When it comes to a replica watch that is rugged looking and can handle a lot of impact, most people would look to a G-shock. But these days, replica watch enthusiasts are looking for something a little more “collector” orientated, or one that has many of the things we look for in a more upscale replica watch, but with that rugged and hard use quality built in. Swiss Army has come out with a replica watch called the Inox and Reactor has been making hard use replica watches for years.
Enter another hard use and rugged replica watch in the form of the Tire’d Rapide. I read another review of this replica watch that said while it might initially make you think of G-shock, these two replica watches should not be spoken of in the same breath. I agree. (Spot on Mark Andrews). While the Rapide does have a rubber outer case and strap that has a monster truck tire pattern, it is completely different in movement, materials used and finishing.
The Rapide uses a titanium inner case, a rubber strap with a waterproof red leather lining, an ETA 2892 automatic movement, a sapphire crystal and a custom titanium adjustable clasp. Speaking of custom, this is exactly what the entire Tire’d Rapide replica watch is. Owner Edward Cole designed this replica watch from scratch, had it machined from scratch and had it done in Switzerland. He did not cut any corners here. The inspiration for this replica watch, was him designing a replica watch for him, for his lifestyle and one that looked like he wanted it to. The result was a high quality replica watch that can be worn in almost any condition, with high quality and upscale components.
In my time with the Rapide, I can say it is truly a unique replica watch. I remember when I first saw this replica watch a year or so ago, and at first I was not convinced. I did not feel it was worth the asking price because the design for the price was so polarizing. Getting it in hand my opinion has changed, albeit a few minor complaints. Speaking to Ed on the phone, he realizes this replica watch is not for everyone. He knows it is a niche brand. And he is okay with that. It is for people who are outdoors, for people who live a hard and fast lifestyle of skiing, snowboarding, camping, hiking, etc. but do not want a quartz and plastic replica watch. They want the shock resistance and a replica watch that can take the bumps and bruises but also want a replica watch that has the components that can match with their Breitling.
Please take a look at my video review below to get the best look at the Tire’d Rapide.
Tire’d Rapide Full Specifications:
- Case Size: 49mm/44m at bezel
- Case Materials: Rubber and titanium
- Case Thickness: 15mm
- Lug to Lug: 53mm
- Lug Width: 28mm (Tapers to 20mm)
- Weight: 137.5 grams
- Crystal: Sapphire with hand carved triangular date loupe
- Crown: Screw down, Titanium
- Movement: ETA 2892-A2 automatic movement
- Strap/Bracelet: Combination Rubber/leather
- Buckle: Deployment, Titanium
- Water Resistance: 10ATM/100M
- Price: $2450.00 USD
While the Tire’d Rapide is a large replica watch, and feels slightly larger than its case dimensions (due to the continuous strap to case attachment), it is very light and comfortable with the combination of rubber and grade 5 titanium that is used for the construction.
Like I said, everything with the Rapide is custom. Besides the ETA 28292 movement, I do not believe I have seen a similar looking case, dial or strap on another replica watch. The crown I might have seen similar before but it is well knurled and has the logo etched into it and while not the first company to do it, the placement of the crown at the 10 o’clock position was a smart move for a replica watch this large.
The dial is a grid pattern, and while I’m sure it was not what Ed was going for, it reminds me of the desktop paper cutters. If you don’t remember what I am talking about, google paper cutter and you will see what I mean. The dial color is anthracite grey, and has red accent colors for the numbers around the stadium dial, second hand and the lume paint used for the hour and minute hand. The date is located at the 10 position as well, and has a diamond shaped cyclops. If you have read some of my reviews before you might know I am not fond of cyclops on the crystal as I find them unappealing to the eye. While I could do without the cyclops personally, the placement and the shape of it make it easier for me to deal with.
The crown placement allows it to not dig into your wrist if you wear it on your left, and if you wear it on your right wrist as most lefties do, it is now much easier to adjust while on the wrist. The crown itself and the winding are smooth, which is obviously good machining, but also because of the use of the ETA 2892 automatic movement. While many upstarts these days use the Miyota series or even Sellita and Soprod, many enthusiasts and collectors still want the Swiss Eta in their more expensive replica watch, so this will not disappoint.
The outer rubber case and strap is done in the heavy tire pattern but not hard to the touch. It is a natural rubber that is used here and still has a little flex. I am not sure how the rubber is attached to the inner titanium case, but however they did it, it is solidly on there and does not look like there would ever be an issue of it coming off or pulling away. The rubber strap is a continuous flow from the case; meaning the outer case and strap are all one piece. This means no strap changes….ever. But that is the way the replica watch is designed, and it is meant to have a certain look. Because of this, it does bow out on your wrist when being worn, making it appear large. The strap width starts at 28mm and tapers to 20mm near the clasp, with the titanium clasp being 22mm. I love this buckle. Not only with how easy it is to adjust the strap to the wrist, but the way they integrated their logo into the dual deployant clasp. This just shows how much thought went into the design of the Tire’d Rapide. The one thing I do not like about the strap….the red stitching. I didn’t like it when I first saw it a year or so ago in photos, but wanted to give it another chance and make my final decision in person. I still do not care for it. The way the stitching goes up the track and over the bumps makes it look uneven and just out of place on a rubber strap such as this. It is even though, but it is more an optical illusion with the way the strap is constructed with the tire tread pattern.
My other gripe would be the lume, or lack thereof. You will see in the photos that the lume on the odd numbers is just fine, but the use of red lume paint on the skeleton sword hands barely glows at all. My photo is after a full minute of charging under my studio lamps, and that is the best the hands illuminated. I have seen on the other models, (white version and olive green) that the lume paint used on those glows a little better. (different color lume paint). I know that Ed was going for cohesiveness with the colors, but still feel it would have been better to use the same lume paint on the hands that he did with the numbers, which I believe is C3 superluminova. Is lume on a replica watch really the most important thing? No, far from it, but I feel that it is an area that could have been improved upon.
I want to state, that I truly do feel the Tire’d Rapide is a fantastic replica watch. I honestly love the look, with the dial being the standout to me, and the comfort of the rubber and the titanium. It is definitely unlike anything else out there.
While I have my issues with the lume on the hands and the stitching on the strap, no replica watch is perfect and in this case the pros far outweigh the cons.
The Tire’d Rapide might not be the replica watch for you, or it might be the replica watch you have always been looking for, just like Ed. But whatever side of the fence you are on, I think you can agree that Ed should be commended for his hard work and design elements that brought the Rapide to life.
You can see all versions of the Tire’d Rapide and read more info on the start of the Tire’d brand at their website HERE. Thank you for reading and please leave your comments below.
