Salthora Meta – the new “jumping hour” by MeisterSinger

MeisterSinger specializes in manufacturing top Omega replica watches that feature one single hand – and only show what is really important. Mostly, a single, needle-thin hour hand rotates around a dial on which you can accurately tell the time to the nearest five minutes.

Salthora Meta – the new “jumping hour” by MeisterSinger

However, the Salthora, which was first presented in 2014, features a minute hand instead – and the hour is shown in a circular window positioned at 12 o’clock. As soon as the hand reaches the middle of the window every sixty minutes, the number denoting the next hour appears in the window like a flash.

The “jumping hour” principle was first used in wrist replica watches during the 1920s. However, its perfection is quite a technical challenge.

The Salthora by MeisterSinger should:

  • Display the “jump” exactly on the hour
  • Show the hour in the window without wobbling or shaking, but jump to the middle of the window with immediate precision
  • Provide the power required for the jump without impairing the smoothness of the movement

Moving ahead

The first Salthora is visually dedicated to the charm of watchmaking finesse. With the new Salthora Meta, however, MeisterSinger has adopted a new style, paying tribute to the clear, powerful character of this watch concept.

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The Salthora Meta is 43 millimeters in diameter and has a striking, cylindrical stainless steel case. It is waterproof up to 5 atm and fitted with a six-screwed exhibition back. The digits of the minutes and of the hour display are depicted in a sans serif Helvetica typeface. The fake watches store will be available in four versions. The models featuring a white or ivory-colored dial will be fitted with an hour disk in exactly the same color. Here, the complication is not immediately obvious. However, the hour disk in the blue version is white, just like its hand. The black Meta with the hour digits and hand in signal red has an almost dramatic impact.

Model – Salthora Meta

Movement: ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW 200-1 with jumping hour construction, 38-hour power reserve

Case size: 43 mm

Case: stainless steel, 6-scew exhibition back, water resistance 5 bar, sapphire glass

Variants: white, ivory, sunburst sapphire blue, sunburst black

Available from June 2015

Dive Watch Classics: Hands-on With the Christopher Ward Trident 600

Earlier this year, British watch brand Christopher Ward announced several changes to its Trident collection, ranging from increased water resistance, optimized dial layouts and lume to new ceramic bezel inserts for the mechanical versions. When asked if we were interested in reviewing one, immediately went for the 42-mm GMT version, with racing-green bezel insert, since we felt this to be the most distinctive (and the most “British”) choice the brand has to offer.

Many people consider a dive watches replica with a GMT function to be the ultimate all-purpose watch, so for once we will not criticize the choice of a leather strap, since we deliberately decided against the many other options more suitable for use in water. Instead, let’s just enjoy the casual-looking combination of black, dark green, steel, brown, and a touch of yellow that would look perfectly at home in a Land Rover Defender. By the way, this choice also meant not getting our hands (at least for the moment) on Christopher Ward’s recently introduced in-house Caliber SH21, with a five-day power reserve, since it is first released as a limited edition displaying only the current time and date.

Speaking of availability: the Trident comes in two sizes (42-mm and 38-mm diameters), and is offered with either a quartz or a mechanical movement (SH21, ETA 2893-2, 2824-2, or SW200). Dials are available in white, black or blue; bezel inlays in red, blue, black, orange or green.

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You can also choose between a bracelet and different strap options (leather, rubber or NATO), which leaves you with more than 100 different configurations. Prices start at £299.00 for the smallest quartz models and end at £1,599 for the limited, COSC-certified model with in-house movement, bracelet and 42-mm case. The cheap Omega replica watches shown here has a list price of £799.00 in the EC (and £665.83 outside the EC) and is sold directly via Christopher Ward’s website with a 60-day free return period.

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The C60 Trident GMT is powered by the well-known ETA 2983-2, which is also responsible for the yellow hand that adds a second timezone to the watch, bringing with it an interesting contrast to the black dial.

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Speaking of hands, in this particular model, the edges of both minute and hour hand seem to be a bit rough, but (thanks to the more than 3-mm thick sapphire crystal) this is hardly visible from the naked eye. You will, however, notice that Christopher Ward went with a bezel inlay that combines the traditional first-15 minutes-scale on a dive-watch bezel with the 24-hour scale characteristic of a GMT replica watches (the bezel is also unidirectional). This will ultimately affect both functions, and we feel that in this case a 2-to-22 scale would have been better, even if we generally prefer the dive-watch look over that of a GMT watch.

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Despite that, there’s really not much else we found to criticize: The Trident can be regarded as an interesting option on many levels, regardless of whether you plan to dive or travel with it. Personally, we would probably have a lot of difficulties in deciding which version to go for: the new in-house movement should be the logical choice from a horological point of view; however, the GMT version is more affordable and, in our opinion, also more distinctive from a design perspective. Thankfully, we would at least have an easy decision between the 38-mm and 42-mm version.

