rebellion

Rebellion Regulator REB-7 Blue Version Watch

While I think Rebellion watches are cool and exciting, I personally don't get super excited about them. Sound ironic? Maybe it is, but I feel like I got excited the first time I saw a Rebellion watch, and each time after that, it is just more of the same. Now the Rebellion DNA has been enhanced with the suave look of electric blue and steel. The case is 46mm wide, 56mm tall, and 20mm thick.

Rebellion is no BS brand. All Swiss, they also make their own, in-house made movements. Inside this new Rebellion Regulator REB-7 Blue Version watch is the REB-7 automatic movement with the regulator complication (and date). The date is read through the small window close to 6 o'clock, with an exposed numeral ring. aside from futuristic steel composure of the watch, all the hands and hour numeral information is in blue. Being a regulator, the subsidiary dial at the top is for the hours. Normally, a regulator watch would have another subsidiary dial for the seconds, but here the middle dial is used for the minutes and the seconds. The dial is covered with a large sapphire crystal and has some of its edges exposed. Sure to have good legibility due to double AR coating on said crystal.

The complex watch case has over 40 parts to it. Watches like this can sometimes be so visually complex, reading the time is a chore. A bit less of the case here, but don't get a watch like this thinking it is as easy to read as a Rolex Submariner for example. Not sure about price at this point, but recognize that Rebellion is a high-end luxury watch brand.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Tags: blue, reb-7, rebellion, regulator, watch

Rebellion Predator Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

It comes with an evocative name, stirring up feelings of aggression, independence, and hunting. Really it is a high-end racing watch, and not some fancy Weapon, or a long awaited new Predator series movie (a good one I mean). For this is. Swiss Rebellion's first round watch (can you believe it!?) Are they getting too mainstream? Naw...

The large round case has bezel cut-aways for their distinctive torx screws and ceramic inserts on the lug structures. The watch is available in several material versions where you can mix-and-match steel, ceramic, and red gold. In addition to the tri-compax chronograph as seen, the Predator watch will be available in a three-hand (time only) and monopusher chronograph version. You can visualize the clear "technical" looking face with the now in, honey-comb texture on the dial. Likely with a bit of movement view action going on underneath that.

Even though the dial is highly stylized, it would not be characterized as difficult to read. Inside the watch are Swiss automatic mechanical movements. The partially obstructed subsidiary seconds indicator on a disc (like a brake rotor) is always a fun touch. Nothing hugely original, but Rebellion is certainly on a short list of high-end luxury watches with race car technology inspired themes. The new predator watches will all be available as limited editions.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: predator, rebellion, watch

Rebellion RE-2 Flyback Chronograph Watch For 2009

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Watches like this come around pretty often - a richly designed uber sports watch with a wild design and limited value retention. Sort of like a monster truck version of a watch. Lots of glamor and show stopping looks, but once the engine stops what is the lasting appeal? I am not trying to say anything negative about Rebellion, as the watches are of high quality, but I am asking a question about whether watches like this make any sense in today's watch market. This timepiece might be the definition of "ultra niche." This is because there are many watches trying to compete for the position of bad-ass very expensive sports watch, and just so many people willing on shelling out $100,000 a few times year for a watch from a newer brand (actually, I am not sure what the price is for the Rebellion watch, but it will be minimum $20,000, and will go up from there if I had to guess). Or you could go with Rebellion's statement on the watch that is, "The RE-2 demands respect - and it gets it!" Yea, thanks for the assurance, Rebellion.

This is the second Rebellion RE-2 Flyback Chronograph watch, though I think it might share the same name as the first that was released last year, so consider this the 2009 model. The dial and case have been updated and refined. The dial is arguably improved, you get new Rebellion signature screws on the case, a larger crown and new chronograph pushers, and Rebellion claims the watch is overall easier to use. Inside the 46mm wide stainless steel watch is a calibre RE-2 automatic movement with an engraved solid gold rotor and a column wheel based chronograph. The movement has the time and date, as well as the obvious 12 hour chronograph. In terms of complex looking dials, this one is actually relatively easy to read - despite what is cosmetically "going on." The strap is rubber and there are more natural rubber accents on the case itself, such as on the crown. I do like how the sapphire crystal is uniquely shaped and melds with the overall look of the case - a nice touch. It isn't a bad looking watch per se, but is it the right watch for the job?

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: chronograph, flyback, re-2, rebellion, timepiece, watch