Hinclimincli has a Ginault and a decent amount of rep experience...
Indeed. And to this day I am still yet to see a replica with the level of reliability and finishing of the Ginault.
No offense, but if you cannot see the differences is because you are not looking properly or you still don't know where to look.
Case
The case in the Ginault is just flawless. The only difference between a Ginault's case and a 16610 case is that the latter has Rolex engravings between the lugs, just that. The lug size is exactly the same (that slim end of the lug that is so difficult to get right, people like
lawlessflyer know what I'm talking about). The beveled chamfers on the side, almost imperceptible but they are there (as opposed to the massive chamfers on other replicas), and of course the inside part of the case. It has the proper grooves on the inner case where the movement goes in, which actually doesn't keep attached with movement tabs but with the two screws that get it stuck to the case when you unscrew them. Even these screws have the same size and form as the original ones in a 16610 movement (not the normal screws you would have in some recent replicas that use this same system). Same goes for the crown guards, bezel, insert, etc. They are just exactly as the genuine. Right now there is not a single replica that gets the case as close as the genuine as the Ginault.
Bracelet
Again, miles above any other replica bracelet. In this case they replicate the 6-digit bracelet with the Glidelock system. The finishing, again, is just flawless, they even got the tiny edges polished as the genuine ones, which makes it more blingy (and of course, that's what we are here for, right?!). And again, what you don't see is also there, the holes where the screws go have all of them a steel sheath so the screw never actually touches the bracelet (thus preventing erosion on the screw holes of the bracelet). Again, this is exactly how the genuine is made. And their Glidelock has really tight tolerances, and really smooth.
Movement
Yeah, you can say whatever but it's way better than the stock Chinese movement you have on a replica. Remember that even Chinese movements have grades, and I can 100% tell you that what you get on a replica is not a proper Seagull or Peacock movement. I actually swapped the A2836 I had on my ZZF v2s with a genuine Seagull ST2100 and it's amazing. Same could be said about the Ginault 2824 clone. Mine has kept COSC timing after two years (going +2s/d usually), and you guys can say whatever but I don't believe any regular A2824/36 or 3135 clone can keep that precision over a long time span. The 2824 clone inside a Ginault is basically the equivalent of a Top Grade ETA 2824 (well at least it behaves the same as the Chronometer Grade ETA 2824 I have on my genuine Tudor). And if you aren't happy with that you can order it with a Top Grade Sellita SW200-1 that will come really well adjusted from them (good luck getting your TD to send you an adjusted caliber).
Dial, hands, all that. Well, it's a TC after all, right? I'm sure everyone knows at this stage that these kensington dials are at the same level as a genuine Rolex one. It's just deep glossy black, really well polished markers, etc. And now onto the price...
...well, that's where 2nd hand market comes in. Or just being lucky. Or just being early. I bought mine for less than $800. That's $300 more than a top level Submariner replica, I get it. It all depends on how much do you value all these little details. I probably wouldn't pay the $1500 retail cost (or maybe I would if they re-released their original 180165C1LN with the normal 5-digit dial instead of the maxi dial, but you never know).
Now I know we all have great photos of all kinds of watches and maybe they don't say anything about the watch, once you are looking into that level of detail. But just tossing Ginault aside as "it's overpriced and my rep is better" is not the wisest move. Here are some photos in case you want to check it out (both with mercedes hands for a transitional 16800 look and sword hands, for a more milsub look, and also with the original blue/gold insert, and a more traditional black insert):
In the end, it's your money. But I don't think the Ginault is overpriced. It's at the same level or better than many genuine (overpriced) Tag Heuers, Longines, Tissot, Breitling and IWC, just to name a few.
