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It's a happy day, a new watch arrived Belaggio bel tempo Ravello chronograph a la MCV It's a happy day, a new watch arrived


Ricky Lee
October 16, 2010 09:34AM
 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 17,866 (2012-03)

The watch arrived yesterday (Overstock don't fool around! Thumbs up!) and, while I won't even attempt to match Bro. Marc's excellent review, I fancy that if I can't add to that feast, at least I can bring a six-pack of Bud as the apéritif. Smile

OK, first, this watch is all that Marc said it was! WIS Honeymoon At $53 shipped it may well be the most astounding value I've ever seen. An' I've seen some Crackerjack deals! Given the superb overall fit & finish, and the presentation, this watch rivals a few sure 'nough RMWs, and blows many $500 watches in the weeds.

But it's not perfect. I am confused No watch is, though some come darned close. Wink

The first problem is no fault of Bellagio. Rather, I lay this one squarely on Overstock's doorstep..

Belaggio bel tempo Ravello

Click HERE for larger photo

They said it would fit an 8-1/2 inch (~ 21cm) wrist, and that's a lie. Eek! No! A Damned Lie! I am angry! That photo was taken with the deployant set to the last hole and, obviously, it's cutting me circulation off there. Wear it too long like that, and me hand 'd fall off!

In reality, at max it would accommodate a 7-3/4 inch (~ 19.7cm) wrist. But it's a very nice strap indeed! And the deployant is superlative (Note to Marc - it is a match for the OEM Mido deployant!), so I broke out me Caveman Bag O' Tricks...

Belaggio bel tempo Ravello

Click HERE for larger photo
..and forced it to work. Juuuuuust barely, mind, and while some would no doubt find my 'solution' Yuk! Puke!-looking, it wears Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8! Laughing

The second problem, now, that was definitely Bellagio's screw-up..

Belaggio bel tempo Ravello

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

W. T. H. ? I am confused No flippin' way Oops! that sticker should have been placed on the movement like that! Eek! I am angry!

Luckily it uses a clean non-aggressive adhesive, and I was able to relocate it to The Proper Place..

Belaggio bel tempo Ravello

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..without leaving any residue behind on the movement. {whew!} But I strongly suggest that you open yours up, Bro. Marc, and check it out. With age that sticker is liable to dig in its heels Oops! and, trust me, you would not want to leave it there long-term. Eek!

OK, a closer look at the movement. As I expected..

Belaggio bel tempo Ravello

Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..it is not marked "Seiko", but rather "SII". Definitely built-to-a-price but, again, that's to be expected with an Hattori/SII/TMI branded movement. Quite likely there's also a VD53B variant bearing the brand and, if past experience is an indicator, it would be much more finely finished. Not that this is poorly finished.. my main complaint is that the laser-etched text exhibits a lot of "flare" when viewed in direct light and, frankly, looks like crap. In diffuse light (as here) it does look OK...

I've got to say, the VD53B is an interesting movement. I confess that, at first, I found the small-seconds chrono to be counter-intuitive. But I'm used to it now, and having the running seconds as a large center-hand is nice. An acceptable trade-off, I think. Clapping!

This is a 1-hour chrono (no hour totalizer), and exhibits one quirk that I'm amazed you didn't mention, Bro. Marc. Indeed, I wonder if you've noticed. A bit hard to explain.. how to word it? OK, the chrono return goes "full count". IOW, the hands don't 'snap' or 'glide' directly back to zero, but rather move swiftly through the full range. So when you zero the chrono, the sub-seconds will spin around madly, umpteen times. They do at least take the shortest path - if the chrono reading is more than 30 minutes they go clockwise, but if less than 30 minutes they go widdershins. Quite fun to watch, actually! Laughing

The only other niggle I have - and this is nitpicking pure and simple I admit! - there is not much tactile feedback when activating the chrono pushers. I mean practically zero. Crazy! Loco! Not a deal-breaker, but I would prefer the pushers give me at least a wee bit of a "click" when I activate them. I am confused

So, to conclude, I'm just Happier'n A Slopped Hog with this watch! WIS Honeymoon

Thanks for the tip, Bro. Marc! Thumbs up!

Cheers!

-Ricky



P.s. - And Bro. December, when can I expect me International Brotherhood Of Fan-cee Watch Owners membership card? Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

Messages In This Thread


It's a happy day, a new watch arrived Belaggio bel tempo Ravello chronograph a la MCV It's a happy day, a new watch arrived Image Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 832 October 16, 2010 09:34AM

Congratulations! Nice choice. Thumbs up! (n/t)

 DanB 96 October 16, 2010 01:58PM

Congrats Ricky Smile (n/t)

 Adam in NYC 127 October 16, 2010 01:29PM

Your such a copy cat! Tongue Laughing

Congrats Ricky!
 jeremd676 115 October 16, 2010 01:28PM

Beautiful, congrats Ricky! Thumbs up! "Widdershins"?

laughing Had to google that one... wink Cheers!

Sláinte! smile
Daniel Z.
 Wycombe 105 October 16, 2010 11:41AM

Looks great! And what a deal. Thumbs Up (n/t)

 DJM 111 October 16, 2010 11:31AM

Belaggio bel tempo Ravello, not for me Frowning

I wanted to buy one, and Overstock *does* ship to NL, but the price would have exceeded $100 shipped. USD equals EUR at Overstock, and they add 20 euros for shipping.

Again, great watch, and nice 'Ricky'-addiition to Marc's review!
 Hans_NL 91 October 16, 2010 10:37AM

Score! Really hard to beat the watch-per-dollar ratio on a shipped-to-your-door basis! Thumbs Up (n/t)

 Nuvolari 120 October 16, 2010 10:32AM

Outstanding job, RL! I have had chronos with that reset dance before....

and although a bit unusual, didn't think too much of mentioning it, except that it probably takes more battery power and adds some wear to the mechanism, but it is cool to watch. As for tactile feel in the pushers, most quartz chronos I've experienced have the same 'no feel' feel, only a few have a good snap to them like a mechanical movement.

But for the price??? You and I agree, value shows strongly on this one and I am proudly wearing it tonight to one of my girlfriend's concerts! Fan-Cee indeed!

Cheers,

-Marc
 MCV 119 October 16, 2010 10:12AM


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