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What we would have changed:

  • A slightly less modern crown better matching the bezel’s outer edge design
  • A seconds hand that matches a bit better the classic hour and minute hands (even if that would mean losing the luminous dot)

What we liked very much:

  • Over-delivering in most aspects, yet affordable with a great price/performance ratio
  • Can be worn on many occasions and in many different time zones
  • High attention to detail (e.g. curved spring bars, depth of dial)
  • 60-month warranty for the movement, 60-day free return period

What we absolutely loved:

  • Huge choice in sizes, movements, colors and straps

Technical Details:

Brand: Christopher Ward London
Model: C60 Trident GMT 600
Reference: C60-42-GMT-SKVT
Case: 42-mm diameter, 13.7-mm height; stainless steel case with screw-down crown; solid caseback; sapphire crystal; unidirectional bezel (120 clicks) with ceramic inlay, 600-meter water-resistance, 105 grams
Strap: Leather, 22-mm lug size, stainless steel buckle
Dial: Black with wave pattern and raised markers
Movement: ETA 2893-2
Price: £799.00 EC/£665.83 outside EC (approx. $980)

Blancpain and les Métiers d’Art, Shakudō

Renowned for its engraving and enamel painting workshops as well as its Damascene timepieces, Blancpain is presenting shakudō. Japanese in origin, shakudō is an replica watches alloy principally composed of copper and gold, which acquires a dark patina between blue and black, according to variations in its composition and texture.

The black patina is obtained following a process called passivation, which calls for the application of a solution. This solution, which is composed of copper acetate (green gray), has been traditionally fabricated in Japan where it is known as rokushō. According to the number of applications of the rokushō solution, the black becomes successively deeper and more intense. The shakudō was used historically among other things to create swords, decorative objects and jewelry. The artisans who practiced shakudō often added engravings and ornaments.

Rarely seen in the world of Omega replica watchmaking,Blancpain has brought this art form forward to today with a series of unique pieces which reflect the expertise of the Manufacture in the practices of Métiers d’Art. No less than four different models are being presented which combine shakudō, engraving and Damascening. Each timepiece will be exclusive as it will reflect the individual handcrafts of the artisan and his or her style of engraving, rokushō patina. The different resulting nuances in depth render each work truly unique.

Recognizable from his elephants head, the image of Ganesh is portrayed on the dial. For Hindus, Ganesh is the God who conquers obstacles. He is also the God of wisdom, intelligence, prudence and the leader of the schools and academics. This is illustrated with a hand engraved gold throne placed in the center of the Hindu motifs. Finely detailed, the ornaments represented on this piece have been crafted in Damascene. This technique consists of fashioning troughs upon the dial surface into which fine threads of soft metal, in this case gold, are painstakingly hammered in place, thereupon to be hand engraved.

Fully respecting the aesthetics of the Villeret collection, these models are housed in a red gold stepped bezel case of 45 mm, the diameter of which gives free reign to the creativity of Blancpain’s craftsmen. Through the sapphire case back, one can gaze upon the cheap fake watches hand wound caliber 15B decorated with hand applied Côtes de Genève (Geneva stripes).

Jaeger-LeCoultre – Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2

A new chronograph joins the line of Master Compressor Extreme LAB  cheap replica watches, a collection distinguished by precise and reliable time measurement. The Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 embodies a combination of scientific materials, cutting-edge materials and horological research. Better still, the master artisans of Jaeger-LeCoultre have breathed into it their passion for pushing ever further the limits of the world around us.

The Manufacture systematically applies a fundamental principle to all its creations: however complex a best replica watches, it makes no compromises when it comes to functionality and pragmatism. This new model thus combines extremely sophisticated ergonomics with the precision and reliability that are a must at Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 features a crownintegrated function selector that handles especially smoothly, a patented digital counter to indicate the chronograph jumping seconds, a manual stop seconds device, a radial power-reserve indication and a GMT function enabling at-a-glance readings. Its movement is housed in a sturdy case made of a light and resistant TiVan15 titanium alloy. It is fitted with a high-tech ultra scratchresistant ceramic bezel. Pushpieces specially designed to ensure optimal user friendless provide a broad surface coated with rubber grooves and serve as a crown guard. A fast strap-change system is incorporated into the caseback and the new double pin buckle provides unprecedented length adjustment ensuring a perfect fit on the wrist.

The Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 is designed to be a reliable and easily manoeuverable companion. The watchmakers of the Manufacture have succeeded in simplifying its handling while guaranteeing precision and reliability. To ensure access to the various new replica watches functions whatever the conditions of wear, they have developed a function selector and an independent stop-seconds mechanism.

