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Shock & Awe: Jaeger LeCoultre’s Master Compressor Navy SEALs automatic diver watch. Quite possibly one of the finest replica watches made….to date! It’s not often that I’m bowled over by a reps attention to detail and quality of finishing. Having owned and handled many gens, I am spoiled by precision Swiss engineering, limits and fits. Some replica watches really impress me, and in the past I’ve been compelled to create a review to enthuse about it. This is one of those watches, and this is the time for me to enthuse! Let me pass my regards to Joshua and the Perfect Clones team who supplied me with this watch. As usual, their service and efficiency was first class. Many thanks. OK, so this rep has been out for a couple of months now, and this probably isn’t the first review. All the details about the gen are available on the internet, of course. There is a superb review of the gen here: hxxp://www.thedivewatchconnection.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16251 Now, people will inevitably complain about this watch being utilitarian and boring, others will pick out tiny, tiny flaws which in my opinion are irrelevant. No one is anal enough to even care, in the real world. This is just my celebration of yet another superbly executed rep. Ooo-ra. This reps dimensions are: Case diameter: 42.18mm incl. crown: 48.05mm Case height: 13.07mm Distance between lug ends: 49.49mm Strap width: 22mm Let’s start with the dial side. Very high contrast and legible, isn’t it? This is exactly what JLC & the SEALs wanted, and this has been carried through to the rep. It is said to use colourless AR, inside only. I’ve never seen this combination on a rep before, but it does remind me of Seiko anti reflective sapphire… which is also colourless, inside only. When I look at gen pics and look at this rep I really struggle to see any significant differences on the dial. I’m sure someone will, but damn, it’s close! The lume is strong, not too far from superlume. Blue on the dial and green on the bezel. The gen reviewer says his is all blue, and the prototype possibly with the green one? Anyway, lume application is really neat. All printing is clean and crisp. Date window has nice depth to it, like the gen. Some have commented on colour differences with the grey, although this could be due to lighting, camera, photo editing etc. I don’t see anything glaringly obvious. It has been said that the rep has a few sharp edges here & there. I would agree – they exist on the coin edge bezel and on the JL marked clasp centre. Not a big deal, easily rectified if needed. Apparently the sharp bezel edge exists on the gen too. Case lugs have the polished edges which accurately mimic the gen. A nice & welcome touch to an otherwise very sombre watch. On the picture below you will see how the ceramic bezel insert protrudes from the steel slightly. As per the gen. I presume that this offers some protection from jarring to the bezel edge and more importantly, the crystal. The crown on the gen is DLC treated steel. This appears to be the same. It doesn’t feel like plastic? Look at the case brushing and crease line after the lug. Nice hey? The Compressor device rotates nice & smooth, under friction. The crown pulls out as normal. On to the bracelet. It is a combination of soft touch anti dust rubber, hard resin inside and a steel or titanium frame. The 2 connecting link screws are accommodated by the threaded steel frame. Very easy to resize and very comfortable to wear. Has the flexibility of a bracelet but the weight and comfort of soft leather. The definition on every link is amazing. A rubber strap (band) is definitely not needed for this rep. Perhaps some will try to obtain the gen leather, which will be interesting to see. Butterfly type clasp has 2 pairs of buttons to release it. The level of detail and fitment of this clasp assembly is one of the watches major highlights. So intricate, yet so precise! Each side of the bracelet can further expand by 4mm (8mm in total). The full link length between pivots is 10mm. The movement. An asian 2824 clone automatic. No gold JLC rotor here! I took the opportunity to regulate this better whilst the back was off. Lovely. The case back. Contentious issue for some, not for me! I think it’s great. The engraving/etching is so clear and defined. The SEALs crest could be a gnats whisker shallower than gen, but I don’t like deep engravings. They feel abrasive. The flat caseback sits very comfortably on the wrist. So there you have it. I’ve showed you in pictures what this watch is all about. Forget the miniscule nuances. You know the genuine watch and its development. Now you know the rep. Considering the amount of engineering that has gone into this watch, I’d say that it was worth the outlay. It doesn’t really look expensive, but neither does the gen. It does feel like a high quality watch and that’s what matters. I’d rather pay $380ish for this than $6-7k for the gen. So what are you waiting for? Get it bought!!

