PureTime

Just had a long discussion with the watch maker, we talked about which HBB versions we are going to release and which are not...

Told him about the date font issue, but it is too late to correct it now, we think the problem is not very significant, isn't it?

During our discussion, he bisected the HBB and I took some pics of HBB's parts.

Enjoy:

Well well... I hope you will have some money left after Christmas shopping... It seems as the Mark III version is worth to wait for!

btw you got a nice RWG Membership number

Wow, PureTime appears in 5 of the 6 posts in this blog.

Anyway, a nice blog!

Added to my favourite!

Just to clearify something:

1. The current versions (1st and 2nd versions) does not have AR coating on the crystal, the 2nd version has a coating on the crystal to make the reflective light a bit blueish, it does not have the Anti-Reflective effect at all.

2. On the coming 3rd version, a genuine AR coating will be applied, same technology used by Gneuine Swiss Watches, you can see from my HBB watches.

3. Some improvements on this version:

-1. Better finishing.

-2. Better sapphire crystal (not Chinese sapphire).

-3. Genuine AR coating.

-4. White-lumed hands

-5. Correct white colour on the white dial version.

And more...

Because of HBB launches, this beauty will be prosponed to late Decmeber.

The caseback of the white dial is wrong, I think I will skip this one.

And for the Black Magic HBB, one question for you all:

According to a professional, the genuine one has the case made of brushed and polished black ceramic as well as the bezel, the watch maker said the ceramic case will be damn difficult and expensive to make. If you do PVD on brushed and polished steel, we will have the same looking of the watch (the bezel will be ceramic of course) but different material (in much cheaper price), please let me know.

Dear All,

Sorry to get back to you late, just met the watch maker and discussed about the rep-HBB future, told him what J.C.Biver said and I am sure he will bring us the silver-handed RG version! Any members have already ordered the steel version can change their orders in 2 days.

We see the prototype is quite accurate to the genuine and I want to tell you guys that the final products will be even better!

Issues are going to be improved include:

1. Genuine crystal should be about 0.5mm above the bezel (even this minor thing we will improve )

2. Engraving between lugs (I think this will make all of you happy, especially for those who have already paid :-p)

3. Caseback will be brushed.

4. Some minor improvement to make the watch more perfect.

One more thing, there will be another HBB version will come out at the same time, just updated the pics in the pre-order post, for those who have paid and now want to change for this white dial, please do it in 2 days.

Wish you all will enjoy the pics.

Cheers,

Angus

Pre-Order starts, please read:

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=17097

I await the release date with baited breath!

Wish it could be ready in time to wear on xmas day

I hope I can ship by 20th so you may receive by Xmas day.

I need some help:

I want to know the material of the buckle for Rose Gold model and full ceramic model. If you have pics, please e-mail to me at puretime2005@gmail.com, thanks.!

Too bad, I would have wanted this on the wrist in time for Christmas, as I am off to Brazil and Argentina for a 2 week vacation.

a 2-week vacation... so nice... envy you...

Man,

I'll buy all the versions of the Big bang. Please make the maker do the all ceramic version.

This are dreams become true.

Haha, then maybe you willl have 5-6 BBs at your home after 6 months ;-)

I am in for the ss version as it is , please conceder me for the group buy

“ I assume the group buy watches will be individually inspected before shipping , right ? “

I do not think that stick markers will cause a problem , I had many experiences where blue screws from my Pams had fallen into the movement causing it to stop but never damaged . you take out the screw put it in its right place and walllah good as new .

I will inspect all watches shipped from me, but I cannot inspect each part of them very carefully (e.g. Time accuracy, screws cannot be unscrewed, etc are possible to notice for my inspection), but I will try my best to make every customer happy.

Angus:

One more question that I know has been answered but I am confused:

Is the all black version coming out for sure or not?

If it is can you give us a rough idea of when?

Will it be a lot more expensive or similar price to the SS version?

I much prefer the all black (as pictured in the above posts) and would be willing to wait and buy that one, but only if I KNOW it is coming.

Thanks:

TVT

Dear TVT,

The watch maker has a plan to do the all black version, and this will only happen after may be one or 2 months. It will definately much more expensive than the ss version because it is made of genuine ceramic.

I also like the all black one but I will wear the ss one to wait

Hope this answers your question.

Cheers,

Angus

I am in for group buy. Do u think it can be delivered b4 X'mas? I am moving out of country just before new years and wish to receive it by then.

