Categories
Swiss Replica

Panamera Flieger 47 Polit’s Replica Watch

Pilots’ replica watches, whether they be B-Uhr heritage fliegers from the ‘knowns’ or one of the plethora of small brands which you only hear about through word of mouth or on replica watch fora, are one of the constants in the replica watch world. There are more fads than you can shake the proverbial stick at, but there will always be a healthy interest in these replica watches.

One of the ‘unknowns’ that I’ve come across recently is a brand called ‘Panamera’. Not the Porsche Panamera, though they have produced a line of replica watches of this name, but a brand that is actually made by a German brand called Haemmer, which was established in 2008. Under their own brand (they call themselves “the brand for oversized replica watches”) they seem to produce replica watches very similar to those made by TW Steel and UBoat.

Panamera, in addition to being a bit cheaper than Haemmer, are actually more attractive replica watches to my mind, though they too are similar, design wise, to other brands/ models.

Meet the Panamera Flieger 47.


SPECIFICATIONS

Movement: Automatic (ST-10) with power reserve
Case size: 47mm
Thickness: 12mm
Case Metal: High Grade Steel (316L)
Finish: Stainless steel
Caseback: Screwed glass display back
Crystal: Mineral
Dial: Superluminova indices, numbers and hands
Strap: 24mm leather strap with stainless steel deployant clasp
Water Resistance: 30m (3ATM)

This can only be said to be IWC inspired, whether we’re talking about its general ‘look’ or even down to the fish on the crown.

At 47mm, this is definitely not a replica watch for everyone, but it doesn’t sit as largely as you’d think. It’s a nice solid replica watch with a good heft available in stainless steel or PVD.

It has an open caseback, which I don’t really see the point of.

Panamera are cheaper than their ‘parent’ Haemmer. In Australia, they retail at $399. This doesn’t make them the cheapest pilots’ replica watches on the market, but neither are they anywhere near the pricier fliegers. They appear to be pretty solid workmanlike beasts that do what they are supposed to. If you’re looking for a large ‘pilot’ in this price range and aren’t fussed about ‘brand recognition’, this one’s worth looking at. As is commonly the case with many of these unknown brands of pilots’ replica watches however, you can find the same replica watch, differently branded. This replica watch can also be purchased branded as a Parnis.

Categories
Swiss Replica

Hands-on with a vintage DoxaGrafic Replica Watch

Doxa was founded in 1889 by 21 year old Georges Ducommun to create fine pocket replica watches, gradually progressing to fairly conservatively styled wristwatches and garnering a reputation for being a bit of an innovator, through developments such as his patenting of an 8-day replica watch movement in 1908. Interestingly, Bugatti used the Doxa 8-day movement instrument in its iconic Type 35 Bugatti.

On the death of Ducommun in 1936, the company’s ownership moved to his son-in-law Jacques Nardin, grandson of another famous replica watchmaker, Ulysse Nardin. It was Nardin’s stewardship which lead Doxa to diving replica watches, for which the brand has become most widely known in the modern era, most famously for its association with Jacques Cousteau and U.S. Diving Association, which lead to their first groundbreaking diving replica watch, the Sub300t, launched in 1967.

The advent of the quartz replica watch revolution hit the brand hard. Attempts to survive failed, and it ceased operations in 1980, only to be purchased by the Jenny family, and revived.

Against this background, it is almost a little odd that what has become one of its  iconic replica watches was, in fact, not only unusual for the brand, but also for its time. The Grafic of 1957, with its stark dial with a scaled down starburst pattern, was a Bauhaus influenced design born of Pierre Henry’s (Doxa’s Advertising Manager) keenness for a thin, square cased dress replica watch that was non-angular. The trend at the time had been very much for round cases.

Instead of positioning the brand name squarely at the centre of the dial, it was decided to place it at the lower right-hand corner, to give the design even more distinctiveness. The design proved immensely popular, leading to the production of a ladies’ version. Its longeivity was proven when it was re-issued, by popular demand, in 1995. It sold out.

The original Doxa Grafic contained a hand wound 16 jewel calibre 104 movement. This version is  automatic, and in a gold filled case. The size is 31mm x 35 mm, tiny in modern terms, but it sits larger than you would expect.

