Tag: SIHH 2014

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Replica

Replica Jaeger LeCoultre Hybris Artistica Duomètre Sphérotourbillon pocketwatch

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Some of you may remember Jaeger-LeCoultre’s monumental Hybris Artistica set of twelve timepieces releases from 2014. As an exercise in saying “hey look at all the things we can do”, it was pretty successful.

Today is about one of those twelve, with which we had the opportunity to spend some time a little while ago.

The Duomètre Sphérotourbillon pocket replica watch is a 48mm white gold case and blue enamel re-imagining of the Duomètre Sphérotourbillon wrist replica watch – the first pocket replica watch with a sphérotourbillon. As per the wristwatch Sphérotourbillon, the multi-axis tourbillon is equipped with a cylindrical balance with double terminal curves; in addition to the carriage axis there is a second axis inclined at 20°.

The first big change from the wrist version is of course the moving of the crown to 12 o’ clock, which now places the tourbillon at the bottom. As well as the time at 12 o’clock there is a second time zone on a sub dial between 8 and 9 o’clock, and seconds on the subdial between 3 and 4 o’clock. These three dials are grand feu enamel. There are also two slim power reserve indicators.

As you can see the ring above the crown, case’s side and bezel have blue enamelling work, with ‘sectional’ markers acting both as decoration and hour indicators. Very elegant. However, what I particularly like about the main dial is the plate’s ‘grained’ texture (achieved through hand chiselling), whose ‘coarseness’ is not just attractive in and of itself but also as a textural contrast to the enamel. If you look carefully you will notice that the ‘sectional’ markers aren’t he only things marking the hours; the dial is attached to the bezel at twelve points, making it almost float.

The back shows the beautifully finished movement with the Duomètre dual wings. For those new to the Duomètre timepieces, what is special about them is their movement, which is characterised by two independent energy sources (thus the two independent power reserve indicators on the dial), each devoted to a different function. Two separate gear trains and main spring barrels, one for the time and the other for the relevant complication. The gear trains are connected by a single shared regulating organ.

This is not the only Duomètre Spherotourbillon in enamel that is part of the Hybris Artistica. There is also a wristwatch with a blue paillonne enamel dial for which a block of solid silver is chipped and formed for the dial after which it is heat-treated and polished. Further steps in the creation include an extreme heat treatment and finally its polishing which ultimately makes the dial look as a starry night sky.  That wristwatch also has a blue enamel bezel ring.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Artistica was and still is, meant to showcase some of their most significant timepieces, brought together to illustrate their in-house horological and artistic prowess, often in unexpected ways.  This pocket replica watch, limited to three pieces, definitely achieves this goal, it is a beautiful piece of horology.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Replica

ON THE WRIST : Replica Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin1907

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I recently had the opportunity to spend some ‘wrist testing’ time with Jaeger Le-Coultre’s Master pink gold Ultra Thin 1907 courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre Australia. This was a replica watch I’d already seen; if memory serves me correctly I’d crossed paths with it twice. At this point I should probably confess that whilst I’d definitely noticed it, it hadn’t made any dominant impression, as there were other replica watches from JLC that had captured my attention at the time, plus I still had its Pt Jubilee sibling in my thoughts.

There was also something else.

I have great admiration for ultra-thin replica watches and the astonishing technical achievements that go into their creation. However, I am unaccustomed to wearing very thin replica watches, preferring to feel some presence, some heft (yes even for dress replica watches). Perhaps there is an unconscious bias on my part, and not just in terms of what stays in my memory when I am shown a number of replica watches, most of which are not ultra thin.

Comparison with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox International

With this in mind, when I was offered the chance to be able to wear the 1907 for what was meant to be a couple of weeks but ended up being for a month, I jumped at the opportunity. After all, what better way to test one’s horological biases than to confront them head on?

