- 23/10/06
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I thought that this thread might be more of an eyecandy post....but then it is actually more a Breitling post, as you will see.....
I got these 3 just yesterday from Hontwatch (see review). All are now fully working, but I thought I needed to share with you, my thoughts on each one.
Lets start with the one that isn't mine! The Navitimer A23322.
Silvery dial, 28.8k 7750. Pretty much as perfect as you can get for a new generation Navitimer rep. The dial is utterly gorgeous, my pics don't do it justice.
In terms of accuracy to the genuine, well, I've seen an all bright-silver dial; and a silver dial with whitish sub-dials. I guess this one is meant to be the silvery version. Maybe its a bit darker than the gen, but since the silver gen dial is rare; who'd know?!
The definition of the sub-dials' guilloche and the weight of the print is excellent.
This is easily the best Navitimer rep I have laid my hands on (and thats quite a few!). If my buddy didn't want this I would keep it for myself. Keeps time perfectly with my gen TAG Carrera. yes, there are the flaws we all know about - slide rule, sunken date wheel & font, light AR...but no QC issues at all. Nothing. Which pleases me no end!
Next, the Bentley GT. 8) This feels good straight out of the box.
I chose this because the Racing (brushed) version wasn't available, but I decided that I wanted some bling for a change from my usual sutble tones! I also preferred this Script case back to the Bentley Continental, due to the irritating paint issue.
I noticed that after winding and shaking, the running secs hand still wasn't moving. So I opened it up, nudged the escapement wheel and off she went! Hasn't missed a (28.8k) beat since and keeps with the Carrera. Yes there are flaws again; date font & colour, sub dial colour (gen is more silvery), lack of AR, slightly floating bezel. Nothing I wasn't aware of.
The bracelet is good, very smooth and comfortable. East to resize and clasp stamping is perfect. What I will do with this one, is send off the crystal to Jakub, and I will look into replacing the day & date wheels at some stage. Dunno how yet...but I'll get there!
Now, the Blackbird. For a super-rep my initial joy was dulled somewhat, when I noticed that the finishing left a bit to be desired. Although the bezel pearl looked good, the rider tab @ 12 protruded UP a bit too high.
Now, I'm not anal about small things but this is noticeable! Surely a sleeve killer. The other rider tabs had sharp edges on the crystal side, and were not profiling the glass. It seems that the "Rider tab grinder man" was having a bad day? :lol:
I decided to remove all 4 tabs, re-grind & polish them, and also flatten & re-polish the screw heads.
The 28.8k movement is perfect, for now! No problems with the dial or crystal - but the lume is very weak!
Next task - the bracelet. Having had to break off a link due to a factory-overtightened & stripped screw, I wasn't too confident about the QC of this. Too many sharp edges, especially on the clasp. In fact, I cut myself on it whilst re-sizing. I file was gently introduced to these edges. Once fitted up, its comfortable and feels solid. Clasp stamping is about 90% good.
The BREITLING text fading slightly at the end. Looks good with a gen brown deployant strap though
Overall, a nice watch... but it sadly failed to "astound" me like the Chronomat Evolution - which in comparison is almost gen-like! My BCE is finished to a very high standard, and there were no cosmetic issues that I had to address. The BCE QC man must've been on holiday, leaving his trainee to do the work. :roll:
I think with a bit more TLC, I can get this Blackbird up to a level which is more agreeable with me.....
I got these 3 just yesterday from Hontwatch (see review). All are now fully working, but I thought I needed to share with you, my thoughts on each one.
Lets start with the one that isn't mine! The Navitimer A23322.
Silvery dial, 28.8k 7750. Pretty much as perfect as you can get for a new generation Navitimer rep. The dial is utterly gorgeous, my pics don't do it justice.
In terms of accuracy to the genuine, well, I've seen an all bright-silver dial; and a silver dial with whitish sub-dials. I guess this one is meant to be the silvery version. Maybe its a bit darker than the gen, but since the silver gen dial is rare; who'd know?!
The definition of the sub-dials' guilloche and the weight of the print is excellent.
This is easily the best Navitimer rep I have laid my hands on (and thats quite a few!). If my buddy didn't want this I would keep it for myself. Keeps time perfectly with my gen TAG Carrera. yes, there are the flaws we all know about - slide rule, sunken date wheel & font, light AR...but no QC issues at all. Nothing. Which pleases me no end!
Next, the Bentley GT. 8) This feels good straight out of the box.
I chose this because the Racing (brushed) version wasn't available, but I decided that I wanted some bling for a change from my usual sutble tones! I also preferred this Script case back to the Bentley Continental, due to the irritating paint issue.
I noticed that after winding and shaking, the running secs hand still wasn't moving. So I opened it up, nudged the escapement wheel and off she went! Hasn't missed a (28.8k) beat since and keeps with the Carrera. Yes there are flaws again; date font & colour, sub dial colour (gen is more silvery), lack of AR, slightly floating bezel. Nothing I wasn't aware of.
The bracelet is good, very smooth and comfortable. East to resize and clasp stamping is perfect. What I will do with this one, is send off the crystal to Jakub, and I will look into replacing the day & date wheels at some stage. Dunno how yet...but I'll get there!
Now, the Blackbird. For a super-rep my initial joy was dulled somewhat, when I noticed that the finishing left a bit to be desired. Although the bezel pearl looked good, the rider tab @ 12 protruded UP a bit too high.
Now, I'm not anal about small things but this is noticeable! Surely a sleeve killer. The other rider tabs had sharp edges on the crystal side, and were not profiling the glass. It seems that the "Rider tab grinder man" was having a bad day? :lol:
I decided to remove all 4 tabs, re-grind & polish them, and also flatten & re-polish the screw heads.
The 28.8k movement is perfect, for now! No problems with the dial or crystal - but the lume is very weak!
Next task - the bracelet. Having had to break off a link due to a factory-overtightened & stripped screw, I wasn't too confident about the QC of this. Too many sharp edges, especially on the clasp. In fact, I cut myself on it whilst re-sizing. I file was gently introduced to these edges. Once fitted up, its comfortable and feels solid. Clasp stamping is about 90% good.
The BREITLING text fading slightly at the end. Looks good with a gen brown deployant strap though
Overall, a nice watch... but it sadly failed to "astound" me like the Chronomat Evolution - which in comparison is almost gen-like! My BCE is finished to a very high standard, and there were no cosmetic issues that I had to address. The BCE QC man must've been on holiday, leaving his trainee to do the work. :roll:
I think with a bit more TLC, I can get this Blackbird up to a level which is more agreeable with me.....
