Toadtorrent

Mine had weird lume dots all the way around the dial...which I think is better than just a couple. consistency makes it look almost planned and I don't find it an issue at all:

Here's my review of the latest release:

My Skyland arrived. Yeee-haaaw!!

I don't think so...there are differences. What are they? Find out for yourself.

Updated 2008-Oct-09 - Updated bracelet availability, conclusions and added Ocean Racer strap pic Psssst!! Hey Buddy...want a free Skyland? Well not really...but pretty close. Check out apprentice collector Watchstation's (aka Peter's) $185 improved V1 Skyland ...or is that the V3...or is that the V2.5?? (Don't hate me for the use of these names, I'll explain it below.) It's like buying a magazine subscription and getting a free calculator desk clock...only better. Who wants Skylands? I do...I do...I do... Odds are good you want a Skyland...I know you do...if you don't you need to look at your pathetic self in the mirror...REALLY look at yourself. Now suck in that gutt. If you really consider yourself a MAN...you want this watch because this is a REAL MAN's watch...almost a half-pound of shiny, nobody's-kicking-sand-in-my-face-thank-you-Charles-Atlas macho glory. You NEED one...or in the worse case scenario...you probably know somebody who does. If you're still not convinced look at the pics and check out my review. Let's do some quick math. The problem with rep watches is not that the movements are not reliable. The Zigmeister has shown us that in the case of the A7750 movement, watches with it are very reliable. The problem is finding parts if you need them.. Play the rep game long enough and you've probably tried to source and price getting a new A7750 movement either for parts, or to bring a dead watch back to life. Do your research and you will find: A7750 Movement - $120 - $150 Rep Breitling straps - $30 - $50 = $150 - $200 Buying Peter's new Skyland that he calls an updated V1 with the fixed lume dot @ 3 (that henceforth I will call the V3) for $185, is like getting some parts you will likely need anyways (i.e. movement and strap) and getting a killer case set with nicely greased gaskets and seals on all crowns and double seals on pushers, double AR'd crystal, dial, hands AND a nicely printed Breitling datewheel FOR FREE. But if it's too good to be true...it isn't right? I don't know...you tell me...read on. For those who have read my reviews in the past, you may have identified a pattern that I often review reps that have been OVER-reviewed. I started off my Omega SMP Chrono review saying: "What the !@#%!?? Another Omega SMP Chrono Review?" Well...a quick survey of the number of pictorials, reviews, threads on the Breitling Skyland will indeed reveal that probably 10-Times as many posts have been made about this watch than the SMP Chrono. In fact, the Original Josh's Skyland release Thread at the time of writing of this review, had over 3,000 page views and 144 posts. True, it doesn't quite compare to THE MOST anticipated rep release possibly being the IWC Aquatimer with the Aquatimer Released Soon thread generating 5,211+ views and 502 posts, or rank as the most popular watch that By-Tor's UPO Review's 19,000+ page views might indicate...but at the time of this review, the rep hasn't even been out 3 months yet and has generated this much interest. Remember, 3,000+ hits is for just one post on the Skyland - the V1 version no less. Add on the fact that the supposed V2 was released not long after, more discussion was generated, more posts made, more threads created, and you can drown yourself in talk of the Skyland and be buried in more talk later. A sample of the reviews and posts on this thread include (but by no means are limited to): Italiano's Beautiful Gen Skyland Dayton4Me's V2 Review Siesta181's V2 Review Raymond's V2 from Angus Windyzz's Review Rolexman's V1 and V2 Hybrid Condemore's V2 Strap Poll Lanikai's V2 on Rubber Diver Lanikai's Black and Grey Dialed Comparison I'm willing to wager that if you were to gather all the posts on this forum alone related to the Skyland and place each one on a single square of toilet paper, lining up all the squares edge-to-edge would allow you to go from the Earth to the Moon AND BACK, 1.7 times. That's a scientific fact. Really. I challenge you to prove me wrong. The fact of the matter is this: The Skyland (V1, V2 or now...the V3) is a hot watch both in the gen and rep world, and the release of a V2 within weeks of the V1 probably gives the Skyland the dubious distinction of being one of the shortest lived "It" watches, while simultaneously being one of the most popular reps made with everyone and their dog buying up the V2 and suddenly ignoring the V1. So DOUBLE "What the !