THE REPLICA WATCH

This pink gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin 1907 was introduced at SIHH 2014. Sharp lines, stylish, thin. 4.05mm thin. Thinner than the pocket replica watch that inspired it. Not just any old pocket replica watch, but a 1907 timepiece that created a new record as the thinnest pocket replica watch movement put in production, a record that still stands.

So, how did it come into being?

In 1903 French replica watchmaker and engineer Edmond Jaeger (1858-1922), who was known for his instruments for aviation, shipping and automobiles, issued a challenge to Swiss replica watchmakers – that they bring into production the ultra-thin calibres he had invented. The gauntlet having been thrown down, Jacques-David LeCoultre (1875-1948), LeCoultre’s founder’s grandson, decided that he was the man for the job.

Not content with just doing a passable job of meeting the challenge, he created many movements, including minute repeaters, chronographs and double complications. His most famous creation was the 1.38mm thin LeCoultre Calibre 145, which ended up being in production for the astonishingly long period of 1907 to the 1960s, but which totalled approximately four hundred in number. The rapport and mutual respect between the two men lead to their partnership and birth of Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1937.

So, back to this replica watch, its descendant.

The overall height of the Master Ultra Thin 1907 is 4.05mm; the movement is 1.85mm, which leaves only 2.2mm for the glass, hands, dial, and case back. The hands are only 0.16mm away from the crystal. Think about that.

The use of a knife-edge case on this replica watch is part of what gives it such a particularly svelte figure, but of course there’s the movement, the Calibre 849. There are 123 parts in this 1.85mm thick calibre, and when fully wound it has a power reserve of 35 hours.

At the time of its introduction by Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Master Ultra Thin Jubilee was the thinnest manually-wound wrist replica watch in the world. It has since been beaten by Piaget’s Altiplano 900P which in turn has just been beaten by (you guessed it) Jaeger-LeCoultre, with a newly released a 3.6mm thin Master Ultra Thin Squelette, whose non-set model is 0.05mm thinner than Piaget.

But seriously, when we get down to this level of thinness, there’s a point at which it almost becomes a blur.

The dial is white with a finely grained surface and features printed minute dots and single stick hour markers, with double stick markers at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. This was a point raised by a few people who saw this replica watch during my loan period – why printed? Well it’s all about the ‘thin’ thing. Applied markers, which are arguably more attractive, will add height. More height means no record for thinness, plus it is the ‘Master Ultra Thin’, not the ‘Master Thin’.

The dauphine hands are polished on one side and micro-blasted on the other, giving them an attractive ever-changing look when light (particularly sunlight) hits them.

WRIST TIME

During the month or so during which I had the Master Ultra Thin 1907 I wore it about 90% of the time, a more than long enough period to give one a pretty good feel for it.

The start of my 1907 adventure was, unexpectedly, one of constant concern, a state that lasted for the first 36 hours straight, but which re-appeared a couple of more times during the first week.

Why? Well I had not expected an adjustment period.

What happened was that I needed to get my head around wearing such a thin replica watch. I was simply not used to it and, daft though it may sound, irrational thoughts went through my head about it snapping in half, so to speak. Not literally of course, as I knew that there was no risk of that, but it taught me that I have been conditioned to certain type of wrist wear, and it taught me that such habits can run deep.

For the time during which I had it on loan I also wanted to see how replica watch people responded to it. Quite a few local collectors and enthusiasts had the opportunity to see the 1907, at GTGs and a Jaeger-LeCoultre dinner. What was interesting was that many of them had the same immediate reaction (to mine) when I handed it over – worrying (the word ‘snap’ was mentioned a few times) until they put it on their wrist, let it sit there for awhile, and became accustomed to it.

It proved to be a broadly popular piece amongst both men and women. For the women, the thinness meant that even if they were normally wearers of women’s replica watches they found this replica watch both attractive and comfortable, even for those with petite wrists. For a photographic example of this, click on the link above to the dinner post.

CONCLUSION

In wearing the Master Ultra Thin 1907 there were several things that I thought about that weren’t related to the technical aspects. One of these was versatility. I know many people who own multiple replica watches, but I also know many who only have the replica watch that is on their wrist, and one of the most important things for them is that it can be worn when dressed up or down, with suits, evening outfits, or jeans.

