First Order at JTime VSF Aqua Terra Black dial RG Hands on SS Bracelet

[DarkOmega]

Hey fellow rep enthusiasts, I've been lurking for a little bit but decided to make an account last week and ask some questions. I've done quite a bit of research even though I'm sure I've overlooked something or read too fast to fully comprehend. But I will document the experience I've had with this process.

First off, I've read the VSF Omega Aqua Terra clones are considered Super Clones and I determined this is as good a place as anywhere for me to start. Even though I love the blue dial, the white, black, and gray are considered much closer to 1:1 than the blue. The blue is unfortunately a little off and has more of a purple tint than gen. This led me to consider a more neutral dial color and thus landed on this listing on JTime's website:

Aqua Terra 150M SS VSF 1:1 Best Edition Black Wave Textured Dial RG Hand on SS Bracelet A8500 Super Clone

I reached out to JTime on WhatsApp on Friday, 07/04/23 to verify a couple details and confirm availability. Li was offline at the time I sent the message.

Li got back to me quickly the next time he was online (approximately 12 hours after I sent my message).

JTime is closed on Sundays and I messaged him that I wanted to move forward with the purchase when he was not online. He go back with me this morning (10/04/23) and gave options for payment. He confirmed payment once it said it was processing and it will be 7-10 days for QC photos to arrive.

Overall very pleasant and straightforward process so far. I will update with correspondence updates.

 

[eBoy]

First off, I've read the VSF Omega Aqua Terra clones are considered Super Clones and I determined this is as good a place as anywhere for me to start.

Not really. I don't know where you think you read that, but "super clone" is pure marketing speech anyway, and refers to the kind of movement used (not a decorated Asian ETA, but a 'clone movement', although in the case of the A8500/A8900, even that is up to debate, as it's not a true clone movement — the reppers have not yet figured out how to copy the co-axial escapement and it's not clear if they ever will, at least in the foreseeable future for cost and tech limitations).

Even though I love the blue dial, the white, black, and gray are considered much closer to 1:1 than the blue. The blue is unfortunately a little off and has more of a purple tint than gen. This led me to consider a more neutral dial color and thus landed on this listing on JTime's website:

You should go with the blue dial then, because regardless of the dial color, there are plenty of other flaws that will make this watch identifiable as a rep to the trained eye (datewheel font thickness, teak dial recess, width of the brushed area of the lugs, stem / crown length etc.). The untrained eye will not be able to identify a rep by the dial color. That's why you should choose the dial color you really fancy and forget about any "similarities/accuracies to gen" considerations, in general, but particularly in this case.

 

[DarkOmega]

The untrained eye will not be able to identify a rep by the dial color.

I understand this. I've made decisions about what is and is not acceptable to me in a Rep. One of the things I won't be able to stand is noticing the slight tinge in the dial color. I also happen to have the black dial with RG hands on two other watches in my collection, so that also helped tip my decision in that direction.

I had my verbiage incorrect when I said super clone. The Omega Aqua Terra 8500 clone from VSF is listed on the consensual list of Super Reps as a "likely but needs more feedback" but is easily NWBIG. This is what I was talking about and more what I care about. Thanks for correcting me though, I appreciate the feedback and discourse!

 

[eBoy]

I understand this. I've made decisions about what is and is not acceptable to me in a Rep. One of the things I won't be able to stand is noticing the slight tinge in the dial color. I also happen to have the black dial with RG hands on two other watches in my collection, so that also helped tip my decision in that direction.

Hey, no problem! I had to make these decisions in the past and sometimes went for "what's closer to gen" as well, so absolutely no hypocritical fingerpointing intended here. It's just based on my experience and the realization that a supposedly "perfect choice" of something like dial color usually turned out to be less relevant than I thought that I now put actual personal preference above such considerations. But obviously, everyone will have their own path in this hobby and may have different conclusions on something like that...

I had my verbiage incorrect when I said super clone. The Omega Aqua Terra 8500 clone from VSF is listed on the consensual list of Super Reps as a "likely but needs more feedback" but is easily NWBIG. This is what I was talking about and more what I care about. Thanks for correcting me though, I appreciate the feedback and discourse!

Fair enough. Yes, these are definitely the correct terms (you really did your homework! ) and I actually agree with the general consensus.

I think that the Aqua Terra is really a steal in Omega's sports watch line-up and should be strongly considered when in the market for a watch with an amazing movement.

But if all you crave is just the awesome design experience of the AT, then I have to say, heck yeah, the VSF is so darn good, it's really NWBIG.

Sorry if I sounded a bit smartassy in my above post. I'm a bit allergic to the term "super clone", especially when newbies use it. You really seem to have gotten the gist of the whole rep thing fast. I'm actually impressed, considering you have been a member for merely 5 days. Looking forward to more interesting debates!

 

[DarkOmega]

I plan on owning a Gen AT at some point in the future, I'm just not there yet. I've been a bit of a fan of horology for some time, but am really just starting to get my feet wet.

 

[eBoy]

I plan on owning a Gen AT at some point in the future, I'm just not there yet. I've been a bit of a fan of horology for some time, but am really just starting to get my feet wet.

