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A. Lange & Söhne Replica Dress Watch Hands-on Men Watch Swiss Replica

A. LANGE & SÖHNE Debuts Saxonia Boutique Edition GreyDial

WW15ALSSaxonia2

Late last year A. Lange and Söhne added two new models to their entry level piece, the Saxonia, which had been given a small cosmetic revamp at SIHH 2015 into a smaller 35mm piece as well as a slightly amended dial aesthetic in terms of hour and minute markers. These two new models came in the form of a new solid silver dark grey dial Boutiqe Edition, and the size has been increased from 35mm to 37mm (7.8mm thick), a size that is perhaps is more in fitting with current dress replica watch size and will broaden its appeal.www.repliqueparfaite.fr

Inside the replica watch is the manual-wind Calibre L941.1 (the same as for the other Saxonia) with a power reserve of 45 hours. The hand-finished movement displays Lange characteristics such as the hand-engraved balance cock.

The Saxonia collection seems to receive less publicity than other Langes, perhaps in part because they are their ‘entry’ replica watches, but there is no rational reason for their relative lack of fanfare, as they bear the Lange hallmarks and quality of finishing. For those who are looking to get into the brand, these are attractive propositions.

Available in either pink gold or white gold, we had the chance to take a few photos of the former. The white gold version comes with rhodiumed hands.

Both versions are available exclusively from the sixteen A. Lange & Söhne boutiques; prices are USD16,600 for this pink gold version and USD17,800 for the white gold model.

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Calendar Watch Hands-on Men Watch Swiss Replica Vacheron Constantin Replica

VACHERON CONSTANTIN Presents Two new Patrimony Traditionelle WorldTime

When Vacheron Constantin introduced its Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time it was the first mechanical replica watch that showed the time in 37 time zones (most world timer replica watches feature 24 time zones),  along with a day/ night indication courtesy of the shading on the map. Moreover, it was also notable on its release for the fact that there is only one crown for making all adjustments.

You may recollect an earlier post about one of Vacheron’s most well-known contemporary pieces, the 37 time zone Traditionelle World Time, in pink gold. A couple of months ago they brought out another 18K 5N pink gold version but this time with a pink gold dial, plus an 18K white gold version.

A quick recap of the dial and functionality.

The display consists of three dials: a sapphire dial with the rotating day/night indication shading (18:00-06:00 being the darkened area), a metal dial with a Lambert projection map, and a metal chapter ring. To use it, you choose the reference point and put it at the black triangle at 6 o’clock. The time at the reference point can then be read either via the traditional hour or by the 24-hour disc, and the other time zones via the disc. The cities in black text are the full time zones, whilst the cities in red text are half or quarter-hour zones. It is all operated/ adjusted via a single crown.

 

The main novelty of this new edition of the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle World Time is its dial and the map. Previously painted in blue and white as per the link in the first paragraph, the map is now made of solid gold, 3D-engraved, and with raised continents with a sun-brushed finish and sand-blasted seas. A geometric pattern on the top helps to locate the 24 main time-zones. The inked 24-hour ring has also been redesigned, with a darkened area from 18:30 to 06:30.

The rest is the same. Inside is Vacheron Constantin’s in-house designed/ developed/ manufactured Calibre 2460WT automatic movement with a gold oscillating weight, 28,800 VPH and a forty-hour power reserve. The movement itself is a rather significant 36.60mm, which means that the replica watch case is 42.5mm.

Johann Heinrich Lambert was a German/French mathematician and scientist who in 1772 released his Conformal Conic (LCC) projection in his publication ‘Anmerkungen und Zusätze zur Entwerfung der Land- und Himmelscharten’. Today the Lambert Conformal Conic projection has become a standard projection for mapping large areas (small scale) in the mid-latitudes – such as USA, Europe and Australia.

What the LCC does is to set a cone over the Earth’s sphere and project the surface onto the cone, which is then ‘unrolled’ and scaled, with scale decreasing between the two parallels and increasing outside them.

As mentioned at the outset, as well as this model Vacheron Constantin also released a new 18k white gold version at the fair, with a white gold dial.

Again, the basic specifications are the same with this new model, the differences lie in the metal and the dial.

Changes in colours (and textures) can completely change the look of a replica watch, and much of the replica watch world is about providing choices that are variations along a basic theme. These new dials have their appeal (especially the pink gold version, which is rather elegant) but for me, the original pips these at the post. I have suspicions that this may be because of an unconscious perhaps rather conservative predilection towards blue for projection maps on replica watch dials.

