case and secondly, of its historical interest as a timepiece. I suspect I’d like it a bit more if it didn’t have the diamond, which I find a bit incongruous.

Like it though I may, if presented with the choice of two chronometers, this Ref. 6694 and a Chronomètre Royal 1907, I have to confess that I’d chose the latter in a heartbeat, I can’t resist a beautiful ‘red 12’!

A final thought – over a million official chronometer certificates are delivered each year, representing only 3% of the Swiss replica watch production.

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Seiko Replica

Hands-on with replica Seiko’s (new) QuartzAstron

December 2009 was the 40th anniversary of the world’s first Quartz wristwatch, the Seiko Quartz Astron 35SQ. Based on a quartz crystal oscillator (an electrical signal with an extremely precise frequency), its importance is acknowledged by its registration on the IEEE Milestone list as a major advance in electrical engineering.

Seiko marked this anniversary by the commissioning of 40 new replica watch designs all based around the original Quartz Astron design, which were exhibited in the ‘Seiko Power Design Project’ in Dec 2009.

The culmination of Seiko’s commemoration was the new Quartz Astron, powered by the SEIKO quartz caliber 9F62, accurate within 10 seconds a year, and with its date change completed in an astonishing 1/2,000 of a second.

HISTORY

Project 59A

In 1880 Pierre and Jacques Curie discovered the electrical potential of quartz crystals when pressure is applied, known as piezoelectricity. They devised the piezoelectric quartz electrometer, which can measure faint electric currents. The question was then how to practically apply this.

By 1927 Bell Laboratories demonstrated that accurate time could be measured by using a quartz crystal and implementing the results of the Curie brother’s experiments. In 1959 Suwa Seikosha Co Ltd, one of Seiko Group’s Research and Development labs, built its first quartz replica timepiece, a large clock 2 meters high and 1.5 meters wide, which was successfully used in a radio station in Japan. The task was then given of miniaturising this new technology, and Project 59A was launched.

In 1962, the company managed to produce ‘smaller’ (30kg) version of a quartz marine chronometer, which was utilised in the Japanese shipping industry. By 1963, Seiko managed to further miniaturise it down to the 3kg QC0951.

Launched at Basel in 1969, the original Quartz Astron was produced in 18 carat gold case in a run of 100 pieces, costing JPY 450,000, more than a Toyota Corolla at the time.

The first quartz replica watch that was available to the general public was the 3823 calibre, also known as the 38 SQW, which was introduced in October 1971 at a price of JPY 150,000. This was equivalent to two month’s salary for a Japanese university lecturer.

SEIKO Quartz Astron : The Commemorative Edition

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference: S23617J1
Calibre: 9F62
Dimensions: 26.75 mm (12 – 6 o’clock) x 26.0 mm (3 – 9 o’clock)
Depth: 3.1 mm (without battery)
Jewels: 9
Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per year
Battery life: 3 years (battery life indicator)
Case: High-intensity titanium
Band: Silicone with stainless steel buckle
Extra band: Crocodile with black hard-coated stainless steel three-fold clasp with push button release
Glass: Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m (60 gauss)
Functions : hour, minute and second hands, date with instant calendar change mechanism
Battery life indicator
Limited edition of 200

I found myself unexpectedly drawn to this replica watch. It looks modern yet retro, is very lightweight, and most importantly, sits nicely on the wrist, the strap incredibly soft and very comfortable to wear.

Am I an anti-quartz fiend? Well it’s not a case of absolutes, as I do own a modern Lip Mach 2000 and a Tokyo Flash replica watch for which I can’t remember how to actually tell the time, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that my preference is for mechanical movements.

My replica watches are a rather varied lot, and I developed an immediate liking for this replica watch, but $8,500 worth of ‘like’? Well even if I could afford it, no.

This brings me to the price of this replica watch :

RRP Europe: Euro 4,300
RRP U.S. USD5,000
RRP Australia AUD8,500

Such pricing issues are well-known to those of us in Australia, and there is increasing awareness amongst brands that this needs to be addressed, as such discrepancies at these price points (and even lower price points), let alone higher ones, inevitably lead to people buying their replica watches overseas – in the end the Australian market suffers. I am lead to believe that this is something that is currently being discussed amongst many brands, and not a moment too soon.

Categories
Girard-Perregaux Replica

Replica Girard Perregaux for Boucheron and Ermenegildo Zegna

Girard-Perregaux released a limited edition for Boucheron. Earlier this year they also released a replica watch made in collaboration with Ermenegildo Zegna. Two collaborations, two beautiful new replica watches!

Over the last years Girard-Perregaux released new models in the 1966 collection and personally I just loved every single model. So you might say I’m biased. These two new models are not specifically announced as part of the Girard-Perregaux 1966 line, however the resemblance is more than convincing (at least to me).

The new execllent  limited edition Girard-Perregaux replica pour Boucheron replica watch has a round case with virtually the same looks as the 1966 collection. No wait, the case is 1mm bigger than the complicated models of the Girard-Perregaux 1966 collection, which have a diameter of 40mm. The case features the same chamfered bezel with a light satin finish. The middle part of the case has curves extending into lugs.

According to the press info of the Girard-Perregaux for Boucheron, Luigi Macaluso designed this case in 1985 for the brand’s Haute Horlogerie replica watches. The case is made of pink or white gold and measures 41 mm in diameter. It is 30 meter water-resistant, which is the same as the other models of the 1966 collection.

Besides hours, minutes and small seconds it the Girard-Perregaux pour Boucheron features a moon phase indication and large date. You will also notice Boucheron’s address: 26, place Vendome.

