Hoptroff Hotblack Calibre Gravitas
cal. No.11B
Factory Spec. 1 SPY
Thermocompensated: Thermistor
User Adjustable: No (self-calibrating)
This should be one of the most accurate watches on the planet. Not just a thermocompensated watch. Not just an internet-sync'd watch. But a thermocompensated watch that adjusts its own rate in accordance with the data gathered during sync. events.
Problems encountered with this watch, so far:
1. The connexion between the app. and the watch sometimes drops for no apparent reason
2. The app. freezes, crashes or otherwise experiences difficulties fairly frequently
3. The arc of the second hand's sweep is wider than the arc of the marked seconds
4. The sync'd time is roughly two seconds behind the actual time
5. Manual time setting does not appear to be able to set the second hand
6. The hour hand sometimes leaps ahead by about 20 minutes, whilst the watch is sitting in a drawer over night, and has to be manually recalibrated in the morning
7. The fit and finish are cheap, with an awkward, low-cost clasp that is incredibly stiff to open and close
In short, this is the sort of watch I would send back if it weren't for the uniqueness of the addition it makes to my collection. It's like Sinclair's 1975 'black watch' all over again. The time is supposed to be set precisely, via the app. Precise to within a tiny fraction of a second of UST. But no matter what I do, the time is always two seconds behind. The watch is supposed to be accurate to within one second per year, but the way that the passing of seconds is recorded effectively prevents the user from ever knowing the correct time.
UPDATE - As this watch cannot be set to the correct time (via an Android platform), I have returned it.
Parent Company | none / unknown |
Brand | Hoptroff |
Model Series | Hotblack Calibre Edition |
Model Name | Hotblack Calibre Gravitas |
Model Number | unknown |
Case Number | unknown |
Serial Number | CB0175 |
Approx. Date of Manufacture | 2015 |
Calibre (mvt maker) | No.11B |
Calibre (brand) | n/a |
Factory SPY | 1 |
TC Appproach | Count Adjustment & Thermistor |
Frequency (XO 1) | 32 kHz |
Frequency (XO 2) | n/a |
Rate Adjustment | Self-calibrating |
Major Inhibition Period (Seconds) | unknown |
Minor Inhibition Period (Seconds) | unknown |
Power | Disposable Cell |
Cell Number | CR2330 |
Case Back | screws at six points |
Water Resistance | 50m |
Features | 4-hand, numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 |
Small seconds at 12 o'clock | |
analogue date (perpetual) at 6 o'clock | |
web-app. sync. and hand alignment | |
Timing Results | Basic Data & Further Details |
Images | Photos - Large File Sizes! |
Documents | User manual |