Pix

Hi Folks, well I got this idea yesterday while posting in the wristshots : a Tourbillon movement is something that must absolutely be seen in motion. Pictures will never give you any idea of how attractive and hypnotizing it is. So before posting a review/pictorial of my new Breguet Regulateur, I thought it would be nice sharing a small home made video. Sorry for the average resolution, but actually I had to choose between speed or resolution and it seems that Youtube won't take high quality movies... Hope you will enjoy however.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the blued screws on reps aren't real, they are just paint/varnish. In that case you can remove it if you really can't live with it. Personally I would keep the colour, it gives a very nice look to the movement.

Lovely ! What are the 2 crowns on the right ? One is He valve..? And the second ?

I like the combo with the strap very much !

Gone forever this time... (look at the announcements in Admins thread "I'm back") I'm afraid I'm helpless here. I cannot and won't remove the bezel entirely, as this watch is not for me. I would like to avoid stripping anything : my H screwdriver does not work here. I feel sorry about that, but hope you will understand. IMO, looking at their size and shape (way the "knurling" is done), they are exactly the same. Only the screws seem different and not compatible with each others case. I read (and Watchmark somehow confirmed) there are 2 bezel manufacturers only : a Chinese and a Japanese.

Well, I'm now not sure anymore that all parts are compatible (after te bezel screw experience). I'm still convinced that the V2 is a good choice, especially knowing that the movement is a straight swap with a Swiss 7750, and looking at the price (some versions are under 300, i.e. a standard rep price) V2 versions with closed caseback popped up, for those really having problems with the movement/rotor appearance. The other point is that you can get a brand new A7750 for 130 USD, if this is really disturbing. There are a lot of mods that can be done before reaching the price of the V1 "plain" version. What else ? I love the RG look, and if this watch was not for a friend, I would have kept it As far as the Ltd Edition marking is concerned : the problem is that there are so many variations around that I'm unable to say if the text is correct or not. @Zenpang : there are other dead giveaways on the V1 too (like stickers). As TripleS said, both versions should be mixed to obtain the perfect rep. I feel the Silix version is more a problem as you will more quickly spot it : flat knurled bezel and gold dial digits are quite obvious flaws. At the end, aren't we looking for tiny details ? Hublot is quite unknown and every HBB owner has certainly noticed how people react when wearing the thing : "incredible watch"...

No idea. The problem is that there are so many gen variations around. Some, for example, also mention what they're made of, on the caseback (Titanium, Gold etc...)

An other thing I just noticed : V2 has blued screws. And a slightly thinner rotor.

See, the V1 runs faster. It's 10 minutes ahead !

Not my best wristshot... But I dreamt about it

Great news ! The marking look so so, or is it me ? I'd love a house for my HBB

Hi Folks, I have been delivered today with the Watchmark version (the 405 USD one). I must confess that this watch is not for me, but for a good friend of mine. But I'll keep it until sunday, so please feel free to ask any question. I'm starting this thread not to make a review against the gen (experts please chime in if there are obvious points to be mentionned), but to compare what I have come to call the V1 against the V2. V1 stands for the manufacturer1 version, i.e. the one we have all known. Although my V1 was a lite version, I consider it as being the same as far as the construction is concerned. The differences between the "V1 lite" and the "V1 plain" version were : - no AR coating, which was fixed afterwards with a Jakub's Ar coating - 21,6 kbph movement against 28,8 kbph - smooth SS PVD coated bezel against knurled ceramic. I have upgraded to a SS PVD coated knurled one thanks to UB7 My V1 is the SS version. V2 stands for manufacturer2 version. It is commonly admitted that this is a rep of the rep. Due to a price which is higher than the lite version (that BTW seem to have disappeared) but lower, much lower than the "plain version", the big question is : "how does it stand" against the expensive one ? The V2 is the RG version. The answer (hopefully) in pictures is about to follow. For me, the main difference (except of course the movement) comes from the strap, as for the rest, we're only speaking of details. Why the strap ? It's actually a much softer rubber, which IMO feels cheaper. It's fortunately not the extremely cheap rubber we can see on some Omega PO or on the Chopard GTXL. From what I have experienced today, it takes dust inside, but the outside (maybe thanks to its shape) does not attract dust, at least not much. So most of us will live with this, I'm sure. The most demanding buyers will be able to upgrade to the stiff version for less than 40 USD, as far as I recall Angus prices (who seem to be the only one selling spare parts). Also the V2 version looks absolutely matt, against a satin (almost glossy) finish for the V2. Honestly I prefer the V1 finish, although noone would really notice the thing if they did not have both ones side by side. I leave it to you for judging from pics. Here you can see the dust inside and the softness of the V2. The embossed markings inside are better on the V1. A side by side. The second one is something I usually don't do : using the flashlight. But I tought it gives an idea of the AR coating. The V2 has an AR which is hardly noticeable. But it exists : I particularly noticed it when I put water on the dial (to check it's sapphire, and it IS). There, the typical blue hue appeared. I would tend to say it's a single AR coating, but actually am unable to prove that. There you'll also see that the dust does not affect the outside of both straps. That's good to know for those who, like me, hate cheap straps. Caseback markings look both good. I'm not mentionning the contents, as it seems there are different markings according to the versions. The V1 has stickers on the rotor, whereas the V2 has real engraving, which feels a bit more like the gen, but before all will avoid dramas with letters falling in the movement. Deployment clasps are almost identical. The markings on the V2 are bolder, somehow not as well finished than on the V1. But still more than acceptable. I have the feeling that the V2 digs less in the wrist, but that might be an effect of the softer strap. Sides look absolutely the same to me, except the crown logo which is bolder on the V2. The V2 has no screw-down crown, it is the same standard system as on the V1 : pull-out, push-in Looks slightly different in the construction. It has been also said that there's a pattern difference in the V2's dial. It's true. The pattern in the small squares is less marked, but does exist. I must say you can't notice that by naked eyes. (both pictures are from V2) Last difference which is in favour of the V2 IMO : looks like a tiny detail, but it's an automatic tell for those knowing the 7750 movement. Look at the rotor screw of the V2 : it's smooth, which feels more like the gen. Conclusion : Those having paid a lot for the "plain" V1 version did not pay for nothing. It's surely the best version around. However, we have an excellent alternative for those willing to pay a more "common" price. I forgot something : the bezel. Impossible for me to say if it's PVD coated steel or ceramic. Actually the screws are not the same exactly and I could not use my V1 H tool to detach the bezel. I have unscrewed one screw : looks grey inside, but I'm unable to say if it's the grey of the steel, or the grey of raw drilled ceramic. Also, the screws of V1 simply won't fit in V2. Be carefull if you have to change one (i.e. order from Angus) Honestly, I don't think it's that important. An other Version has popped up recently, it's Silix's one. Basically it is the V2 with a different bezel (looks wrong as it's flat). It has the high beat movement. No idea about the quality of the strap. It stands between Watchmark's version and the V1 we know. I tend to believe that it's a special manufacturing or modding done for or by Silix, as I don't think there's a 3rd manufacturer around. Until proven Hope that was useful. [Edit] 7th May. Evildee informs us that the rehault is wrong against the gen. It should be gold, whereas here we have a silver one. Although my intention was not to compare to the gen but to the V1, I think that this point is important enough to be mentionned, and not to mislead anyone.