I cannot guarantee this because it must be shipped by Xmas but may not be delivered by Xmas.

Delivered by 1 Jan should be ok I guess.

I don't care. I will still take one, engraving or no.

I think there is a lzse engraving service that can do it for me. They have done similiar things for me ion the past but DAMN it is expensive.

And I was jsut happy I got the Inge and now you have to come out with THIS?!

Thank you!

I may start the group buy this week, I will be great if you can join:-)

Same thing for me angus i will wait and agree to pay a little more for the 2 extra ( H+ ENGRAVING ROTOR)

I forget angus i want this one )

You should wait more for this, full ceramic case and bezel.

I have a local engraver I am going to ask about this. I am thinking that I could remove the rotor, remove the stupid stick on letters (which I believe will become problematic over time) and then have my guy engrave the rotor. Heck, even just a BLANK rotor would be better to me that something that may cause problems latter and break the movement.

Yes you can ask them to see if they can help to get it engraved, if you want to remove the letters, use some alcohol.

Actually this is not the first rep with stick-on letters on the rotor, I personally did not receive any complaints about this issue would cause movement failure, please do not worry too much.

I will ask about the engraving again... hope we can make it as good as possible.

======================

Here is an updated pic of the movement, I was excited when I saw this, but I know some of you may not like it...

What did you mean when you were referring to the later ultimate rep? Does that mean the one coming out soon won't have AR and such?

I was referring to those ultimate PAMs coming later, the PAM252 is one of them.

Angus - Is it possible you could charge members a fee to get the rotor engraved as they want, with the relevant waiting time ? I don't think there would be a huge amount of people who would go for it, but it would sate those who want it, as well as swell the numbers in your initial group buy?

Ummm... I don't know, I have asked the watch maker today and he is not willing to do this and he insisted that the characters on the movement are not just glued on it, it used a kind of technology to 'iron' on it.

In fact I don't understand.

He also mentioned the characters will not fall off during daily wear and if you want to take the words off, use some alcoholic substance like alcohol or tiner.

Angus, can you please tell us more about the upcoming ultimate Pam reps?

Which models?

Thanks much.

I am sorry I really want to tell you but I want to leave them to when the prototypes are out, hope this could bring some little surprise.

Consider me in for a group buy! Nice!!!!!!!

I will organise the group buy within this week.

Here another picture for reference of the back. Yeah, the rotor as wel as the logo are engraved... i am a bit dissapointed...

Sometimes we have to accept the fact that there must be something we may feel disappointing for every replica

I can understand not engraving the LOGO because it is on the movement itself, but the ROTOR should really be engraved. The glued pon letters scare the crap out of me because they ALWAYS fall off. Once they do fall off you are left with a mess as they get caught in the movement and so on. Even if they directly printed on the rotor it would be better than the glue on letters. I am really liking this watch but honestly, the glue on rotor letters is almost enough to make me not buy because it is not a matter of looks but actual reliability with those things.

Engrave the rotor and we will all be happy and you will sell more!

Engraving the rotor is of course better in our point of view, but this watch is already done and will be out very soon, I am planing the pre-order at this moment and I hope the pre-order can start within this week.

If you really concern, you can remove the letters by yourself and re-glue them using some good glue like what other forum members do with the Arktos and submersibles.

No Way man, you have to make them:

1-engrave the rotor

2-make the right engravings on the caseback of the rose gold version

3-engrave the H on the movement

After that I'll buy them all!!

That's the most beautiful rep I've ever seen

Even with these 'flaws', I still think it is the most beautiful rep I have ever seen.

What I can do is to suggest the watch maker to engrave instead of using stickers on the movement for future projects, I really cannot change it now.

Angus, could you elaborate a little bit on the 'later ultimate rep' you mentioned that would have AR?

I'd be interested in knowing what sort of premium you would charge for the AR, as well as how long after the first run is released you'll be making this ultimate version available.

We don't do individual AR for our customers, Finepics can do AR for crystals, you may ask him for details.

The coming 'ultimate rep' are PAMs, they are made by another factory which is different from the current PAMs, the coming reps from this factory will be very nice! Every watch they make is done according to genuine.

Please consider: If the rotor engraving is done (and maybe the "H") this easily beats all the reps on this board in terms of accuracy hat i have seen so far...strive for the max !!

