The Ups and Downs of a SANTOS DE CARTIER BVF (medium)

[Copperwood]

So, I've been rocking a SANTOS DE CARTIER BVF Rep, and let me tell you, it's a mixed bag.

First things first, the floating "R." It's there, and it's noticeable upon close inspection. Definitely a sign that this isn't a Gen, but not a major issue unless you're scrutinizing it.

The bracelet has quick release, which is nice (No quick release pins).

9101 movement is loud. The rotor. It's noisy. Seriously, it likes to make its presence known. The movement performs well, but the sound is a giveaway that you're not sporting a Gen.

In terms of appearance, the watch impresses. The fit and finish are great, and even though it's been a while since I've had the Gen in hand, this Rep holds up well in comparison. My 7-inch wrist finds it comfortable, albeit a little small for my usual taste.

I'm not regretting the purchase, but it's not going to be my everyday watch.

So, if you're looking for a watch that looks the part but don't mind a bit of rotor noise, this might be for you. Just be cautious if you're a hand-talker—you don't want your wrist stealing the show.

 

[Copperwood]

Sorry 9015 movement not 9101

 

[Nick C.]

So, I've been rocking a SANTOS DE CARTIER BVF Rep, and let me tell you, it's a mixed bag.

First things first, the floating "R." It's there, and it's noticeable upon close inspection. Definitely a sign that this isn't a Gen, but not a major issue unless you're scrutinizing it.

The bracelet has quick release, which is nice (No quick release pins).

9101 movement is loud. The rotor. It's noisy. Seriously, it likes to make its presence known. The movement performs well, but the sound is a giveaway that you're not sporting a Gen.

In terms of appearance, the watch impresses. The fit and finish are great, and even though it's been a while since I've had the Gen in hand, this Rep holds up well in comparison. My 7-inch wrist finds it comfortable, albeit a little small for my usual taste.

I'm not regretting the purchase, but it's not going to be my everyday watch.

So, if you're looking for a watch that looks the part but don't mind a bit of rotor noise, this might be for you. Just be cautious if you're a hand-talker—you don't want your wrist stealing the show.

I've had both the gen and the bvf model for awhile . The only thing that really bothered me in the bvf version was not the floating R , it was its case size and the lugs length . The case felt smaller and the lugs narrower than the original . I was always very drawn to the case and finish of the watch because i think it's what makes it so unique , so i sold the bvf model and decide to wait until some factory replicates the exact dimensions and size of the gen case

 

[bubblymeal]

So, I've been rocking a SANTOS DE CARTIER BVF Rep, and let me tell you, it's a mixed bag.

First things first, the floating "R." It's there, and it's noticeable upon close inspection. Definitely a sign that this isn't a Gen, but not a major issue unless you're scrutinizing it.

I've had both the gen and the bvf model for awhile . The only thing that really bothered me in the bvf version was not the floating R , it was its case size and the lugs length . The case felt smaller and the lugs narrower than the original . I was always very drawn to the case and finish of the watch because i think it's what makes it so unique , so i sold the bvf model and decide to wait until some factory replicates the exact dimensions and size of the gen case

9101 movement is loud. The rotor. It's noisy. Seriously, it likes to make its presence known. The movement performs well, but the sound is a giveaway that you're not sporting a Gen.

In terms of appearance, the watch impresses. The fit and finish are great, and even though it's been a while since I've had the Gen in hand, this Rep holds up well in comparison. My 7-inch wrist finds it comfortable, albeit a little small for my usual taste.

I'm not regretting the purchase, but it's not going to be my everyday watch.

So, if you're looking for a watch that looks the part but don't mind a bit of rotor noise, this might be for you. Just be cautious if you're a hand-talker—you don't want your wrist stealing the show.

Hey! What do you mean by “The bracelet has quick release, which is nice (No quick release pins)” will a delugs work with this? I am waiting on QC but really want it on the delugs strap!

 

[MapleMarmite]

How does the bracelet feel?

 

[Copperwood]

Hey! What do you mean by “The bracelet has quick release, which is nice (No quick release pins)” will a delugs work with this? I am waiting on QC but really want it on the delugs strap!

I was wrong it does actually have the quick release on the the links. Deluges apparently works but I thought they stopped stocking the santos ones.

