Tag: Baselworld 2016

Categories
Swiss Replica

BASELWORLD 2016 : Replica Nomos Glashütte TetraNeomatik

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At Baselworld 2015 Nomos launched the hugely popular neomatik replica watches. This year, they have extended the neomatik range into the Tetra collection and in so doing, updated it.

Previously only available in 27.5 mm and 29.5 mm square cases, is is now in a 33mm x 33mm steel case and with the in-house automatic Calibre DUW 3001 inside. The DUW3001 is the tenth calibre Nomos have produced in Glashütte. This movement was first used in the inaugural series of neomatik. Nomos has upgraded its new and thin automatic caliber DUW 3001 by replacing the ETA regulator with its own.

With a movement height of a rather slim 3.2mm, the case is 7.2 mm. This new Tetra neomatik comes in two dial variants – either a deep blue ‘cyan’ or with a white silver-plated dial. Hands are oxidised black with a red lacqured and rhodium-plated red, or neon orange lacquered. With a water-resistance to 30m, it comes on a Horween strap.

RRPs are Tetra neomatik CHF 2,900 and Tetra neomatik tiefblau CHF 2,980.

Categories
Hublot Replica

BASELWORLD 2016 : Hublot Classic Fusion xBerluti

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Watch brands can sometimes surprise us with unexpected partnerships, and Baselworld 2016 was the place at which Hublot announced two limited editions in partnership with LVMH stablemate Berluti, renowned purveyors of men’s (formal) leather footwear (although in more recent times they have segued into the luxury sneaker game as well).

The babies of this collaboration are the limited edition Classic Fusion All Black and Scritto, the second more obvious-at-first-glance Berluti influenced.

Both are 45mm but for those unfamiliar with this sized Hublot case, it actually sits a little smaller, so don’t be afraid of the size, and as they are less ‘bright’ than some of Hublot’s other pieces, they also give an impression of being smaller than 45mm.

Both limited editions come with a Berluti Venezia leather for the straps (called ‘nero’ and ‘tobacco blis’ respectively) and, more significantly, for the ‘pressed leather’ dials. This being a highly unusual material for a swiss replica watch dial, it will be interesting to see how it fares over time with regards to the colour of the dial vs the colour of the strap, given the latter will be more exposed to the elements and so forth.

Limited to 500 pieces, the All Black features a polished and satin finished black ceramic case, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, and display case back through which you can see the automatic 42-hour power reserve HUB1100 movement. Because of how dark the dial is, its stamped features are quite discreet. The strap has a distincitve feature – what is called a ‘Gaspard’ incision by Berluti.

The Scritto Berluti piece has, not unexpectely, a smaller limitation number of 250 pieces. The basic differences lie in the case material, which is polished and satin-finished 18k King Gold, and the leather type, which is the calligraphy-inspired Venezia Scritto calf leather synonymous with Berluti. Otherwise it contains the same movement as the All Black.

The pieces are interesting and come in rather fittingly designed boxes which include a leather treatment kit, as per shoes. Because of the unexpected nature of this collaboration I spent time pondering their target market (I have a habit of doing this when I come across new collaborations) – it is Hublotless Berluti wearers? Hublot-wearing Berluti people? Berluti-wearing Hublotless folks? Those who don’t yet have Berluti or Hublot in their footwear and wrist closets? None of the above but someone else entirely?

They have been well received and to my knowledge customers started putting their orders in quickly, so I await with interest to see owner photos online to see if people are buying them to match their shoes.

I secretly hope that they are.

Categories
Zenith Replica

BASELWORLD 2016 : Replica Zenith Elite 6150 RoseGold

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You may recall that a year ago at Baselworld 2015 Zenith launched Elite Calibre 6150 (‘6’ for ‘Elite’, ‘150’ for their birthday of the same), a movement with 195 components, a 100 hour power reserve, 3.92mm high, and released in a time-only eponymous 42mm stainless steel piece.

As I noted at the time, this appeared to be a better looking release than the Zenith Ultra Thin that in a way preceded it. One thing that did make me ponder was their decision to increase the case size to 42mm, 2mm more than their previously existing Elite collection.

This year at Baselworld 2016 not unsurprisingly, Zenith have added to the Elite 6150 range with a new rose gold model.

Now it was only recently (due to them not having been available in Australia) that I had even had the chance to look at the (highly successful) stainless steel model but now I have, and with it this new rose gold model.

My conclusions?

Well I have been asked in the last few days about how the cheap replica watch wears, by those who prefer their dress pieces smaller than 42mm.

Firstly, it looks big at first glance. The dial seems expansive, due to the small curved bezel (there is also a rounded crystal, old acrylic-style). If you are used to or prefer smaller dress replica watches then your first response may be to think that it is too big for you.

However, appearances are deceptive. The rounded nature of the model mean that if for example you put it side to side with another 42mm Zenith (I compared it with the 42mm Chronomaster case) it looks smaller. It also sits, in that comparison, smaller on the wrist as well. Which is all just reinforcement of what I know I bleat on about a bit – don’t get hung up on the mm numbers, try if you can, try a replica watch before forming an opinion about whether you can wear it or are comfortable wearing it. Each replica watch sits differently according to case curvature/ shape, and lug length/ design.

As I noted before Elite replica watches are characterised by conservatism, but there is an important role for this in the Zenith range. I must confess that I had really liked this replica watch in the press photos but been concerned that I might not like it as much (or at all) ‘in the metal’; a plain time-only design can look elegant on paper (as it were) but in real life perhaps a bit well, ‘flat’ as it were, if that make sense.

It is with some relief that I have discovered that it’s actually better than in the photos, with the proportions on the dial in terms of the lengths of the hands and markers in relation to the size of the dial etc spot on. If you are looking for a slim elegant time-only dress replica watch on the other side 40mm plus then this is worthy of your consideration.

The RRP for the Elite 6150 Rose Gold in Australia is $17,800.