Jump to content
Glaude

Breitling Navitimer A23322 White - Non expert review

Recommended Posts

Glaude

Hi all,

Here's my non-expert review of my first replica watch : Breitling Navitimer A23322 All white version.
My feedback on the dealer is right here : my feedback.

So here are the technical specs according to the website and some research :

Case material is 316F steel, I can't verify this information easily but a crude comparison with another 316F Steel case that I have shown no visible difference in a basic scratch test.

The movement is an unmodified Asia 7750, 28800bph, 25 jewels with a decorated rotor, the only working function of this chronograph is the big hand running second, the minutes and hour counter are fake.
The date wheel is not recess and the font seems to correspond the genuine watch.
If I understand correctly, the non fully enabled chronograph functions are the tradeoff to have a correct non recess date. It's fine by me.

The crystal is indicated as being Sapphire, and it is (tested with a diamond tester)

For the dimensions :
The website description shows a 1:1 dimension, maybe this applies to the inside, but according to my research this rep is a bit thicker than the gen.
This rep is : 42 mm x 16 mm ; the gen is : 41,8 mm x 14,6 mm.

I choose the brown leather band, here are some dimensions that could be useful for a future buyer :
~3.8mm thick ; 30 cm length ; 22 mm wide

I'm not 100 % sure, but It seems to be that this rep is from BP factory.

That's it for the technical part, now for the proper review.

As said before, I have no expertise at all in watches, replicas or gen, my latest watch was a gen Ice watch first gen.

So for what is worth and for what anyone can care (or not) this rep looks amazingly real ! I can't spot right of the bat something that threw it off, maybe you experts will be able to tell but frankly I can't. (I see you in the back raising your hand to say, "YOU NOOB" !)

The Asian 7750 is a loud as you can read everywhere, not the rotor itself, just the ticking sound, but it's a lovely one, with this clear metal chime, a microscopic hammer gently knocking on a musical triangle.

The sliding bezel rule is quite hard to turn, after some reading, it seems to be "as per gen" :D
But if anyone has a good trick about making it smoother, feel free to share.

The chrono start/stop pusher is stiff, nothing major, but It's like having two stages to push a first easy one and then a final blow (stop laughing you in the back of the room !)

The lume is called "Superlume C3" by the dealer, don't know what's that supposed to mean but after a quick UV lamp test, I find it to be just the right amount of light.

To finish the leather band :
Man, almost 4 mm of leather and inside filler makes for a hard band to bend. One day on the wrist and one night on a watch cushion and the beast is tame !
As a side note to those who never had a Breitling clasp of this type, it's not easy to set up but once it is done it's a pleasure.
I had to adjust the tension on the clasp in order to prevent it from popping open, you can find a YouTube video explaining this fix : https://youtu.be/oP5PnB_mGCY?t=41

I'll finish my review with some watch porn of my watch, enjoy and feel free to ask me questions about it.

Click on the thumbnail to see it bigger (That's what she... )

aZAEHFim.jpg vJtuP9Em.jpg g3r8A0om.jpg YlxTdJlm.jpg

hfdbObgm.jpg HSEGNbDm.jpg O0LMAVJm.jpg 5LLkKwJm.jpg

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
wowsasb

Thank you for such nice pictures. Got a nice lens on whatever you're using. Good review too. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Genius

Great review and really nice looking watch!

If you want to take it to the next level I would recommend a strap upgrade as the rep leather straps are always the letdown on when they build the rest of the watch so well! I would definitely recommend our very own MDK he does some great straps for Breitling watches specifically to fit their fancy deploy ant clasp http://www.rwg.bz/board/index.php?/forum/361-mdk-strap-works/

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Glaude
9 hours ago, wowsasb said:

Thank you for such nice pictures. Got a nice lens on whatever you're using. Good review too. 

That's an EFS 17-55 IS USM from Canon on an EOS 7D with a studio flash (Chinese stuff, gotta love 'em) and a 122cm/48" Octogonal softbox on the side, thank you very much.

5 hours ago, Genius said:

Great review and really nice looking watch!

