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THB Day-Date 40 Blue Ombre Dial Review, Tungsten Added-Weight SH3255

Fettekatze

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Have seen basically no posts on the new THB tungsten DD40's so I'll start the thread. I'll let these images speak for themselves. Really nice finishing on the case, bezel, and bracelet, and does not have QF's milky white gasket. Crystal sits just right, unlike the QF which sits too high. Measured thickness is 12.42mm vs QF 12.75mm. 38.8mm bezel and 47.6mm lug-lug.

The weights on the scale are sized to my 6.3" wrist, with the QF having one less link as I was annoyingly in-between link sizes between this and one size up. As DD's don't have micro-adjustment, thankfully I am not in between link sizes on the THB thus the THB links must measure a hair smaller than QF. Each THB link weighs 3.0g vs QF 2.6g, so the THB still weighs 9g more than the QF with A2836.

Unfortunately the THB gold colors are very orange, unless you plate it like @Bullflo3 here (which btw looks amazing). So the only worthwhile models out of the box are this blue ombre and the olive dial in non-gold. The THB ice blue dial is very off too. But IMO this particular one beats the QF blue ombre DD40 hands down.

 

peterpl

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This blue ombre looks quite nice. I think THB bezel sharpness and cutouts looks good. They are clean and very sharp.

Day font looks spot on as well. Might have to try one out.
 

Bullflo3

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Nice write up, man! Good to see another member enjoying what I'd consider to be the best DD40 available at the moment.

The blue dial is... 🤤 might need to add that to my never ending "to-purchase" list.

Enjoy!
 

Reaps

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They make the best Daydates?

That ombre black dial looks nice
Honestly, I'm not really a big Daydate guy, I think the Datejust series is better.

I own a GMF. I haven't handled any of the other factories, so I'll let others speak. There's nuances in bezel, case lugs, and color plating, none of them are really the best, up to you to evaluate.

My personal opinion is GMF is good enough and has the best color tone/durability for gold plating out of the bunch (opinions may vary) but I know some members hate GMF lugs and bezel and prefer ARF for case shape. THB bezel is best of the bunch but yeah. I can't really speak on anything else because I don't know anymore so take it with a grain of salt.
 
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TerryRobot

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Looks great and I agree the WG models look the best and much less car dealer, but i do luv YG looks wise.

How is the bracelet feel on this one does that have the weight added?

I wish they would make the older 36mm 118239 model, I like the White Dial with the Roman Numerals as it looks so crisp and elegant, and would be more believeable as the pricing is that bit lower on them.
 

Fettekatze

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Looks great and I agree the WG models look the best and much less car dealer, but i do luv YG looks wise.

How is the bracelet feel on this one does that have the weight added?

I wish they would make the older 36mm 118239 model, I like the White Dial with the Roman Numerals as it looks so crisp and elegant, and would be more believeable as the pricing is that bit lower on them.
I only have a QF to compare to, never handled a gen, but the THB bracelet is much better. The QF felt sharp on the skin. This feels extremely nice. Reinstalling the bracelet to remove the protective plastic under the bezel felt like butter. THB links are heavier too, 3.0g vs QF 2.6g. My VSF DJ41 links are 1.6g.
 
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Fettekatze

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Don't know exactly how and where they incorporated tungsten, someone would have to cut this in half and do a metallurgical lab analysis. But both the case and bracelet are considerably heavier than pure steel. The watch weighs about 50% more than a steel DJ41.
 

CutePinkKitty

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Don't know exactly how and where they incorporated tungsten, someone would have to cut this in half and do a metallurgical lab analysis. But both the case and bracelet are considerably heavier than pure steel. The watch weighs about 50% more than a steel DJ41.
So it feels balanced on the wrist for you?
 

acesup11

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Is the tungsten bracelet coated with steel? I would like to get this plated but as we know plating fails quickly on tungsten
 

TerryRobot

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Seems like the THB case is SS so only the bracelet is tungsten?
Normally its the other way round the head i weighted and the bracelet is normal SS weight.

Having toyed over the years of getting a gen on all model sizes 36 and 40 not tried the 41 as it looked a bit too much like it was trying to fit in with Hublot for a bit in the lareger size.

The one thing that makes it feel good is the weight of the braclet and if you ever handle one you will know. Its the first tell, the head will add good weight but the bracelet rolls in ou hand and equalises the weight so it sits well on the wrist.

The head only weighted models are more prone to moving high or low on the wrist as the wight of the head does this, on the gen as its all full gold the weight distribution is more even, even when removing the links.

The 36 mm feels almost heavieor a its more compact. i just whish they could do the more retro version not too lold but the SEL verison.
 

Fettekatze

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Is the tungsten bracelet coated with steel? I would like to get this plated but as we know plating fails quickly on tungsten
I can't see any seam where there's two different metals. Here's a closeup of the links and then a weight comparison vs steel VSF DJ41 links. So the THB links are 3.0g each and the VSF links are 1.7g. Given the VSF links are pure steel at 8g/cm3, that means the THB density is about 14. With pure tungsten at 19, that means the THB links are 45% steel and 55% tungsten.

 
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CutePinkKitty

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I can't see any seam where there's two different metals. Here's a closeup of the links and then a weight comparison vs steel VSF DJ41 links. So the THB links are 3.0g each and the VSF links are 1.7g. Given the VSF links are pure steel at 8g/cm3, that means the THB density is about 14. With pure tungsten at 19, that means the THB links are 45% steel and 55% tungsten.

Is it possible only the middle section is tungsten and the sides are steel?
 
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