These β arrived on time, and according to Drop scheduled π at least in my case: I got them @ πΊπ² The package came with proper protection so no issues regarding that. The β came brand ποΈ as usual.
I got 2οΈβ£ different β one is the chronograph with the ETA 2οΈβ£8οΈβ£9οΈβ£4οΈβ£ the other is the GMT with the ETA 2οΈβ£8οΈβ£9οΈβ£3οΈβ£ both movements are modular so you'll π exactly the same movement from the exhibition caseback. The specific modules are not visible because they're on π of the base movement which is the ETA 2οΈβ£8οΈβ£9οΈβ£2οΈβ£. The movement has some nice decoration and blue screws. In my experience, they're keeping great time both on wrist & winder, so I guess they used a π grade.
I'll begin with the chronograph, the first I bought for π²6οΈβ£5οΈβ£0οΈβ£
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I like the flieger styling: it's simple, effective and perfectly readable ππ» As you can π the lume is fine, and it's blue colored. It lasts longer on the ππ» than the markings on the sphere. I π― the #οΈβ£ on the dial may be better without lume because it would make it easier to find the πΊοΈ marker for π I find the pushers a little small & they have a substantial feeling... I rather prefer a softer feeling but it's fine. While the dial doesn't have a π indicator, the disc is clearly inside & its working. IππΌthe date change @ 2οΈβ£3οΈβ£:4οΈβ£0οΈβ£ and the π still has 2οΈβ£ positions so you can clearly adjust the π I don't appreciate that so much but I guess that getting fully rid of the π isn't possible for the ETA 2οΈβ£8οΈβ£9οΈβ£4οΈβ£ The other omission that I definitely miss is the chromograph hours indicator... I can only measure ποΈ to Β½ an hour. I rarely need more than a couple of minutes, but I'm missing the chronograph hours ππ» anyway. So in conclusion, I like the β and it's the most readable chronograph that I own. There is a price to pay which is no π and no chronograph hours counter, but the final result is nice indeed β
Now I'm moving to the GMT β that I got for π²3οΈβ£8οΈβ£0οΈβ£
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This β is so clearly readable with simple & big GMT markings on the internal bezel... the dial is simple matte black, no texture or elements in different levels (heights) There's a decent amount of blue lume and it performs ποΈ, nothing to βπ»π‘ about. I like that the GMT ππ» is in red color so there's no confusion with the seconds ππ» which is usually an issue with these β This is a "desk" GMT type of β which means that you can adjust the GMT ππ» without hacking the movement, so this complication is mostly useful when you're not traveling & you need to track another time zone from your π‘ The GMT bezel is somewhat "deep" & I initially complained about that in the discussion of this drop. But now that I have it, I can appreciate that decision because it's so easy to read the 2οΈβ£4οΈβ£ hour scale, compared with my Orient Polaris which also has that internal bezel. Anyway the truth is that the deep bezel is there because all of these β share the very same case, but it turned out good on this one. Regarding the #οΈβ£ I like the big size and the typography, but I miss the 6οΈβ£ and I would rather preferred that the π where @ π In conclusion I like the β & it's also the most readable GMT I currently own β
Now I'll cover the case & strap. This will be simple enough: all the β of this model share exactly the same case and strap. And I mean exactly the same, so you wouldn't be able to tell apart them if you're π from behind (exhibition case back) or from the β‘οΈ side. The case is multipart judging by the screws it has for the lugs, these lugs have a brushed finish while the rest is polished. I like the case and it doesn't wear as high as the 1οΈβ£4οΈβ£βοΈβοΈ measure might suggest. I guess they went for the maximum dimensions depending on the different movements they fit, being the widest the ππΌ wound and the tallest the chronograph. Anyway I know that the 2οΈβ£8οΈβ£9οΈβ£β is a slim movement so I guess the case could be easily slimmer π€·π»ββοΈ
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The strap is soft leather & it feels good quality, but I changed it almost immediately for some β«&π΄ silicone straps to keep the original design. I even kept the original buckle which has a nice design. However changing the strap of these β has been the most difficult swap that I've ever done ππΌ The strap is secured by screws but the problem is that you must hold tight both screws or you'll just spin the whole spring bar and the screws will never loose or tighten. I finally did it but definitely I won't be changing straps often.
My final thoughts are that all of these β share a strong common design (and also share several identical components), but each one has it's own personality in the dial. That's fine because the dial is the most prominent part where you'll spend the most β³π at. The design is simple, pragmatic and readable but not boring... it's focused to be more practical than striking and I like that.
π½ review here https://youtu.be/nI3tBnmvei0
MarPablThanks a lot. I really did like the GMT with the white dial. I will now consider it next time around. It seems to be of very high quality for the money.Regards.
JAoneYeah definitely a bargain if it goes for π²3οΈβ£8οΈβ£0οΈβ£ I like the finishing now than my Glycine Combat Sub, so you may have a comparison with the Airman we usually ποΈ here π