Thx I have been waiting ro afford a Tourbi for a while... It seems the prices have drastically decreased. This one comes from Watchmark. He sells about 550-580 + shipment. The strap is acceptable, but not the level I want. So count with the cost of an additionnal strap.

@Coolfire : I have no clue what it can be. Is there a trick to recognize the thing ? I agree that PVD would be a good option, as it seems it lasts longer.

Yes, from Watchmark. You can use both I suppose, the problem being the payment methods. Last order I had to pay by CC, as I refuse to use WU. No PP and no MB for now due to frozen accounts... (you know that happens). I personally prefer to email Watchmark, I am from the "old school", where I want to know that the seller has got my order I also found his EMs fees to be more advantageous (an other 10 dollars you can gain per shipment).

Hi, just got the delivery. I'll open a thread tonight for detailed comparisons with my lite version, which I recognize to be the same as the "plain" version but without AR, an other movement and an other bezel. Basically it is extremely close to my version. There is IMO only one major difference : the strap is very soft, against mine being quite stiff. It does not seem to attract dust like the cheap ones however. I'll confirm this later. This softness might have one advantage : the clasp does not dig in your wrist like the other one (you know this is a known "flaw"). So it's more comfortable. If you are disturbed by this, I can get the stiff version from Watchmark or Angus. The bezel is correct. I need macroshots however to see the pattern. I'll check later if it is ceramic or not. And I confirm what jot already described : it's a normal crown (push-in, not screw down). The AR is light, but it's here. It's far better than one I got on the lite version initially (i.e. no AR). But not as good as J's AR Keep in touch...

So let's get in touch by PM : I have no problem leaving the blue one, I won't probably wear it. I have a large preference for both other colours. I bought it "just in case", and I think I was right as Ruby seems not selling them anymore.

Regarding the dimension it is 44,5, like any other. As it is not round shaped, it depends how you measure it. I'm also wondering if it has stickers or if it's engraved. When I saw it first, I was just wondering if it was not the V1 with a reduced price. Actually it is maybe something else : look at the knurled bezel, it looks wrong (flat) It is not clear yet how's Watchmark's V2 bezel. The pictures are not sharp enough. I hope I'll be able to confirm it today (watch "in transit" since yesterday, i.e. I feel like our national post employees don't like to work the day before May 1st... ) Otherwise, I now have a small preference for the low beat movement : there is a regulator (even if not working), thicker datefont and the screw where the rotor attaches is more like the gen (smooth). I know, these are details But it's interesting to compare the different versions on the market.

Well... I bought 3 straps from her one or two monthes ago. Maybe she changed her mind. I can sell you the blue for the price I paid it, if you have no other solution.

I would not like to spoil anyone's pleasure, but I guess the 5 micron plating is a marketing trick from the manufacturer. It can't be verified anyway. What's more interesting is "how" is it plated.

Thick ?

Hi, I'd be interested in knowing this too. Whatever the fix is, I guess it's not going to be easy, otherwise we already all would have done the operation. Did you get yours now PZ ?

And I heard that communication with English native persons might be tricky too...sometimes... Worst is when you speak froglish, we all know that There's one reality besides : many dealers are not interested in horology as we are. I remember of some asking me "what is AR" or what is a "sandwich dial". Sounds obvious for many, but it isn't. This can explain many flaws/misunderstandings in a transaction. I personally prefer this to the one knowing everything, as he will scam me without I notice it

Dozo... Let's agree to disagree and see how this hobby evolves for you. I'd really be glad if you could accept that Chinese do not think as we do*, and that's why imperfection will rule the rep world for a while. The day they will have perfect products and service, prepare to pay much more. Besides, those thinking that this can be avoided by going through a western dealer are wrong : this dealer will carry the risk and you will automatically pay for this. They rely on the same sources as we do : there's no other way. *I said "do not think as we do", without judging... I don't know who's right at the end. And I think much stress comes from our too high expectations. Imagine the dealer that has let's say 10 customers asking him every minute if the bezel is perfectly aligned, if this or that... Not sure if this is so easy.