 

For more information on both, click here, and now it’s time for all of these time zones to make their way into 2016 one by one.

See you on the flipside.

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 by invitation of Richemont Australia]

Categories
A. Lange & Söhne Replica Brand

Replica A. LANGE SÖHNE : Saxonia Boutique Edition GreyDial

WW15ALSSaxonia2

Late last year A. Lange & Söhne added two new models to their entry level piece, the Saxonia, which had been given a small cosmetic revamp at SIHH 2015 into a smaller 35mm piece as well as a slightly amended dial aesthetic in terms of hour and minute markers. These two new models came in the form of a new solid silver dark grey dial Boutiqe Edition, and the size has been increased from 35mm to 37mm (7.8mm thick), a size that is perhaps is more in fitting with current dress replica watch size and will broaden its appeal.

Available in either pink gold or white gold, we had the chance to take a few photos of the former. The white gold version comes with rhodiumed hands.

Inside the replica watch is the manual-wind Calibre L941.1 (the same as for the other Saxonia) with a power reserve of 45 hours. The hand-finished movement displays Lange characteristics such as the hand-engraved balance cock.

The Saxonia collection seems to receive less publicity than other Langes, perhaps in part because they are their ‘entry’ replica watches, but there is no rational reason for their relative lack of fanfare, as they bear the Lange hallmarks and quality of finishing. For those who are looking to get into the brand, these are attractive propositions.

Both versions are available exclusively from the sixteen A. Lange & Söhne boutiques; prices are USD16,600 for this pink gold version and USD17,800 for the white gold model.

Categories
Vacheron Constantin Replica

Replica VACHERON CONSTANTIN : Two new Patrimony Traditionelle WorldTime

You may recollect an earlier post about one of Vacheron’s most well-known contemporary pieces, the 37 time zone Traditionelle World Time, in pink gold. A couple of months ago they brought out another 18K 5N pink gold version but this time with a pink gold dial, plus an 18K white gold version.

A quick recap of the dial and functionality.

When Vacheron Constantin introduced its Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time it was the first mechanical replica watch that showed the time in 37 time zones (most world timer replica watches feature 24 time zones),  along with a day/ night indication courtesy of the shading on the map. Moreover, it was also notable on its release for the fact that there is only one crown for making all adjustments.

The display consists of three dials: a sapphire dial with the rotating day/night indication shading (18:00-06:00 being the darkened area), a metal dial with a Lambert projection map, and a metal chapter ring. To use it, you choose the reference point and put it at the black triangle at 6 o’clock. The time at the reference point can then be read either via the traditional hour or by the 24-hour disc, and the other time zones via the disc. The cities in black text are the full time zones, whilst the cities in red text are half or quarter-hour zones. It is all operated/ adjusted via a single crown.

Johann Heinrich Lambert was a German/French mathematician and scientist who in 1772 released his Conformal Conic (LCC) projection in his publication ‘Anmerkungen und Zusätze zur Entwerfung der Land- und Himmelscharten’. Today the Lambert Conformal Conic projection has become a standard projection for mapping large areas (small scale) in the mid-latitudes – such as USA, Europe and Australia.

What the LCC does is to set a cone over the Earth’s sphere and project the surface onto the cone, which is then ‘unrolled’ and scaled, with scale decreasing between the two parallels and increasing outside them.

The main novelty of this new edition of the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle World Time is its dial and the map. Previously painted in blue and white as per the link in the first paragraph, the map is now made of solid gold, 3D-engraved, and with raised continents with a sun-brushed finish and sand-blasted seas. A geometric pattern on the top helps to locate the 24 main time-zones. The inked 24-hour ring has also been redesigned, with a darkened area from 18:30 to 06:30.

The rest is the same. Inside is Vacheron Constantin’s in-house designed/ developed/ manufactured Calibre 2460WT automatic movement with a gold oscillating weight, 28,800 VPH and a forty-hour power reserve. The movement itself is a rather significant 36.60mm, which means that the replica watch case is 42.5mm.

As mentioned at the outset, as well as this model Vacheron Constantin also released a new 18k white gold version at the fair, with a white gold dial.

Again, the basic specifications are the same with this new model, the differences lie in the metal and the dial.

