History of evolution: A year after VS Factory introduced the Omega 8500 integrated movement, a revisit to the comparative review of the first model to carry the self-made movement, "Spectre 007"

Comprehensive comparative analysis of Evolution History and Ke models One Year After Launching Factory Omega 8500 Integrated Movement: Case finishes, movement precision, dial details and production tolerances are examined in detail with Saat Detective expertise standards.

At the end of June 2018, VS launched the first model carrying the milestone 1:1 Omega movement as "Spectre 007" and today it has been exactly one year. Today he will revisit the evolution process of this mechanism.

First of all, let's look at the promotional text when VS Factory released the first model "Spectre 007" carrying the 8500 movement:

1. Self-developed integrated mechanism; It's no longer a fake bridge. Every screw and stone has a real function, they are no longer decorative gluing pieces.

2. The hour hand can be adjusted quickly, can stop seconds in time setting; functions same as original.

3. The balance position and size are exactly the same as the black balance original; black screws, real functional nivachoc shock absorber, external appearance details are largely identical.

4. Double mainspring box, bi-directional installation (single on the market). The mechanism is stable; An uninterrupted wrist movement simulation test is performed for 7 days before shipment.

Omega is a very popular wristwatch brand in our country and is a brand that many replica manufacturers compete fiercely with. From simple case imitation to attaching importance to the appearance of the movement, the history of generation change put forward by different manufacturers in different periods is becoming stronger and more elaborate, just like the theory of human evolution.

I will summarize for you the mechanisms used by Omega replicas in different periods, that is, the mechanism evolution theory of Omega replica wristwatches. Let's explain it through Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, which everyone knows very well.

First stage: Seagull domestic mechanism period

Years ago, if you are really curious about the exact date, let's give an approximate time: roughly before 2011. At that time, the replica industry was still at the level of simple case imitation; The mechanism was also completely exposed, and some of them did not even have a logo printed on the automatic rotor. Closed-backed ones are whatever, but transparent-backed ones were obviously fake at a glance; It's the kind that, when you take a quick glance, can tell it's not original.

Here it is, a bit of a grin but ultimately a product of years ago.

This is a buyer post on the Watch House site. Without comparison there is no pain; In comparison, it looks like he has no clothes on.

Second stage: Citizen 8215 movement, fake bridge

The time is roughly around 2012. Finally, one manufacturer thought it looked too ugly to have the mechanism exposed like that. So Citizen released the 8215 movement and forged bridge. At the time, this was a milestone advance for both Planet Ocean and the replica industry; The external appearance of the mechanism has become much more similar to the original mechanism.

The problems that still existed in the products of the second phase were also quite obvious, such as:

1. Since the frequency of the Citizen 8215 movement is low, it was clearly visible that the second hand was jerking as the second hand moved.

2. When the hand was shaken, the second hand of the watch would pause or shift seconds.

3. While the time was being adjusted, the second hand continued to move forward and did not stop.

4. The balance of the mechanism was obviously smaller than the original and its position was wrong.

5. The stones and screws on the fake bridge were attached or glued with glue; After a few months of use, the parts fell off easily, even damaging the mechanism...

Third stage: Hangzhou 6770 movement + fake bridge and domestic 2836 movement + fake bridge

After Citizen 8215 movement and fake bridge were sold for five or six years, this year, that is, in 2018, some manufacturers released two new movements: one is Hangzhou 6770 movement + fake bridge, the other is domestic 2836 movement + fake bridge.

This is a product newly launched this year, using Hangzhou 6770 movement + forged bridge. With this movement, the problems of second shake and stoppage of the seconds in the previous Citizen 8215 movement can be prevented. Because it is an ordinary mechanism + fake bridge, the functions of the mechanism are still different from the original. The hour hand cannot be adjusted quickly. At first I thought it was a black balance, but when I stopped the movement, I saw that the balance was still steel-colored and obviously small. Other issues are also more or less the same as the Citizen version above.

This is a new product launched in 2018. Since there is a gap in the market for the well-made Seamaster series and the Planet Ocean, many manufacturers have swarmed in and started making this. Competition is a good thing; Only this way innovation comes. The movement of this version, which uses the domestic 2836 movement + fake bridge, is also an ordinary domestic movement; Just like the Hangzhou mechanism above, its functions also do not match the original, the hour hand cannot be adjusted quickly. The balance is still small and the balance position is wrong.

This domestic 2836 movement + fake bridge version has an advantage over the previous fake bridge versions: they painted the color of the balance black. There is no problem in the operation of the brand new local mechanism, but the local mechanism does not withstand disassembly and assembly; Even a simple disassembly and assembly process changes the balance and oscillation amplitude of the mechanism. The mainspring and balance of the movement have been precisely calculated by the movement factory; Directly removing the balance, painting it black and reattaching it gives the appearance of a black balance, but the operating precision and stability of the mechanism decreases.