The reality is that most people who own a replica watch only own a single replica watch, so if they are going to invest five figures in it, they will want to feel that it is suitable for most of their wardrobe and lifestyle. I say ‘most’ because swimwear, diving gear, heavy gardening work involving powered equipment etc probably require a different sort of replica watch. I may of course be wrong, but I’d wager that most people who only own the one replica watch tend to choose a dress one.

I wore this 1907 with a variety of outfits, in particular to see if I would feel that it was too much to wear with jeans and sneakers. My instinct at the outset had been that it would be far too dressy to wear with (black) jeans and sneakers, that it would somehow not feel quite ‘right’. I do wear classically-styled dress replica watches with jeans, but they are ones with more heft.

Unexpectedly, it did not feel somehow ‘inappropriate’ to wear it with casual clothing. It stood out more and its dressy elegant presence was felt more strongly when I wasn’t in jeans, but I realised that I was enjoying it so much that it was all about that, and not about my outfit.

This is a very comfortable replica watch to wear once you become accustomed to its thickness; in fact you almost forget that it is on your wrist. This is not a bad thing. It is probably important, nonetheless, to bear in mind that this has been worn during a Sydney winter, and thus wearing long sleeves. Had it been during the 30+ degree heat of Summer, in short sleeves, I may have been more conscious of having it on my wrist, of its thinness.

This is a replica watch with a discreet presence, but it generates interest when attention is drawn to it. Although we appear to be veering towards slightly smaller replica watches again, ultra thins are still an anomaly, so when its presence is noted, people are intrigued and want to try it on.

If you’re looking for a thin, elegant luxury replica watch that you will be able to wear for years without looking dated then the Master Ultra Thin 1907 is one that you can put on your short-list. There was a boutique white gold version that was also released, and if I was to choose one from the two metals I would probably choose the white gold because I find white metals more versatile, but the pink gold version has a lovely warm glow to it, and I found myself missing it after its return.

The Australian RRP is $21,200.

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Piaget Replica

HANDS-ON : Replica Piaget Limelight BloomingRose

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During SIHH 2014 Piaget may have launched the Altiplano 900P, but there was another equally personal-to-the-brand replica watch released in January that has just hit Australian shores, the Limelight Blooming Rose.

As I covered at SIHH 2013 last year, Piaget’s jewellery replica watches form a rich and intriguing part of its history, with the style changes not only illustrating the design codes of each decade, but perhaps also reflecting the changing relationship between the brand and its evolution of what it refers to as “feminine replica watchmaking”.

The ‘Blooming Rose’ of the name refers to the Yves Piaget rose. Lest you think that this is just a rose that appears in jewelled form, it isn’t. It is, in fact, a large peony-like garden rose with large petals that comes in four colours – Cream Yves Piaget, Golden Yves Piaget, Pink Yves Piaget and Yves Piaget. The rose motif first made its appearance at Piaget in the 1960s, Mr. Yve Piaget became a member of the Geneva International New Rose Competition jewellery in 1976, and in 1982 the winner of said competition, a rose bred by Meilland et Cie with some eighty petals, was christened the ‘Yves Piaget rose’. For those who are interested, you can read more about the rose at the Meilland website here.

Although the Limelight Blooming rose does not have eighty petals, it is special in that it is not just a replica watch in the shape or a rose, but that it also opens like one. Four gem-set petals can be rotated to show a rose in bloom, revealing a further four petals, thanks to a hidden rotating mechanism. For those who like a replica watch with an interactive part, I can see how opening/ closing it whilst on the wrist could turn into an unconscious habit.

There are two versions, in white gold and in rose gold. This is obviously the latter version. In an 18k rose gold case on a white satin strap with a diamond-set Ardillon buckle, there are 265 diamonds in this piece (252 of which are in the case), with a total of 2.471 carats. The case itself is  34mm and 8.1mm thick. Inside is the Piaget quartz 56P movement, and the time is set on the underside of the replica watch.

