Short Answer
The fake Type XXI 3817 V4 is the fourth major batch of replica Breguet Type XXI reference 3817 flyback chronographs. "V4" is a batch label used by sellers, not a factory name and not an official reference number. It marks the point where the replica dial print, the central chronograph minutes hand and the case profile were retooled to sit closer to the genuine 42 mm steel watch. When a listing says V4, the seller claims the newer tooling and the sharper dial. Treat that as a claim to verify against photos of the exact unit you will receive, not as a fact.
The Watch Being Copied
- Case: stainless steel, about 42 mm wide and roughly 14 mm thick on the original.
- Chronograph: flyback, with elapsed minutes read from a central hand instead of a subdial at 12.
- Dial: subdials at 6 and 9, date window near 3, day and night indicator, Roman numerals and lume-filled hands.
- Caseband: the fluted, coin-edge band that Breguet uses across the Type XX family.
- Movement: automatic with silicon escapement parts on the genuine caliber.
What the V4 Batch Changed
- Dial print: thinner Roman numerals and a cleaner Breguet script than earlier batches.
- Central minute hand: closer to coaxial alignment with the hour and seconds hands at rest.
- Case: slightly slimmer mid-case and a fluted band with more even spacing.
- Crystal: box sapphire with a smaller edge distortion than V2 and V3 examples.
- Caseback: deeper engraving and a reference line that reads closer to the original stamping.
How to Inspect a V4 Before You Buy
- Ask the seller for a timestamped photo set and a short video of the watch running.
- Measure the case thickness with calipers and compare it to the 14 mm figure of the original.
- Start the chronograph and confirm the central minute hand parks exactly at 12 when reset.
- Press the reset pusher while the chronograph runs and watch whether the hand snaps back in one motion.
- Check the date through a loupe and confirm the font, centering and window cut match the reference.
- Inspect the fluted caseband for uneven grooves and burrs on the edges.
- Look at the caseback engraving under angled light for shallow or doubled lettering.
- Confirm the lume glows evenly across the numerals and the hands in a dark room.
Movement to Expect
Most V4 examples run on an Asian 7750 base with a modified module that moves the chronograph minutes to the center. That module is why the case often sits a millimeter or two thicker than the genuine watch. The reset pusher behaves like a flyback at a glance, since the 7750 stops and returns to zero in one press, but the underlying mechanism is not a true flyback. A smaller number of sellers offer a decorated clone caliber with a rotor engraved to look like the original. Ask which movement is fitted, and ask for a photo of the movement through the caseback before payment.
Best Replica Watches Guide: Fake Type Xxi 3817 V9 Review
Common Flaws in V4 Examples
- Central minute hand offset by a fraction at the zero mark.
- Dial print that looks thick under magnification.
- Day and night indicator that tracks 12 hours instead of 24.
- Caseback engraving that is shallow or off-center.
- Crown and pushers with softer knurling than the original.
Practical Notes
A replica is not a Breguet. It carries no manufacturer warranty, no service history and no collector value, and service access for the modified movement is limited to independent watchmakers. Buy from a seller who offers clear return terms and accepts payment methods with buyer protection. Photographs of the specific unit, not stock images, are the only reliable basis for a decision.