 

[Valaj]

I've had both the gen and the bvf model for awhile . The only thing that really bothered me in the bvf version was not the floating R , it was its case size and the lugs length . The case felt smaller and the lugs narrower than the original . I was always very drawn to the case and finish of the watch because i think it's what makes it so unique , so i sold the bvf model and decide to wait until some factory replicates the exact dimensions and size of the gen case

That is an interesting observation with the BVF. I had the GF and when I saw the gen, I had the same impression! The gen medium looked bigger than the GF medium I had. I thought it was weird and my eyes were playing tricks on me!

Hey! What do you mean by “The bracelet has quick release, which is nice (No quick release pins)” will a delugs work with this? I am waiting on QC but really want it on the delugs strap!

Delugs isn't taking any new orders for Santos quick switch straps (Cartier went after them and said they'll sue them if they continued making straps with the quickswitch system). If you placed an order before the deadline or if you already have one, you're lucky. If not, you should check out one of the others such as Liger. Aliexpress also has a few decent straps!

 

[Fisherman1980]

That is an interesting observation with the BVF. I had the GF and when I saw the gen, I had the same impression! The gen medium looked bigger than the GF medium I had. I thought it was weird and my eyes were playing tricks on me!



Delugs isn't taking any new orders for Santos quick switch straps (Cartier went after them and said they'll sue them if they continued making straps with the quickswitch system). If you placed an order before the deadline or if you already have one, you're lucky. If not, you should check out one of the others such as Liger. Aliexpress also has a few decent straps!

I saw that. I picked up one before the mess for the large version. Hopefully that wasn't a marketing trap to me lol

 

[bubblymeal]

I saw that. I picked up one before the mess for the large version. Hopefully that wasn't a marketing trap to me lol

I emailed them and was able to order a black one for the medium. I ended up going with the 3kf and it works fine. I ordered it like two weeks ago.

 

[Karbon74]

I have the gen in medium ss

did not know the case dimensions were wrong on the reps.
i was thinking of getting a YG version

 

[bigtiddygothgf]

Has anyone actually measured Gen vs any rep to compare the true size? I find it hard to believe multiple factories would get the size wrong, surely they all have a reference watch to base the rep off of. Anyone know how 3KF compares in terms of size?

 

[Karbon74]

here is my gen
compared to OP's on post 1, the main diff I see are the lugs shape which affect the overall balance

 

[Valaj]

I have the gen in medium ss

did not know the case dimensions were wrong on the reps.
i was thinking of getting a YG version

I don't think the case dimensions are off. It just "looks" that way. I don't have my GF medium anymore so can't get measurements.

Wife has gen and BVF Pantheres. Same thing there. Weirdly, the BVF looks bigger but it isn't. They're the exact same dimensions.

 

[Karbon74]

i guess I will have to try myself

i want a Francaise though

 

[bubblymeal]

I have the gen in medium ss

did not know the case dimensions were wrong on the reps.
i was thinking of getting a YG version

So I have a 3KF and it fits the delugs which would be gen size. I can’t speak for the BVF

 

[SMP_lover]

So, I've been rocking a SANTOS DE CARTIER BVF Rep, and let me tell you, it's a mixed bag.

First things first, the floating "R." It's there, and it's noticeable upon close inspection. Definitely a sign that this isn't a Gen, but not a major issue unless you're scrutinizing it.

The bracelet has quick release, which is nice (No quick release pins).

9101 movement is loud. The rotor. It's noisy. Seriously, it likes to make its presence known. The movement performs well, but the sound is a giveaway that you're not sporting a Gen.

In terms of appearance, the watch impresses. The fit and finish are great, and even though it's been a while since I've had the Gen in hand, this Rep holds up well in comparison. My 7-inch wrist finds it comfortable, albeit a little small for my usual taste.

I'm not regretting the purchase, but it's not going to be my everyday watch.

So, if you're looking for a watch that looks the part but don't mind a bit of rotor noise, this might be for you. Just be cautious if you're a hand-talker—you don't want your wrist stealing the show.

pardon my ignorance. What size is this medium one ? 35mm or something in between 35 and 40mm ?

 

[Valaj]

pardon my ignorance. What size is this medium one ? 35mm or something in between 35 and 40mm ?

Medium is 35mm. Large is 40mm.

 

[wineO]

here is my gen
compared to OP's on post 1, the main diff I see are the lugs shape which affect the overall balance

You also have great taste!!!

 

[Audemarsizi]

It's a v2 ?

 

[Karbon74]

It's a v2 ?

that's a gen