Hand-sets 6542 Hand-set (Small GMT Arrow) 1675 Hand-set (Modern GMT Hand) 1675 All Red Hand Bracelets 7206 Folded with Rivets 7836 Folded Bracelet (Front) 7836 Folded Bracelet (Rear) 7836/0 Hollow Mid-link Bracelet w/ screw in links (Rear) 62510H Jubilee Bracelet 62510H (Rear) Model Variations Reference 6542 Reference 1675 PCG Reference 1675 SCG Reference 1675 aka Root Beer Reference 1675 aka Blueberry Reference 1675 aka Blackberry Movements 1030. 1065. 1066. 1570. 1575. Picture N/A Cases and Case-backs 6542 Case and Case-back 6542 Case-back (Outer) 6542 Case-back (Inner) 1675 Case and Case-back 1675 Case-back (Outer) 1675 Case-back (Inner) I would also like to say Thank You to those who allowed me to use their pictures as reference, as I do not care to take credit for any of the supplied photos in this review. I only want to share my passion for watches and pass any information about them back into the community for the benefit of others. If for any reason you are the original owner of any of the pictures used please feel free to PM me or contact a mod to have them removed. If anyone has any information they would like to add to this review please feel free at add a link or just post it up as needed, I would rather this be a link all members can use for future builds or just plain personal enjoyment. Thanks Guys for taking the time to read and look thru this thread….

The Rolex GMT Master It was 1905 when Hans Wilsdorf started his quest in perfecting horology. Hans along with his partner Alfred Davis began importing Hermann Aegler Swiss movements to be installed in quality watch cases from Aaron Dennison and others. Dennison, the apprentice to a Brunswick clockmaker by the name of James Cary were said to have made the automatic machines necessary for cutting clock wheels and history was made. Hans Wilsdorf It was 1908 when Hans applied to have the "Rolex" trademark registered. It was some seven years later when the company name "Rolex" was registered on November 15th, 1915. It was also at this time when Hans opened an office in La Chaux-De Fonds Switzerland. La Chaux-De Fonds Fast forward some forty years to the year 1954, New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio marries actress Marilyn Monroe, the U.S. explodes a 15 megaton hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atoll and Rolex introduces the GMT Master 6542. DiMaggio and Monroe In 1954, Rolex introduced several new watches at the annual Basel World including the Explorer, Submariner and Turn o Graph. These timepieces were designed with divers, explorers and consumers in mind. It was at this time the utility watch or “tool watch” got its name, and thus sending Rolex to the front of the line in watch making for professionals. The fact that Rolex had dedicated each watch to a particular task really caught the attention of the largest air carrier in the United States by the name of Pan AM. Pan American World Airways was the largest international air carrier from the mid 1920’s to the company’s demise in the early 90’s. The company was known for its innovations that helped the international airline industry with the use of jet aircraft, jumbo jets and a fully a computerized reservation system which made them leaders in the field of aviation. It was also Pan AM who contacted public relations manager Rene-Paul Jeanneret in regards to building a watch used for specific time zone concerns, and it was at this time the GMT Master was born. Rolex 6542 W/ Roulette Date Disc The Rolex GMT Master was designed with cooperation by Pan-Am and Rolex. The watch was designed by Captain Frederic Libby and Rene-Paul Jeanneret to allow pilots the ability to track time in multiple time zones simultaneously. It featured an additional hour hand that revolved once every 24 hours and a rotating bezel that was used to track GMT time. It was Libby’s job to supply the technical advice needed to bring the GMT Master to life along with input from Jeanneret. 