Pre-orders for the Limited Edition Nav B are now open...

[Debaufre Promo]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b195/watchstuff/Flieger_Limited_front_back_300_3_Ko.jpg

Follow the link for pricing, details or to order...200 will be made!

http://store.debaufre.com/Nav-B-Limited-Edition-p/f-dw.03.08le.htm

[MikeW]

I went to the link provided but I have a question...It appears you have to pay the entire cost of the watch to pre-order, is that correct? I have not had to pay more than a deposit, if anything, on pre-orders from other makers in the past so I want to make sure I am not missing something here.

Also, if I am understanding correctly, the 200 Debaufre is releasing is in addition to the 333 from Steinhart?

Thanks, Mike W.

[stuffler,mike]

Also, if I am understanding correctly, the 200 Debaufre is releasing is in addition to the 333 from Steinhart?

Thanks, Mike W.

Which makes it 533 :oops:

http://www.steinhartwatches.de/data/shop_data/bilder/highres/1700676971neu_limited_flieger_1.jpg

[Debaufre Promo]

I am checking with them Mike and will let you know what I find out - good question!!!!

[Triton]

Which makes it 533 :oops:

- 333 ltd. Steinhart with thin case and thick case back, 'Steinhart'-branded

- 200 ltd. Debaufre with new thick case and thin case back, 'Debaufre'-branded

The picture is only a composite based on the ltd. Steinhart. They should rework it IMHO, so people can see that a diferent case is used for the 200.

[stuffler,mike]

- 333 ltd. Steinhart with thin case and thick case back, 'Steinhart'-branded

- 200 ltd. Debaufre with new thick case and thin case back, 'Debaufre'-branded

The picture is only a composite based on the ltd. Steinhart. They should rework it IMHO, so people can see that a diferent case is used for the 200.

Thick - small - what´s that in mm please ?

[Triton]

Thick - small - what´s that in mm please ?

Steinhart: case 5.8 mm / incl. bezel and caseback 13.7 mm

Debaufre: case 8.5 mm / incl. bezel and caseback 14 mm

And a q&d comparisson pic:

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7425/casestv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Watchstuff2]

That's a great shot Simon, really shows the difference! Thanks!

[thodgins]

The lugs looks thicker and longer on the Debaufre as well. Thanks for sharing the info.

[Debaufre Promo]

Hey Mike - I got answers on the pre-order questions.

Yes, the normal procedure for this pre-order is to pay in full ahead.
However, they are more than happy to do half now/half later.
And you probably saw below where Triton highlights the differences in the two "editions", so while they are basically the same, they are somewhat unique as well.

[MikeW]

Won't a thinner case back cause the large crown to did in to the wrist more? It seems you would want a nice thick case back to lift the crown away from the wrist as much as possible. Oh well, looks really nice otherwise, might be worth a try :think:.

Best, Mike W.

[Watchstuff2]

I agree - I don't know how the limited edition case compares to my "regular" NavB case, but on mine, it is thick enough to keep that huge crown off my wrist, as you mentioned. If it were much thinner it would be a problem; I guess you could always get a smaller crown... LOL!

[gmhutton]

no disrespect to the company, but after viewing their website ALL of their models seem to be knock offs of other brands. i see rolex, Bell and Ross, IWC, Tag Heuer and others. IF ETA fullfill their promise to withold movements from companies not affiliated to the swatch group what will happen then?
i'm very sad to say that there isnt a single watch in their collection that i'd be tempted to buy.

[SeikoSickness]

no disrespect to the company, but after viewing their website ALL of their models seem to be knock offs of other brands. i see rolex, Bell and Ross, IWC, Tag Heuer and others. IF ETA fullfill their promise to withold movements from companies not affiliated to the swatch group what will happen then?

One word...Sellita...

[Triton]

i'm very sad to say that there isnt a single watch in their collection that i'd be tempted to buy.

That's exactely what I thought when I last looked at Rolex's website.

[mamas]

I am slightly disspointed wuith the release of this 'Debaufre' LE. Steinhart and Debaufre are essentially the same company but Debaufre was created because of legal issues in US. Steinhart released this as a LE limited to 333 pieces. Many people would have bought this because of limited nature of product... for which they charged more $$$. For steinhart (Debaufre) to run a second run of L.E.'s of 200 pieces is a bit off in my opinion. As Mike Stuffler has suggested this is more of an LE of 533 pieces... what happens when these sell out?? a further LE with another couple hundred pieces of same watch??
I think if a manufacturer is to release a limited edition it should be limited to the initial number.. not add another 200 LE's under the companies US name.<|<|<|

[Watchstuff2]

Good point..the differences between the Steinhart and Debaufre versions are pretty minor. I understand having both "companies" sell a version, as they serve different groups of customers, i.e. US, European, etc... I think they should have announced the total number of pieces at the beginning, how many Steinhart, how many Debaufres, so folks would know up front...then it would be easier to figure out where to order from, etc.

[bvmjethead]

I only wish that it had an exhibition back.

I like the Nav-B because of it's glass back but I do not like the second hand on the Nav-B when compared to this watch.