In 2007, the 50th anniversary of the Grafic was celebrated by Doxa with a re-issue. Available in a steel or yellow plated case, and with a black, brown or silvered dial, it was definitely a more sleekly modern variation of the design, and available in quartz or automatic. Doxa also produced a chronograph version in 2007, but to me, this seems to undermine the entire design integrity of the original, as does the quartz option for the 2007 re-issue, for that matter.

In comparing the 1950s version with the 2007 model, I like the use of black in this particular iteration, but the date window and new placment of the brand name seem a little askew to me; I prefer the original, where both are tucked up in the corners rather than almost being neither here nor there, placement wise.

The original version is an interesting, dressy but retro-funky replica watch. An uncommon beast, but one well worth looking at.

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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.

Categories
Swiss Replica

A look at a vintage GlycineAirman Replica Watch

Founded in Bienne in 1914 by Eugène Meylan, for a company whose modern history has been closely tied to functional and “tool” replica watches, it is interesting to note that Glycine’s early commitment was to create the smallest movements possible for women’s replica watches in gold and platinum cases, often highly jewelled, and to target the luxury market.

The company continued in this way, even presenting an automatic movement in 1931 (although it did not eventuate into long term production because of lack of capital) and launching a chronometer range in 1934, but it wasn’t until 1953 that their iconic model the Airman, was born.

During a Bangkok to Calcutta flight, Samuel W.Glur from Montres Altus S.A. (which merged with Glycine in 1960) somehow got into a dicussion about the usefulness of a 24-hour replica watch with the pilots operating on that flight. As a result, he wrote a letter to Charles Hertig Sr., then head of Glycine, outlining the criteria for a 24-hour replica watch that could be useful to pilots. This formed the genesis for the Airman.

It turned out to be a stroke of genius, and the Airman became popular with both military and commercial pilots, worn by so many USAF pilots during the Vietnam War that it was the number one selling pilot’s replica watch in the US.

The original Airman was developed in close cooperation with pilots of civil and military aviation. Featuring 24 hour numbers, 5 minute numbers and a minute/ seconds scale and with a rotating bezel for a second timezone, it is also well known for its “hacking seconds”. This means that when you pull the crown out on the Airman, the seconds hand will tick along and stop at 12, allowing for greater accuracy/ synchronisation.

With the exception of the period of 1990-1998, which was a period of dormancy, the Airman’s modern variants continue to be a mainstay of their production, although many of the characteristics of the “old Airmans”, such as the mineral domed crystal and “cross hatched” crown in particular, are no longer there.

Numerous movements were used during the period of the Airman’s peak (1953-1978), and there were a number of variations such as the dial (black, white, champagne) and the date indicator (red, black). For an in-depth look at the Airman and its history, including a listing of all these variants, this is the definitive site, but here is a quick summary of the movements :

1953 – 1960 Felsa 692, 23 jewels
1960 – 1967 A.Schild 1701, 25 jewels and 17 jewels in the Airman Special
1967 – 1971 A.Schild 1903, 25 jewels
1971 – 1974 A.Schild 2063, 25 jewels
1974 – 1978 A.Schild 2163, 25 jewels

This model is a Glycine Airman Special (there were both “Glycine Airman” and “Glycine Airman Special” models) with an automatic Felsa 692 movement, which puts it in the 1953 – 1960 range of production. I was told by the dealer that my model is from circa 1958. It has the black date indicator rather than the red one, and a working hacking seconds. I admit that my first choice had been for a red date indicator (and a cross hatched crown), but in the end, this replica watch was priced too attractively to pass.

As you can see, this one has definitely been “well loved”. Dings, bezel numbers faded and the hands showing discolouration. I had the hands checked, and was told that the rust is stable and will not get worse, so they have been left “as is”.

At 36mm, this is a small replica watch by modern standards, and some of the modern Airman iterations have been much larger than this, though there is 38mm version currently available.

It came on a NATO strap, which I know that many people like, but although it looked quite good, as I am not much of a NATO person, I bought a leather Glycine strap, which I find more attractive and more versatile.

I don’t remember what it was about the Airman that first attracted me to it, but despite having bought this not only sight unseen (there were photos on the website) but also without having previously seen a vintage Airman in the flesh, there was always going to be the risk that the connection would not be there once I received it.

