deemaster

I guess the issue is whether or not we're talking a rep or a gen. In the case of a rep (e.g. Tag Heur Carrera) which should NOT have blued screws, I could see why you would want to do this...otherwise, leave it. I can't be bothered to change it.

You must be clairvoyant Toadtorrent... Day/Date Carrera in particular

Well in this situation the caseback is sapphire and the gen doesn't have blued screws. ugg

How to remove the blue paint from movement screws WITHOUT removing the screws? Is that possible? Perhaps place a tiny drop on the screw head and wait an hour while it slowly dissolves the paint? I'm nowhere near experience enough to remove the screws... I mean I could... but I'm not so sure they'd go back in. Ya know?

(( I presume that just because you see a screw-head through the sapphire caseback that it's not always safe to unscrew it long enough to sand off the paint without something in a layer beneath going -pop))

the story is not news in the UK (as American Football is an ultra-minority sport). What happened?

Man... what's going on in the UK? You guys arn't part of the 100 million viewers to watch the typical Superbowl?

It's very impressive at the AD. Case size is way off. I'm considering a gen with this one...

I'm pretty sure that Tag no longer uses that rotor on any of their watches any more either. Especially their new ones like the Grand Carrera and this new Day Date which is a pretty huge problem. I even see the classic Carrera's with the updated rotor (with the holes in it) at the AD.

...diamond studed balls to get away with it

go for it

haaaa... that's funny! I'd have no trouble pulling that watch off until someone noticed that all's I drive is a crappy Ferrari

Come on baby...

I'm now nervous as crack [censored] on Christmas eve... I have the same Ice Bang Ultimate scheduled for delivery mid week based on tracking... First time with Puretime so I'm hoping it's a good one. I'll take detailed photos when it arrives. I have a 3mp digital microscope too so I'll be able to get in nice and tight...

suck........

I agree with chronoluvvv... only thing to keep in mind is that the first thing you notice on the gen (well, most people notice) is the incredibly clear crystal. Hublot's AR practically makes people think your watch has no crystal... sometimes even do a double take. When the light does glair off the crystal is has a very deep colorful luster to it... not just clear glass. Anyway, the difference between the Lite and a double AR does affect the overall look of the watch. If money's tight... get the lite and wear it until you've had a good thrill and then send it off to one of the talents here on this site and have them do the AR.

(I've seen many spontaneous media photos of Mr. Biver that include a casual wristshot of his BB... and even those unplanned shots make the crystal look invisible... I can see the hands and hour markers clearly from the 20 odd feet the photographer was standing away...sweet)

The movement is known to be quite reliable and generally has a very good reputation so it should not be a concern. Like the gen, it is subject to a checkup every 5 years or so. Try to stay with the 28,000 beat version because it's the most up to date and runs closer to the gen.

While I've heard rumors (never actually seen it) that a talented horologist from around these forums has managed to squeeze a Swiss ETA movement in... it's generally a pain in the butt due to the sub-dial locations and 4 o'clock date. From what I gather you can get it done if you find the right person and have two ETA's on hand... one to use and one to scrap needed parts from. Of course you would also have to contend with engraving the Hublot

No hesitation... sweeeeet

That is one thing about Hublot... they allow their watches to be customized out the ying-yang... good for both the gen and rep buyers. Something tells me it's probably found on a gen somewhere. The only thing of concern is that you don't end up with a version that's limited to five pieces and some guys complementing you on your $150,000.00 watch... with a gun in your kidneys.

wow... good catch... it went from a "cool looking watch" to a "fantasy watch" just like that...

oh wow, I just found an article that discussed how Hublot does indeed use the 7750 which it still sources from ETA but they only uses about 40% of the original movement. Lots of talk about how the original patent expired and how ETA doesn't mind them ripping them apart (why would they)? The movement is then rebuilt in-house by La Joux-Perret by manufacturing their own bridges and plates from the ground up. I suppose that is correct and I also suppose Hublot attempts to keep the fact that the backbone is ETA because they want to validate the expense of the BB. Only using such a small percentage of the original movement also frees them to name the movement as if it were in-house. The article was refereeing to the fact that they

Sorry, but this is not true.

