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Best Alpina

Pre-Basel 2014: Another New Alpina Replica Watch

This New Alpina Replica Watch is going more on the theme of the original collection while the Black Star is really a beautiful new addition. Both versions have absolutely nothing wrong with them in terms of look or function and they really are nice watches. The watch has a diameter of 44mm and is 10.2mm thick. Pilot style watches may be the second most popular genre of watches, so it will sell amazingly well. The looks and features come together to create a perfect storm. It has everything someone could ask for, applied numerals and markers, screw-down crown, good size, automatic movement from a company that has an amazing reputation.

Picture It is post Alpina Replica Watch SIHH 2014 so it is time to look to the future, to Baselworld. SIHH is really just a small Basel. The former has 16 brands while the latter has easily over 100. While I can cover all of the new watches from 16 brands, 100 is far too many. Although I will do my best to write about the most interesting ones. Well, this watch qualifies as interesting. Picture

It is again part of the Startimer collection, the first new watch I covered here. Unlike the Black Star, which has a stealth case and black sunray dial, this watch goes on the original theme of the collection, a steel case and gray dial. As a result, it is named the Sunstar. Both versions have their own merits. My estimate for price is around $1,250 (MSRP) but I think that with some AD discounts it may be as low as $950-$1,000. This new watch is really going to do well and I can’t wait to see it in person when I get the chance. I know from experience that pictures of sunray dials don’t do them justice and I know this watch won’t be an exception. Alpina Replica until Baselworld 2014!

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Best Alpina

Best Swiss Alpina Black Star Replica Watch

Unlike the original, that has a gray sunburst dial, this new Best Swiss Alpina Black Star Replica Watch has a stunning black sunburst dial and PVD or DLC (I am not sure which) “stealth” case. The dial and case design remains the same otherwise. They both use the same in-house bi-compax automatic chronograph movement, the caliber AL-860. I do not believe the Black Star is a limited edition like the original Startimer chrono.

The Black Star is just beautiful and although I hope to see more from Alpina, but this watch is more than enough in my book. It looks like a pilot watch and unlike most, it is actually functional and something that a pilot might wear. I just love watches like this one.

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The new Alpina Black Star Replica Watch  has a beautiful sunray dial and bi-compax chronograph layout. In the midst of all the new watches for SIHH 2014, we can sometimes easily overlook the new watches for Baselworld. One of these watches is the Alpina Black Star, a new model based off of their wildly popular Startimer chronograph.

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The AL-860 movement can be viewed through the exhibition caseback. I think Alpina’s design team did a good thing by taking a very popular watch and giving it a new twist. Often times these “new twists” ruin the Alpina Replica Watch completely but it makes this watch look better than ever.

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Best Rado

Rado hyperchrome Automatic Chronograph Replica Watch in Plasma Ceramic

The Rado hyperchrome Automatic Chronograph Replica Watch is, first of all, an automatic chronograph and uses a movement found in all their other hyperchrome auto chronos. It has proven to be a reliable and accurate movement and can be viewed through the exhibition caseback.

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Rado, the company famous for their ceramic watches has just released another ceramic watch, this time with something new and special. The thing that is special about this watch is not the movement, but the ceramic it is made out of. The case is a single block of ceramic made with no metal frames, much like the Rado hyperchrome Automatic replica. But one thing the Omega doesn’t have is the plasma treatment.  Picture

The ceramic alone is the same as all their other watches. The regular process consists of firing clay in the shape of the case to turn it into ceramic. Then sharp edges are filed down, some final finishing of the case is done and the process ends there. Picture There is not much else to mention about the watch. It works, like most of their other watches, with either a suit or jeans, an extremely hard thing to do. No information has been released on pricing yet but if I had to guess it would retail for around $5,000 (MSRP), maybe more because this process has never been used on another watch before. Thanks for reading!

This wasn’t good enough for Rado replica watches so they took it one step further and basically blasted the case and bracelet with plasma, giving it a fantastic metallic look. The gases alter the surface of the ceramic (at 20,000˚C) so it will permanently have a metallic shine, no matter what happens to it.