As you can see in this wristshot, this is a very delicate jewellery piece and although the black version (which I saw at SIHH) is a little more formal in feel and perhaps more of a night time replica watch, the white one does seem a bit more versatile in terms of day/ night wear.

If you want to learn more about the importance of roses to Piaget you can read about the rather charming Piaget Rose Day here.

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Montblanc Replica

REPLICA MONTBLANC : Homage to Nicolas Rieussec LimitedEdition

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Montblanc’s distinctive Nicolas Rieussec chronograph has had a design revamp this year, with a notable new ‘Homage’ edition. Although launched earlier this year, I did not have the opportunity to handle it until Replica Watches & Wonders 2014 in Hong Kong, when I met the Montblanc Australia team.

This new cheap replica Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec is a monopusher (column wheel) chronograph with a second time zone and ‘hidden’ hour indices that show their lume only in the dark. For those unfamiliar with the Nicolas Rieussec pieces, you will notice the rather distinctive twin counters that are a feature of the collection. Inspired by Rieussec’s 1821 chronograph, these twin (counter) discs, white lacquered in this instance, provide minutes and seconds indications. For some more detail (and background), go to my post about the Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours here.

The dial on this new tribute piece is simple, and to my mind at least, the better for it; white with blue on the hands and with a lovely contrasting grained time ‘dial’ that is a hybrid ceramic with SuperLumiNova perhaps the sole indulgence on an otherwise simple dial. The date display is at 3 o’clock and the day/ night indicator for the second time zone, at 9 o’clock. The second time zone’s hand is skeletonised, to make it easily identifiable.

The chronograph is operated by the monopusher at 8 o’clock. Elapsed time is via two rotating discs, with a horizontal blued-steel hand in the middle acting as a counter for both. On previous models, the measurement of elapsed time happened with a 60-seconds and 30-minutes counter hands. On this model, the hands are fixed, and it is the discs that rotate.

The lumed aspect that cannot be seen during daylight hours, the Breguet numerals showing the time, appear where the railway minute tracks are during the light hours of the day. This is a wonderfully whimsical aspect of this piece, and it is to my regret that there was no way of creating a small dark space in which to see this during my viewing.

Inside is the Montblanc automatic R200 movement with three day power reserve, made in-house by Montblanc. Self-winding with twin barrels, it has a three day power reserve.

The new Homage to Nicolas Rieussec is 43mm and comes in stainless steel and in rose gold, limited to 565 pieces and 193 pieces respectively. The ‘193’ refers to the year of Nicolas Rieussec’s first patented chronograph.

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2014 at the invitation of Richemont Australia]

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Replica

HANDS-ON : Replica Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Night andDay

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Today’s replica watch is one of 2014’s new women’s releasese from Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Rendez-Vous range features some dozen odd different variants on the same core case and dial design in more than one size, and including complications. I am a supporter of fine replica watchmaking brands moving away from quartz for women’s pieces, so the fact that the Rendez-Vous collection is now fully mechanical is a huge tick in its favour. Today’s replica watch has the automatic Calibre 898B, which has a power reserve of forty-two hours.

With its popular Art Deco inspired genesis, the Rendez-Vous range has become an incredibly popular one for Jaeger-LeCoultre, and in spite of my general comments regarding women’s replica watches from ‘Manufacture’ level brands, the fact that JLC have a completely separate area dedicated to women’s replica watches with a tagline of “Reinvent yourself” shows a dedication to seeing women’s replica watches not simply as an adjunct to the core men’s range.

Being a simple replica watch creature, I rather like replica watches whose model names are self-explanatory, and so it is with this one, with the eponymous night/ day being reflected on the indicator at the bottom of the dial. To be honest, and I’ve engaged in a number of discussions about this, I’m not quite sure I understand the usefulness of a night/ day indicator, however nice it may be to look at. Some have said that it adds interest to the dial (which it does) and that it has a function when combined with a date indicator, but I guess that perhaps they (and other brands who do the same) have done it because they can, and to add visual interest. In this replica watch, there is probably plenty of visual interest going on already with the diamonds and their differently set designs, so in that sense the night/ day indicator acts as a sort of a ‘visual break’.

