It’s a long story, but I have both a Gen 1 and a Gen 2 X-33. Given their similarity, I find it fun to compare the Gen 1’s dual anti-reflective coating vs the Gen 2’s single AR.
With just a white ceiling above providing uniform reflection, note how the black minute/hour ring is blacker on the Gen 1 and grayer on the Gen 2, yet they are the same dials. The Gen 1’s dual AR is causing this extra contrast. Higher contrast can also be seen with the blacker LCD characters on the Gen 1 as well.
Reversing their positions to show the effect tracks the watch and not my camera angle.
Now purposely allowing above lights to be reflected off the crystal.
Reversed.
Of course dual AR is not for everyone because it scratches (as mine is a little) and shows fingerprints easily. I’m the type that’s pretty good about avoiding that, so all other things being equal, I like dual AR.
Does that make me prefer the Gen 1? Not so fast…but that’s too long a story for here. But I am wearing the Gen 1 today.
😀
And in anticipation of Tuesday, here is a file photo of my Gen 2 with it’s much older flight qualified brother.
😁