The clean and uncluttered dial of this watch is fantastic.

[dardo1]

no disrespect to the company, but after viewing their website ALL of their models seem to be knock offs of other brands. i see rolex, Bell and Ross, IWC, Tag Heuer and others. IF ETA fullfill their promise to withold movements from companies not affiliated to the swatch group what will happen then?
i'm very sad to say that there isnt a single watch in their collection that i'd be tempted to buy.

I would agree. i found Steinhart a couple of years ago when they first started and they had just a couple of watches. but all of their stuff are just knock-offs. But, I will say if you don't want to spend thousands of dollars, but you want a solid built watch with all the basics like an ETA movement, sapphire crystal and 316L stainless steel and screw in crowns, the 400.00 or 500.00 price tag for most of the watches are a great buy. Yes, the ETA movements are the most basic of ETA's 4 tiered quality level system; although ANONIMO or TAG may use the 2824 ETA, as does Steinhart, they are not the same quality; the Steinhart movement will be very basic in terms of quality of finish, tolerances and decoration. But, its still an ETA engine.

I got my brother an ocean 1 diver and he loves it and it has been perfect for 3 years now.

Yes, ETA will no longer be supplying off brands with movements, but a samll movement company called Settelia, which has been around for a long time has been licensed to produce the EXACT same movement as ETA to help ETA with demand. They are exactly the same in terms of quality and are produced under ETA license and Settelia has to follow strict guidelines. They make a movement called SW200 that is already being used in higher quality makers like TAG, ANONIMO, and others and not even the best watchmaker could tell the difference unless they see the maker stamp on the plate of the movement. So, Settelia will be making the movements for many more years to come.

And if you look at the LE Big Pilot style watch that Steinhart put out with the see through back and the modified central second hand gear and the beautifully finished UNITAS movement, even a seasoned watch person would agree that the watch is well worth the 1800.00 price tag. That watch under a different name is easily 3500.00, so Steinhart does have its strengths. Best to all.

[SeikoSickness]

Yes, ETA will no longer be supplying off brands with movements, but a samll movement company called Settelia, which has been around for a long time has been licensed to produce the EXACT same movement as ETA to help ETA with demand.

The company is question is Sellita and they're not that small. Their SW200 movement is very reliable and they've been re-finishing ETA movements for years. There are now more and more recognized brands using their movements, notably Oris. And, more companies outside of the Swatch Group will be moving to their movements. Once 2010 comes by ETA movement will only be available to those companies part of the Swatch Group.

[Watchstuff2]

Hey guys, I am no expert, and I know the topic of the Sellita has been covered elsewhere...but two things I can add - first, the sw200 is not an exact copy - it has an extra jewel, 26 total, allegedly to help with power reserve, so that is a small and hopefully beneficial difference. Second, even some of the "lower end" folks are using the sw200, including Invicta... Debaufre, of course, uses it in the Triton and I think they may be starting to use it in the ocean series as well...bottom line, it seems to be picking up where the 2824 left off, so hopefully no worries from the consumer's standpoint...here is a link to a thread over on the Steinhart forum where they discuss the Sellita in more detail...

http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=113257

[bullitt731]

Steinhart: case 5.8 mm / incl. bezel and caseback 13.7 mm

Debaufre: case 8.5 mm / incl. bezel and caseback 14 mm

And a q&d comparisson pic:

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7425/casestv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



Any way you could post a similar picture on the crown side? I am tempted to get the Steinhart version, but I am concerned about the crown digging into my wrist as some have commented on.

[mwarner]

Sorry about this, but I am thoroughly confused now. I thought that Steinhart and Debaufre were one in the same and that the co. changed the name to the latter due to a trademark dispute. Where exactly are you guys in the U.S. buying Steinhart branded watches (European contacts)? Maybe this is worth a sticky at the top of the sub-forum?

[mwarner]

Never mind guys...I think I found the answer over at the Steinhart forum:roll: So you can still buy Steinhart from Europe.

[Triton]

Any way you could post a similar picture on the crown side? I am tempted to get the Steinhart version, but I am concerned about the crown digging into my wrist as some have commented on.

i wish i could, but the fat case in my pic is part of the marine timer prototype, which has a completely different crown.
But there is no use in comparing the two in order for you to decide which one to get anyway, because the 333 Steinhart ltd. Nav.Bs have all been sold, not a single one left in stock.

[Watchstuff2]

Yes, you can buy Steinhart direct from Steinhart in Europe, or Debaufre direct here in the States. I don't know how the tax/customs stuff works, but I saw a thread where a US buyer ended up paying some additional tariffs, etc. when they bought from Steinhart, so just be aware of that, not sure how to check what it is. For me, I will stick to Debaufre as it is so much easier and a bit cheaper...unless of course there is something that Steinhart has that I like better! LOL!

[JGT]

I think you can't get better than Debaufre anywhere for the money. I bought an orange airforce and I have been wearing it everyday since I purchased it back in December and I have never received with any of my other watches the number of compliments I receive with my Debaufre. I can't wait to get my new pre- order.
Keep up the great work Debaufre