With its diamond gem-set dial in a 36mm white gold case, what makes this replica watch stand out from many other similarly busy dials is that it is legible. Never underestimate how important this is, especially for jewellery replica watches. Those big raised numbers make this a piece that can be used as a replica watch, and not just pretty diamonds on the wrist.

A very interesting (and unexpected) thing to note has been how it has garnered a number of fans even amongst male collector/ replica watchnerd crowds here in Australia; people for whom this replica watch would not be considered to be a ‘natural fit’. Don’t let it be said that Australian men are all about big sports replica watches.

I have seen this piece a couple of times now, and an unexpected appeal for me has been the elegant blue satin strap which perfectly matches the blue of the night/ day indicator and hands. As a new addition to the already top-selling Rendez-Vous range there is little doubt that it will also prove to be a popular model for Jaeger-LeCoultre. For women who find this size too large, it also comes in a 29mm version.

The Australian RRP for the 36mm Rendez-Vous Night and in WG with pavé diamonds is $59,500. The 29mm version has an RRP of $52,000.

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Vacheron Constantin Replica

PHOTOS : Replica Vacheron Constantin’s FabuleuxOrnements

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Earlier this year I featured wonderful replica Vacheron Constantin’s Fabuleux Ornements collection which debuted at SIHH 2014. Recently I had the opportunity, with thanks to Vacheron Constantin Australia, of looking at these stunning replica watches at greater leisure here in Sydney, and so I bring to you some more photos of these works of art. For more information on them, click on the link above.

CHINESE EMBROIDERY GLYPTICS

OTTOMAN ARCHITECTURE

A movement shot.

INDIAN MANUSCRIPT

Last but not least, French Lace, a piece for which, seeing it again (and yes, under a loupe), I developed a new appreciation.

These are some of my favourite 2014 releases, and if you look at them under a loupe (I used a Loupe System), it brings a whole new level of realisation of the immense skill and artistry involved in the handwork that has gone into each replica watch. The angles on the Ottoman piece, when seen close up, are astonishing. These are deeply elegant replica watches but more importantly, they are realisations of often unheralded artisans. If you get the opportunity to look at these limited edition pieces, grab it.

Unfortunately, they are not available in Australia, but are POA in Vacheron Constantin boutiques worldwide.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Replica

HANDS-ON : Replica Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Duomètre Unique TravelTime

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Two years ago Jaeger-LeCoultre lauched their Duomètre Unitque Travel Time at their then new Place Vendome boutique. At that point, it was released in a limited edition of one hundred pieces in white gold, and you can read more about that piece in my earlier post.

As the name indicates, this is a luxury replica watch with a second time zone, and it is also a part of the Duomètre collection. I’ve written about the Duomètre’s ‘Dual Wing’movement before; in this piece, the Calibre 383 has become an interpretation that allows for the display of two times, local and a second time zone. The two share the same regulating organ but each has its own indepenent source of energy i.e. the operation of the dual time-zone does not affect the running of the replica watch. You will note that there are separate power reserve indicators for each of the two time sub dials. The local time is indicated on the right sub dial and the second time zone, on the left, with a digital hour display.

The replica watch has a fifty hour power reserve for each function and the crown winds both barrels. The single crown is used to adjust the local time when in position two and the travel time when in position one. The local time is set through winding counter-clockwise and the second time zone, clockwise, which means that it can be set for those tricky non standardised time zone differences. Once both time zones are set, you use the push-pieces at 8 and 10 o’clock to adjust (+/-) the jumping hours in the left subdial. And in case of a non-standard time zone, the minutes can be adjusted separately using the crown in position 1.

