Monthly Archives: June 2015

Gold Patek Philippe Nautilus

Some of you may know that I have a weak spot for best quality replica watches designed by Gérald Genta in the 1970s, a list that includes the Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet and the Ingenieur by IWC (it is a common misconception by many that the ‘222’ and the Overseas by Vacheron Constantin were also designed by Genta).

Since I consider myself a bit of a purist, I prefer versions of these watches as they were initially made, or at least how they were meant to be: in stainless steel. The concept behind them was that they would be luxurious yet sporty. The “sporty” part has been, perhaps, a bit exaggerated by these brands in the past, but let’s admit that the models named above were certainly more sporty than most of those brands’ classic lineup.

Anyway, Patek Philippe introduced a new watch to its existing Nautilus collection (another of Genta’s iconic designs), in gold. When I first saw this piece, I shrugged my shoulders and thought to myself that the stainless-steel Nautilus Reference 5711/1A or the vintage 3700/1A are the models that I would prefer to own someday. Period. But after my appointment with Patek Philippe at Basel, during which I got to see and try on the new Nautilus in gold, I wasn’t so sure about that anymore.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711 - Gold - front

The new Nautilus in gold is an amazing-looking watch; even with a pale-skinned wrist like mine, I think I could get away with wearing it. Whereas the stainless steel version — which I’ve tried on often — feels comfortably light (there is still enough weight to ensure you the watch is still there), the gold version has a much larger presence. The weight of the gold doesn’t let you forget what’s on your wrist. Besides the weight aspect, the presence is also there because of the warm color of the gold. Due to the very recognizable finishing on the case and bracelet, this watch will never look tacky or flashy.

A gold Patek Philippe Nautilus isn’t something new. Actually, the first Nautilus reference (3700/1A) was also produced in gold back in the late 1970s. Later Nautilus models also became available in gold (like the Reference 5980 chronograph), but never the reference 5711/1A. Patek Philippe decided to use rose gold for the case and bracelet and, instead of the blue/greenish dial in the stainless steel version, picked a warm chocolate brown color for the dial. It gives the cheap replica watch a very classy look and makes you forget that a Nautilus should be a stainless steel watch only.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711 - Gold - dialCU

Actually, it made me wonder whether a gold Nautilus 5711/1A is something a purist can get away with. Besides the fact that there actually was an original 1970s 3700/1A in gold, you can debate whether the current 5711/1A isn’t already too far away from the original 3700/1A series for a purist (here is a comparison between the 3700/1A and 5711/1A). The see-through caseback, the seconds hand, and the fact that the case isn’t a monocoque anymore already makes the 5711/1A a decidedly modern interpretation of the original 3700/1A.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711 - Gold - back

The best solution, perhaps, would be to own an original Patek Philippe 3700/1A in stainless steel and get the Nautilus 5711/1A in rose gold as a modern alternative. See how I am looking for excuses to own both? Truth to be told, I am warming up to gold luxury replica watches uk in general, and think the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A is an excellent example of how a gold “sports” watch can be tasteful. A job well done by Patek Philippe. The Genta adept in me probably will always crave that mint-condition 3700/1A in stainless steel, but a rose-gold 5711/1A on my wrist would make that hunt a bit more bearable.

TAG Heuer Replica Carrera Calibre 1887 vs. Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue

One sporty chronograph, the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Jack Heuer Edition, meets another, the Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue, in this comparative luxury fake watch test. All original photos are by WatchTime’s Nik Schölzel.

These two chronographs have their roots in the ’70s. TAG Heuer’s Carrera Calibre 1887 Jack Heuer Edition, which debuted in April 2013, uses a 1970s-inspired design in which the chronograph pushers sit at the top of the case. Tudor’s Heritage Chrono Blue is an updated version of the distinctive Montecarlo chronograph, launched in 1973. Like the Montecarlo, which was produced for only a short time, the Heritage Chrono Blue has a bi-compax design and a rotating bezel that can indicate a second time zone. We examined these sporty instrument watches to see what happens when they go head to head.

The design of the TAG Heuer watch is sometimes called a “bullhead”: the crown is at 12 o’clock and the chronograph pushers are on either side of it, suggesting (mildly) a bull’s horns. This arrangement, which has its origins in stopwatches, began to migrate to wristwatches in the 1970s. It prevents the crown from pressing uncomfortably against the back of the wearer’s wrist. Furthermore, the chronograph can be conveniently started, stopped and reset with the index finger. To keep the pushers free of obstruction, the TAG Heuer’s lugs slope down more severely at the top of the case than at the bottom. Still, the discount fake watch fits easily under a shirt cuff. We found little to detract from its wearing comfort, although the well-crafted folding clasp is a bit bulky. The closure has a locking mechanism that enables you to alter the strap length, so the 45-mm case won’t slip back and forth on your wrist.

The case is complex. The bezel is stainless steel with a glossy finished coating of titanium carbide. As the name suggests, titanium carbide is a composite of titanium and carbon. The substance has a hardness of 4,000 Vickers. For comparison’s sake: ordinary steel of the sort used for most replica watch uk cases has a hardness between 200 and 240 Vickers. The outer, uncoated stainless-steel portion of the case is elaborately milled, with different surfaces that are polished, satin-finished, or sandblasted. The movement is contained in a section of the case made of titanium coated with a matte-finished layer of titanium carbide. The case of the Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue is simpler than that of the TAG, but it does have many high-quality features. For starters, its pushers and crown are screwed, which contributes toward making the case water resistant to 150 meters – a claim that was confirmed in our test. Furthermore, the edges, chamfers, knurling, polishes and satin-finishing are very precisely crafted – perhaps too precisely, considering the sharp lower edges of the case’s middle piece. Last but not least, the time-zone bezel clicks into position without play or wiggle. It is graduated in 48 increments: this number enables you to set the bezel to time zones that differ from adjacent zones by half an hour or 15 minutes, as is the situation, for example, in Venezuela, India, Nepal, and parts of Australia.

TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 vs. Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue - side views

The Apple Watch

“Not bad at all” was my immediate reaction to the introduction of the Apple Watch. However, it also struck me that this is not really a best quality replica watch but more a reincarnation of the iPod Nano, only designed with round edges and meant to be worn on the wrist. A kind of Bonsai-iPhone, for lack of a better description.

Reading the time is, of course, a very secondary concern for wearers of the Apple Watch. This new smartwatch is stunningly innovative, and I am sure it will sell like hell. But make no mistake, the Apple Watch will certainly not do harm to the Swiss Watch Industry, as foreseen by Apple design guru Jonathan Ive. In fact, in my opinion, the traditional mechanical wristwatch has become even more attractive after the launch of the Apple Watch, since it now can be regarded as the “antidote” to the smartwatch. With all the possible information that will now be flowing to and from the wrist, the Apple Watch defines the beginning of a new technological era. Yet, the classical mechanical Swiss-made wristwatch should only profit from this development. I don’t even think the Swatch watch brand will suffer, since those cheap replica watches are unique enough that an Apple Watch cannot replace them. Yes, there will be some watch companies that suffer. For those offering more or less no-name quartz watches, made of a mediocre quality, the market may well become challenging. Below are some photos, taken from the Apple homepage, showing several looks for the new Apple Watch. For more technical information, And please do let me know your own thoughts on the Apple Watch!

Apple Watch - bracelet