- 29/1/11
- 1,599
- 147
- 63
Here are my observations after a week with the T3 'Ultimate' sec@12
Discrepancies from the gen:
1. Hour numbers and the marker at 6:00 are a little too thin.
2. Tachymetre font is a little too big.
3. Subdial font a little too big and too thin.
4. Orange segment at the tip of the big (chronograph) second hand is a little too short.
5. Tips of the chrono buttons are a little too flat.
Good things:
1. The crystal is not flat - it is definitely domed although I'm not sure if to the same degree as the gen. I assume the gen crystal reflects less light too... even though absent on the gen, I think the T3 would benefit from a light AR coating on the dial side.
2. The replication of the titanium case as well as the crown, crown guard, and chrono pusher guards is phenomenal. I see no differences compared to the gen. The overall case measurements are 57mm x 63mm which is 1:1 to the gen. If you see smaller dimensions on the dealer site, they are wrong or the measurements don't span the full width and length of the watch. The bezel itself is 47mm outer diameter. The titanium is very nicely finished too.
3. Unlike the Survivor and a lot of other AP ROO reps, the date window is not noticeably out of place, thanks to the larger dial.
Other:
1. One screw holding the band worked its way out. Fortunately I noticed it right away when the bar started sticking out from the other side, and amazingly I found the missing screw below where I was sitting at work a day later. I should have bought a lottery ticket as that seemed beyond improbable. I don't remember following my usual rep routine of checking all the screws on arrival, so I take partial blame for this.
2. The rep strap isn't exactly terrible, but the watch deserves better. I'm going to buy an aftermarket strap from AP Bands, undecided as to carbon fiber (currently out of stock) or kevlar (custom order). There are lots of nice crocodile and alligator bands available for the T3 if you want that look.
3. Thoughts on service & mods... The sec@12 is a little jerky when the watch is vertical, so this will go for a service sooner rather than later. Being new it should have the added jewel for the second hand gear train, but no way to be sure until it's taken apart. Also the crystal would benefit from at least a light AR coating on the underside. The gen may not have AR but I suspect it has a higher grade sapphire with better light transmission. Also the lume is nothing special, though it probably isn't great on the gen either. I will have it re-lumed when it is eventually sent out.
4. Wearing it... it is big and bold and definitely makes a statement. Probably it's the largest watch I can get away with on my 7-1/4" wrist, any larger and the lugs would overhang. In the photo the overhang is exaggerated by the wide angle lens and angle of my wrist. It is noticeably larger than other big watches in my collection, including a PAM 187. It dwarfs some other decent size watches including the AP ROO Survivor and Hublot Ice Bang II. But I am pretty sure I can pull off a King Power 48mm, now I just need to find a ceramic one...
In summary, this is a phenomenal rep and discrepancies are really only apparent when comparing to magnified photos of the gen. It's expensive for a rep but a good value when you consider the price of the gen.
Discrepancies from the gen:
1. Hour numbers and the marker at 6:00 are a little too thin.
2. Tachymetre font is a little too big.
3. Subdial font a little too big and too thin.
4. Orange segment at the tip of the big (chronograph) second hand is a little too short.
5. Tips of the chrono buttons are a little too flat.
Good things:
1. The crystal is not flat - it is definitely domed although I'm not sure if to the same degree as the gen. I assume the gen crystal reflects less light too... even though absent on the gen, I think the T3 would benefit from a light AR coating on the dial side.
2. The replication of the titanium case as well as the crown, crown guard, and chrono pusher guards is phenomenal. I see no differences compared to the gen. The overall case measurements are 57mm x 63mm which is 1:1 to the gen. If you see smaller dimensions on the dealer site, they are wrong or the measurements don't span the full width and length of the watch. The bezel itself is 47mm outer diameter. The titanium is very nicely finished too.
3. Unlike the Survivor and a lot of other AP ROO reps, the date window is not noticeably out of place, thanks to the larger dial.
Other:
1. One screw holding the band worked its way out. Fortunately I noticed it right away when the bar started sticking out from the other side, and amazingly I found the missing screw below where I was sitting at work a day later. I should have bought a lottery ticket as that seemed beyond improbable. I don't remember following my usual rep routine of checking all the screws on arrival, so I take partial blame for this.
2. The rep strap isn't exactly terrible, but the watch deserves better. I'm going to buy an aftermarket strap from AP Bands, undecided as to carbon fiber (currently out of stock) or kevlar (custom order). There are lots of nice crocodile and alligator bands available for the T3 if you want that look.
3. Thoughts on service & mods... The sec@12 is a little jerky when the watch is vertical, so this will go for a service sooner rather than later. Being new it should have the added jewel for the second hand gear train, but no way to be sure until it's taken apart. Also the crystal would benefit from at least a light AR coating on the underside. The gen may not have AR but I suspect it has a higher grade sapphire with better light transmission. Also the lume is nothing special, though it probably isn't great on the gen either. I will have it re-lumed when it is eventually sent out.
4. Wearing it... it is big and bold and definitely makes a statement. Probably it's the largest watch I can get away with on my 7-1/4" wrist, any larger and the lugs would overhang. In the photo the overhang is exaggerated by the wide angle lens and angle of my wrist. It is noticeably larger than other big watches in my collection, including a PAM 187. It dwarfs some other decent size watches including the AP ROO Survivor and Hublot Ice Bang II. But I am pretty sure I can pull off a King Power 48mm, now I just need to find a ceramic one...
In summary, this is a phenomenal rep and discrepancies are really only apparent when comparing to magnified photos of the gen. It's expensive for a rep but a good value when you consider the price of the gen.
