As an old watch friend who has been playing replica watches for several years, I recently bought the latest version of the gray yacht from the VS factory. To be honest, this time it was a bit of a “little surprise”. Although the packaging is still the familiar “three-piece set” of plastic bag + card + shell case, once you get started, you will find that VS has put all its thoughts on the blade this time.
The most obvious change is the strap. In the past, VS’s steel straps were always criticized for being a bit “rough” and making the wrist uncomfortable after wearing them for a long time. However, this time the sides have been chamfered and polished, making them much smoother to the touch and fitting the wrist in a natural arc, completely eliminating the embarrassment of “cutting hands”. The solid and low-key style of the Oyster strap is just right – not ostentatious, but very substantial.
The performance of the dial is equally solid. The gray radial pattern will have delicate light and dark changes under different lights, and the color difference is very small, making the overall look clean and high-end. The scale nails at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock have been finely chamfered, and the edges of the blue steel pointers are clean and there is no ink spillage. The calendar font is clear and sharp, and the micro-dimensional ink allows the details to remain clear and unblurred under a magnifying glass. This is much better than some shoddy versions.
The rotation of the outer ring feels smooth and has a bit of a “suck-in” feel, which is significantly better than most competing products on the market. The lettering on the inner circle is also much finer than the version two years ago, with slightly raised fonts and solid ink texture. Although the seam at the end of the buckle is slightly wider – which is a long-standing problem of the VS family – the overall structure is stable and does not wobble at all when worn.
In terms of movement, it continues to be equipped with the mature Dandong 3235, which has stable running time and reliable power reserve. It is completely sufficient for daily commuting or occasional small trips. Although the chamfering and polishing of the watch buckle is slightly less rounded than that of the discontinued C factory, the difference is extremely subtle and cannot be noticed by ordinary wear.
Taken together, VS’s gray yacht this time is not a “major facelift”, but an experience upgrade through polishing details. In particular, the optimization of the strap makes the entire watch feel fuller. If you have a limited budget and want a yacht-shaped replica that looks good, is comfortable to wear, and has a reliable movement, this one is really worth putting in your shopping cart.