I will suggest the watch maker on his later project, this project is finished already, everything is done, I don't think the watch maker will remove all glued words on the rotor and re-engrave the rotors (this will take maybe another month), I want to buy it now and I don't want to wait anymore.

And I personally think this HBB has already beaten other reps in terms of accuracy even without the rotor engraved. Did you see the black part of the rotor? It is specialled ordered, I think it is already a breakthrough of this rep.

This is the first time for this watch maker to make 1:1 rep, I strongly agree he is doing extremely good (at least better than some watch makers making 1:1 watches for a long time) and I will support him in his later projects and I am sure he will build many more 1:1 replicas in the future!

Regardless of engraving and all the blah blah blahs... I am in for one. The RG version. And the APs as well. Damn Angus, could u hurry the factory? I am running out of patience here... I am in for a Big Bang and two APs and I NEED them NOW.

Thanks for your support

If this were yet another PAM, IWC, or Rolex the movement engraving and lack of gold hallmarks would be dealbreakers and my money would stay in my wallet. But Angus and whatever shop he's working with are making the attempt to do what a lot of collectors have dreamed about--making high quality reps of interesting and unusual watches.

For that reason, I'm going to buy one of each of these new models, and I hope all collectors who want this trend to continue do the same.

Even if these flaws do bug some people, it seems a little...er... inconsistent to moan about some on-the-back flaws when versions 1.0 of these watches are more accurate than version 83 of a lot of PAMs and Rolexes that we wear every day.

Thanks for your support :-)

Well.. the Big Bang is the only watch that I really liked as much as my Panerai on my wrist therefore I will get it whatever the flaws are (which are not many)

Angus.. Rose-gold version for me please

Already reserved one for you

I like the black ceramic bezel model!!!

however between the steel and rose gold version available... i prefer the rose gold!

it says the rose gold version is a limited edition of 100pcs with individual numbers on caseback.... that would make the rep 99.98% then instead of 99.99%

Haha, yes, 0.01% less on that model

wow looks like the black bezel may be an option!!!!!!!

nice

It may release in t he future.

The Big Bang fights the AP in these pics...BACK TO BACK COMPARISON

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tre...59398&rid=0

I think I may have to have the Black bezel!

Thats a tough fight between the two it seems. For me the Big Bang wins usually over most AP models due to the following reasons:

1) dont like the AP hands

2) I prefer a nice back window to see the movement (though this might be a newbie-syndrom which will fade away eventually)

3) most APs look too "steely" (as in too much steel) IMHO

4) and finally, the name alone is worth owning one. Isnt it a true pleasure to pronounce the name out loud ? BIG BANG !

This AP is a good one though, I especially like the carbon bezel, looks sweet. and also it has a very nice back window for good view on the movement.

Still, the Big Bang wins for me even above this one:

- the bezel screws look more elegant on the BB

- i prefer the BB rubber strap

- he white dial is hard to read off on the AP and the three chrono hands in three different colours are a bad style IMHO

- i like to have hour numbers on the dial and the ones of the BB are very exclusive

So Lets say, the AP goes down in round 9 or so

But now the AP ROO and the HBB will come at the same time (both will out within this month), so you can buy both and let them fight at your home :-)

why would a printed mark "break" a movement?!

It is not a must, but it may cause the movement to work improperly by doing this.

I dont get the breaking argument either. I have very little knowledge about the watchmaker profession but I would have assumed the printing goes onto the part of the movement (i think it is a called a bridge) BEFORE the movement is put together or not ?

The movement is built by the movement factory and the movement factory only sells you the movement, any movement decorations have to be done by the watch maker.

Yeah, but what id the movements come from one source, cases from another and you're just the guy that assembles them?

The movement and cases are for sure from different factories. The watch maker researches on which watch to make and doing the QC at the end.

Sorry as i said i dont know much about this industry :cc_surrender:

If that is the case then of course printing is an issue

It is not difficult but there is a chance to affect the movement.

Then you do the following (it is really simple, I think not too hard for anyone, even for those without a degree!):

Unscrew screw, take plate off, Print on plate, put plate back on, turn screw tight.

Yes you are right, but while you are going to do 1000 movements, please remember you are not doing one by one (e.g. unscrew one plate and print it and screw it back), the watch maker has to unscrew all 1000 plates and take the plates to another factory to do the engraving, during this time interval, all movements have the plates missing and some of the wheels may lack the support of the plates.