1675 GMT Hand Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) was used for aviation planning. Since pilots were out of range with radio it was important to track this secondary time zone to judge weather conditions and other important factors while making transoceanic/transatlantic flights. It was 1972 when GMT time was replaced by the aviation industry with Coordinated Universal Time also known as UTC/UT. It wouldn’t be the last time the GMT Master would be used for aviation purposes, the watch was also tested by NASA and the military in the early 60‘s. In the 40’s and 50’s NASA had attempted as series of experiments to challenge flight speed and altitude. It was in 1967 that X-15 pilot Pete Knight adorned the GMT-Master during a series of record breaking experiments, at an altitude of 45,000 feet and traveling at 4,532 miles per hour (mach 6.72) the GMT maintained a level of precision at just over 3g’s. Pete’s record breaking event marked the second time a Rolex watch was used during a historic flight. It was in 1947 when X-1 pilot Chuck Yeager made history while breaking the sound barrier, he also had worn a Rolex during this historic flight as well as the time he spent in World War II. Pete Knight Chuck Yeager It was at Basel World in 1954 that the Rolex GMT Master 6542 AKA “***** Galore” was introduced, and one of the most iconic watches in Rolex history was born. In production from 1954-1959 the GMT Master featured a modified 6202 turn-o-graph, a rotating Bakelite bezel, additional hour hand and a calendar disc. The watch was water-proof to 165 feet or 50 meters. In the six year production the watch had minor changes which included movement calibers 1036 (1954-1959), 1065 (1957-1959) and 1066 (1957-1959). The 6542 also featured a Bakelite bezel that was filled with luminous material inside the number markings on the bezel insert, theory behind the Bakelite insert was thought to have reduced the amount of reflection and thus being less of a distraction to pilots. Since the Bakelite bezel insert was prone to cracking Rolex had decided to replace it in 1957 with a metal version. Its is for this reason that has made the original insert very rare and extremely hard to find, its also possible to see these inserts in mint condition selling for upwards of $3K. The Rolex 6542 was also one of the first models to have the Cyclops lens over the plexi-glass which made the date easier to read, since it increased the magnification on the date numerals inside the window. The 6542 is absolutely the most valuable of the GMT Master Series, with its beautiful shoulder-less case, gloss dial and aged markers this is by far one of the most sought after models by collectors all over the world. It can be noted an original 6542 will sell for $30-100 K depending on its condition, compared to the more abundant 1675’s which can be found at just over $3K. ***** Galore sporting the GMT Master 6542 Luminous Bake Lite Insert It has also been debated that Rolex produced the 6542 with a white dial; story has it the watch was commissioned by Juan Trippie who was Pan Am’s founder. It was said the executives of Pan Am had intercepted wrist watches that were intended for the pilots and navigators. They had been requisitioned by senior management who felt that they, rather than the flight crews were the ones who deserved the new watches. They complained the pilots had it all, the titles, the brand new Boeing jets and now the watches. They felt shunned, seeing themselves as the reason for the company’s success they were fed up of the second class treatment. Trippe wasn’t satisfied with the situation and demanded the watches be returned for issue to the flight crew; however, to silence the executives Trippe had Rolex build around 100 or so watches solely for the so called “desk pilots”. Differing from the standard black dial version, it was believed these to be the only GMT Masters to have the white dials. To my knowledge it has never been confirmed by Rolex SA that this model truly exists, I guess one will have to form an own opinion as to the truth on the matter. Pam AM 6542 Rolex 1675 PCG “El Cornino” It was 1959 when Rolex introduced the 1675. The successor to the 6542 featured major changes to the case, gmt hand, dial and bracelet. It was the “El Cornino” pointed guard case that was offered until around 1964; and a square guard case was produced until the 1675 was replaced by the 16750. Changes to the small GMT hr. hand could be observed as well, a larger silver hand and an even rarer all red GMT hand was produced. Even dial variations were made, the most notable were the glossy chapter ring dials featured from 1959-1964. In 1965 Rolex introduced the matte finished dials. In all I believe the 1675 to have been offered with over six different dial variations, featuring changes to the cornet shape, font and font size. Rolex had also produced special edition UAE dials that were made especially by for the Sultanate of Oman, even rare Tiffany and Co. dials were produced for the famous retailer. The 1675 also featured the words “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” on the dial as opposed to the “OCC” dials found on the 6542. Rolex 1675 SCG Rolex 1675 UAE I also found in my research that Rolex offered several different types