Received this about a week ago from Steve, I think it’s a fantasy model as I can’t find a gen reference for it. Although FM Vanguards aren’t catalogued very well so it may exist somewhere.
I wanted a carbon Vanguard and Steve managed to find this, despite there being a couple of things that are different from a gen carbon Vanguard I was happy to GL it. I really liked the way it looked, especially the dial effect. The carbon fibre on the case is well done, the patterning on the front of the case looks quite similar to gen. However the sides are completely wrong. First off, the carbon pattern is wrong, the pattern is almost like straight lines layered upon each other. On a gen it looks more angular, interwoven from the sides. Second thing the recessed part of the case where the front cover and rear cover almost meet is always a solid colour, black, white, green etc. On the rep as you can see it is carbon. These are not big issues for me and certainly didn’t detract from my attraction to the watch.
Steve said that the factory is a local one and not internationally known when I asked, however the carbon case is almost identical to the boning bunnies rep by ABF released recently. Boning Bunnies is my name for it, real name is #FR2
Movement is an A2824 and the rotor is very rattily if you shake the watch. When I picked it up initially I though the clasp was loose but then realised it was the rotor. On the wrist I never really notice it, I’ll probably get it quietened at some point. Date change is instant at 12:00, winding feels fine and crown usage also feels fine. The date font looks a little thin. Compared to all the other carbon Vanguards it should be a white font on a black background as well.
The strap is quite good in my opinion, I know there’s not a lot of love for rep straps but I find it comfortable and like the look of it. The inside is rubber, and the outer is a woven fabric. Contrast stitching would have been nice but happy with the black on black. The clasp feels quite well made and secure, it wears quite comfortably. For those curious about wrist size and watches of this length, so length is just under 54mm and my wrist is about 16.3, 16.4cm. The flat side of my wrist is 52mm and this is the important measurement relating to watches of this design and smaller wrists, so fortunately for me it’s a pretty good fit.
I wanted a carbon Vanguard and Steve managed to find this, despite there being a couple of things that are different from a gen carbon Vanguard I was happy to GL it. I really liked the way it looked, especially the dial effect. The carbon fibre on the case is well done, the patterning on the front of the case looks quite similar to gen. However the sides are completely wrong. First off, the carbon pattern is wrong, the pattern is almost like straight lines layered upon each other. On a gen it looks more angular, interwoven from the sides. Second thing the recessed part of the case where the front cover and rear cover almost meet is always a solid colour, black, white, green etc. On the rep as you can see it is carbon. These are not big issues for me and certainly didn’t detract from my attraction to the watch.
Steve said that the factory is a local one and not internationally known when I asked, however the carbon case is almost identical to the boning bunnies rep by ABF released recently. Boning Bunnies is my name for it, real name is #FR2
Movement is an A2824 and the rotor is very rattily if you shake the watch. When I picked it up initially I though the clasp was loose but then realised it was the rotor. On the wrist I never really notice it, I’ll probably get it quietened at some point. Date change is instant at 12:00, winding feels fine and crown usage also feels fine. The date font looks a little thin. Compared to all the other carbon Vanguards it should be a white font on a black background as well.
The strap is quite good in my opinion, I know there’s not a lot of love for rep straps but I find it comfortable and like the look of it. The inside is rubber, and the outer is a woven fabric. Contrast stitching would have been nice but happy with the black on black. The clasp feels quite well made and secure, it wears quite comfortably. For those curious about wrist size and watches of this length, so length is just under 54mm and my wrist is about 16.3, 16.4cm. The flat side of my wrist is 52mm and this is the important measurement relating to watches of this design and smaller wrists, so fortunately for me it’s a pretty good fit.