Some of the wheels are sandwiched by the bridge, while the bridge is absent, the wheels are easy to loss, and these work are not done by the movement specialist, the unscrew and screw work may also influence the movement.

Besides, engraving the rotor may also damage the bridge which will cause unreliability of the movements.

All these were told by the watch maker, I am also a professional on this.

But what about the part that swings (dont know the name) and has "HUBLOT GENEVE" on it ?

it is the rotor

that thing should be engraved. but judging from the pictures, they have the wirting applyied with stick on letters which is a bad thing IMO.

and its not sooo hard to engrave the rotor (just in case someone comes out of his hole and starts yelling "HEEY engraving a rotor is sooooo damn complicated, its even harder than to manufacture a grande complication!!!"), the older (and some of the newer) 7750 Panerai rotos were engraved and the unitas bridges are also engraved.

Yes it is sure easy to engrave the rotor but it will increase the cost of making this watch, for the stickers, he can have it done by the watch factory, but if for engraving, the engraving work have to be done by another factory and by extra cost, it is true it will not be expensive for the engraving but the watch maker simply do not want to be too much work on a watch, if this watch need to be perfect, there are still many works to do but we cannot make all of them done.

The watch maker did not show me the prototypes of this watch so I cannot ask for all of your ideas, now you see the imprtance of posting prototypes here (like AP ROO, Breitlings, Chopard...)

I agree. This part requires no special skills to remove.

The point is not removing but the work between removed and re-installed.

But anyway, I will try to suggest him to do this in his future watches, I am also willing to pay the extra work, but sometimes the watch maker think those works are too troublesome and they just simply use some alternatives.

Hope this help, one with 46mm PVD B&R Chrono and one with PAM127 47mm Fiddy.

Enjoy.

Concerning the date wheel colour, here is a quote from another forum from JC Biver, the father of the hublot big bang (dated aug. 18, 2006)

"Well, well gentlemen, I think I might have to disappoint you.

Some nine months ago we decided to introduce from May 2007 on(if I remember well)the black date together with the black dials. The idea was certainly good and I can see from the reaction that some of you welcome this change.

But considering the stock problems and logistic problems we are facing with two date colours, we decided yesterday to come back to only one date colour, except for certain special models like All Black for instance.

Now, with all your reactions, I am tempted to reconsider our decision?

Will let you know."

So apparantly, the date wheel color will not affect the accuracy. Both colors are fine (though I must say I would prefer the black one, it looks nices on both the cf dial as well as on the plain black dial of the ss bezel version)

@Admin: Very true, on some pics of the gen dial that are taken from a lower angle one can even see parts of the next (previous) date on the datewheel, so the one on the sample from Angus look authentic.

@angus: if there are plans to make the black magic version, it should also be possible to make the ceramic bezel version since the black magic version has everything ceramic (bezel and case).

For the black magic, I guess even for a rep the price will be expensive, you can see from the Chanel ceramic watches, but for sure I will ask the maker to make this, but this will only happen when the steel and gold versions sell well, so if you have enough cash in your pocket, buy both ;-)

I think I prefer this to the AP ROO which is coming.... but it might be a bit big for me... sigh...

but... who cares...i will still get one...

Thanks :-)

This piece looks very nice. I just looked at a few gens in the new issue of WatchTime. Very close to the mark....................!

Haha, the maker also states this to me.

Here some pics of the gen proving the date wheel is lower on the gen as well and a naked pic.

If you looks closely you can see part of the number of the next date from the side shots.

All in all I think the rep looks truely amazing. Only thing missing is the logo on the back, but that shouldnt be too difficult to make right ? it looks as if it is just printed on there...

Thanks very much for the pics, the gold/ceramic version is really nice! But I will stick to the steel/gold bezel 100 pcs limited version :-)

The mark is easy to make but it may break the movement if it is 'printed' on it and it may fall into the movement if it is 'glued' on it. So leave it absent is the best way.

I was at the Hublot dealer in Toronto today to examine the BB.

There are two sizes for the HBB, a 40mm or so and a 44mm. The 44mm one uses a ETA 775X with seconds at 9, and the 40mm uses an ETA 2894 with seconds at 3. The RG with RG bezel version were only made in 40mm, which explains this. There's also an SS with ceramic bezel that is in 40mm, also using the 2894. The 40mm is noticeably smaller (bigger difference than Panerai), and thinner.

