Tag Archives: Discount Fake Watch

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight Blue Review

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When we first saw the Tudor Heritage Black Bay a few years ago (2012), we knew that Tudor had gold in its hands. An amazing timepiece that was inspired by Tudor’s own heritage (we did a report here and here on their vintage pieces). This year, just one day before the BaselWorld exhibition opened, we were invited to witness the new & old collection of Tudor. They decided to come back with a new version of the Heritage Black Bay, this time in the wonderful Midnight Blue color.

Although we already showed you the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight Blue watch in this previous post, we were able to wear the watch ourselves for a couple of weeks and will now share our findings and photos with you.

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight Blue

Tudor Heritage Black Bay

Perhaps I should start by saying that the introduction of the Heritage Black Bay in 2012 was a very welcome one. Although the vintage Tudor Submariner high quality replica watches are highly sought-after and collectors willing to pay impressive amounts of money for them, continuing the Tudor Submariner model would make no sense.

The Tudor Submariner used the same case, crown and bracelet as the regular Rolex Submariner models. Basically, only the dial and movement were different from Rolex’ Submariner.

Tudor Submariner 7928With the new Heritage Black Bay, the inspiration is quite clear, but I’ve to say that it is Tudor’s own design. The hands, the dial, case, crown and bracelet (or use of the leather and soft fabric straps) are all Tudor. Whether you take a look at the burgundy model or the midnight blue model, there is definitely an aesthetic link to Rolex but nothing seems to be identical to the iconic Submariner design.

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight BlueWith a list price of approx. € 2500 Euro for the Tudor Heritage Black Bay with a fabric strap (and leather strap) or € 2760 Euro for the version with a stainless steel bracelet (and leather strap), the price is far more attractive than the € 6150  Euro for the Submariner No Date (114060) or € 7000 Euro for the Submariner Date (116610LN). Admitted, Rolex uses an in-house movement instead of the Tudor 2824 which is based on ETA’s 2824-2 movement but of course this doesn’t make up for the difference in price.

Tudor in the Market

Whether the difference in quality of finish and used materials is different, I will tell you later based on my wearing experience. First, let’s see how Tudor is doing in terms of popularity. Checking the data of our sister-company Chronolytics, whose information is based on Chrono24 (world’s biggest market platform for luxury watches) and their 7mio visits / 60 mio page views on a monthly basis, Tudor is awfully popular compared to a few years ago. Not only in the United States and United Kingdom, but also in Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Hong Kong, China, Russia and so on.

Chronolytics is also able to generate information on its competitors. Therefore, we had to set some definitions first to keep it real. We used the price range between € 2000 and € 3000 Euro and marked ‘new watches’ only. They queried all requests for watches from people, who also had been looking for new Tudor watches in this price range in the period of January 2014 till October 2014.

Based on this, the first three competitors for Tudor as a brand are 1. Omega (10% share-of-voice), 2. Breitling (5,7% share-of-voice) and 3. TAG Heuer (4,3% share-of-voice). These are BIG names. But it only counts – of course – if Tudor would be considered competitor for one of these three brands (using the same definitions) as well. So Chronolytics did, and showed us that using Omega as a starting point, Tudor is coming in as 3rd biggest competitor for them (with a 5,2% share-of-voice) in this price range and based on queries on new discount fake watches only.

Next, we asked what the first 10 competitive watch models would look like in this price range. So, people who had been requesting a Tudor Black Bay Heritage (no matter whether it is a burgundy model or midnight blue model), what are the watches from other brands they also requested. Below you see the out come of that request. Mind you that all competitive models are also according to the definitions set and that this data is based on actual market value, not list price (there might be 0% difference for highly sought-after models but we all know there is some discount on particular watches as well).

Tudor Heritage Black Bay

Tudor Heritage Black Bay on the wrist

As said, I had the Tudor Heritage Black Bay in midnight blue on the fabric strap, reference 79220B. The midnight blue would be my preference over the burgundy model to be honest, as I am not particularly fond of faux patina but also because I love the midnight blue tones. It is a color not only used by Tudor, but also an official BMW color, Stockinger uses it as an optional color for their beautiful safes and Apple’s iPhone covers can also be ordered in midnight blue (the most affordable thing in midnight blue in this list, which I do own).