The date display is worth special attention, according to the press release. “It’s based on the brand’s patented system to guarantee superb readability lacking the separating line between the tens and units.” Wait, this sounds familiar! I know only one brand where the two digits of the big date are ‘flush’. Indeed, that would be Glashütte Original.

This system works differently though. One of the two discs is transparent and is on top of the other disc. This transparent disc, showing the tens, is very thin. Featuring an instantaneous date change mechanism, it’s virtually impossible to see the discs turn. It takes only 15/1000ths of a second, for the date to change!

Inside ticks the brand’s in-house automatic movement, caliber GP03300-45, with a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The movement with 32 jewels has 46 hours of power reserve.

Another replica watch featuring a movement of the calibre GP03300 family (see photo above) is made in collaboration with Ermenegildo Zegna (try to pronounce that out load). This replica watch is called the Centennial Replica Watch and was designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ermenegildo Zegna.

The Centennial Replica Watch features a 40mm wide 18k pink gold case and inside ticks the automatic caliber GP0 3300-42. Besides hours, minutes and a small seconds register, it has an annual calendar with an indicator for date and month. Obviously this is the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar and Equation of Time… only without the equation of time and the month indicator moved to the right half of the dial. After these adjustments and with another name on the dial, it’s still a beautiful replica watch!

The Girard-Perregaux pour Boucheron replica watch is limited to 50 pieces for every case material (pink and white gold) and will be available exclusively in Boucheron stores.

The Centennial Replica Watch is limited to 100 pieces in pink gold and is only available in the top 20 Ermenegildo Zegna flagship stores.

Categories
Patek Philippe Replica

Replica Patek Philippe Ref.5054 Available In WG And Platinum

Introduced to Patek’s range in 1999, and now discontinued, this beautiful and classic Ref. 5054 is the RG model.  It was also available in WG and Platinum.

Interestingly, the case is only 31mm, but it seems to sit much larger than this on the wrist.  The case is 3.98mm thick, and has a dual position winding crown – pushed in for manual winding, and pulled out for setting the time.  Both the date and moon are set by push pieces, and if you try to make changes whilst the automatic date change is engaged, an automatic safety device prevents internal damage.

The milled, turban crown is a noticeable departure from the more usual crown decorated with the Calatrava cross.

As you can see, the 48 hour power reserve is at 10/ 11 o’clock, the date and moonphase at 7 o’clock, and the small seconds at 4/ 5 o’clock on the porcelain dial, which features a railway track scale.

A beautiful polished Officer’s style case (which Patek call the “Directoire” case) with a hinged cover over a sapphire crystal back opens up to show 265 parts, a 22k gold off-centre mini rotor, and the Patek Calibre 240 movement.  The only thing that beats an open caseback, to me, anyway, is an Officer’s case.  Even if you aren’t a movement nerd you’ll find this beautiful and mesmerising.

First released by replica Patek Philippe in 1977, the Cal.240 was created as a thin base movement for PP’s perpetual calendars. At only 2.4mm thick, with a Gyromax balance, the movement allows for a perpetual automatic caliber with a total thickness of only 3.7mm.  As is evidenced by the Ref.5054, Cal.240 ended up being used for a variety of  replica watches from the brand, not just perpetual calendars.

The replica watch is water-resistant to 25m. Naturally, it doesn’t go anywhere near water.

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Montblanc Replica

Baselworld 2010 – Blancpain Villeret Moon Phase

Blancpain has something to celebrate, their 275th anniversary. For this reason they introduce the Villeret Moon Phase and a new Villeret Collection.

I’m happy to see the new Villeret Moon Phase or Villeret Phase de Lune Demi-Savonnette as it’s called in French. It has the looks for which i have always liked Blancpain… slim, stylish, classic and timeless design. This is completely different from last year’s announcement to eliminate the beautiful Léman collection and replace it with the ‘loud’ L-Evolution collection.

The Villeret Moon Phase is the first of the Villeret collection to be unveiled. Although the name is Villeret Moon Phase, this classic beauty features a complete calendar with moon-phase. The indicators for day and date do not jump instantly, however the month indicator does.

Blancpain choose to use a so-called half-hunter case. This means the case-back has a lid that can be opened in order to see the movement. A full hunter case also has a lid that should be opened in order to see the time. The 18kt rose gold case has a diameter of 40mm and has a sapphire crystal on both sides.

The calendar mechanism is new and is a secure calendar mechanism with correctors under the lugs! These under-lugs correctors are patented by Blancpain and not only leaves the sides of the luxury replica watches with a remarkably pure finish, but also means that changes can be accomplished with one’s finger tips instead of requiring a dedicated tool.

The movement is the automatic Blancpain in-house caliber 6654 (measuring 32mm x 5.32mm) with 28 jewels and a power reserve of 72 hours. It’s is fitted with a variable-inertia titanium balance wheel, gold regulation screws and three main spring barrels.

Usually replica watches with a calendar or moon phase complication have to be adjusted at a specific time of day, making sure all gears are in the correct position. If adjustments are made at the wrong time, this could damage the movement.

This Villeret model features a revolutionary method for adjusting the indications without fear of movement damage, regardless of the time of day. Every single indication can be actuated with the correctors at any time without any damage to the movement. An indication can be halfway through a change and you can push the actuator without risk.

I think the new Villeret Moon Phase looks great and has very nice features! A power reserve of 72 hours, the case has a decent size with it’s 40 mm and being able to adjust the calendar and moon phase indicators at any given moment without damaging the movement is also a great feature!