#@#!?? Another Breitling Skyland review?" Well yes. After all, another version needs another review...right? RIGHT???After all, if it's not kosher to ask who has the best Sub...it's definitely alright to ask who has the best Skyland (which we all know is either UB7, Italiano or ???????). That and I feel I have to rationlize my purchases. So enough preamble already...onto the main course...but FIRST...what would a Toad Review be without senseless amounts of detail into some history and minutiae? BREITLING HISTORY The Breitling watch company although not as old as brands like Vacheron Constantine (founded in 1755), still has a long pedigree having been founded by Leon Breitling in Switzerland in 1884. Boss...da plane...DA PLANE!! If you think of Breitling today, you probably think "aviation" as that is the image that the company puts forth in all of its marketing and advertising. The president and vice president are both licensed pilots who use their airfield several times a week to chopper-commute 15 minutes between company headquarters in Grenchen to the Breitling Chronometrie in La chaux-de-Fonds, there's a plane on top of the corporate headquarters, and the entranceway of their headquarters is dressed as a cargo freighter. Visualize Breitling, and you can almost smell the thin, unpressurized air. Breitling is one of the sponsors of the Red Bull Air Race (Left) and the Reno Air Race (Right) which in the Unlimited Class mostly pits ultra-souped up WWII planes in a bout for speed ...they are also the sponsors of the only civillian jet aerobatics team in the world - the Breitling Jet Team. Breitling sponsor yacht racing and global exploration...but Breitling does not sponsor the National Mens' Pairs Figure Skating Team. We tried Skylands on once...but they made our hips look fat. Although always associated with speed, Breitling's roots can actually be found in motoring having initially manufactured chronographs and meters for automobiles. In the early 1900's, Breitling became popular with police squads producing a watch called the Vitesse which enabled them the ability to time drivers breaking the speed limit. Breitling's association with aviation really didn't begin until 1936. A pre-WWII start puts Breitling's involvement in the early history of modern aviation. This is earlier than other aviation oriented watch companies like Sinn which although founded by a pilot and aviation enthusiast Helmut Sinn sometime around WWII really didn't start producing pilot's watches pe se until Helmut sold the company to Dipl.-Ing. Lothar Schmidt in 1994...or Bell & Ross which wasn't founded until 1993...or Bulova who went into space in the 60's, or even Casio, Citizen and Timex which are later adopters. Compare Breitling's start to companies like Fortis who were one of the earlier aviation oriented watch manufacturers, being founded in 1912 and popping officially into space starting in 1994 with the Russian Space Agency...or even Omega who were the offical timekeepers for the 1909 Gordon Bennett Balloon Race in Switzerland and you will find that other companies have been in the air longer. Mmmmm..."B" is for Breitling Emergency with UTC... Buzz Aldrin and Cookie Monster However, regardless of who was first in the air, once they started flying Breitling never came down. In 1936, Breitling was chosen by the Royal Air Force to supply their time keeping equipment with their chronograph for airplane cockpits. In 1942 Breitling introduced the Chronomat wich was the first chronograph with a log scale calculator (useful for multiplication, division, and calculations like ground speed, ETA, petrol consumption, rate of descent or climb, etc). If you're ever interested in learning how to use the circular slide rule, it's actually quite interesting. [*]Get the manual here: hxxp://www.chronomaddox.com/breitling/Instructions/navitimer/navitimer_instructions.html [*]Get this JUMBO image of a Navitimer (or use your gen/rep): hxxp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Breitling-Navitimer.jpg/800px-Breitling-Navitimer.jpg [*]Cut out the inner black circle, and follow along with the instructions rotating the inner black circle inside of the white ring to do your calcutions [*]Impress your friends, and win favour with gorgeous women in bars Is this geeky or what?? Later in the 40's, Breitling would find itself as the US Air Force's official pilots' watch (and given the dominating power of the US Air Force...this is a significant coup!), as well as supplying the American Armed Forces. By the 1950's Breitling was probably one of the top players (if not THE top player in the aviation industry) and was supplying clocks used in cockpits for most international airlines. Hey you in the bunny suit...did you remember to wind my watch? One of it's most famous pilots of history is likely Scott Carpenter who wore a Breitling Cosmonaut on board the Aurora 7 capsule (we'll ignore his Bulova Accutron Astronaut on the cover of 1962 Paris Match magazine). Quartz Movements show my modern sensitive side Current high-flying pop-culture favourites have to be Confused by the Navitimer circular slide rule, Travolta calculates the cost of a Royale With Cheese using Mind Power and who could forget HELP...I'm activating 121.5 MHz distress frequency...I'm lost in a sea of fandom As with most luxury brands of note however, (aside from the uber-watches like Breguet and VC of course), having made a name for themselves with innovative features like the circular slide ruler of the Navitimers or Chronomats or mechanical movements like the first wristwatch Chronograph in 1915 Breitling has succombed to the allure of the pre-fab, and today predominantly uses movements supplied by ETA like the Lemania 1873 used in their earlier Cosmonaut (the same movement in the Omega Speedy Moonwatch), the ubiquitous 2824 and Valjoux 7750 chrono movements, as well as the beefier 2892-A2 often adding on chronograph modules by Dubois Dupraz...doing the usual rotor decoration, perlage and other work to the base ETA supplied