The function selector

Activated by means of a crown-integrated pushpiece, the function selector serves to adjust all functions without involving the inevitably delicate operation of pulling out the crown. Once the function is selected, the adjustment can be made by simply turning the crown. When the latter is in “neutral” position, the crown serves to wind the barrels. One press takes the user to the position required to adjust the dual time-zone display as well as the date. Another press switches the crown to main time-zone adjustment mode. And a final press brings the system back to its initial position.

This system does away with the need to pull out the crown and thus ensures peerless water resistance without needing to resort to the traditional compression key.

Stop seconds device

In the time-setting position, the seconds hand continues running and the precision of the Omega replica watches online rating is thus not impaired. To ensure perfect synchronisation with a time signal, the user simply operates the slide located on the left side of the case. Simultaneously sliding and pressing it stops the seconds hand, which will continue running again when the slide is released. This handling in two phases – sliding and pressing – serves to avoid any accidental handling.

Functionality and endurance, the essential attributes of the Extreme LAB 2

Power reserve

The functions of a wrist latest replica watches depend on the force transmitted to the movement. The barrel of the Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 guarantees a constant supply of energy for 60 hours. To consult the level of energy available at any given time, a new patented radial display providing simple and intuitive readability is arranged around the rim of the upper dial section. As the power reserve is gradually depleted, the various segments on the semi-circular indication turn from white to blue. This generously sized and unique display mode facilitates an instant check of the level of the barrel’s degree of winding, even in poor light.

Inventive pushpiece construction

The two traditional pushpieces are covered and protected by two L-shaped metal levers that pivot around the crown. They provide a broad contact area while protecting the crown and its integrated function selector. The upper surface of the pushpiece is coated with rubber grooves to ensure a non-slip grip.

Dual time zone

The Master Compressor Extreme LAB has a GMT function. The second time zone, which displays the time in the owner’s usual place of residence, is shown by a second central hours hand, complete with a 24-hour display at 6 o’clock. The time zone is adjusted via a crown-integrated function selector and also drives the date in both forwards or backwards directions.

This new model is powered by Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 780, featuring a column-wheel-controlled chronograph. Precision starting and stopping of the time measurement is ensured by a vertical coupling-clutch. The large balance with its 11.5 mg.cm2 moment of inertia beats at a cadence of 28,800 vibrations per hour and its amplitudes vary only marginally when sustaining shocks. It is fitted with variable-inertia adjustment screws. The absence of the index generally used to adjust the frequency of the balance eliminates the risk of a change in position if subjected to a violent shock. The balance-spring studholder is held by two screws which, once put in place, are secured definitively. The balance-spring itself is fitted with a specific protective device that restricts its oscillation in case of shocks. The balance-cock is held by two pinning points in order to enhance its resistance.

When it comes to endurance, the automatic rotor, which is mounted on ceramic ball bearings that require no lubricant, winds the barrel of the high quality replica watches so as to ensure a 60-hour power reserve. All movement components are meticulously decorated.

Strap system

The inventively designed new integrated interchangeable strap system is operated by means of a lever on the caseback. Rotating it releases the strap attachment and enables a smooth and easy change. The double alligator strap guarantees maximum durability and comfort, while the secure double pin buckle ensures precise two-position adjustment between each notch.

Digital chronograph minutes counter

In order to guarantee optimal at-a-glance readability the top fake watchmakers of the Manufacture have designed a display enabling instant read-off. A large doubledigit counter ideally situated at 12 o’clock indicates the chronograph minutes. Its operation is based on an instant-jump mechanism activated at the exact moment when the seconds hand completes one full turn. The chronograph hours totaliser is located at 9 o’clock, coaxially with the movement seconds.

A powerful design for optimised use

The black ceramic bezel of the Extreme LAB 2 offers superior protection, as does the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The crown, also made of ceramic, echoes the particularly elegant bezel with its polished and satin-brushed finish. For the case middle, the engineers of the Manufacture have chosen a two-part construction on which an external brancard (carrier or shaft) serves as a strap attachment and a base for the inner case housing the movement. This system combines robustness and lightness thanks to TiVan15, a titanium and vanadium alloy providing 15% greater traction resistance than traditional titanium alloys.

The substantially openworked dial serves to observe the details of the calibre structure through the sapphire crystal. The black or ruthenium coating of various movement components creates a striking contrast with the numerals and hands in order to give the chronograph maximum readability.

High-tech materials, daring shapes combined with the double-ringed case structure, add to the aesthetic intensity of this chronograph. It alternates between blue and white colour codes, particularly on the chronograph hours counters, permeated by a resolutely graphic spirit and driven by a concern for legibility. While its appearance is undeniably complex, the Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 is easily tamed by the person who has chosen to adopt it.