Changes in colours (and textures) can completely change the look of a replica watch, and much of the replica watch world is about providing choices that are variations along a basic theme. These new dials have their appeal (especially the pink gold version, which is rather elegant) but for me, the original pips these at the post. I have suspicions that this may be because of an unconscious perhaps rather conservative predilection towards blue for projection maps on replica watch dials.

For more information on both, click here, and now it’s time for all of these time zones to make their way into 2016 one by one.

See you on the flipside.

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 by invitation of Richemont Australia]

Categories
Jaeger-LeCoultre Replica

HANDS-ON :Replica Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Squelette PinkGold

A number of months back without much fanfare, Jaeger-LeCoultre released a mini-collection of Master Ultra-Thin limited edition pieces that combine skeletonisation and enamelling. Their first big public outing was at Replica Watches & Wonders 2015. There are a total of four references in the new collection – two grand feu enamel decorated models in white or pink gold and two gem-set models which are by virtue of the gems, slightly thicker. We had the chance to see one of the four, the pink gold.

Skeletonising their forty-year old manual-wind Calibre 849 to a thinness of 1.85mm (making this 119-piece movement the 849A SQ), the new 38mm-sized replica watches are a staggeringly scant 3.6mm for their thinnest iteration like this pink gold model. The gem-set models are slightly thicker, at 4.7mm. One advantage of using an old movement is that has been tried and tested.

It is impossible to avoid mentioning the Piaget Ultra-Thin 900P which is a hair’s breadth 0.05mm thicker, at 3.65mm. You may recall a photograph I took comparing the Piaget with a coin. Although regrettably I wasn’t carrying around 1 CHF with me (that comparison would make sense), in any event, here is another coin comparison photo. HKD1. This has granted the Squelette a new record.

The circular band of the case is separate from the lugs, which are secured by four screws. A further four screws hold the movement. The thinness is also achieved by having the movement on the same plane as the enamelled chapter ring (which comes in blue or burgundy). The gem-set versions have an engraved mother of pearl chapter ring.

To handle this was quite an experience. I know that I’ve said this before but when presented with ever-thinner replica watches, it is really something to behold. It’s just incredible how replica watchmakers are able to ‘flatten’ movements to this degree and yet have a wristwatch that is not as fragile as it looks. That all being said, it does feel every bit as thin as it is, and requires a bit of getting used to. You do notice its presence on the wrist, thank goodness, but even for those used to wearing ultra thin replica watches this degree of thickness/ thinness is still something quite different. It is not for everyone, and if you are interested it is, as always, best to try one one first.

Each of the four new references will be produced in a limited series of 100 pieces on alligator straps. Prices start at USD58,500 for this pink gold model and go up to USD75,000 for the white gold gem-set piece. For information on all four references, go to this link.

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 by invitation of Richemont Australia]

Categories
Montblanc Replica

Replica Montblanc Heritage Spirit OrbisTerrarum Hands On

So far this year we have had a look at a couple of dressy worldtimer replica watches such as the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic UT and one from Frederique Constant so we thought we’d add another one into the mix for your consideration at this time when many of you will be travelling for the holiday period.

From Montblanc comes the Orbis Terrarum, launched earlier this year as one of a variety of travel-themed (whether in terms of your travel or those of Vasco Da Gama) pieces that have been released this year. Part of the Meisterstück Heritage Collection (yes as in Meisterstück pens), this world-timer follows some popular design cues on the dial which will make it familiar to many, especially those familiar with Vacheron Constantin to cite one example.

The dial is a planisphere of Earth as viewed from the North Pole. Twenty-four cities are listed on a disc indicating both twenty-four time zones and day/ night (white/ black). For those unfamiliar with world-timers the hour and minute hands are for your local time. When you travel, just adjust the centre hour and minute hands to your new ‘local time’. Your home time remains at 6 o’clock on the twenty-four city disc (the small red arrow). The disc with the twenty-four cities can be rotated independently via the pusher at 8 o’clock in one-hour increments.

The case is 41mm in diametre, 12mm thick, and comes in either 18k red gold or stainless steel. Inside is the Sellita-based Calibre MB29.20 with a forty-two hour power reserve.

With Montblanc going through a renaissance under the stewardship of Jérôme Lambert, the new Orbis Terrarum has been another bold move into positioning Montblanc at very attractive price points across a range of men’s and women’s replica watches, particularly when it comes to complications.

The RRP for the Orbis Terrarum is 4,990 EUR for the stainless steel model on a leather strap, 5,260 EUR for the same on a bracelet, and 13,900 EUR for the red gold model on a leather strap.