Hope this answers the difference.

Thanks for your info! It does greatly helps!

Well I would never pay the Money for the genuine of this particular piece...but a rep of this quality is a must have (as Admin also said I beleive)....if the maker can do the black bezel exactly as the genuine that would be great, but since his piece has the SS bezel I would rather have whatever is most accurate....when I heard the rumors of the BB I had no idea this piece would be so good...then we have all these new other pieces coming as well...a few years ago we were getting maybe one really exciting rep every 6 months, now we are stacked with choices!!!!!

For the ceramic (black) bezel, what I can promise you all is "it will be available soon but don't know when, and it will be 101% same as original (guess what )".

Everyone who is also excited about this awesome watch Angus is bringing us but what wondering whether the rose gold version does exist, check this out: special 100 pieces limited edition !!! cant wait for this to come out !

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tre...71659&rid=0

Really valuable information!! I am in for this one myself!!

like it... but, some gens have white date and some have black date?!?!

is it an option of some sort... which model constitutes which color datewheel?!?!

I think they should be the same... is this a 40mm/44mm issue again?

I'm becoming convinced of the 'golden age' thing, too. In fact, I don't think I'm going to be looking on the used section as much any more. No doubt there are some really good older reps, but I feel there really is a difference in what we're seeing over the last 8 months.

I'm planning on getting the Big Bang, the Offshore, and *maybe* an ultimate PO. I wanted to stay away from the 7750 movements as much as possible, but I guess I've got to just cross my fingers. I've got a Tag Link Chrono, and although it's been a little buggy, it's holding up.

Now, all I need to do now is figure out some aftermarket AR, and then all of my reps are going for in the treatment.

For later ultimate rep from me, they will be AR coated, you can save more :-)

That's a pity, I can stand not to have the braclet, but a swiss version would be really good...

When It is avabile count me in one of this.

No problem

Oh no , Can't take it any more so many new watches .... the fever starts again:

Priorities:

1) RX EXP II White, with correct date font, long GMT hand and blank rings around the dots (on the way)

2) OMGA PO 45 mm (yes I am waiting for the 7th version ... it should come)

3) New AP RO

4) Breitling Steelfish Superocean (my very first Breitling)

5) RT/Jay new watch (I guess this will take 4 to 5 months to have it ready)

6) New IWC Auqatimer C.D. listed here

7) Jessica's ass pictured above (.... I think I will put this 1st n the list).

.....btw , no Panerais guys ????

2 is out already.

There are 5 PAMs are going to release shortly (all with sapphire crystal with AR and CORRECT date mag and font)!

Angus-

That is a stunning piece. The Aquatimer Chrono has always been one of my gen favorites. If the rep looks anything like some of the pictures above it could well become one of my rep favorites.

I am quite sure the rep will be very accurate, just like the HBB.

loving the rehaut....hope it is 1:1

No need to hope, it must be

Very nice watch, but i'd prefer the non-chrono version as well.

It should also be done later.

I am very interested in a chrono version (swiss 7750 only)

I may ask if I can do a special order for you.

It wasn't a holy grail until I saw this post. I am indifferent to the "wood" back. Any accurate version would be fine though. I wonder what the timing will end up being.

It will take about 2 months to release.

Well at least we will have a good indicator of how long it takes to develop a rep watch from a gen.

Very good work Angus, and im sure you'll be very busy with orders this xmas!

The appox time of developing a rep from a gen is 45 days, so we usually say 2 months.

Angus, will this herald replicas for the entire Aquatimer range? The case design is the same.

I will be buying the plain versions as soon as they are available.

I believe there will be.

yea, im with pug.

I would love one with an Eta 2824

EDIT:heres a pic of the original for reference

My pics are original as well

Because this one has just started to produce.

YES!!!

I'm on this... so fast, my wife is gonna kill me

@PT... Your watches are coming out at an amazing pace, and they are great choices!!! Keep this up and I'll be living under a bridge selling banana skins

Can the manufacturers do genuine Tritec Super Luminova?

I know the material is expensive, but I would think the extra cost would be relatively minimal and surely much more precise than sending them out to get redone.

The SuperLuminova is really expensive and the factories are not willing to do it. But if someone can supply the lume and I can do the re-lume for them.

If there is an ETA non-chrono Costeau in the works I am all over it!