If you want to take it to the next level I would recommend a strap upgrade as the rep leather straps are always the letdown on when they build the rest of the watch so well! I would definitely recommend our very own MDK he does some great straps for Breitling watches specifically to fit their fancy deploy ant clasp http://www.rwg.bz/board/index.php?/forum/361-mdk-strap-works/

At first I was kind of disappointed with the strap, but the night on the watch cushion made all the difference, I'll probably upgrade in the future and check out the Trusted modder/seller on here ! Thank you for your recommendation.
I'm quite surprised to have answers in this topic As I know that not everyone like all white dial.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
SliceMaster

That is a nice review mate and you`ve taken some great pictures wow

You also mentioned your chronos and yes dont play around with them just leave them as they are now, your 9 o`clock chrono shows seconds so thats all you need

Enjoy your nice watch and keep up those pictures when you buy more watches because you are now officially hooked trust me, my oldest rep is a Navitimer TT it`s 11 years old and just keeps going !

Ooh and thx for the tip about adjusting the clasp I had 3 of those that was too loose but now they are perfect thx again!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Glaude
52 minutes ago, SliceMaster said:

That is a nice review mate and you`ve taken some great pictures wow

You also mentioned your chronos and yes dont play around with them just leave them as they are now, your 9 o`clock chrono shows seconds so thats all you need

Enjoy your nice watch and keep up those pictures when you buy more watches because you are now officially hooked trust me, my oldest rep is a Navitimer TT it`s 11 years old and just keeps going !

Ooh and thx for the tip about adjusting the clasp I had 3 of those that was too loose but now they are perfect thx again!

I'll always post a review with some watch porn in it, you can be sure !

Yes, I've played around with the chrono just to see the sweeping action, but I know that the 7750 is a fragile movement, thank you for your advice.

I'll edit my review to include the youtube video for the clasp fix, it's useful.

Here it is also : https://youtu.be/oP5PnB_mGCY?t=41

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
wowsasb
2 hours ago, Glaude said:

That's an EFS 17-55 IS USM from Canon on an EOS 7D with a studio flash (Chinese stuff, gotta love 'em) and a 122cm/48" Octogonal softbox on the side, thank you very much.

At first I was kind of disappointed with the strap, but the night on the watch cushion made all the difference, I'll probably upgrade in the future and check out the Trusted modder/seller on here ! Thank you for your recommendation.
I'm quite surprised to have answers in this topic As I know that not everyone like all white dial.

My guess was Canon :thumbsup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Genius
4 hours ago, Glaude said:

 

Yes, I've played around with the chrono just to see the sweeping action, but I know that the 7750 is a fragile movement, thank you for your advice.

 

 

As far as an a7750 goes the set up in yours should be one of the least fragile as seconds at 9 is completely unmodified and actually even less strain on the movement in yours when running as 2 of the hands aren't even connected. 

That said it's still better not to play with it regularly but still I just mean don't worry too much about it either 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe



actually even less strain on the movement in yours when running as 2 of the hands aren't even connected. 


Uhm, nope: the 2 missing gears gets motion only when the chronograph is activated. When it's not, that movement is exactly like any other 7750 with sec@9 (comprehending also those modified with 3/6/9 working chronograph configuration) :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Glaude
11 minutes ago, Genius said:

As far as an a7750 goes the set up in yours should be one of the least fragile as seconds at 9 is completely unmodified and actually even less strain on the movement in yours when running as 2 of the hands aren't even connected. 

That said it's still better not to play with it regularly but still I just mean don't worry too much about it either 

Thank you for your information, learning new things on here every minutes !

2 minutes ago, GenTLe said:


 

 


Uhm, nope: the 2 missing gears gets motion only when the chronograph is activated. When it's not, that movement is exactly like any other 7750 with sec@9 (comprehending also those modified with 3/6/9 working chronograph configuration) :)

 

Since you guys are here, maybe you can answer this question for me : 

How come there's not a A7750 with sec@9 non recess date and a fully working chrono ? If my research is good it's a "not enough room" problem, am I correct ?
Is there any relatively cheap chrono movement in the rep world in this configuration (meaning as in this Navitimer) ?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe

 

 

 

Since you guys are here, maybe you can answer this question for me : 

How come there's not a A7750 with sec@9 non recess date and a fully working chrono ? If my research is good it's a "not enough room" problem, am I correct ?