I put up a new one in honour of the thread.

OUCH. Drop him as a friend...he's bad Karma! That's the way the cookie crumbles I guess. I had a handful of great product...then the one that failed me was the Noobmariner. El Cheapo was in fact El Cheapo. The service was fine...Josh was great...quickly sent me replacement product no charge and without requiring return of the old one first (mind you this was after spending a little TOOOO much money with him). I would buy from Josh again for sure. The issue was that some watches are known to have certain problems...mine was the datewheel kept slipping on the Noob. So...after a few returns back I said screw it, ordered some parts and tools, and learned how to reset the keyless works on a DG2813, replace the datewheel, etc. Fun. So as aggravating as it was...I ended up with new skills, knowledge and appreciation. Fun fun! I believe Josh and Andrew when they say they don't drop ship. They say either they personally, or someone in their family personally inspect each watch before shipment...and that they don't drop ship. Sure...whatever the case is...I'm not going to argue the point but say that if they do or if they don't, the QC/QA is often not the greatest...but hey...we're also not paying $6k for watches either. Good luck and keep us posted.

My eyes...MY EYES...what have you done to MY EYES!!!!

It makes me want to get a PAM just to get The Zigmeister to lume it.

It's true...but scary if you watch the documentary on replicas that was available via Rapidshare (search for it on the forum)...and you will see they have replica eggs??????????? Do not underestimate what they will replicate to save a few cents (mind you...sell a few hundred thousand and you are talking bigger money).

Mine should be here today. It cleared customs EARLY Sunday... I'm tempted to order a SS bracelet separate...but know I would likely not wear the bracelet. This is a big watch. 18mm is thick...and a thick heavy steel bracelet I think would be pretty uncomfortable on my wrist when I'm desk surfing. I have pretty skinny wrists but solid arms so I think the bracelet would be too much. Besides...too blingy for me. I thought I should get a Slevin when it came out as I used to be a bracelet only guy...but after I wore the rubber on my Cousteau Diver...I was sold. The rubber is really comfy. Swap to leather...classy and comfortable. Swap to a Di Modell Imperator and you get one AMAZING croc grain strap that's waterproof, thick, amazing quality...and comfy.

