this v1-v2 thing is all nonsense period.
The factories use whatever parts are available to them without regard.
This is why there few if any 1-1 reps.
When a new version comes around it is in 99% of cases from a new factory or assembler not a revised edition of an existing watch.
People are under the misapprehension that the factories improve one aspect of the watch and spoil another that was already acceptable this is not the case it is all to do with that is available at that time for the factories to use.
Members and so called experts have perpetuated this with all the v1-v2 and "my dealer told me" posts it isn't that complicated it is as simple as factories use what they have a ready supply of.
Yes given a choice the factory will use the best parts available but will not stop production if only something else is available they will use it.
This has been borne out a 100 times when new model or upgrade have appeared and the original parts that have been originally used have been substituted with parts not as good but have a better dial etc this is not a conspiracy it's factory using what they can get today.
Tomorrow they may get different parts offered and use them if they are cheaper or better so then the experts will proclaim their dealer has told them it is because it's a new version, it's not it's either another factory or the original factory by some stroke of luck have bought better parts it is never about improving by desire the main reason is likely to be the new parts are cheaper and more available to the factory.
The facts if looked at bear this out a couple of examples are hublot/breitling/dssd
because the dssd has become such a big seller there is in the main now some continuity and the model range is pretty much set in stone but this is something that has evolved rather than been engineered . That said don't be surprised if you receive a latest model with some older parts it happens factories routinely use what they have rather than to spec.
Hublot is a joke it's an easy watch to assemble as it's like a lego kit so the fluctuation in parts will be inevitable. Add to the this the experts who never seem to agree on any point and usually have an opinion that varies day to day and you have a mess
breitling again another huge mess between never having good lume dots and dials varying in colour it's close to impossible to get 2 the same from factory.
To compound this problem most dealers don't hold stock and only source the item when buyer pays for it.
This has necessitated the need for none stock holders to send pictures of actual watch before shipping as 90% of the time the factory will have altered the spec from their original web picture.
If you don't hold stock it is close to impossible to get continuity shipment to shipment will vary from factory for the very reason outlined above.
For a new member best way is to find the picture of the gen and compare the picture to the rep make your own mind up if you are happy then it's all good you only have yourself to please
don't get involved with expert opinion recommending you spend $500 on a $100 rep moding aspects of it only to leave other aspects still incorrect.
This will make your life a misery look at some of the more prominent experts posts only gloom and doom with phrases like "the date wheel being 0.000000001 mm off is an instant tell" it's not in the real world only in their small circle no one else will ever notice.
So don't be confused buy what suits you and let the more anal members continue with their half empty rather than half full opinions.
The people who have the most enjoyment out of this hobby are the ones who buy what they like rather than strive for perfection because the time and effort you spend trying to make a rep 1-1 is not good value in most cases compared to buying a used gen
