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I really like these slow beat eta's, after a service they don't miss a beat

Hi guys, As part of my contribution to the forum, i always make a point to do comparisons or analysis of reps so we have more information on these boards. There's just too much taking of info and too little giving back! I was lucky to be able to pick up a used Cartier Santos 100 XL for cheap and decided to do a quick comparison to my ultimate rep version: A couple wrist shots to kick this off: My first thought was that the dial of the rep was just slightly duller than the pearl effect of the gen, pretty hard to describe but there is a slight difference there. However, this is impossible to detect unless you have a gen right next to it. Overall feel of the watch on the wrist is pretty spot on with the gen feeling just a bit more 'solid' and heavier. Case shape and size is very accurate and no complaints there. As expected the rep sapphire doesn't come close to gen and is much darker. The engravings on the caseback is where we start to see the difference, albeit slight. Fonts on the 2656 being the most obvious and the alignment of fonts are off but again who's gonna notice when it's on your wrist and without a gen to compare side by side? Also noted the caseback screws are more rounded then gen: The clasp has a few notable issues, mainly the rounded screws of the rep as compared to the flatter ones of the gen: The deployment clasp was well replicated apart from screw shapes which frankly shouldn't matter since it can't be seen when worn Engravings are sharper on the gen but at least the right fonts and sizes were used on the rep! One peeve was that the clasp was fit upside down vs the logo, obviously not a big issue but something that may not be fixed that easily. Not quite sure if it's unique to my piece so do let me know if that's the case for fellow owners. Basically when you don the strap the logo should be legible right way up to the wearer, then clasp should be closed inside then outside (not sure if I'm making sense here), but the rep was the other way around. Whilst the lug pins are pretty similar, the rep ones are of poor qc with one of mine coming in a different shape. Doesn't affect the functionality though. Construction of case between lugs were less sharp but did the job nonetheless. Lume was pretty spot on but the gen obviously lasted longer than the rep Summary: All in all a fantastically replicated piece and truly deserving of a super rep status. Best bang for buck and the gen being something very affordable as well does not make this an easy call out on the wrist! Hope you guys found the review helpful!

Just back from the heatwave in Spain to receive a number of new items and the attached 44mm IWC is one of them. Pictured with her is the IWC Tourby now sporting her OEM IWC strap :-) Regards AJ

Sent from my droptop using telepathy

Franken 16800 with gen Spider dial

Dashboard and Steering says to me car is a VW Touareg , so car is worth at least 3x the watch ( if gen , than if rep you do the math ) but for this who dont VW does have some hell of expensive sedans like the vw phaeton ... the watch i hope its rep that would a reason more for me to buy it and combine it with my Smart 700cc

So I finally got the band I wanted for my cola! Plus I resealed it and had it pressure tested and it passed!!

Yuki has gen hands to match. Unusual project but if you like it , that's all that matters. I built a 666 from all gen parts once. Ntg like a gen MK1 matte 666 dial. Dial alone was $3k. But I'd pay that again in a heartbeat. I take it this was the look you were goin for.

Speedmaster reduced today

I've never heard of anyone making a franken out of a Gen, guess it takes all kinds. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

$17 Sub sucks? Really? Haha Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No doubt that these guys as you labeled the BTD's are in collusion. There is no way that, if these watches had been modded like some of the folks on the VRF are alluding to that it wouldn't have come out. But you have two things working here, the dealers who are "upscaling' their watches, and the guys who are buying. If a "collector" buys a pristine 6538 and pays a big premium for it, but months later gets a little suspicious and is pretty sure that his watch has been enhanced, he isn't going to say a word. First off, if he screams foul, most of the others on the forum aren't going to believe him, and second, as soon as the word gets out that his 45K watch isn't as it seems, the price is going to plummet. So for his own good, he's not going to say anything. Who knows how many other folks are insiders in a deal like this. Everyone on the VRF wants the most pristine, perfect examples for their collection.it is not in their best interest to make a big deal about this, because if the heat gets too bad, the dealers who are supplying these 40+ year old factory fresh watches will simply disappear, or sell regular run of the mill watches like everyone else. What really aggravates me is what these "modders" are doing is exactly what we do here on this forum, making a good watch better. the big difference we are all up front and open about what we do, those guys are all shadow players, and everything they are doing is for financial gain, at the expense of their fellow Rolex collectors. It's absolutely heresy to sell a watch with an aftermarket insert, bracelet, crown or a refinished dial, but it's perfectly all right to laser weld a case to build it back up to original specs, or "touch up" the lume on a dial, as long as you are the right person, and everyone thinks that you are the worlds greatest procurer of Vintage Rolex watches. You want papers with your watch, no problem, i can make a punched paper, sales receipt, find a period box, booklets, etc, get you the whole set for lets say a 4k premium over a comperable watch W/O papers. Pretty good business!!