Happily, this has not been the case. For all its dings, the chip on the lug, the state of the hands and the fading of the bezel numbers, this is a replica watch that I have fallen in love with. It has personal character along with the history, sits comfortably on my wrist and, after the first week or so of being a bit disconcerted by having to remember that it’s a 24-hour replica watch, is actually a lot of fun time-reading wise, as well.

A final thought – Modern Airmans cost more than vintage ones, so why would you choose to get one of the former?

Categories
Swiss Replica

A wearable sundial from Nomos Glashütte Replica Watch

Nomos Glashütte is a German Manufacture that does not get much coverage compared to many other brands that one could argue are similar, but it is a brand with a lot of admirers amongst collectors and enthusiasts of both of the brand’s design and of the quality of its replica watches. One really interesting thing about them is that they don’t do different lines of replica watches for men and women, preferring the approach of having replica watches that are in a variety of sizes.

Unbeknownst to most, the entry point “calibre” from NOMOS is in fact not a timepiece, but a wearable sundial ring.

This gorgeous machined stainless steel ring can be worn as a pendant around your neck on the leather band on which it comes, or as a ring. The fact that it is able to be rotated makes it quite an addictive item to play with.

The outside diameter is 23 mm, inside diameter 19 mm, and leather band is 800 mm (around 30 inches).

It functions according to the principle of the so-called “farmers ring”. Farmers rings are a type of portable altitude sundial also called “ring sundials” or “simple ring dials”. The principle behind them are to suspend it in a vertical place such that the small aperture (the small hole that you can see in the photo) faces the Sun.

Firstly, you set the approximate date on the rotating ring.

With the sundial hanging on the leather band, you then turn it towards the sun so that the light falls directly onto the hole.

You move the hole to the current month on the outer scale of the ring and then let the sun shine though such that a small dot of light is projected onto the inside of the ring, where the time can be read.

The scale on the inside of the ring consists of vertical date lines, crossed by the different hour lines in different angles. The sunlight through a small ring hole on the opposite side of the scale casts a spot on the scale.

Unfortunately, there’s a small hitch for most of the world – it shows the true local time for all places found along the same latitude as Glashütte, 51° North. For all other places around this latitude, the time shown is approximately correct, the deviation is only a few minutes per degree latitude, so if you are not too much of an accuracy fiend, you can use it on the Northern Hemisphere in a belt of ca. 40°- 60°N Latitude North to stay within a tolerance of about half an hour.

In the Southern Hemisphere, it supposedly works correspondingly in the 40°- 60°S Latitude South range; all one has to do is adding 6 months one the month scale, i.e. January = July etc.

Admittedly this sundial is not exactly the most accurate of time measuring methods, and it takes a little while to work out if you’re not on the same latitude as Glashütte, not to mention its obvious inability to be of much use if there’s no sun, but it is a beautiful piece of design, very inexpensive for a Glashütte replica timepiece and a lot of fun. I am enjoying it immensely, and would wager that there are few who would not find this appealing.

Categories
Swiss Replica

Hands on with the Technomarine Cruise SteelCamouflage replica

TechnoMarine is a well-known Geneva based brand whose focus is on casual replica watches and which is known for a particularly strong use of bold colours. In fact one of their selling points about the Cruise Collection is encouraging people to swap straps and cases to match their outfit.

The Cruise Steel Camouflage series is Technomarine’s crack at the eternally popular “fashion camo” look, featuring a vivid camouflage design on the dial matched by a coordinating strap and contrasted by either a black PVD coated or pink gold case.

This blue (they call it turquoise) model is Ref.110071 and comes with a date window and  chronograph function. Its unidirectional rotating bezel is stainless steel with a blue aluminium insert. The crystal is anti-reflective sapphire.

Not unexpectedly, it is quartz powered, courtesy of a Swiss Ronda 5040D movement, and its water resistance is 20 ATM (200m).

On the left hand side there is an orange 30min counter sub dial and at ‘6’, a black ten hour subdial which spins fast for 30 seconds as a tenth-of-a-second counter, after which it becomes the hour register. The chronograph pushers are decently sized and easy to use.

‘

Weighing in at a hefty 144g and 45mm in size (1.77 in thick), this is a big replica watch. The women’s Cruise Collection is 40mm, which is probably still a bit bigger than many women are comfortable about wearing, but in line with the boldness of Technomarine’s replica watches.