The great and exciting thing about a personal high-end watch journey is that you may end up at a very different place than you think now, or exactly there. It's hard to predict....

I for one am a huge Omega fanboy and for me, the big "first expensive watch" grail was always for me a Seamaster (any Seamaster) even though I was equally intrigued by the Moonwatch because of the great history attached to it. Then I discovered reps and the fact that there are no good reps of the Moonwatch, and simultaneously Omega released the METAS certified 3861 movement with coaxial escapement and seconds hacking, and now I have a Moonwatch gen and a vintage gen Seamaster Quartz and several Seamaster reps and am supper happy with that collection and I really don't miss any of the gen chronometer movements in a Seamaster, because I have that with the 3861.

 

[DarkOmega]

But if all you crave is just the awesome design experience of the AT, then I have to say, heck yeah, the VSF is so darn good, it's really NWBIG.

I also have an interest in comparing Rep to Gen when I'm able to in the future, so that had something to do with wanting this particular rep to be my leaping off point.

Sorry if I sounded a bit smartassy in my above post. I'm a bit allergic to the term "super clone", especially when newbies use it. You really seem to have gotten the gist of the whole rep thing fast.

No worries, I can also be a smartass when I have proven knowledge on topics. I like to think I'm a quick study, but you never really know until you put your knowledge to the test. Thanks for the compliment!

 

[DarkOmega]

QC photos received over the weekend and the watch has a GL from me to move to shipping. Confirmed shipping address and should receive tracking in the next few days.

I'm not going to post QC photos as it's not going to help you make a decision when you're going through the process. As long as the watch looks good in the photos and the timegrapher reading is within acceptable parameters, you're good to go.

Timegrapher readings for this watch were +-2 s/d, 262 Amplitude, and 0.0ms beat error. Overall good readings to me, the amplitude is low most likely because there is stuff inside the case from the dirty environment it was made in. With the other readings on the watch, it's hard to imagine that low of an amplitude being caused by anything else. I'm still looking for a watchsmith willing to work on Omega reps. I want this serviced as soon as it gets here to ensure good movement health and to prevent as many problems for the future as possible. Hoping to find that person I can send this to soon so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

 

[DarkOmega]

The watch scanned stateside on 5/3 at approximately noon CST. It departed the facility it was scanned at that night. The location was several hundred miles away, but since tracking has finally updated I should see this watch in about a week, if not less.

 

[eBoy]

The watch scanned stateside on 5/3 at approximately noon CST. It departed the facility it was scanned at that night. The location was several hundred miles away, but since tracking has finally updated I should see this watch in about a week, if not less.

I'm kinda disappointed that I didn’t learn what the serial number of the scanning device was that did the scan.

Next time more details please!

 

[TESLA760]

Please take pictures of the postal employee as he delivers the watch and hands it to you. I think that will be the topping on this cake.

 

[DarkOmega]

Please take pictures of the postal employee as he delivers the watch and hands it to you. I think that will be the topping on this cake.

I know you guys are just poking fun because you're sick of threads like this. But since this is the first thread I've ever started, I'm at least going to finish what I started and make this a completed transaction thread.

 

[eBoy]

I know you guys are just poking fun because you're sick of threads like this. But since this is the first thread I've ever started, I'm at least going to finish what I started and make this a completed transaction thread.

To be honest, I myself have this weird urge to indulge in documenting every minute detail of a TD experience... But you know what? I'm actually ultimately glad for veteran members like @BMW760 to remind me of how pointless and silly those diary threads really are and how little value they have for everyone else... And indeed, I (luckily) find myself wasting less and less time on writing them.

A review should best be written only after the purchase is concluded and finalized. And ideally, it should be limited mostly to the outcome w/out listing any excessive and unnecessary details.

 

[TESLA760]

The sections are named "BUYER REVIEWS". If there was a redeeming value in play by play coverage, the staff would not have named it so. What possible reason does anyone need a minute by minute timeline of someone's purchase ? Put that in your Hello Kitty diary. A solid review with a timeline, pictures and wristies would be great to see. It would also be helpful to newer members. I wish Reddit brigade would get that through their thick skulls.

 

[DarkOmega]

The watch arrived Friday, May 6.
I'm really pleased with how it looks and feels. It fit straight out of the box, so I guess it's a good thing I don't need a new bracelet right off the bat. I notice a couple things about it (it's a Rep, it's gonna happen) but they really aren't bugging me as much as I thought they might.

Let's get to the point, this is why you're here anyways:



I have been wearing it a little bit and already got my oily prints all over it. Sorry I didn't take photos before I did that. Really pleased with it and looking forward to the next rep already, whenever that happens.

Thanks @jtimewatch! I recommend checking them out if you haven't already had the pleasure of doing business with them. Quick communication on all inquiries.

 

[KidTiger]

People are making fun, but I appreciate fully detailed threads like this. A one sentence review isn't very helpful for a first time buyer - knowing what to expect when dealing with a TD is much more useful.

The REP experts may not like it, but take it from a noob - these threads are what helped me take a dive into making my own purchase! I bet the TDs appreciate it too lol

If I didn't like full detailed threads, I just wouldn't read them. I certainly wouldn't reply to them