Vintage High end reps vs post raid reps Quality difference?

[ETAWatchlover]

Hey,
I was wondering how the quality of newer factorys compares to older high end reps nowadays.

My noob avenger skyland isn't perfect but it was a high end rep back in the days .My BP Chronomat 44 is better quality/more detailed in comparison to the noob.

Now both factorys are gone and I want to know if the other factorys are even worth trying.I have seen poorly aligned markers,scratched hands etc .

 

[Thatwatchguy]

Yeah GF are gone and only mid level factory are available sadly

 

[Reaps]

Buy yourself a VSF Submariner, Clean GMT, and Clean Daytona, and be shocked at the difference.

 

[ETAWatchlover]

I heard/read they are good but I don't like clone movements that can cost me a arm and a leg if they fail .Hence my nick name here .

My noob avenger skyland is probably ten years old now with me being the third owner and it works perfectly.Even with using the chrono .

Breitlings were the sweet spot for me .Cool chronos and "sleek" divers .

I see my avenger skyland rep sold regularly as gens on sites and they do seem to pass 100m water resistance with ease .


But I have a feeling that the machining of BLS and so on isn't good enough to pass these tests .If even the hands are scratched like hell and dial markers badly aligned I can't see how pushers and sealing surfaces hold up .

I don't even know if Gen style pushers crowns and bezel parts fit those mid tier ones.

I don't like to own pretty paper weights

Buy yourself a VSF Submariner, Clean GMT, and Clean Daytona, and be shocked at the difference.

 

[Reaps]

I heard/read they are good but I don't like clone movements that can cost me a arm and a leg if they fail .Hence my nick name here .

My noob avenger skyland is probably ten years old now with me being the third owner and it works perfectly.Even with using the chrono .

Breitlings were the sweet spot for me .Cool chronos and "sleek" divers .

I see my avenger skyland rep sold regularly as gens on sites and they do seem to pass 100m water resistance with ease .


But I have a feeling that the machining of BLS and so on isn't good enough to pass these tests .If even the hands are scratched like hell and dial markers badly aligned I can't see how pushers and sealing surfaces hold up .

I don't even know if Gen style pushers crowns and bezel parts fit those mid tier ones.

I don't like to own pretty paper weights

Think 10 years ago you were valid to think like that but nowadays it's not that bad. VSF Submariner runs VS3235 or 3135 (depending on 116x or 126x) and can be swapped out if they fail for a $100 Aliexpress clone - you can find them on Aliexpress now. There's plenty of options for those.

4130 clone is probably one of the most reliable clones in the market (but no promises with replica) and has a very low failure rate.

You're right that A2824/ETA2824 and ETA7750 are still king of reliability but if you have a little bit of daring nature, go for it.