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Chinese and "gen" MBK Nautilus


Pix

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Hi,

I have noticed that the movement seems to wind in only one direction (on the watchwinder, not speaking of winding the crown). So I have doubts that it might be disturbed in the case, or that it's not a genuine Swiss ETA, but a copy or the now well-known Sellita SW-200 (potential succcessor of the ETA 2824). Does anyone know how these normally behave, I mean from the winding point of view.

I'd love to check that, as I intend to review the thing. But it's impossible to remove the movement. The watch does not open on the caseback, but from the front. So I have the dial in front of me and have no access to the stem release button. Any hint ?

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Possible indeed, which would explain why I paid 280 shipped for it instead of 348 (can't complain against the other version but need to know what I got...)

What I'd like to do is check and prove it objectively, in order to have things smoothly settled with the dealer, provided that he was aware of this difference :)

Is this CN- ETA 2824 the real clone we know (with compatible parts, as reviewed by The Zigmeister) or just one of these usual white lies (i.e. BS !!)

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Hi,

hopefully this week-end.

One thing is already sure : doubts on the movement, and no way to check it. Sh*t screws in the bracelet, otherwise gorgeous look and blue dial.

Ideally I should have the MBK to compare ;)

Basically I've decided to wait at least one week before reviewing anything, this allows to discover things that can't be seen at a first glance. Like this movement thing for instance.

New call : any hint to remove it or is it condamned to stay in its box forever ? That sounds odd for a future servicing. <_<

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:)

The case construction is excellent. But simple. The crown is not a screw-in type.

As for many reps however, I find the steel a bit soft, which means it may scratch easily. However, as it's plain steel, it's easy to fix.

The clasp is average. And mine has a defect on the inside (OK, I'm the only one to know it) My VC Overseas deployant is much better...for cheaper.

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:)

The case construction is excellent. But simple. The crown is not a screw-in type.

As for many reps however, I find the steel a bit soft, which means it may scratch easily. However, as it's plain steel, it's easy to fix.

The clasp is average. And mine has a defect on the inside (OK, I'm the only one to know it) My VC Overseas deployant is much better...for cheaper.

I paid $425 shipped for my MBK version--I gotta say, a screw-down crown, top quality fit and finish, and not having to worry about the movement is worth every penny of $140.

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Sure. That's always the risk when looking for cheaper alternatives. Till now (Breitling & Hublot) I only had good experiences with this philosophy.

Which is sure is that I DO NOT want to spend more than 300 USd (was 250 before these days) in a single watch, to spread the risk in case of failure. It's very easy : I prefer to buy 2 watches for 425 than 1.

Also, it is obvious that I have to clarify if the movement delivered is the one advertized : not only for me, but for those who might choose the cheaper way too. And again, up to now, all the things I've been telling do not make this watch a bad rep at all. The look and feel is unique, although I think there is much less job on a Nautilus (MBK or not) than on other reps of this price level, and can't explain why it's sold so expensive : what might be true for genuines (development, choice of materials, marketing, quality control, reputation of the brand) does not apply in the rep world. There's no reason a Patek rep costs more than a Vacheron Constantin rep (I'm comparing the Nautilus and the Overseas here).

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is the deployant comfortable? I also have a VC and its the most comfortable watch I ever own here. How does it fit to your wrist?

It is, as it's a double deployant. The comfort is comparable to the VCO. Not the finish : mirror polished but not on the sides.

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I paid $425 shipped for my MBK version--I gotta say, a screw-down crown, top quality fit and finish, and not having to worry about the movement is worth every penny of $140.

My MBK/MBW does not have a screw-down crown...what gives?

Also, Pix, are you saying the VCO is superior or inferior in finish by comparison?

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From the bracelet point of view there's no doubt for me the VCO is better.

Then, for the case, both are very good, with an advantage of more job on the VCO (remember the caseback).

To date, the VCO bracelet is the best I've seen, except its "stuck" screws, which require an MD-40 bath to unscrew.

230074-12372.jpg

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The most money I ever spent on a rep is the MBK Nautilus...430.00 shipped.

I, however have spent more money modding my 3717 including the cost of the rep from EL.

By way of comparison however, I need spend NO money on the Nautilus to bring it up to gen standards as I had to spend on the 3717. Date wheel change...movement swap and service... and relume included.