Is there any relatively cheap chrono movement in the rep world in this configuration (meaning as in this Navitimer) ?

 

The standard 7750 sec at 9 IS fully working and does NOT have a recessed date. This is a standard 7750:

Fortis-Official-Cosmonauts-Chronograph-Automatic-Watch-ETA-Valjoux-7750-Black-9_800x.jpeg&key=4ec2868b270268c10b638a8106e8b7b9b5e9ac4fc63294b806904132c4a9406d

 

The ones like in your (beautiful) Navitimer is indeed modified because they moved the minute counter at 3. And because of the gears added to do that, the fully working ones have recessed date (the gears are infact passing over the datewheel).

 

Then there is the 7753, which is a NOT modified chronograph with again 3/6/9 configuration and NOT recessed date. But they have the quick date set with a pusher at 10, and the date can't be changed by crown, that's the reason isn't used in your watch: either you lose the possibility to change the date manually or you will have a pusher that the gen hasn't.

This is a 7753:

Porsche-Design-Dashboard-Automatic-Watch-ETA-7753-Cronograph-Satin-titanium-4.jpg&key=2ed33ab82aef0c2496825b44d80ec9af83874798734a7f259602a13f44bb0eec

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Genius
58 minutes ago, GenTLe said:


 

 


Uhm, nope: the 2 missing gears gets motion only when the chronograph is activated. When it's not, that movement is exactly like any other 7750 with sec@9 (comprehending also those modified with 3/6/9 working chronograph configuration) :)

 

Exactly my point hence "when it's running" I refer to the chronograph 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Glaude
46 minutes ago, GenTLe said:

The standard 7750 sec at 9 IS fully working and does NOT have a recessed date. This is a standard 7750:

PICTURE

The ones like in your (beautiful) Navitimer is indeed modified because they moved the minute counter at 3. And because of the gears added to do that, the fully working ones have recessed date (the gears are infact passing over the datewheel).

Then there is the 7753, which is a NOT modified chronograph with again 3/6/9 configuration and NOT recessed date. But they have the quick date set with a pusher at 10, and the date can't be changed by crown, that's the reason isn't used in your watch: either you lose the possibility to change the date manually or you will have a pusher that the gen hasn't.

This is a 7753:

PICTURE

Ohh yes I wasn't aware that the standard chrono layout for the 7750 was like this ! Thank you for this information.  :thumbsup:

I would not mind having to turn the crown until the date change (even If I have to do it for 10minutes to get to the correct date) and having a fully functionnal chrony, a sort of 7753 modified without the pusher @10

Edited by Glaude

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe
Exactly my point hence "when it's running" I refer to the chronograph 
Misunderstanding :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Genius
1 hour ago, GenTLe said:

Misunderstanding :)

:thumbsup:

 I knew ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
olleolle

Nice reading.  Sweet looking watch.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
aitcharGMT
On 08/11/2017 at 19:00, Glaude said:

Ohh yes I wasn't aware that the standard chrono layout for the 7750 was like this ! Thank you for this information.  :thumbsup:

I would not mind having to turn the crown until the date change (even If I have to do it for 10minutes to get to the correct date) and having a fully functionnal chrony, a sort of 7753 modified without the pusher @10

This last part seems like a good trade off. Does anyone know if a A7753 can be exchanged for the modded A7750 using the same dial and case? Would the 7753 fit in one of the older, thinner (14.5mm) cases (the ones with the recessed dates)? Thanks! (If this question is better asked in some other subforum, please let me know)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe

7753 will fit in any watch that ha da 7750 inside, but you will not be able to change the date quickly, as on 7753 the date can be changed only through a pusher at 10 (which isn't there on the Navi case).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Glaude
12 hours ago, GenTLe said:

7753 will fit in any watch that ha da 7750 inside, but you will not be able to change the date quickly, as on 7753 the date can be changed only through a pusher at 10 (which isn't there on the Navi case).

