Review: ZF Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze V2

[Asheron82]

I had a great time doing the ZF Tudor Pelagos Blue review so have decided to do another short review on this Tudor beauty again by ZF.

I've ordered this from my TD and received it several days ago again from ZF, the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Bronze in its latest iteration v2.0. According to my TD, this fine example was replicated using a genuine Black Bay Bronze so it is definitely an improvement over the previous versions released by both ZF or KW/v6.

The initial release was exhibits an reddish bronze tone found commonly in the likes of the PAM 382 Bronzo which is incorrect. In the gen, Tudor used an alloy of aluminum and bronze for this watch which gives it a more yellow gold-ish tone and is supposedly more resistant to patina.

The watch came bundled with both the brown distressed leather strap and the dull yellowish-green nato strap. Had the opportunity to compare the leather strap with a gen and its almost 90-95% spot on but as we all know distress leather hides the colour tones are rather hard to match but is good enough for me. The hardware found on both the leather strap and nato is also of the same yellow-gold tone but the later in sandblasted finish as per gen.

Now on with the pictures:

Crisp engraving of the Tudor rose insignia on the Crown

Caseback, Strap & Buckles

Lume & Wristshot:

I also had a brief chance to compare it with a genuine example but did not managed to capture many shots

Comparing with the gen even for a brief while, this v2 by ZF is definitely leaps and bounds over the initial releases by any makers. To me its a very well made product that is almost on par with the gen, ZF definitely spared no effort in getting the alu-bronze colours spot on.

Cheers & Hoped you enjoyed this short review!
Ash

 

[Shikari]

Thanks for this review! How is the colour of the bezel compared to gen?

 

[Asheron82]

Thanks for this review! How is the colour of the bezel compared to gen?

to be honest, there is a slight variation in the colour tone, but this can only be spotted if you had scrutinized and compared the gen to this ZF v2 side by side. however if won on the wrist it would be the least of your worries and cannot be called out.

 

[Shikari]

to be honest, there is a slight variation in the colour tone, but this can only be spotted if you had scrutinized and compared the gen to this ZF v2 side by side. however if won on the wrist it would be the least of your worries and cannot be called out.

Thanks for the reply. I own the gen ss black bay red and im wonder if its worth it when the reps are this good haha[emoji1]

 

[preppyr6]

As an owner of a V1, I still cant determine if its worth "upgrading" to a V2 or not...I like the reddish hue of the V1, but Im also aware its not accurate as a rep.

 

[Eulise]

Thanks for the review! Helped me to go with the ZF version instead of the KW I was considering.

 

[Ed911]

Great work thanks


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[preppyr6]

Asheron, do you have any info on the KW V3? I know its not part of the review, just wondering how the two factories stacked up in Round 2 (v2 and v3). For V1, KW came out ahead I believe...but from your review it looks like ZF is definitely on top right now until we can get a solid compar-o to the v3.

 

[miniatureone]

Great work. Thanks for the time and effort (and photos!)

 

[Radman]

thanks for the review.
I am really considering a bronze watch and this will likely be the one.

 

[Asheron82]

As an owner of a V1, I still cant determine if its worth "upgrading" to a V2 or not...I like the reddish hue of the V1, but Im also aware its not accurate as a rep.

if you feel that the v1 now serves your needs and you enjoy it even if incorrect as per the gen, just continue wearing it until you feel like "upgrading"

this game is never ending, we will definitely see subsequent releases of the watch with some improvements over its previous predecessor(s) as the makers themselves have a commercial interest in producing these watches while consumers like you and me just want to have the best, almost there rep with little or no mods required straight fom the factory.

Thanks for the review! Helped me to go with the ZF version instead of the KW I was considering.

You're most welcomed!

Great work thanks


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

You're most welcomed!

Asheron, do you have any info on the KW V3? I know its not part of the review, just wondering how the two factories stacked up in Round 2 (v2 and v3). For V1, KW came out ahead I believe...but from your review it looks like ZF is definitely on top right now until we can get a solid compar-o to the v3.

Currently I do not have any info of the KW v3, but from the images floating around the forum, it looks to be that they are playing catch-up now in offering the same alu-bronze found on the gen. We will never get a fully accurate rep because this was never any maker's intention (after numerous AP Diver versions its still is not 100%) at the end of the day, both makers will have flaws and to get the closest to the real deal, you probably have to make a hybrid of sorts. For now, ZF is leading with this fine example and for what it's worth, this v2 is good enough for me.

Great work. Thanks for the time and effort (and photos!)

