Alright folks,
I have been waiting for a decent video of the new BBB for a while now since I couldn't tell if they truly captured the blue color and shine of the bezel insert from the pics on PT and intime but looks like Andrew at TT (though not a TD here) has the video up.
http://www.ttw-138.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=228&products_id=17287
As far as I can tell, they did a superb job with the bezel insert and it finally reflects the light like the gen does. As far as replication process goes, ZF did a top notch job here and i can easily call this a super rep (though a more serious recognition can be made after inspecting the watch in person).
Having said that and as much as I love what they did...there are a few yet HUGE deal breakers for me for this particular version. And again, these deal breakers are not faults of the rep but the gen. The obvious differences of this 2016 version are:
1- Shield logo instead VS Rose logo
I personally don't care too much about this and actually prefer the shield simply because the rep did not have the best rose logo as it was missing a petal. Surprisingly tho, first versions of the ZF reps did not have this problem..v4 and v5, the super reps however had this issue. So to me, shield works fine and the rep has it captured perfectly
2- Three lines above the 6 hour marker for COSC VS Smiley "self winding" print
I much rather the smiley face but again, this is only a matter of preference over aesthetics and not a deal breaker by any means.
3- Rivet bracelet VS Oyster.
OK so the new version comes with the riveted bracelet and while I, again, would prefer the previous oyster bracelet (rep of the previous version also has one of the best bracelets I have ever owned on a rep...up par with crpo bracelets if not better), I can definitely live with rivet too (tho it is not my first choice)
4. THICKNESS - DEAL BREAKER
Alright, this is where it gets messed up for me...Rose logo/ETA based Tudor BB had a case thickness of 12.7mm (not the thinnest watch by any means but it was perfectly manageable) and thanks to the new in house movement, the 2016 version has a whopping 14.5mm thickness. This is nearly 2mm jump and you would be surprised how big of a difference it can make especially when you are wearing tight cuffs. This thickness is Pelagos territory. Granted, most of the increase (if not all) comes from the bump on the case back (the previous version had a flat cb while this one has a bump to make room for the movement).
I understand that ZF wanted to make a 1:1 copy and they did a great job at it but I wish they would also update the previous rose logo version since that would be the choice for many of us who don't want such a thick watch.
Btw, Angus (@puretime) had a thread about ZF novelties that I exchanged a lot of messages and pictures regarding the color issues of the BBB bezel insert and he told me (and assured me) a few times that he had shared every pic I sent him with the factory and etc, so my kudos and sincerest thanks goes to him as well for allowing us to finally have a correct bezel insert color for the BBB
On that note, @puretime, do you think ZF would be interested in updating the rose logo version? I mean, all it needs is this new bezel insert which should fit since the case size is same other than thickness. And if they decided to update the rose logo, then you are looking at an incredible super rep.. But even without updating the logo, simply using this new bezel on the older versions would make it great (I for one would definitely buy it).
I have been waiting for a decent video of the new BBB for a while now since I couldn't tell if they truly captured the blue color and shine of the bezel insert from the pics on PT and intime but looks like Andrew at TT (though not a TD here) has the video up.
http://www.ttw-138.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=228&products_id=17287
As far as I can tell, they did a superb job with the bezel insert and it finally reflects the light like the gen does. As far as replication process goes, ZF did a top notch job here and i can easily call this a super rep (though a more serious recognition can be made after inspecting the watch in person).
Having said that and as much as I love what they did...there are a few yet HUGE deal breakers for me for this particular version. And again, these deal breakers are not faults of the rep but the gen. The obvious differences of this 2016 version are:
1- Shield logo instead VS Rose logo
I personally don't care too much about this and actually prefer the shield simply because the rep did not have the best rose logo as it was missing a petal. Surprisingly tho, first versions of the ZF reps did not have this problem..v4 and v5, the super reps however had this issue. So to me, shield works fine and the rep has it captured perfectly
2- Three lines above the 6 hour marker for COSC VS Smiley "self winding" print
I much rather the smiley face but again, this is only a matter of preference over aesthetics and not a deal breaker by any means.
3- Rivet bracelet VS Oyster.
OK so the new version comes with the riveted bracelet and while I, again, would prefer the previous oyster bracelet (rep of the previous version also has one of the best bracelets I have ever owned on a rep...up par with crpo bracelets if not better), I can definitely live with rivet too (tho it is not my first choice)
4. THICKNESS - DEAL BREAKER
Alright, this is where it gets messed up for me...Rose logo/ETA based Tudor BB had a case thickness of 12.7mm (not the thinnest watch by any means but it was perfectly manageable) and thanks to the new in house movement, the 2016 version has a whopping 14.5mm thickness. This is nearly 2mm jump and you would be surprised how big of a difference it can make especially when you are wearing tight cuffs. This thickness is Pelagos territory. Granted, most of the increase (if not all) comes from the bump on the case back (the previous version had a flat cb while this one has a bump to make room for the movement).
I understand that ZF wanted to make a 1:1 copy and they did a great job at it but I wish they would also update the previous rose logo version since that would be the choice for many of us who don't want such a thick watch.
Btw, Angus (@puretime) had a thread about ZF novelties that I exchanged a lot of messages and pictures regarding the color issues of the BBB bezel insert and he told me (and assured me) a few times that he had shared every pic I sent him with the factory and etc, so my kudos and sincerest thanks goes to him as well for allowing us to finally have a correct bezel insert color for the BBB
On that note, @puretime, do you think ZF would be interested in updating the rose logo version? I mean, all it needs is this new bezel insert which should fit since the case size is same other than thickness. And if they decided to update the rose logo, then you are looking at an incredible super rep.. But even without updating the logo, simply using this new bezel on the older versions would make it great (I for one would definitely buy it).