The silvered finely grained dial is beautifully textured and a joy to look at. As I wrote when the piece was announced, one of the best things about this replica watch is that the dial is not only easy to read, but because the seond time zone dial is distinguished by the use of a digital jumping hour; it’s also an attractive way of differentiating the two time displays.

At six o’clock is a stunning globe that displays a world map surrounded by the time-zone indications and the day/night ring. The globe is synchronised with the travel time.

Unlike the limited edition model, this regular model is in 18ct pink gold. It’s really quite impossible to pick which metal is nicer, but this one is certainly more easily obtainable.

Turning over to the back shows the hand-chamfered Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 383 through a sapphire crystal case back. The caseback also features the engraved names of the twenty-four cities corresponding to the covered time zones.

The case is 42mm and 13.7mm thick and sits comfortably and reasonably highly, but not so much that you’d have to worry about it.

The Australian RRP for the pink gold Unique Travel Time is $52,000 for this replica watch. Sure, I hear you say, you can get a replica watch with two time zones for far less than this, but this isn’t just about it being a dual time zone replica watch but also about the movement, the beautifully elegant Duomètre line, and about the design and finishing of this piece. For those who love balance and delicacy in their dial aesthetics, this will very much appeal to you, and for fans of the previous Duomètres, you’ll be a fan of this one as well.

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Vacheron Constantin Replica

Replica Vacheron Constantin Malte TourbillonOpenworked

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Recently, Horologium blogged about the fake Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Openworked, one of the pieces launched at SIHH 2014. The photos used in that post were part of many that were taken of Vacheron’s releases during the rather frantic ten or fifteen minutes following a press sesion. As such, they perhaps had the frisson of being immediate, but suffered from the lighting and timing conditions at the time.

Recently, with thanks to Vacheron Constantin Australia, I had the opportunity to revisit some of this year’s releases in slightly more relaxing surrounds, albeit with a distracting view of Sydney Harbour from the Royal Suite at the Shangri La competing for attention, so today’s post consists of some more detailed photos of this new replica watch, and another chance to see the incredible openworking.

To read more about this platinum piece, with its incredible skeletonised movement, read my original post here. The Australian RRP is $319,900.

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Baume & Mercier Replica

ON THE WRIST : Replica Baume ＆ Mercier’s Clifton RetrogradeDate

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Earlier this year, I covered Baume et Mercier’s new Clifton Retrograde Date, which I first saw at SIHH 2014. Recently, I had the opportunity to test drive one for a month with thanks to Baume et Mercier Australia.

For those unfamiliar with the Clifton range, it was introduced in 2013 and has proven to be very successful for the brand, with its 43mm case and classically conservative dials having broad appeal.

When I first wrote about the Retrograde, I made a comment that it is my favourite Clifton model so far, both because of my fondness for retrogrades and because I thought that it was a good expansion to the range for those who like the core of the Clifton design but are in search of something a little bit different. So, after a month with it on my wrist, do I still feel this way?

The short answer is ‘yes’.

I wear both vintage and modern replica watches, with my largest replica watch an aberration measuring 47mm, but with a personal preferred size zone of 36mm – 42mm. With this in mind, 43mm is at the upper end, but the Clifton case is not a big one to wear, and because the Retrograde is light, even those accustomed to sub-40mm dress replica watches may not notice the size as much as they think they would. The lugs are short and curved, and it’s not a hefty replica watch. It sits very comfortably, and during the month that I was wearing it, I found that I wasn’t that conscious of its size.

In showing the Retrograde to (watch) friends, there was some debate about the symmetry and balance of the dial, namely with regards to the size of the retrograde indicator. It’s large, but I don’t personally have any major balance issues with it – it cannot be too small within the context of the size of the dial, although perhaps there is a point about it being a fraction too close to the centre of the dial (a shorter indicator hand would allow for a slight move), but this would be nitpicking. The retrograde date is easy to see at a glance, even those with poorer eyesight, and this is a tick in its favour for me.