For some other worldtimers we’ve looked at this year, click on this link.

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 by invitation of Richemont Australia]

Categories
Vacheron Constantin Replica

REPLICA VACHERON CONSTANTIN : Overseas Blue LimitedEditions

For all the focus on the brand new Harmony Collection and then the Cornes de Vache 1955 from Vacheron Constantin this anniversary year, there have been some models that seem to have garnered less public attention, so it’s time to shine some light on two of them.

Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas models have long been popular, even though they seem to be somewhat overshadowed by the sports replica watches from some other brands. In their own way they’ve established themselves as a quiet and steady presence away from the razzle dazzle of the annual novelties.

Two limited edition models were released earlier this year and we had the opportunity to photograph them at Replica Watches & Wonders 2015. Both in (brushed and polished) stainless steel and sized at 42mm, Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas Blue Date and Overseas Blue Dual Time are the latest Overseas to bear this dial colour.

The more simple of the two models contains the automatic Calibre 1226 SC movement with a power reserve of forty-hours. It has a solid case back stamped with the ‘Overseas’ medallion.

The Dual Time model uses the automatic Calibre 1222 SC, which has a power reserve of forty-hours and an accompanying large power reserve indication between 8 and 11 o’clock. The addition of this module makes the case thicker than the date-only version, at 12.45mm (9.7mm for the date model).

Both new models have a screw-down crown and the Dual Time model has a screw-down pusher as well.

The blue of the dials is bold and shines a little, which makes for a very different look to the pre-existing colours; a bit more sporty if you will. The date window has a white background, and knowing how particular people can be about date windows, this may be one detail that some would wish changed to a blue background to blend in with the dial (whilst acknowledging that this is also the case for the other colour variants, so this thought is a general one). The hours and minute hands and indices are all lumed.

Released in a limited edition of 350 and 300 pieces respectively, both models come with two dark blue straps – one in vulcanised rubber and the other, alligator.

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 by invitation of Richemont Australia]

Categories
Longines Replica

HANDS-ON :Replica A. Lange Söhne’s 1815 Anniversary of F.A. Lange HoneyGold

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In this the year of the 200th anniversary of the birth of founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange, A.Lange & Söhne have introduced some special models. One of these has been a platinum 1815 with a black dial, but following on from that, they launched a ‘Honey Gold’ version of the same replica watch, also in a 40mm sized case, which debuted at Replica Watches & Wonders 2015.

What is ‘Honey Gold’? Well it is a proprietary alloy (yellow gold and silicon) that Lange have used in their replica watches before (e.g a limited edition ‘Homage to F.A. Lange 1815 Moonphase in 2010) and is harder than yellow gold as well as being discernably less yellow in colour. For those who find yellow gold a little too ‘yellow’ and aren’t quite rose gold people, this may tick your metal colour box.

This new limited edition piece has a grained solid silver argenté-grainé dial and ‘Honey Gold’ hands to match the case material. The dial has a recessed central section, railway-track minute scale, and bold Arabic numerals.

Inside (and visible through the open case back) is the manual-wind Calibre L051.1 with a 55-hour power reserve that has its beautifully finished three-quarter plate, blued screws and engraved balance cock.

Each replica watch is engraved with its limitation number (x/200) on the back.

With a height of 8.8mm to accompany its 40mm size, this is a drop dead gorgeous traditional dress replica watch.

The Honey Gold 1815 ‘200th Anniversary F.A. Lange’ is the same price as the platinum limited edition – 31,500 EUR.

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 by invitation of Richemont Australia]

Categories
Vacheron Constantin Replica

Replica VACHERON CONSTANTIN : Historiques Cornes de vache1955

One of my favourite releases of 2015 has been from luxury replica Vacheron Constantin – the Historiques Cornes de vache 1955 chronograph. Given that I saw it during the same few days (in Hong Kong) as I did the A.Lange & Söhne 1815 Boutique-only Chronograph, it was great opportunity to be able to see and compare two such stunning (front and back sides) old-school chronographs. Although the Harmony chronographs released by Vacheron Constantin this year have been rather splendid, this Cornes de Vache probably just pips it at the post for me, in part due to how it wears.

The Historiques Cornes de vache 1955 has been inspired by, as the name aptly states, a classic 1955 chronograph with ‘cow horn’ lugs, the Reference 6087. The original on which this new release is based was 18 carat yellow gold, 35mm in size, and contained the manual-wind Calibre 492.

