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Old 31 October 2006, 08:34 AM   #1
Baptistman
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Grovana Coral reef review

This watch is obviously paying homage to the Sub date and if you check my previous post for the Steinhart you will see they are remarkably alike. This is because Grovana has a private labelling facility which Steinhart and others make use of.

The quality of the watch is outstanding, I purchased mine for £275 after haggling with the retailer who begrudgingly finally gave me the discount. Full UK retail price is £350 and apparently due to increase again.

Here are the technical stats of the watch:

It uses a modified ETA calibre 2824
All Stainless steel and Swiss made in the Grovana facility
The sapphire crystal is 2.5mm thick
2 year international warranty
Screw in crown which is signed with the Grovana symbol
Case back is signed Grovana of Switzerland
Case: 316L solid stainless steel, screwdown crown and back, sweep seconds
Size: 42mm diameter, 46mm incl. crown, 13mm thick
Weight: 6.8 oz including bracelet
Dial: Black, 30mm, markers/hands Super-LumiNova C1 (white)
Glass: Sapphire crystal with date window mag. power 2.5
Bezel: Black, uni-directional bezel
Water Resistant: 1000 feet (300 meters)
Bracelet: 22mm SS oyster bracelet with screwed links and solid end pieces
Clasp: Stainless steel with safety clasp and wetsuit extension

The watch appears to be exceptionally engineered for the price point, and thats not saying that £350 is a small amount of money, but traditionally if alternative well known brandings were placed on the dial, I would expect to pay nearer the £1000 mark.

As I'm driving I keep glancing at the watch, its lines and finish are sheer beauty and I am grateful to Rolex for designing a timeless and classic design.

I would of like more effort to be put into the presentation box, its a simple and quite small white presentation box with the relevant markings, but there again I suppose anything fancier would only add to the total cost of the watch, so in my view its a bit of a trade off.

I would highly recommend this watch to any WIS. I have since sold the Steinhart only because with at least the the name of Grovana on the dial, there is a little heritage assocation which I like. Sad I know but this is now my one and only watch.

However I would add Steinhart customer service is unbelievably good.
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File Type: jpg movement.jpg (62.6 KB, 451 views)
File Type: jpg case-with-turning-bezel.jpg (62.8 KB, 446 views)
File Type: jpg coralblack.jpg (64.3 KB, 448 views)
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Old 31 October 2006, 04:44 PM   #2
JJ Irani
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Very good review, Jon!! Yet another watch that seems to be top-notch value for the money!! Well done....and wear it in good health, pal!!

Cheers - JJ
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Old 31 October 2006, 07:31 PM   #3
padi56
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A great value for money watch,what more could you ask for and good review
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Old 11 December 2006, 01:58 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padi56 View Post
A great value for money watch,what more could you ask for and good review
I agree! Grovanna has an extensive history in quality watch making!
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Old 17 March 2008, 03:36 AM   #5
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Big changes on the Coral Reef

This is an old topic but worth, I think, making a few points now.
Points which, by the way, I have picked from other Forums too and Amazon.

The quality on the Grovana (and Revue-Thommen) watches is no longer what it used to be. Model 1571 (also known as Coral Reef, Corel Reef, Submariner) has proved to have a number of "faults". The dot comes off easily, the colour ring comes off too, the crown is "weak" and lose, the case is of poor quality and finish and (mentioned now by a few) - the movement is not the ETA2824 any longer but a Sellita - so it seems.

As the components are made in China (for most of the Grovana and Revue-Thommen range of watches) - don't be surprised if logos on crown and strap may be omitted or may be different. These are not fake watches but just poor quality control
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Old 18 March 2008, 08:29 AM   #6
Baptistman
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if what you say is true, then that is a great shame
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Old 25 March 2008, 01:37 PM   #7
daunwaun
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Very nice review my friend!!
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Old 30 March 2008, 02:58 PM   #8
Andad
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Great review.

I enjoy wearing my Grovana but it is not the most accurate out of the box.

Son Ashley has a 'Robert' I gave him, also made by Grovana.
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Old 31 March 2008, 07:01 PM   #9
georgegrasser
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Re: China parts

So I should just forget about this and save a few bucks with Invicta?
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