As mentioned in the previous post, the movement inside the Clifton Retrograde is the an automatic Soprod 9094 calibre (i.e. ETA 2892 with a Soprod calendar module), visible through the open case back. As you can see in the photograph, the movement is small – in fact it’s 25.6mm. The replica watch is 43mm. That leaves a lot of space, which is the reason for the size of the open section of the case back.

There has been some discussion by those who, because of the size and type of movement, are of the view that Baume et Mercier should have considered a closed back, perhaps with an engraving on the caseback. There are, as ever, arguments to be put on both sides of the open/ closed debate when it comes not just to this replica watch, but to those replica watches that use movements such as the ETA2892.

It is fairly much indispuitable that for the average replica watchnerd/ collector, if there is an open caseback then they want to see something quite decorated, a complex movement etc. However, don’t forget that the average replica watch consumer isn’t a movement geek and quite likes the idea of seeing a movement ‘do its thing’at the back of their replica watch; there is room for all of us.

This is the first replica watch with a power reserve indicator that I’ve worn for any period of time. What I learned from this was that I became hyper-aware of how much power was left, and I tried to keep it at a minimum of 75 per cent. One thing about this replica watch and its movement – if the power reserve is low, it doesn’t take very much wearing of the replica watch to get it back up to capacity again. I was pleaantly surprised at how even an hour or two of wearing it whilst working at a computer could make such a difference.

The Retrograde is a dress replica watch, but in wearing it, I found it versatile for both dressed up and down occasions; it is equally at home with a pair of black jeans as it is a suit. As mentioned earlier, it is light and as with the other Cliftons, sits easily and comfortably on the wrist. It was a replica watch I enjoyed wearing, and my thanks to Mathilde and Grace of Baume et Mercier Australia & NZ for entrusting it to me for a test drive.

The Australian RRP for the Clifton Retrograde Date is AUD7,200.

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Vacheron Constantin Replica

HANDS-ON :Replica Vacheron Constantin Malte TourbillonOpenworked

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Earlier this year we covered the new Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements replica watches from Vacheron Constantin, featuring some of Vacheron’s delicate open-working skills. Aside from these, there was a general theme focusing on new open-work replica watches at SIHH 2014, and one of the skeletonised centrepieces was the Malte Tourbillon Openworked.

This is not the first openworked Malte Tourbillon, but the tonneau-shaped Cal. 2790 SQ (‘SQ’ for ‘squelette’ i.e. skeletonised) is new, with tourbillon, power reserve and date functions. The Cal. 2790 SQ measures 27.37mm x 29.30mm x 6.10mm and is in a Platinum 950 case measuring 38mm x 48.24mm x 12.73mm. It has a 45 hour power reserve.

Not only is the movement skeletonised, but it also features a significant amount of engraving – if you look carefully you will see that there are lots of triangles and rectangles, as well as ‘Vacheron Constantin’, and both a small Vacheron Maltese Cross and the shaping of the tourbillon cage as the same cross. The hand-engraving work for each replica watch takes almost a week to complete.

A rather modern feature of the skeleton Malte Tourbillon is the sapphire dial, onto which the date, power reserve and sub-seconds are printed – the date is at two o’clock and the power reserve display, at ten o’clock. You might not see them all them at first glance, especially the power reserve indicator, but if you look at the dial more closely, or at an agle,  you will be able to see it.

I acknowledge that skeletonised replica watches are not to everyone’s taste, especially for those who want a quickly legible dial on which they can see the time at a glance out of the corner of their eye. For them, and for those who prefer simple clean dials, this, and any other openwork piece, will not be for them. The Malte cases have a strong presence, and so it is with this replica watch.  If you are familiar with the line, then you will already know how it feels on the wrist, but if not, it’s large but sits slim and low.

Regardless of whether skeletonisation is your ‘thing’ or not, there is no denying the immense skill that goes into the beautifully detailed skeletonising of a movement, so even if this is not the luxury replica watch for you, you might find it interesting to read more about how Vacheron approach this art here on their website .