mezzanine

Figured I'd include a couple of snaps of DuDro's new swiss BCE that I took for comparison purposes, as well as a SFSO-

More pics, small review... http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=60641

*check the bottom of the page for follow-up post The comments on this one are going to be relatively brief- I think that people are relatively familiar with the watch by now, it's problems with the off-center pearls, and it's overall specs including the seconds @3 and Big Date function. I like it. It's an aggressive looking, stealthy, Breitling that has good wrist presence. The AR looks to be better than the Evo's...at least the earlier Evo's- there's been talk that the more recent ones have got better quality AR. I find that the watch is growing on me. A lot depends on whether you're able to tolerate the off-center pearl. Hopefully your watch won't have this problem. I saw a picture of mine before shipping, and didn't notice anything wrong...but go figure. I've noticed that there hasn't been much in the way of pics of the actual rep once obtained by members, so I snapped a few pics of the watch on genuine gator. I'd considered putting it on gen black rubber, and still might try that combo out. Initially, I didn't like the grey leather with the black face. But after a while, with the brushed case sort of muting the black dial a bit, I think it blends reasonably well. I think the folks with gen Breitling black gator straps are going to be pleased. This one might be for sale soon, as I'm having to deal with a potential scam on a recent watch transaction from a member of another board and may need to free up some cash... After having a modded Evo with a case brushed to match the Blackbird's in apparance, the two watches have a similar feel and basic construction. I think I like the Blackbird a little better, all things being equal, from a dial standpoint. The larger Breitling logo and the Big Date give a nice focus, and after having so many reps with a seconds @9 movement, having something a little different is nice. The dial markers look better constructed and finished than the Evo reps, but the Evo dial has the advantage of texture, with it's concentric circles. The face of the watch looks wider on the Blackbird. I think it's partially due to the sub-dial layout, but also because of the brushed bezel that integrates into a brushed case that gives it additional focus and presence. The case has the same engraving of the serial number at the lug at 6 o'clock- which appears similar to that on the Steelfish SuperOcean.

I had a feeling this wasn't going to be as impressive as the Cousteau Divers- quality control issues and all. That's just my opinion. The CD is the most recent true super-rep, and there are elements of it that reflect that recent development. I'm still waiting and wondering when the same maker as the previous group of watches is going to come up with a another couple pieces as a follow up.

Blasphemy! A Rolex? I have a similar mindset when it comes to how AR improves a watches appearance. I have the perspective that, if I were the owner of the gen, I would have it done. It's a universal watch upgrade that you could always say was done special order through the manufacturer. I would restrict myself to watches for which AR was already present, to some degree or another. For example, I wouldn't do Rolex, but I would do most Pams. I am so excited to get my Offshore's crystal coated. That's an example of a watch that should have double-AR that doesn't...not the gen or the rep. Modern watches with very large crystals need AR.

I definitely want my ROO coated. I'm considering getting my asian Chopard GTXL done, but it's synthetic sapphire. I am considering the idea of getting a Panerai done, even though it would be inaccurate to the gen.

Yeah, that Panda dial looks really good. I have to agree with the person who said that the OP is vaulting to the top of the rep world in one shot. I'm hoping to get the crystal on mine AR'd relatively soon. If there was ever a dial that begged to be AR'd, it's the one on my Offshore!

I think you're going to be very pleased. I don't know what the dial quality is like on the black 'themes' dial that you chose, but the one on my MBK ROO is the best I've seen. The finish is quite good. I didn't know what to expect as far as the case/bracelet, after hearing that it was the same as the chinese version.

It's funny Vic, but my interest in getting a gen has yet to really develop. Modding a vintage rollie with gen parts? That has appeal to me, I've got to admit...but one day I think you should mod that forum for new-found gen owners. We'll be the nouveaux riche of gen owners. I was wondering about developing a miniature flag that we would attach to our watch, which would be like an orange diver flag in colour, and would say "genuine watch here!" in bold lettering on both sides. Or maybe we develop some sort of sticker(?). Yes, the Crazy Horse and ABP (especially) were expensive. In retrospect, I suspect that I may have been very happy had I gone with Savage or Tootall, from a value standpoint. I wasn't that excited about the ABP strap, really. It was very high quality, no doubt, but wasn't as suited to my taste as I'd expected.

It's interesting because the colour of the stitching in the picture looks lighter than it does in person- it's supposed to be black stitching on a Crazy Horse. I actually got an ABP horned croc strap with it, but that's been sold and was sized for 26mm lugs. I was very tempted to just leave the MP Senape on it, it's a beauty. I wish it was gen!

My first 'real' Pam, courtesy of a very good friend from the forum-

Natural curiosity has driven me to wonder about the business model of dealers. Having bought/sold watches, there are a lot of challenges to process. People are generally not sensitive to the grey-area nature of dealing with reps. I believe that the newer reps have attracted a new buyers, less educated about reps. With the price increase for these watches across the board, there's an increased seriousness and accountability to the dealer- people have higher expectations. Some of these expectations aren't really compatible with the more calm, laid back tone to transactions that preserves awareness of the sensitivity of the subject matter.

