Food for though- Perrelet

So I received my turbine back from service 3 weeks ago and gave them my newly acquired limited edition perrelet Chrono date GMT.

The watch kept perfect time, incredible 2 seconds ahead a day. However the man whom I bought it from kept it in a box for almost 8 years + it sat in a boutique for another couple years. So it needed a check up badly (lube up the gears huehue).

Watch shop told me I'd have to wait for maybe couple months which in find with, will cost around 500-700$ to service it which sucks, tho I did manage to cut the price of the watch down by this much since I knew it will need servicing.

I showed off my watch at a watch group in my country and a gentleman made fun of me that I bought a chronoswiss knock off (pick related). Which got me thinking, the watch do seem very similar, both if I'm not mistaken the Chrono opus was released apparently first to do a skeleton Chrono at like 1996? The perrelet Chronowas launched at around 2008-2010 from what I understood, it's from a older line up of perrelet watches. This Chrono is very obscure as the movement is not mentioned on perrelet website and the only mention of existence of this very version is summarised in two sentences on their wiki page.

I contacted their HQ with questions regarding the allegations of copying chronoswiss which is I expected they answered vaguely. After all I feel like these days it's hard not copy someone especially with a skeleton Chrono i mean what are you supposed to do? Because when looked at from a longer distance the dials and case back are very similar in styling of finishing having nice perllage (I'm sorry idk how to spell) covering the entire surface of the movement and nice decorations on the rotor and movement. There are differences in construction of the movement as in particular areas I noticed the parts are assemebeld differently, tho I still have a uncanny feeling they were heavily inspired.

For me personally I prefer the case size and shape of the perrelet as they have a nice grill finishing on the sides of the watch and it just looks more modern.

I still love the brand as it is heavily under appreciated and for people without huge cash reserves it offers incredible value for money, I mean at a price point of 4-5k$ it's hard to find a better combination if craftsmanship, exclusivity and prestige than second hand perrelets. I saw for a slight mark up rattrapante chronos or full gold big dates coming from perrelet.

I love the brand and like that they are trying to go for something different (their peripheral lab series). I hope with time their watches get their deserved fame, untill then I will enjoy the low prices and buy them while I still can ☺️

What do you guys think of perrelet? Have you ever checked out their older line up or other interesting watches they do? Turbine is a fun watch, feels like a luxury watch but I preffer normal dials.