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Graham 3T WIS 
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After doing some research on the Asian clones of the venerable Valjoux 7750, I was amazed at the positive feedback of the "Shanghai" clone as it is known. As a collector of the various mechanical chrono movements, I wanted one of these in my collection. Most of the Asian 7750 knockoffs are being used in fake watches, and the QC is therefore non existent. My research pointed to a few independent manufacturers of niche market watches who have been successfully utilising some of these movements in quality watches. I have a Precista chrono with a Seagull hand cranker (based on the Venus 175) which I enjoy and find very well made. My attention was drawn to Carlos, a Portuguese enterpreneur who established his own brand, "Prometheus". He is well known on some other WIS fora. He has put together a very nice chrono using the Shanghai 7750 movement. The watch is currently available at 200Euros or $300, which makes this an absolute bargain. I'm not going to do a review here as there are many posted already. What I can say is that I am pleasantly surprised about the overall package. The look and feel of this watch is superb!  The bracelet is very well made, with very solid end links. Although links are connected with split pins, they fit well. The transparent caseback is a nice touch and the movement looks good. Very few WIS will be able to tell it is not a V7750!  I really love the dial, markers and hands! Admittedly there is a controversy over whether the design was copied from another watch, but I'm not getting involved with that.... The active chrono hands are red, while the continuously running seconds hand is white. The black subdials have small concentric circles which set them off nicely against the black dial. Markings are in white and acts as a border. The design of the markers and hands are similiar. The date and day windows have a white border, and the only writing on the dial is concentrated above and below these windows. The all black and white theme works very well, with the thin red hands a small splash of colour. The lume on the markers and hands look good, but under a 10X loupe the application looks a bit rough. Lume is nowhere near the Monsters, but adequate. There is no lume on the index marker of the bezel. The 60 click bezel works well, although a bit of play is present - nothing that will upset any calculations.  The pushers are great, and a direct copy of the Daytona's. Obviously being of the screw down type, they are slow to put into action. The crown screws down and there is a substantial protector present. However, the design interferes with the functionality of the crown: it is difficuilt to pull it out once unscrewed because the protectors do their job too well! The watch is rated to 200m. Quite incredible for a chrono in this price range! I tested it myself, and the claim is fair. Out the box it was running at a costant +20 per day in a 3 day cycle. (yes, I wore it for 3 days over the weekend!) Although not run in yet, I couldn't resist regulating it. After my first attempt it is running at +9 on the winder in 24 hours. Not bad at all! I bought this watch primarily for the movement, never expecting to like it as much as I do. I think this will become one of my faforite beaters!woohoo.gif  |
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IanM 3T WIS 
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Nice one, Graham. And I don't see the name K*b*ld on it anywhere! :D Would be interesting to know how the movement holds up in a few months - I expect that this one will be an interesting addition to your already fab collection of chronos! Wear it in good health! IanM hand6.gif |
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Graham 3T WIS
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IanM wrote: Nice one, Graham. And I don't see the name K*b*ld on it anywhere! :D Thanks, Ian. Like I said, not commenting on the design origins.......  Some of the reports I read were very positive about the long term results of these engines. We'll have to wait and see.... |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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I would be interested to see how the movement holds up over time. And Graham it is difficult not to comment on the origin of the design when the watch appears to so closely mimic another's design. No disrespect intended, but it is what it is... |
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Devin 3T WIS 
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Graham that is a great looking watch and yes i am one that likes the fact it looks like another watch that has been on my "want list" for a long time. could you tell me how the lume is? that looks like a really well made watch, i might have to jump on one at that price i cannot see how you can go wrong. thanks |
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Graham 3T WIS
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Paxman wrote: I would be interested to see how the movement holds up over time. And Graham it is difficult not to comment on the origin of the design when the watch appears to so closely mimic another's design. No disrespect intended, but it is what it is... I agree 100%, Pax. After having read the whole story about exactly that on another forum, I still think it was an honest attempt at doing what he did. Anyway, as I said, I'm more interested in the movement than the watch per se, although I didn't want to get a fake branded watch. Maybe Carlos should have just called a spade a spade and sell it as a homage? I don't know......... |
