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JLC in fall & snow

This is a post I wrote a couple of months ago at a different forum, before I knew about the existence of a dedicated 'Rep v. Gen' forum at RWG. I thought it would be worth a repost here: Last June, I bought an 18mm deployment clasp for my Speedmaster Professional from an authorized dealer. Prior to that, I'd been using a rep deployant I'd ordered from Perfect Clones. (I didn't get a real Omega clasp back then since my local AD estimated 2 months' shipping--and I was impatient!) A bit pricey as far as rep straps/buckles go, but I was pretty happy with the quality when I got it. The rep Planet Ocean 'leather' strap it came with was crap, but the clasp itself looked almost exactly like the pictures of the original on ofrei.com. Worn on my wrist, there was no way anybody could tell it wasn't the real thing. So why did I finally break down and pay big bucks for a gen deployant? The first thing that bugged me was that the buckle didn't close completely. The strap would be locked in place, but between the two halves there would be a 0.5mm gap on one side, and a 1mm gap on the other. Not something anyone could notice, but it's one of those things that slowly drives you nuts! Second and more importantly, every time I adjusted my strap length, the sides of the strap would be abraded by the inner metal surface. As good as the rep deployant looked, if you ran your fingertip across its surfaces you'd feel a lot of sharp edges. Finally, I figured that if my watch was 90% genuine, I might as well go for the full 100%. The Speedmaster is what I wear most, and I don't plan on ever getting rid of it. Why be cheap with my #1 watch? Here, then, are the comparison shots of the rep and gen Omega deployants. Originally, I just wanted to get a closer look at what was chewing up my straps, but then I remembered the Novesh comparo. The gen is always on the right, or is the lower of two pictures. Also, it's labelled! Let's begin: This is why my leather straps were getting damaged. Check out the sharp, unfinished edges to the upper-left and upper-right of the peg. The profiles are similar, and the rep is pretty comfortable on the wrist. I'd read that the older rep deployants weren't curved as smoothly. You can also see the gap I mentioned under the pushbutton. Very clear differences in the shape and finish. Maybe if the rep spent more time at the grinding wheel? Probably the worst-finished part of the rep. You can also see the big difference in the shape of the pushbuttons. Here's why the rep clasp doesn't close tightly. The bumps in the middle are what lock the two halves in place. The tolerance needs to be extremely fine to minimize play, and the rep just doesn't have it. Also, check out the rough surface under the 'feet' of the Omega symbol. Glue or brazing filler? More examples of sharp edges ground away. Note that the markings are almost identical, except for the three letters on one of the posts. These letters may differ on genuine examples; I don't know what they mean. Oddly enough, the rep has a more rounded slot than the gen! Sleeker profile overall, but is it worth the extra money? It's your call, obviously, but I wouldn't have bought the genuine article if it wasn't for a real Speedy. In hindsight, though, I wish I'd ordered the deployant from my AD, and worn the bracelet for a couple of months while waiting. Hope this has been useful to some of you Omega Men out there!

for someone who is importing illegal goods, selling illegal goods, not paying taxes, not paying import duties it does not seem to smart to have a facebook account with his own name there. Doesn't sound like the smartest thing to do...

No snow down here either!! But the Snowflake sure likes the sun.

Another Rolex- BK's Noob TT. Really a nice piece, runs great after 4 years too.

Yes the real thing is supposed to have an open case back. I don't think he is looking for an accurate rep thought, this particular one has way too many tells.

Hi Seen these here and there So, is this fantasy or is it really going to happen?? http://rolexpassionreport.com/4748/breaking-rolex-news-finally-the-new-steel-daytona-will-come-out-ref-216263-and-216265-first-pictures-on-rpr/

Led Zepplin is my heavy favorite band. Lars Ullrich of Metallica is a friend and client, so I am partial to that band. Sammy Hagar also when he was the frontman for VanHalen. Of course, Motorhead is the S**T! Ace of Spades? forgitaboutit!!

Thanks Freddy, how about this one?