You have the same vibes as any Noob...no sweat. This is what happens when the first purchase doesn't go 100% smooth. It happens, and that's the game with reps. I always tell people who are new to the game that it's entertainment. That means equal parts: Good Quality Watch Lottery Excitement Whether or Not Expectations Will Be Met The waiting really is half the game...the excitement...not knowing what's going to happen...etc...then like a lottery or gambling...maybe the ball lands on red-even, maybe it lands on black-odds...who knows. When it works in your favour...great...when it doesn't...you get ticked off. If you get a crappy piece...returning to China by registered airmail can take 4-6 weeks from Canada...and another 4-6 weeks to get back here. I don't expect anything in under 2 months if I have to return it...that's just the way it goes. You can complain about having to pay shipping and threaten the collector that you will not buy from them if they don't cover the costs of you having to return their crappy product...but you won't get anywhere. After you build a relationship with the collectors...if something goes wrong, they will be more agreeable to work with...sending you replacement product right away BEFORE you return items...sending parts out instead of you having to return, etc...but not until you've but a few more reps from them. Sorry to hear this happened...but that's the way it goes. It is the risk with drop shipping. Josh and Andrew say they don't drop-ship...there's big debate about this...but the fact of the matter is if he doesn't drop ship, his QA/QC isn't as good as others like Eurotimez for assuring that you get quality the FIRST time. The trade off of course is, he is cheaper than those with the best QA/QC, and his communication response time is fast on email questions...faster than those who are cheaper. So...you get a little of what you pay for...and which collector is the best really depends on what elements of the buying experience are the most important for you. Josh will pull through...it just takes time...and may in fact entail multiple returns. Some people because of delays just accept what they are given...or start modding. Do what you have to do. The rep game requires muchos patience!!

Why did you have to post this for everyone to see. Now I'll have competition when I bid. I don't want any of you sniping me on this one...

I got comfortable after my first couple of posts trusting the information on the site. When I realized real people were responding with vastly different opinions and experiences in some cases, and very similar experiences on others, I realized that the opinions here really were honest. Cross validating information across threads and posts supported the decisions I was about to make...lots of searching...emails to collectors and boom, my first rep:

You have been around. Welcome to the new world of RWG and the new world of high quality and over-priced reps.

You have to find a collector (aka dealer, aka vendor) to buy from. There are many...each with their issues and each with their greatness. Collectors Reviews of Collectors and Users All the collectors will be able to get what you want likely, even if they don't have what you want pictured in their galleries/webshops...so emailing them is recommended...or whatever the particular collector says to do (some say email, some say PM, some say Skype, etc). Dealers vary in terms of response time (hours to days), and quality of English. All can ship to the US. Good luck and welcome aboard.

Depending on the country...some aspects are very illegal. Legality of Replicas As to tipping off ADs...true, finding fakes is easy...very easy. I would imagine most people who know watches reasonably well (not a WIS) think reps are all CRAP. The problem is, that the more and more ADs start to understand the true quality of some of the reps that are around and can see the impact on their bottom line, the more and more ADs will complain about the threat. Reps for the most part are probably not a HUGE threat to ADs as most people who buy them are probably NOT in the market for a gen. It's when it becomes very apparent through frequency of spotting them, or frequency of seeing high quality product that an AD will start to question how much they might be losing and push for change.

Welcome aboard and have fun. You've found some of the most knowledgeable people around about watches...including the gen forums. Read...search...read...search...buy Buy BUY! That's all there is to it.

Welcome. Which watches do you love? Show us the pics.

Beautiful piece. I love those old fat top Omega logos. I have an old same period Seamaster but it has all stick markers...no Arabic numerals...and no running seconds at 6. If it has never been serviced, that watch should see a watchmaker to ensure it keeps running...especially with the increasing rarity of replacement parts.

Because he's got enough money to not care. Hah hah. I've only seen a couple of PAMS in the "wild". I see a heckuva lot more Rollies than anything else.

Yup...investing is one thing. Getting a gen Rolex will maintain value or increase in value over 50 years...depending on the demand for that particular model. If you are captivated by the SPIRIT of the watch then a gen adds so much more value. If you are just captivated by the design...then a rep is just dandy. Awesome pics as always...great lighting.

To add, the more ADs are in tune to the quality of high end reps, the more feedback they provide to the gen manufacturers about the prevalence and risk reps pose to AD sales, and this in turn leads to reps increasing pressure on governments to crack down on counterfeit laws...putting the hobby at risk.

Seriously...a great achievement...understood by few outside of forums like this. It's nice to find a place that you can share your passion with, and a treat to have such helpful and knowledgeable people as "colleagues".

There are TONNES from the US, Canada, and all over the world. You are not alone. Welcome aboard...read on and research hard. Put up your challenge of rep vs. real...I guarantee you, you will not find a more knowledgeable band of experts than this board.