In fact, the blue of this Tudor Heritage Black Bay refers to the old French Navy Submariner models by Tudor in the 1970s.

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight BlueThe Tudor Heritage Black Bay is full of details. The crown has the famous Tudor Rose and is of course screw-down to ensure water resistance and prevent dust from coming inside the case. As you can see in the photo above, the sides of the case have a high polish finish. A nice thick facet line separates the polished side from the brushed upper side of the lugs. Like we’re used to from Rolex watches.

Although the uni-direction bezel has a much more fine set of teeth than the older Tudor models or Rolex models, it is easy to grasp and use. Sames goes for the crown basically. In all honesty, I had to get used to the shape of the crown a bit at first, but it is such an easy thing to use and it suits the shape of the aforementioned bezel.

The buckle – as you can see above – has the shape of the Tudor shield and works like a charm.Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight Blue Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight BlueThe blue fabric strap is very comfortable on the wrist and unlike some of the cheap stiff NATO straps out there, which I don’t fancy at all personally. I do love the look of NATO straps, I just happen to find them cutting a bit too much in my wrist to be really comfortable. This Tudor fabric is somewhat thicker and perhaps therefore a bit softer on the skin.

As already mentioned, the movement in this Tudor has the internal 2824 reference which is basically a modified ETA 2824-2. The price of this watch (€ 2500 LP) totally justifies the use of this movement and it has got a long track record as well. The use of an in-house Tudor movement would probably crank up the price making it come to close to Rolex. Also, if the movement is a big influence on the very attractive price of these Tudor watches, I’d rather have them using these movements. I love the fact that this Tudor is actually in a very affordable price range. Tudor Heritage Black Bay Midnight BlueAbove a ‘lume-shot’ as people tend to call them. Admitted, I already have worn this tag heuer replica watch during last Summer, so it didn’t take too much effort to charge the lume. I am currently wearing a watch with no lume at all, which made me realize how much I miss it during the evening or night.

All-in-all, this is definitely a watch that would be on my short-list when I was in the market for a new modern watch with a budget between 2000 and 3000 Euro. The finish is amazing and comes very close to what I am used to from the Rolex watches that I have or used to have in my modest collection. I might find the sides a bit too high polished, but this is also due to the fact that the height of the case is a bit bigger than those of my Rolex watches. Perhaps I just should not be comparing them, as these are different watches but from the same mothership.

As I’ve said, I would lean a bit more towards to the Midnight Blue version of the Tudor Heritage Black Bay than the burgundy version. But at least you do have a choice of course.

One thing that I’ve heard some comments on while wearing (and also wondered about it myself) is the use of the wording ‘Rotor Self-Winding’ on the dial of the Tudor Heritage Black Bay. I can imagine this was something ‘cool’ on a dial when it was all kinda new when Tudor started using automatic movements, but in 2014 it doesn’t make much sense. I guess it is there for ‘heritage’ reasons, but I could have lived without. I am sure however, that there will be people who love it.

Five Affordable Hamilton Watches for New Collectors

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Pilot Pioneer Auto

Hamilton’s Pilot Pioneer high quality replica watches are inspired by timepieces the company manufactured for the British Royal Air Force in the 1970s. There’s a chronograph version, but we’ve selected the time-and-date model because, at less than $1,000, it offers very good value. Officially, the 41-mm case is described “round”, but for practical purposes, the look is asymmetrical, owing to the crown-side construction. The lugs have a slightly different shape, allowing them to form part of the crown-guard system, along with a piece mounted between the crowns. The top crown adjusts the inner ring that carries the 60-minute scale, giving the user an effective countdown timer. The bottom crown handles the traditional winding and time-setting functions. The H-10 Hamilton automatic caliber is visible through a display back, and it offers an 80-hour power reserve.

The Hamilton Pilot Pioneer Auto is priced at $995.

Hamilton Pilot Pioneer

: The Pilot Pioneer is inspired by timepieces Hamilton manufactured for the British Royal Air Force in the 1970s.