Cheers, hoped you enjoyed the review!

thanks for the review.
I am really considering a bronze watch and this will likely be the one.

Yes, this ZF v2 is really a gem, you definitely will not go wrong making this choice.

 

[zethunder]

How is the dial colored compared to the Gen @Asheron82? I have been comparing all the TD pics of KW v3 and ZF2 and looks like tge bezel color and the dial color are the only difference between the two now. The bezel color always looked too reddish to me on the ZF (kw is more brownish) but not sure what you thought when you saw the gen?

I keep going back and forth between ZF v2 and KW v3, and just when I thought I was going to pull the trigger w KW v3, this post shows up! LOL, Thank you for the great review buddy!

 

[Asheron82]

How is the dial colored compared to the Gen @Asheron82? I have been comparing all the TD pics of KW v3 and ZF2 and looks like tge bezel color and the dial color are the only difference between the two now. The bezel color always looked too reddish to me on the ZF (kw is more brownish) but not sure what you thought when you saw the gen?

I keep going back and forth between ZF v2 and KW v3, and just when I thought I was going to pull the trigger w KW v3, this post shows up! LOL, Thank you for the great review buddy!

hmm good question, had compared the gen with the rep indoors under warm lighting, as far as i can recall the dial printing on the gen is definitely more defined and crisp compared to the ZF v2 dint take notice of the dial colour but you might be right to say there are slight variation similar to the bezel.

one observation is that the dial in this v2 is totally new as the size of the dial markers is different in this over the v1. i'm sure ZF spared no expense to make it as accurate a rep based to the gen since they gone through lengths to get the alu-bronze right.

 

[robinstyler]

really a beautiful piece. i got the same one but i was dissatisfied with the lume. Dont know if you got the same issue. So i sent it to a modder here to relume it, should be really nice when it comes back.

 

[Asheron82]

really a beautiful piece. i got the same one but i was dissatisfied with the lume. Dont know if you got the same issue. So i sent it to a modder here to relume it, should be really nice when it comes back.

cant wait for your relume to be done mate! remb to post some pics of it when its back from the modder!

 

[robinstyler]

will definately post pics once i get it. he told me i should assume a wait time of 3-4 weeks though. so far 2 weeks are over so lets hope he gets it done soon

cant wait for your relume to be done mate! remb to post some pics of it when its back from the modder!

 

[nick168fng]

Awesome review! Thanks for this. I have yet to see an actual piece in person but I tend to wear BPs and 47mm PAMs. Just wondering if 43mm may be a bit small to get used to? Can anyone share their experience?

 

[gb7007]

Got mine two weeks ago. Great watch and I like it very much.
Was wondering when some patina would develop.

When I checked the Website of my TD today I found the following explanation in the description of the watch:
High-Performance Aluminium Bronze Alloy with brushed finish as genuine, This is the first kind of bronze case in replica watch history which is not easy to get oxidated.

Obviously I have overread this sentence when I ordered the watch (or it was not online then).

So I am a bit disappointed sine I was hoping to get some Patina, would have been better of with the V6F version I guess.

Any of you have some patina on your ZF V2 ?

 

[Asheron82]

Got mine two weeks ago. Great watch and I like it very much.
Was wondering when some patina would develop.

When I checked the Website of my TD today I found the following explanation in the description of the watch:
High-Performance Aluminium Bronze Alloy with brushed finish as genuine, This is the first kind of bronze case in replica watch history which is not easy to get oxidated.

Obviously I have overread this sentence when I ordered the watch (or it was not online then).

So I am a bit disappointed sine I was hoping to get some Patina, would have been better of with the V6F version I guess.

Any of you have some patina on your ZF V2 ?

mine had some patina developing after some days of wearing. i have a tad bit of oliy skin if the info helps.

 

[robinstyler]

Got mine two weeks ago. Great watch and I like it very much.
Was wondering when some patina would develop.

When I checked the Website of my TD today I found the following explanation in the description of the watch:
High-Performance Aluminium Bronze Alloy with brushed finish as genuine, This is the first kind of bronze case in replica watch history which is not easy to get oxidated.

Obviously I have overread this sentence when I ordered the watch (or it was not online then).

So I am a bit disappointed sine I was hoping to get some Patina, would have been better of with the V6F version I guess.

Any of you have some patina on your ZF V2 ?

I´ve had mine for about 2 months now and it does develop some kind of patina but nothing extreme. Only thing i have noticed is the bronze getting darker evenly but theres no greenspots or spots that have more patina than others. Also ive been wearing the watch in the gym aswell sweating and never got any green spots on my skin