fotoman Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 I am writing because i am really upset with my latest purchase. I am also writing so no one else buys this rep and asks the right questions before they get theres. I think a dealer should let you know if a supplier of a certain watch has a history of problems and we could avoid the aftermath of these issues. This is a watch offered by king- I did not get it from king, but i used king's photos as a reference. To their credit it does not appear Perfect clones offers this model. As far as i know there is only 1 maker with this dial style. The case, plating on the case and crown and pushers seems ok. The dial is great, AR is par for the course for this model BUT BUT BUT The 2 tone bracelet is COMPLETE CRAP. First of all, it can not compare to the Graphite colored model i got last year. I will show you the plating issues, but, i can't show you that it is thinner, lighter and more fragile and fake feeling. It reminds me of a newbmariner bracelet - except breitlings are supposed to be way heavier. In addition to the whacky plating, the bracelet (UNDER THE SHRINK WRAP) was heavily scratched. my dealer said that this model was not "made by the HBB maker" and was inferior after i brought up the issues. - I'm not revealing my dealer at this time as i believe we'll work this out - this thread is really about warning other folks about this model. WHat really kills me is this model is the same price as the other BCEs which are apparently made by the HBB maker - I could accept this kind of crap on a 100 rep, but on a 300 REP! no freaking way here you go scratched braclet plating not only doesn't go on the sides - but it doesn't even go all the way around the top and bottom - AND THIS IS AN END LINK VISABLE while wearing the watch!' i have never really complained about a rep - and thats even when getting getting the wrong model sent, wrong dial color, wrong bezel color - ect ect - totally wrong watch well, ok, i guess i complained on the TWP issues. But, aside from that - i have never really been upset with the watch quality till now. this is the model - again King WAS NOT my dealer on this http://www.kingshowbox.com/gallery.php?id=596 and i was charged more than her asking price, which i was happy to do in order to deal with someone with a working knowledge of the English language. Hopefully soon i will be able to report a positive ending and an unveiling to my Breitling Chronowind/Crossmat franken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 I agree. This kind of CRAP is totally unacceptable on a $300 watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordRasta Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 Doesn't it look like the pearl rider tab is "painted" gold? And not a very good job I might add. You are right to be upset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emuozz Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 It looks awful, especially for a watch of $300. I also would be upset; I hope that the dealer solves your problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giorgio Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 Every TT BCE bracelet I've seen has been bad. It's almost as if they just took the normal bracelet and "painted" the mid-links gold. I got the TT BCE on a SS bracelet because of this. If anyone out there has one that doesn't suck, I'd like to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corgi Posted April 21, 2008 Report Share Posted April 21, 2008 I think the BCE looks good on a strap too though... you may try getting a strap for it and be pleasantly surprised. Yes, Chinese gold has been and always will be a great big joke at everybody's expense. Only buy 14K "wrap" options (unavail for this model) and stay far, far away from the junk 18K plate... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archibald Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 I think the BCE looks good on a strap too though... you may try getting a strap for it and be pleasantly surprised. Yes, Chinese gold has been and always will be a great big joke at everybody's expense. Only buy 14K "wrap" options (unavail for this model) and stay far, far away from the junk 18K plate... Unfortunately we gold watch fans just have to assume that the 5 micron and, more recently, PVD gold claims are customary white lies. Count the plated watches you've bought that sucked (10+ for me) then the number that blew you away (just the Panerai 190 for me, which I actually believe is thick gold or even PVD plating). Unfortunately I'm to the point where I just assume I'm going to shell out $160 for real 10 micron gold replate. But that BCE is an embarassment to the dealer for more reasons than the plating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vric Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 humm.. My $230 TT BCE don't have any of those problem. Send it back or ask for a bracelet replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giorgio Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 humm.. My $230 TT BCE don't have any of those problem. You mind if I ask who you got yours from? Pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vric Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 (edited) From river a bit before Christmas My only complain is single sided AR and the pearl which have a green look. (glow more than hands) Edit: Note there is dust on it.. the finish is very good, I just didn't wipe it before taking the shot Edited April 22, 2008 by vric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 My goodness, that is really bad. Thanks for the warning, I guess the way to go on the TT BCE is on leather strap a la Homer's recent guess-the-gen post. Good luck sorting it out, I'd be absolutely livid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giorgio Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 My only complain is single sided AR and the pearl which have a green look. (glow more than hands) My first BCE had a really green pearl too. My TT is the "ultimate" but the gold seems lighter than on yours - I was hoping to try and score just the bracelet, but I think the risk that the gold doesn't match up isn't worth it now. Thanks for the pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vric Posted April 22, 2008 Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 (edited) Well sorry for that. Mine isn't the "ultimate", but I'm quite happy with it. Worst thing is I have a black leather strap in the mail for it ask for a replacement, it's unacceptable. Edited April 22, 2008 by vric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotoman Posted April 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 i was VERY close to buying that river model As it relates to a strap - i had the BCE full gold on strap, i also have a steelfish that i had on strap - i really really wanted the TT bracelet, my father has the gen - This was the watch that started me looking for reps almost 7 yrs ago. i'm quite upset - its a very emotional let down cause i have been looking forward to this for SOOOOO long, i have a gen dial for it - that i WAY overpaid for yadda yadda - had i known i was getting the dial i would have gotten the river model by the way i got a GEN blue rubber strap on the ultimate steelfish - WOWOWOWOWOWOW i LOVE!!!!! it its hard to look at any of my watches when comparing the AR - i'm dying to get the chieftang done to the whole collection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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