 

Pan Europ

Hamilton launched the original Pan Europ in 1971, and its sporty ’70s style is still turning heads more than 30 years later. The 42-mm cushion case features a rotating bezel with an aluminum insert with a diver-style countdown scale. We like the blue dial, and there’s also a more subdued gray option. The bright red seconds hand complements the red seconds index between 12 and 3 o’clock. The hour and minute hands and the beefy hour markers feature white Super-LumiNova, and combined with the large, clear day and date indicators, excellent legibility is guaranteed. Under the dial, Hamilton has fitted the new H-30 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve.

The Hamilton Pan Europ Auto is priced at $1,195.

Hamilton Pan Europ

The Pan Europ offers eye-catching 1970s design at an attractive price.

 

Jazzmaster Viewmatic Skeleton

Skeleton watches offer a unique opportunity to view the intricate inner workings of a mechanical movement. Display backs are fine, but they’re hidden away when the swiss luxury replica watch is in use. But take away the dial and remove some of the metal from the movement’s mainplate, and you (and anyone who notices your wrist) will have an unparalleled view into the inner workings of the miniature engine you use to tell time.

The 40-mm Jazzmaster Viewmatic Skeleton shows off its H-20-S movement to great effect. Contrasts of shape, color, and finish are played out in curves and angles with silver, gold and anthracite-colored components and polished, brushed and matte surfaces to create a dramatic display. Look closely and you can see the interplay of the components, highlighted by the escapement, hairspring and balance wheel – the beating heart of the mechanical movement.

The Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic Skeleton is priced at $1,195.

Hamilton Viewmatic Skeleton

The Viewmatic Skeleton provides a clear view into the heart of the mechanical movement.

Railroad Small Second Auto

The Hamilton name is closely associated with railroads, and this year Hamilton introduced two new Railroad timepieces. The Railroad Small Second Auto offers a classic look, with a pleasing twist. The 42-mm case surrounds a dial with a brushed satin finish and dramatic applied hour markers. The asymmetrical small-seconds display sets this discount fake watch apart. Located at 8 o’clock, the oversize display is available in either black with a chestnut brown seconds track (shown below) or in slate gray with a blue seconds track.

The hands are powered by the H-22 automatic winding movement. Fine decoration and a skeletonized winding rotor are visible through the display back.

The Hamilton Railroad Small Second Auto is priced at $1,295.

Hamilton Railroad Small Second Auto

The Railroad Small Second Auto offers classic good looks, and the off-center small seconds set it apart.

Takeoff Auto Chrono

This timepiece is the product of Hamilton’s relationship with the Swiss mountain rescue service Air Zermatt. Founded in 1968, Air Zermatt has carried out more than 30,000 air rescue missions in the mountains of Switzerland, including missions on the north face of the Eiger, aka the “wall of death.” Hamilton is Air Zermatt’s official timepiece supplier.

Designed to look at home among the instruments on an aircraft control panel, the Hamilton Takeoff Auto Chrono can be configured for multiple uses. The strap attaches to a piece that looks like a caseback with lugs. The timepiece case attaches to this piece in much the same way a lens attaches to a camera – with a “twist and lock” motion, sometimes called a bayonet system. When not on the wrist, the detached tag heuer replica watches can be placed in an included wood display box and used as a table clock.

The Takeoff Auto Chrono is not for shrinking violets. The case measures 46.3 mm in diameter, not including the substantial crown and pushers, which are located at the top of the watch in a so-called “bullhead” configuration. The bi-compax display features a central chronograph seconds hand, small continuous seconds at 6 o’clock, and a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock. The knurled bi-directional bezel adjusts the inner bezel with a 60-minute scale, allowing the watch to be used as a countdown timer.

Inside the black-PVD case resides Hamilton’s H-31 automatic chronograph movement, which is a variation on the time-tested Valjoux 7750. Hamilton modifies the movement to extend the power reserve to 60 hours.

The Hamilton Takeoff Auto Chrono is a limited edition of 1,999 pieces, offered at $3,295.

Hamilton Takeoff Auto Chrono

The Takeoff Auto Chrono does double duty as a wristwatch and as a table clock.