I was wondering, is there really a A7753 or is it always a A7750 modified ?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe
16 hours ago, Glaude said:

I was wondering, is there really a A7753 or is it always a A7750 modified ?

There are real 7753 (and also 7754 - non chrono used in GMT panerai - and 7751 - the one used in the longines chronograph moonphase with day/date/month calendar -). 

Real 7753 are not so common in reps, but it's easy to recognize them by:

1) the presence of the date adjuster pusher at 10 (or at 9 like in the Tudor Fastrider ceramic). Like this amazing pam for example: https://www.intime02.co/promotions/1266-pam363-m-1-1-noob-best-edition-on-gray-leather-strap-a7753.html

2) the date is not sunken, like on this one: https://www.intime02.co/montblanc/1477-timewalker-chrono-ss-cer-black-dial-1-1-noob-best-edition-on-ss-cer-bracelet-a7753.html

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Glaude

Thank you very much GenTLe, as always, top notch answer, I'll abuse your patience :

I believe all 775x are complicated and so fragile or need the same care right ?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe
1 hour ago, Glaude said:

Thank you very much GenTLe, as always, top notch answer, I'll abuse your patience :

I believe all 775x are complicated and so fragile or need the same care right ?

Yep! Basically a service helps, because they are normally lubricated just on the main gear train (and zero on the keyless, zero on the levers of the chrono, zero on the chrono gears etc etc...). Still I have had one (in a Pam) that failed because one gear (made of butter probably) stripped away the pinion teeth... And unlike the 2836/2824 etc they don't accept many gen gears as replacement :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Glaude
13 minutes ago, GenTLe said:

Yep! Basically a service helps, because they are normally lubricated just on the main gear train (and zero on the keyless, zero on the levers of the chrono, zero on the chrono gears etc etc...). Still I have had one (in a Pam) that failed because one gear (made of butter probably) stripped away the pinion teeth... And unlike the 2836/2824 etc they don't accept many gen gears as replacement :(

Thank you !
I'm starting to dive into watch tinkering and all.

I've watched Mark Lovick Watch Repair Channel video on a 7750 movement service... I now understand why people are reluctant to dive into it... what a tedious process this is, there's a number of parts and assembly required !

Then I watched a regular 2824 service... almost felt easy in comparison.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
GenTLe
22 minutes ago, Glaude said:

Thank you !
I'm starting to dive into watch tinkering and all.

I've watched Mark Lovick Watch Repair Channel video on a 7750 movement service... I now understand why people are reluctant to dive into it... what a tedious process this is, there's a number of parts and assembly required !

Then I watched a regular 2824 service... almost felt easy in comparison.

Actually, for me, the 2 worst parts of service a 7750 aren't related to the 7750 itself: they are the removal of the central chrono second hand, which quite often detaches from its tube (and then it's a mess), and fitting all those hands back so that they reset properly... It's a tedious and long procedure... Last time it took like 2 hours just for this last part!

Now I think I found a good way for the second hand, similar to what is visible here at 0:20 (but with the presto tool for the cannon pinions, not the one to remove hands):

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
aitcharGMT
On 29/01/2018 at 04:09, GenTLe said:

7753 will fit in any watch that ha da 7750 inside, but you will not be able to change the date quickly, as on 7753 the date can be changed only through a pusher at 10 (which isn't there on the Navi case).

Thank you! And, yes, I understand that and it was the trade off that the OP and I mentioned, and one that I think is well worth it and much better IMHO than having a non-functional accumulator, let alone two (hour and minutes) in the chrono.  I almost prefer the sunken date than a non-functional chronograph especially on a black dial _almost_. But all this has prevented me from getting a Navitimer in a non-7750-standard configuration but with this idea I'm willing to make a what-would-ya-callit replica franken :D or something. Thank you, again. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×