Of the colours available for the Cruise Camouflage, my choice would probably be for ‘Sand’ (the middle colour as shown below). I find the intensity of both the Turquoise and Purple models not to my personal likes, but I must also admit that the camouflage ‘look’ is probably not really something I tend to choose.

The owner of this replica watch has a penchant for blue on his replica watches, and this is part of what appealed to him about the Camouflage, but even he tends to wear the black rather than the blue strap. It looks is considerably more low key and black is, of course, the most flexible of all colours.

As you can see, the straps are fairly easy to change, but one small problem with them is that they are dust magnets, as you can see from the spots on the close-up of the buckle.

Technomarine is very much a modern, fashion conscious and youthful brand, with engagement both across social media (they also have a youtube channel) and with its customers – owners can upload and share photos of themselves (and their replica watches) on the website and play with customisation options.

The owner of this replica watch has an immense enthusiasm for it; he sees it as a lot of fun. In the end, I think that this is what it all comes down to – wearing your replica watch and getting enjoyment out of it.

Categories
Swiss Replica

A review of the iPodLunaTik replica

One of the coolest horological products to reach the market recently is the LunaTik, a conversion kit that turns the latest touch-screen Apple iPod Nano into a wrist replica watch. This is clearly not haute horlogerie, but nevertheless it is interesting, funky and great fun to wear.

Stop reading now if you think that any time-piece that isn’t mechanical is not worthy of consideration. My personal view is that anything that tells the time is grist to the horological mill and if it satisfies my sense of aesthetics then it matters little to me how the time-telling is achieved.

The design was a concept of Chicago-based MINIMAL design studio that was brought to fruition by the Kickstarter project.  Kickstarter asked people to become backers by pledging various amounts of money in return for some of the products should the funding goal of $15,000 be reached. This initiative was wildly successful, 13,512 backers pledged over $940,000 for the project.

The LunaTik consists of a two-piece case  forged from Aerospace Grade Aluminum and then machined via CNC (Computer Numerical Control) into its final form into which the Nano slides. The two pieces are held together with stainless steel bolts which are secured with a pair of Allen keys supplied with the kit. It measures 46x41mm without the lugs.

It is easy to put together and once assembled, it is secured to the wrist with a strap made from high grade silicone rubber. There are cut-outs along the length of the strap which enables adjustment of the small aluminium keeper which secures the strap end. It also has the added benefit of keeping your wrist cooler than it might be were it to be a normal strap.

The case has been designed so that the charging port, earphone port and the controls are readily accessible, so you could listen to music via earphones while it’s on (or off) your wrist. Bluetooth would be handy should Apple ever decide to incorporate it into a future version of the Nano, and this would then avoid the possibility of ripping the ‘phones from your ears should you move your arm suddenly.

One the minus side, to see the time display you need to press a button on the side, and it does go to sleep after a short period, so that the time is not continuously displayed. It is not the only cheap replica watch I have that requires this, so I don’t find this a difficulty, though it might be a problem for some and could take a little getting used to if unfamiliar.

I find the LunaTik, with its mostly-dark screen, mysterious and “phantom-like”. The dark screen stands out and is noticed and it reminds me somewhat of the appearance of the Bell & Ross Phantom.

It is not small, so may not be suitable if you have a small wrist. Though it is marginally smaller than the Bell & Ross BR-01 series of replica watches, it is of course much lighter, so its easy to wear, and the silicone rubber strap is extremely comfortable. You almost forget its presence, so easily does it cling to the wrist.

The aluminium used in the construction of the LunaTik, though of Aerospace Grade, is strong but relatively soft, and may need to be worn carefully to avoid being “dinged”. That’s not an aspect I intend to test!

The Nano, even though it is affixed to the LunaTik strap, still has full functionality for music, radio and photos, and can also of course work as a timer and stopwatch, as well as having a pedometer function.

If you want to use it only as a dedicated replica watch, the battery lasts at least a week before recharging.

The silver version is pictured here, but it is also available in black and anodised red. There is another simpler snap-in version called the TikTok, made of polycarbonate, which is available in black or white, and this is probably more suitable if you intend to use the full functionality of the Nano, though to my mind it doesn’t cut it the way the LunaTik does.

It has a minimalist look in tune with modern design aesthetics and though it won’t replace your Patek or Rolex, it is great to wear on appropriate occasions.

[PT]

Categories
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.

Categories
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.

Categories
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…