The new one, however, is a very comfortable 38.50mm diametre (making it arguably more wearable for more people as a dress replica watch if we compare it with the Harmony Chronograph’s 42mm x 52mm) and 10.9mm thick in a 950 Pt case with the same ‘cow horn’ lugs. Visible through an open case back is the manual-wind Calibre 1142, with a forty-eight hour power reserve and 21,600VPH.

This is a faithful modernisation of a classic Vacheron Constantin piece. As well as keeping the same lugs and being restrained with regards to size, they have kept with the original bi-compax layout of the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a small seconds at 9 o’clock. A slightly larger size compared to the original has meant some more space on the dial  and increased legibility. The dial itself is silvered opaline with a brushed minute track and tachymeter scale. The indices are white gold. A mix of Roman numerals and applied indices, a tachymeter scale, bi-compax layout…the whole replica watch screams vintage Vacheron chronograph design.

This new Vacheron Constantin has a presence; when you handle it you want to put it on your wrist. It really is an extremely elegant replica watch from a Manufacture with a very long and significant history of making chronographs. As I mentioned at the outset, the Harmony Chronograph range is rather beautiful and has a buttery smooth  chronograph pusher, but they have a stronger wrist presence because of their size; this new Cornes de vache 1955 gives a smaller (and round) option for someone looking for a modern chronograph dress replica watch from the brand.

Do you know what? So what if its name is ‘cow horns’. It is matter of fact, you don’t have to remember too many reference numbers, and it is, as they say, what it says on the packet. With their tapering curves it is the lugs that give the replica watch that extra bit of character.

Its parent the Reference 6087 was apparently only produced in 36 pieces (28 in yellow gold, six in rose gold), but this one will be more easily obtained. The Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 will be limited in production but not number and price is 62,000 EUR. For a look at some vintage Vacheron Constantin chronograph, go to this post of our visit to their chronograph exhibition in January 2015.

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 by invitation of Richemont Australia]

Categories
A. Lange & Söhne Replica

Replica A.Lange Söhne 1815 Boutique-onlyChronograph

WW15ALS1815ChronographBoutiqueEditionPUlsometer5

Officially launched at stylish Replica Watches & Wonders 2015, today’s stunning Pulsometer chronograph from A.Lange & Söhne may look familiar. Their 1815 chronograph on which this is based, and with which it shares the same manual-wind Calibre 951.5 movement has, since its introduction, become something of an emblematic replica watch for the brand, its movement a photographic star in particular. That the back of a replica watch ends up being photographed as much as its front, as the 1815 is (although this perhaps extends to quite a wide range of Lange’s pieces) is a testament to the beauty of their movements and finishing.

This new 18 carat white gold replica watch, honouring 200 years since the birth of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, features a solid silver argenté-coloured dial as per the 1815. As mentioned above, the key new distinguishing feature on the new piece is the presence of a pulsometer on the raised inner flage.

What is a pulsometer? It is where an activated chronograph, used in combination with the pulsometric scale, can measure a patient’s heart rate. You start the chronograph timer and count the (pulse) beats until you get to the number for which the scale is calibrated, in this instance, thirty pulsations. Stop the chronograph and read the heart rate in beats per minute – on the pulsometer scale, the chronograph sweep-seconds hand provides a direct reading of the number of beats per minute.

The hours and minutes hands are rhodiumed-gold. The chronograph sweep-seconds, minute counter and subsidiary seconds hands are blued steel. This is in contrast to the regular 1815 of just blued steel. In fact the liberal use of blue with the new dial and colour combination is vintage-inspired but seems to give it more lift and vibrancy than the regular production model.

Now to the column-wheel chronograph movement, visible through the open caseback. The 306-part Calibre L951.5 is hand-decorated, with plates and bridges made of untreated German silver, and a hand-engraved balance cock. It beats at 18,000VPH and has a power reserve of sixty hours.

In 39.5mm sized case and coming on a hand-stitched dark blue alligator strap with matching white gold buckle, this is a very good looking replica watch, well-sized, and beautifully made. For those who asked us about our personal highlights from Replica Watches & Wonders 2015, we both rated this one amongst our favourites and a replica watch that we would wear – these two things don’t necessarily always co-exist.

Unfortunately as a boutique-only model most of us will have to hunt one down; you can find the locations of the existing sixteen Lange boutiques at this link. The RRP is 49,000 EUR (including VAT).

[Horologium attended Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 at the invitation of Richemont Australia]