The topic title is a little strange. Maybe the concept is too, but I thought it might be interesting. The question is: what is the 'best' (*insert watch part here*) in your collection? The idea is to get a feel for what 'parts' represent crowning achievements in the rep world. For example, I could say that the best bezel I have seen is the ceramic gen bezel on the HBB. I would say the best dial I have seen is unquestionably on my MBW ROO, in terms of detail and finish. The best AR crystal might be the SFSO, considering it's thickness. I think the Cousteau crystal, given its actual surface area, is even more impressive. Best case? Hmmm...maybe the MBW PP Nautilus Jumbo? Got to give some consideration to the Big Bangs, for sophistication of construction. Best bracelet would be a subject for debate. I tend to like the design of the genta-style bracelets, like the Ingy, ROO, PP Nautilus, etc... But even allowing for that stylistic preference, there's a mysterious finish to the MBW bracelets that is interesting to discover, having not really dipped into the non-Chinese reps too heavily before. I used to discount some of the mystique to hype, but my experience has been that the finish, in terms of the 'tightness' of the watch, as well as the construction and build quality are higher on these watches. Best strap...hard to pick, I'm split between HKtan gator and Greg Stevens 'Crazy Horse'.

I'm deliberating between gen black rubber, which I have now sold twice (the last time about a week ago) without using, and genuine gator. I think I'd like this one on rubber. I'd thought I was going to get a black SFSO, but then didn't. Then again, the breitling gator is really nice.

I just got this one, and I think it's up there with the Big Bang, as far as the types of glances it will attract. Interestingly, I find that the SS HBB is actually more conspicuous than the ceramic bezel version. This SFSO gets noticed more than I'd expected-

Dial changes colour under different light.

These are some awesome modded watches you have, Stephane. I'm thinking about a project for myself with a double red SD. I was surprised when you said you preferred the flat-top T39 to the superdome. If you had the option of both crystals for the DRSD, would you stay with the superdome for accuracy? Or would you go with the superdome, which is still viable, and may be your preferred crystal? Anyways, the dial aging effect is something that I'm still trying to learn about. I'm thinking soaking a dial in coffee over night, then doing a lume job, might get some of the effect- but you're right, the person who was doing your dials is a real artist. I like the level of aging with your double red. I think with these vintage projects of ours, one of the goals should be to actually create an older looking watch. It may not be as desirable in the gen world, in terms of the condition of the watch for sale, but in replicas, showing conditions of having been worn, the case rounded a bit, some effects of having been polished over time, are all desirabe ways to create the passage of time effect. The aged appearance in a vintage rollie usually comes from the dial, and then moves outward, but the dial is primary. I think the MBK's, as they come stock, are almost unwearable because of the lack of lume. I don't have a lot of time to try to get my project going, as far as trying to pick up some genuine parts before it's likely to get shipped off for the lug holes and the dial luming. I'm always curious about what went into someone's rationale when they were selecting which parts to go genuine with, in terms of what parts they felt have the most significant impact on the overall appearance of the watch. Thanks for a great review and some inspiration.

My offshore's going to be kickin' with a double-AR'd crystal. I haven't had a watch that I was so excited to see what double AR could do, but I've never had a watch with a dial as intricate as the AP ROO.

Just received, my brand new, serviced MBW AP ROO. Finish of rep is as good as anything I've seen yet.

On particular models, having double AR on a Pam crystal wouldn't be that big a departure from the real watch. I don't think Panerai and Rolex can be considered similar in that way. Degree of AR coating, if already there, is not that 'conspicuous'.

I'm loving that Offshore. So much so, in fact, that....hmm... My big question with that watch is whether the crystal can be removed for an AR coating- I've read that the bezel assembly is not geared to making it easy to remove the crystal on the reps. I just put this together, it's the first day I've worn the Chopard as I was waiting on a replacement deployant- It's my best value rep yet, at around $125 for the watch strap combination...

The combo for the watch and strap on this watch comes out to around $125 bucks, and is probably my favourite value combination yet. The strap is a 'V' ...is it florence? I can't remember, but it's a great strap. I had first mounted the GTXL on a tan Mario Paci, but liked it better on the darker strap.

Remember to keep the place where you're going to get these done on the extreme down-low, if this idea comes closer to reaching fruition. In terms of the real ceramic bezel, I would probably be interested if it were possible. I have a ceramic HBB, and in terms of substituting PVD or other materials for the ceramic, I believe it may be possible for the brushed ceramic look, but not for the polished one. Unless you were to make the bezel out of some sort of glass. The reason is that the ceramic has a mirror-like reflectivity when polished. But even on the corrugated side of the bezel, there's a refractive effect with the pattern and the ceramic. I highly recommend anyone try to pick up a ceramic HBB, if you can find a deal on one. There's a reason the rep makers had to source out the bezels, I believe. I think that it would be hard to get a finished product with the finish of the bezel on the gens.

The TT BCE is hugely improved with the two tone bracelet. Very nice...