Not at all! To me they are very different. The XPS will remain the more refine reference (sport chic) due to its movement, dial color and thinner profile. BUT
By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : December 15th, 2023-15:55
the one thing the XPS showed me was to my taste, the AE is one of the most comfortable metal bracelet sports watch I ever tried (Rolex, Vacheron, GP, etc.) so the XPS convinced me I wanted more AE in my collection. This red dial is sportier and very different than the XPS in my opinion. I was originally going for the black dial 8Hz Cadence but when I got the opportunity to grab this red dial, a dial color I had been dying to own the choice was easy. But two difference DNA and reference IMHO
I think you did well to choose this one over the black Cadence 8HF.
By: quattro : December 15th, 2023-17:00
Not only is this sunburnt red dial truly eye-catching, but I personally like the symmetry of the ordinary dial with the four Roman numerals. On the dial of the 8HF, I tend to miss the III, VI & IX and I'm not very fond of the high frequency arrow symbol which, imo, deprives the dial of some part of its purity. But it might just be my personal taste of course. And I would agree that the XPS is quite a different watch: thinner, no date, small seconds, micro-rotor, dressy pink dial (and, like in the full yellow gold version, black brand name and minutes dots: a detail, which I personally like a little less, I prefer when they are white, as in most of the models, including the gorgeous tourbillon and this sunburnt dial). Anyway, lucky you to be able to afford both and to have been able to get this Australian edition! Wear them in good health!
I simpler way to put it: The XPS is more of a purist watch, while this Sunburnt Red version is more of an enthusiasm watch - (or a very enthusiasm watch :-))))
By: Chronometer (aka yacomino) : December 15th, 2023-17:03