of bezel inserts, one of which was all blue. These all blue inserts were found on Peruvian and Arabian military issued 1675’s, and the remaining given to Rolex Service Centers as a replacement option for service customers until stocks ran out. In the picture above you can see this UAE example to be fitted with the all blue insert which is very rare. There was also a rare copper colored insert that was made in the 1970’s and was offered for sale on some 1675’s. If you compare inserts you will also notice that there can be differences in font shape, thickness and spacing. It should also be noted that insert colors included black, blue w/ red (Pepsi) and copper w/ gold (Tiger Eye). Inserts 6542 Bakelite Insert 6542/1675 Pepsi Metal Insert If you compare the insert above you will notice the number size isn’t as thick as the insert below, also pay close attention to where the red and blue colors meet on the insert. If you notice the 6 is evenly centered over the red/blue part of the insert; however, on the thin font the “1” in 18 is aligned at the edge of the blue changing point where as the fat font has the “8” in 18 meeting at the red changing point. It can also be noted that the paint used on the all blue insert was silver, and the copper insert is gold. 1675 Pepsi Fat Font Insert 1675 Copper Insert 1675 Blueberry Insert 1675 Black Insert 1675 Root Beer Insert In conclusion this next section will cover dials, hands, bracelets, cases and case-backs, movements and the many different watches offered under the 6542/1675 model variation. Dials MK1. Features - Flat top cornet (aka Bart Simpson dial) - Long Pillars on cornet - More pronounced O at the cornet base - Matte finish and Gilt Finish - Early 60’s MK2. Features - Cornet has flatter base - O is less flattened and less pronounced - Cornet is thicker and pillars are shorter - Matte finish - Rolex font seems to bleed into the dial more MK3. Features - Radial or Mini matte dial - Rolex font is thinner than MK1. And MK2. Dials - Cornet has rounded base, long pillars and pronounced bells at the top of the crown. - Minute markers are longer around outer track - Dial dots are located further into the dials center MK4. Features - Matte dial - Short W style cornet with pillars more spaced apart - Pronounced O at cornet base - Long E in Rolex MK5. Features - Matte dial - Creamy White markers - Similar cornet to MK4. Dial with pillars spaced closer together with and narrow base MK6. Features - Matte Service dial - Swiss printed under 6 hr. marker - Similar to MK5. With only words “Swiss” below the 6-Oclock marker - Luminova applied to dial markers 6542 “Officially Certified Chronometer” Dial Tiffany & Co. Dial 1675 Cartier Dial Pan Am 6542 Albino Dial Datewheels 6542 Date-wheel 1675 Date-wheel (Round 3 w/open 6’s and 9’s) 1675 Silver Date-wheel 1675 Date-wheel (flat-top 3 on the left and round 3 on the right) To be continued with part 2.... Edited By FxrAndy to add link to part two above

Waiting for the photoshoot to start

@NSTNS why? Lets understand from the start I am not chasing your business, there are in fact many dealers both on this board and the others that can meet your needs. All have a long standing history and therefore are sure to deal with after sales issues, I also know that my own (and pretty sure all approved dealers) prices are not only competitive with off board dealers but in most cases cheaper. Add to that what kind of service you believe you will get from an off board dealer if your goods fail to arrive, why then do members keep chasing these other sites? A lot of things get said in threads like this and a lot of it is bunk, unfortunately people get impressed with their powers of google searching and want to show everyone that they are some kind of guru. The fact is I have had 7 continuous years as a soft goods dealer before setting up I spent a year tracking down factories in China to find the best, people talk of DHG Gate.com, that site is a gateway to hundreds of chinese sellers but it is far from the only one before I found the right factory I had 48 of these gateways leading to thousands of Chinese resalers, I spent hours each day tracing back through these seller to find their source and yes I hit a lot of bad ones that cost me a great deal of money but in the end I found the girl who I have now paid a full time wage to for 6 years. How well can this girl be trusted? A few years back I set up an urgent 3 way email conference with a senior member here (docblackrock) the advise he gave may very well have saved my sales rep's baby boys life. So why shop elsewhere? What is there to be saved? Ken