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Graham 3T WIS
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Devin wrote: Graham that is a great looking watch and yes i am one that likes the fact it looks like another watch that has been on my "want list" for a long time. could you tell me how the lume is? that looks like a really well made watch, i might have to jump on one at that price i cannot see how you can go wrong. thanks Devin As mentioned, nowhere near the Seikos, but adequate. The lume blobs are significantly smaller anyway. I haven't tested the endurance. |
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Tony Duronio 3T WIS 
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Congrats Graham...very nice looking design. I would think the movement will remain a workhorse for a long time..Enjoy |
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omegaman41 3T WIS 
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Nice chrono Graham and a very good review. Thanks for introducing this brand to me. Hope all goes well with your new "beater" and that you enjoy it for a long time.smile8.gif |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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Graham wrote: Paxman wrote:I would be interested to see how the movement holds up over time. And Graham it is difficult not to comment on the origin of the design when the watch appears to so closely mimic another's design. No disrespect intended, but it is what it is... the controversy isn't the design Graham it is that the watch is a replica in sheeps clothing...at least the price was lowered drastically since it was released but it is what it is ....wear it in good health my friend and best of luck...let me just add that I am happy to see someone I know that has vast knowledge of chrono movements buy one and I would be interested to hear your impression over the long haulhand6.gif |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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Had a Zinex Chrono with one of those movements and held up well. Ya just never know. Should make for a good beater chrono may you get much enjoyment from it. ;) |
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Graham 3T WIS
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Thanks for the comments, guys! I shall report back after a few months. |
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KenC Admin 
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Okay, I have wondered whether to comment or not, but I truly feel I must. First, it is an esthetically beautiful watch...and why shouldn't it be? It is an exact copy of a Kobold. After repeatedly denying that he had not copied the Kobold and that he had hired an independent industrial designer to design the CR1, Carlos was forced to admit his deception to the point that he sent a personal letter of apology to Kobold. I cannot, and am not, going to question the quality of the watch as I do not own one nor have I actually seen one...although I have read some negative feedback and had at least one owner pm me as to his observations. My problem is in dealing with a watchmaker who starts out from the "git go" in a less-than-honest way...to me, it is a mark of "honor" held only buy the likes of Eyal Lalo and his butt-buddy Jimmy Sniffles (and yes, there are others that hid the fact they were using SW200 movements while promoting their use of ETA 2824-2). I even got banned from Prometheus forum for the simple question as to why the movements weren't adjusted to within "reasonable" specs prior to shipping (most comments I had read put them in the error margin of being 20+ seconds per day out of sync). I am also curious as to why, with a limited addition of 100, he has had to drastically reduce his price and practically beg people to buy them. I am sorry if this post is upsetting to some, but the purpose of this forum is to inform...if I am wrong, I will apologize publicly, but I do not believe I am. |
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canadajo 3T WIS 
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Thanks for your informative post ..... A year ago I bought a Chinese 7750 in a IWC lookalike, thru a Hong Kong web-site. The watch cost me around 250 US dollars ........ Owning more than a dozen Swiss 7750's and a few other Valjoux chrono's over the years, I am aware of the way they wind and run .... the Chinese version winds a little different .... at first it ran okay at 25 sec fast ..... the screw in crown was not like the Swiss original, and the Chinese 7750 takes a carefull person so as not to strip it .....It ticks a little louder I noticed ..... I have as late having a hard time finding the slot to wind it up and it freewheels if I dont have it just set right .... The movement seems sloppy now and it didnt at first .... I am afraid of them to be straightforward .... I must say that I really like the look of your new watch and I hope your watch runs great for you |
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