The Hublot uses a modded 7750, just like the reps. How can you be sure? Apart from the photos of the movement showing the "7750" text clearly, the 7753 cannot change date with the crown. As there is no pusher at 10 o' clock, it's not a 7753. The last piece of proof it's a modded 7750 is that the date is recessed, just like on the reps. This is why the Big Bang is so accurate a replication.

If that's not enough proof, look to Hublot's documentation where they repeatedly say they're using the 7750. Why do they not use a 7753? Because they're cheapskates, just like the replica makers.

Can we please lay the false assumption it's a 7753 to rest now?

Ha... that's funny about Hublot being cheap themselves... that sounds about right.

Let me ask, you mention "Hublot's documentation where they repeatedly say they're using the 7750" - where exactly can I find that?

I don't know anybody more qualified than Dan Spitz besides the actual Hublot factory...

There have been HBB's with gen 7750's for sale on RG one or two times. If I recall correctly, it was a real nightmare to do the movement swap.

Yeah I keep hearing about that old news... I'm not interested in that swap and it doesn't have anything to do with the topic of this thread...

There are some members who have attempted this. In my recollection, I just remembered a Mellow Yellow that was swapped with a 7750 and a module that moves the running gears from 12 to 3.

Oh, and BTW, the gen uses a 7750, not a 7753. Evidence of it is the lack of a "date pusher" on the left side of the case that is shown on virtually ALL 7753 watches. That and a slightly sunken datewheel that is not a characteristic of a 7753.

My speculation is that the case parts in this so-called "Ultimate" version would or could be replaced with genuine parts (screws, strap, bezel, etc.)

Everyone knows that the movement side of things would need some modding. Like changing the hands, for example requires replacement of parts or purchasing gen hands which would likely be VERY HARD to source.

But good luck though.

Actually the gen Hublot does use the 7753. The only difference "generally" between the 7750 and 7753 is the 4 o'clock position of the date wheel. Starting out with a 7750 would only make life unnecessarily difficult. I understand that there have been other attempts on other versions of the HBB's but I'm referring to the new "Ultimate" that has just surfaced... Puretime's $700ish versions which claims exact replication on the case. I've also read in other places that the case is in fact an exact replication of the gen... inside and out.

FYI: here's a link with more info about the gen movement in the Hublot: http://www.spitzwatch.com/WatchMaking/ljp/index.html

Otis for the movement...

I've read in two places now on dealer sites that this new "Ultimate" edition of the ceramic Big Bang (Ice) is "completely interchangeable with the genuine watch". If that is true, it seems you could also attain a gen Swiss Valjoux 7753 for about $500... hummm?

If you could find someone who could swap the rotor on a 7753 with an engraved rotor you would essentially have an authentic Big Bang. I wonder what the dimensions of the rotor hole and thickness is on the two rotors and if they would be interchangeable without too much fuss?

The only thing it would be missing would be the additional things Hublot does to the 7753 movement by La Joux-Perret... which is probably mostly BS (probalby not).

Whole project would probably be under $2000 and the only thing that would set it apart exactly from the gen would be the H logo on the movement which could also be taken care of in the right hands.

Anyone else thinking along these lines?

I'd toss a coin and say it's a gen... that watch isn't really rep'ed... at least that I know of. Looks nice...

"Soccer" or "Foot-ball" doesn't matter what you call it... it IS the NUMBER ONE sport here in the USA... that is until the girls turn 12 and relize it's even too stupid for them...

I own both a Tourbillon watch and a digital microscope... here's what happens when you combine the two:

Has not ONE person gotten the white dial version of the Grand Carrera? wow...!

If so, I'd love to see some photos!

WOW... I really like it! Many things to appreciate... especially the Chronometer certification, I'm really glad Tag is focusing on that. Bigger subdials... "Swiss Made" placement. Definitely an upgrade...