"Dunno, I got it off a dead guy." Always gets a laugh

My love for the Yachtmaster started whilst going thru BK's section..soon after I started doing some research on this timepiece..to the untrained eye, it looks like just another 'bling' watch, in fact my missus said it looked like just a Tag Heuer What I love about the YM was the fact that the dial sparkled and that red seconds hand stood out very smartly against the light greyish textured dial.. That set me off on my mission to find a YM that would make me happy wearing it, without paying gen dollars for it..The BK WM9 YM would easily cost about US$1k but even then, pieces put on the sales section were few and rare.. I look elsewhere to other Trusted Dealers in hope that there would be a YM that would fit the bill for me but none managed to..I kept on searching and did so for a few months, until I stumbled across this thread from PatekFreak (RG): http://repgeek.com/s...ad.php?t=152534 He did a nice review on this and I got hooked almost immediately..could this be better than what was offered by the cartel? I PM-ed Angus and soon enough, with his assurance that the SA3135 movement was reliable, I placed my order and awaited the arrival of the watch.. 5 days later, the watch was on my wrist and looked the part..I am now currently contemplating installing gen dial and hands.. Another geek, speedyralph, had gone this route..you can click on his thread here: http://repgeek.com/s...ad.php?t=153735 The movement is currently gaining about 10secs per week..or about 1.5secs/day..that's good enough for me..I couldn't be happier Enough said, here are the pictures of the SA3135 Rolex Yachtmaster 'Rolesium' 16622 from Angus (PureTime).. Rehaut thickness and depth seem alright to me..no wokky rehaut or misaligned engraving here.. Dial looks really good and whenever I'm wearing it, I always am trying to catch that sparkle on the dial..this happens almost everytime I wear it.. Here's a Gen dial for comparison: Markers look well-sized, font looks crisp..Red lettering seems a bit brighter on the rep..same goes with the seconds hand..not to sure if it is due to the lighting though..you guys be the judge.. Datewheel and cyclops are where they should be..although the datewheel could be adjusted just alil to the right to be more centered.. Bezel is bi-directional and has the triple-lock, like the gen..seems well-machined with defined edges.. Crystal height is slightly higher compared with the gen.. Gen: Rep: Bezel insert is very nicely done..this shows the polished and satin finish on it.. Gen: Rep: Crownguards (in my opinion) are quite well replicated..this pic also shows that the rep Crown is slightly thicker than the gen.. Gen: Rep: Clasp is also well made and engravings are quite deep..SEL bracelet fit perfectly onto the case and screws are nice and flushed.. This is the same with the caseback and its engravings.. Here's the SA 3135: Power Reserve has easily gone more than 36hours..didn't test it any further though.. Handwinding the movement is slightly louder compared with my gen 3185 movement..date and time changes feel very solid and firm..very comparable to a swiss ETA in my opinion.. Lume shot taken after 10secs exposure to UV light: Daylight Semi-dark Dark Shutter speed for the lume shots are between 0.5 and 2secs.. Gen Lume Shot: This clasp will go in to match the YM..I think it'll look great.. am also looking for a SS Daytona Clasp..so if you have any you can spare, pls PM me.. Some additional facts about the Gen Yachtmaster 16622: Date of production: . 1992 - present, Mens models . 1994 - present, Ladies and 35mm models Case (mm) - 41.5 Thickness (mm) - 11.6 Bezel (mm) - 40 Crystal (mm) - 30 Bracelet width (mm) - 20 Clasp width(mm) - 16.5 Power Reserve: . ~44 hours (on caliber 3135) Weight: 40mm - 146 grams Rep weighed in at - 147grams This is just 1gram heavier, but do take into consideration that a different clasp is being used and I removed 2 link from the bracelet..In my opinion, using the original clasp would make the rep even closer to the weight of the gen.. Here's the obligatory wristie: And this to show the dial texture in the sun: Happy Holidays!!

Since my 16610 and 16800 projects are on hold until I replenish the "fun fund", I figure I would show the Tudor project I just picked up from the Watch Smith! After spending a good while trying to decide between building a 6239 Daytona or a 9411 Snowflake. For better or worse, I went with the snowflake. What I wanted was this: So after spending considerable time on ebay and such buying parts I found on Ebay a case/crystal (it has its issues but overall is perfect for this project). A dial which looked nice except the lume had been stripped and never replaced. And finally, a vintage Rolex crown to round everything nicely. The dial is not perfect, but this age of a dial wouldn't be. I wanted a tudor that looked just like the above pic. But my dial and new snowflake hands didnt match each other. My watchsmith didn't have a whole lot of desire to do a bunch of vintaged lume without me paying an arm and a leg. So he gave me the recipe he uses to make the lume and some crapped out dials to practice on. Now the dial and hands are my lume job...for better or worse. I am happy with them though. My WS orderd the proper movement ring. It isn't a spacer ring per say as it is very thin and hugs the movement only serving to lock it into place. but dang if this little ring wasn't $$$. An nice, Swiss ETA movment had its calender bits removed and was dropped in. I am not sure where the Rolex marked weight came from but it my WS had it in his "Hell Box" of parts so he threw it on. The case came with the tube and the crystal already mounted so those were left alone except a nice light sand and polish of the crystal. Insert also came with the case. It is missing the click spring I think but I am not so much worried about that since a watch this age may mot have it anyway. It is on the list for future updates. For right now it is on another Ebay purchase, a cordovan nato. Ok, that is enough blah, blah, blah. Here you go: At this point I am wiching I would have built the 6239 as the Daytona's have really, really grown on me. But at least this project turned out pretty dang good in my newbie opinion! And I was oing to build it sooner or later so I am happy I built it when parts were available.

My brand new Noob 104N has a bubble in the AR coating between cyclops and crystal that made it through quality control from Noob and dealer. I just noticed it last night after having the watch for over 3 weeks. I should hopefully have it sorted out with dealer but it sure bummed me out. Anyone else see anything like this? It is around the center of clyclops. I just hate that i have to send the watch back and pay shipping and wait etc..... Thank U, P

I am wondering if thats the new Model of Royal Oak Offshore. the one with the seconds hand in 2 colors (red on the tip. why aren't the new Rep models made like that?!!

Thx mate, I really recomend Domi great Watchmaker and modder and great person.