The MBK Nautilus is without doubt the BEST watch I have ever purchased. 430.00 is nothing when considering what I got for it. Comfortable bracelet??? The MOST comfortable SS bracelet of any watch I own, without doubt.

I have been very interested in the CN Naughty comparison...sounds as though I made the correct decision in purchasing the MBK. [censored], 3 years ago (or 4) I spent 400.00 on the first 112 PAM ever released, and it had no blue screws.

I guess the money is immaterial, if you get what you want, when you want it. Especially if you don't have to wait two or three months to get it. How about 600.00 for a BB? Or how about 645.00 for modding a Seadweller???

MBK RULES!!!!

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I guess the money is immaterial, if you get what you want, when you want it

I fully agree !!

BTW, how do you remove the movement on the MBK ? :bangin:

I won't be able to prove anything until I have not taken a picture of this movement. I DO NOT believe it has a defect by only winding in one direction (it keeps perfect time) but that IT IS NOT an ETA.

Things like that happen, but I can't define who lied... :rolleyes:

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BTW, Piratedzeus, I don't think that the movement is a chinese thing, because the seconds hand sweeps perfectly smoothly, i.e. I am 99% sure it is a 28.8 kbph movement.

so :

- Sellita ?

- defective ETa-2824 ?

- Asian clone of the 2824 ?

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The MBK Nautilus does NOT have a screw down crown.....neither does the original from PP.....!

The Chinese version is NOT an MBK either......the fit and finish on the MBK is at the highest level.....as Jeff G says......out of the box there is nothing that needs to be done to this watch......and yes....the bracelet is superbly comfortable.....moulds itself to your wrist......and at 400+ dollars.....you have 99.9% the equivalent of a $14,000 genuine....!

I wore mine to the Bangkok Int'l Watch Show in August....straight onto the PP stand....had coffee and cake....and tried on various new PP's....whilst the MBK sat on the counter....NOT one member of the sales staff....including those who handled the watch and admired it....made any comment othere than..."I see you're already a PP customer.....wouldyou care to see the new models....Sir..."..!

The Nautilus winds in ONE direction only.....however you will hear a clicking noise as you turn the crow anti-clockwise......this is just the winding mechanism ratchet.....completely normal....!

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at 400+ dollars.....you have 99.9% the equivalent of a $14,000 genuine....!

I wore mine to the Bangkok Int'l Watch Show in August....straight onto the PP stand....had coffee and cake....and tried on various new PP's....whilst the MBK sat on the counter....NOT one member of the sales staff....including those who handled the watch and admired it....made any comment othere than..."I see you're already a PP customer.....wouldyou care to see the new models....Sir..."..!

You must be kidding. A PP staff doesn't know the Jumbo shouldn't have a second hand on it, and it is "Swiss" and not Swiss Made printed on the dial? This is unbelievable. This whole sales team should be fired. There is no way the quality and finish of the MBK case is close to the gen. This can be easily proven by looking at both the flanges on sides. I am am not saying the MBK is no good, it is still an excellent piece of work in the rep world, but there is just no way and no point when comparing with a gen PP.

I may get flammed from this post as I know there are simply so many die hard MBK PPNJ fans here. But just want to point out it is meaningless to exaggerate the superiority of just a rep 99.9% equal to the gen. And we are talking about PP here, comon.

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No kidding involved......whilst it may be unbeleievable to the anally retentive members on these boards......in the real world.....sales staff or not....you will find that most of them haven't a scoobydoo when it comes to the finer points of these watches.....and given that the Nautilus design is almost 40 years old.....and with the number of permuations that have existed......and that doesn't take into account the one off customer special orders that have been commisioned over the years..if you want it with a second hand...Patek will make it with a second hand.........whilst you may be a web enabled Patek expert....that doesn't mean everyone else is......sales staff or not.....all kidding aside......!

Edited by TTK
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Do you really think an average sales person would call a potentional customer out, maybe yelling at him "Why is there a second hand running?! Is that a FAKE?! Pierre! Call the cops!" :lol:

And maybe later he finds out it is a customised genuine and he scared out someone who was willing to spend serious bux...

Someone who takes his money now to Breguet or VC!

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