Ultimate version: VS Factory brand new 8500 movement, integrated movement, no longer fake bridge

Final version to be released soon. Does saying "final version" make us blush? I thought like this; It wouldn't hurt to call this VS version final. For a few reasons:

1. VS's brand new 8500 movement solved the shortcomings and problems previously seen in the versions on the market.

2. Truly integrated mechanism; The fake bridge is no longer installed. Every screw and stone seen in the VS movement has a real function, they are no longer those ornamental plastic parts on the fake bridge.

3. The functions of the mechanism are exactly the same as the original, the hour hand can be adjusted quickly.

4. Balance position and balance size are exactly the same as the original.

5. Automatic rotor is bi-directional installation, installation efficiency is higher; It largely prevents stalling caused by lack of power.

I have summarized the entire 8500 evolutionary history, in diagram form as follows

Pros and cons of VS integrated mechanism with fake bridge on the market

Some people ask: I don't understand why the screws and stone pieces on the fake bridge fall off so easily. Let's take a photo of the fake bridge and show it, then it will be clear. Many fake screws and stone bearings were glued onto the fake bridge with glue; When the adhesive loses its function, small pieces separate and fall into the mechanism, causing malfunction or even failure of the mechanism.

Let me summarize for you the difference in mechanism balance that I have explained at length, as in the image below.

Let's also add a photo of the original mechanism from Watch House; You can clearly see the size of the balance and whether it is visible from the outside, and understand how obvious the difference is.

With these few points I have mentioned above, there is a groundbreaking difference between previously released products such as Seamaster and Planet Ocean, in terms of both external appearance, internal mechanism functions and movement stability.

Enthusiasts who have met VS Panerai know that VS has very high standards regarding cases and parts, and does its job very carefully. In addition, the mechanisms produced by VS have a very good reputation for operating precision and stability. Moreover, the price-performance of VS products is very high; By spending roughly the same money as the versions on the market, you can get a wristwatch with the same functions, exterior details and top-notch workmanship as the original.

After reading this much, let's take a look at what the VS Specter 007, the first model with the 8500 integrated movement, is like

This special watch will be available in a limited edition of 7,007 pieces worldwide; It is clear what this number means. The simple, smooth and stylish appearance created by the stainless steel case and black dial is extremely attractive. Equipped with a bidirectional rotating diving bezel made of black polished ceramic and 12-hour markers in Liquidmetal alloy; It makes it easy to adjust the time display in any country in the world, making it very suitable for frequent travelers.

Other features of the watch are also extremely striking and special. The dial features a 'lollipop' type central seconds hand; The strap is a black-grey 5-stripe Omega NATO military strap, which is also called the James Bond NATO strap. The '007' emblem is embroidered on the strap buckle.

It is also worth noting that this 'NATO' fabric strap is extremely critical to the texture of this Specter model. That's why VS also gave great importance to this 'NATO' fabric strap; Whether it is the material of the fabric, the steel accessories or the logo on the buckle, every detail has been made very carefully. Moreover, this is not just an apparent breakthrough; The touch feeling of the strap is also different from the versions on the market. The 'NATO' fabric belts on the market look similar to the original from a distance, but when handled, many problems arise; Its texture is coarse and feels rough when touched. VS's 'NATO' fabric strap offers a slippery and soft feeling, as if touching a silk quilt. You can experience that feeling yourself when you hold the product in your hands; It's worth the wait.

VS has released a total of three different versions for Specter that you can choose from:

1. Version with 'NATO' fabric strap

2. Version with stainless steel bracelet. The steel bracelet version is more recommended for summer; Playing with neither sweat nor water is a problem.

3. Version with both steel bracelet and 'NATO' fabric strap. High price-performance; Two different styles, two different feelings with one watch, as you wish.

Now let's see what the differences are between the 007 Specter version on the market and our VS Factory 007 version

Due to the fake bridge added to the 007 on the market, the case body and case back have to be made thicker than the original and the VS version so that the rotor can rotate properly. You can pay attention to whether it is really so.

The dial surface of a watch is very important in terms of whether it captures the spirit of the original. Beautiful or ugly, everything looks at one face. VS Specter has addressed some of the shortcomings of the versions on the market by constant comparison with the original. For example, the lume depth of the hour markers on the dial.

(Original 007 photo on foreign sites)

There are so many versions on the market, but actually only the VS version matches the original exactly.

(VS 007 Specter real shot photo)

If you can't understand the image above, also take a look at the image below.

This is the lume depth comparison of the dial; The depth difference can be clearly seen with the naked eye.

This is the difference seen on the watch; When you look at it roughly, they all look similar, but when you go into detail, the difference is big.

Summary: First of all, VS's previous Panerai models were at the highest level in the market in terms of workmanship and quality; Its reputation in the market was also very good. The development of the 8500 integrated movement has now passed a full year; The determination of the mechanism and the reputation it has gained are in front of everyone's eyes. Otherwise, new products would have been released one after the other and around ten to twenty models would not have been available to date. Moreover, the functions of the mechanism are now exactly the same as the original; It's like the final version. The price is also quite reasonable, similar to other versions on the market. I believe that VS will release many more watch models based on the 8500 movement from now on.