robertb

It bothered me as well so even though I already had a modded SA, picked this one up because of the AR. The AR is only on the inside so the bottle effect is still there, just not as obvious. Double AR should help a lot so I may end up sending my other one out for double AR and lume.

I picked up this SA last week and received it today. When I opened the package I was less than thrilled, I'm a perfectionist so it was very rough by my standards. I am in no way bashing the seller here, he did fully disclose that the watch had scratches on it from normal wear and I would assume that this watch would have been perfectly acceptable to most of you guys. Not for me though, it had a lot of swirls and scratches, it needed a serious cleaning and overall was far from pristine like new condition (like the rest of my watches). Not a bad thing because I live for this stuff, there is no greater joy than rejuvenating something to like new condition! To make it perfectly clear, it was a good transaction and in general I am pleased with the watch and satisfied with the seller's description of the watch. This SA seems to be an earlier model because the date wheel is better than my other SA that I picked up new a couple of weeks ago. It has The Zigmeister lume, the movement was serviced by The Zigmeister, Chieftang AR, and a gen bezel. I ordered a gen rubber strap for it today as well. I wish I had taken a before photo but if you look at the bezel, there are 4 flat areas at 3,6,9,12 and you can see how scratched they are. I didn't do anything to it so that gives you an idea of the condition it was in.... don't worry, I will get to the bezel when the gen strap comes in. Obligatory lume shot. I waterproofed most of my watches but haven't done a chrono before and since I already had it apart, this SA was tonight's victim. I didn't want to take a chance so I decased the movement before testing, greased the seals, submerged it in warm water for 30 mins, I even pushed the chrono pushers a bunch of times underwater to see if it would hold water during use. Then I heated up the case with a blow dryer until it got super hot. No steam inside the watch so it's watertight! A watertight rep chrono, with functional underwater pushers!!!!

I can't compare with a gen because none of my gens have the Rolex script on the rehaut, Rolex started doing that around the time the new GMT II ceramic came out. From what I can tell, it looks good and not too deep or obvious. The whole watch looks great and I greased the seals so it's waterproof too! For me that is a HUGE plus because there is nothing worse than being water phobic with a watch. +1 on the Cartier comment, my wife has a gen Cartier Tank Francaise that she wears most of the time.

Good to see you here BK, I have 2 being modded by you from the current run.... anxiously waiting.

Nice work Lani! I kicked myself in the ass for not getting in on this when it was available but Andrew and Josh just got 50 more so I snagged one.

I have a gen GMT II and had a problem with the watch so it might not be just a replica thing. I had to send it in and have the movement serviced because it seized, maybe it was a correct handstack issue.

I configured this ladies Datejust through Joshua. SS, MOP dial with diamond hour markers, oyster band and domed bezel. The one on top is my wife's $30k gen Crown Collection President and the one on the bottom is her $228 Joshua Collection rep.

R, I got a email from one of the above mentioned dealers this evening and he said no more correct handstack.

Email states, "No more of the correct stack movement."

The GMT hand should not jump. On a gen GMT, you set the GMT hour hand to whatever timezone you want by adjusting the time manually and the GMT hand will follow smoothly at a ratio of 1:2. The 24 hour bezel corresponds to the GMT hand so it will move 1 hour for every hour that the regular hour hand moves (i.e. if you want to set the GMT hand + 4 hrs, you will move the regular hand +4 hours but the GMT hand will move half of that distance so it corresponds to +4 hrs on the 24 hr bezel. Once you set the GMT time to +4 hrs you set the hour hand to TDC or 12:00 using the crown and making it jump 1 hour at a time without changing the GMT position. Then set the time as you normally would but the GMT hand will be exactly 4 hours ahead at all times from that point forward. This is exactly how the gen works. I got an email comfirming that this initial batch was custom made for Josh and Andrew by the factory and nobody else has them. There will be no more correct handstack with correct GMT hand function! So those of you that got one.... keep your fingers crossed. If the movement is good, you will have a definite keeper!

World's slowest fast pics evaaaaaaaaaaa.

The last time I ordered something it was 4-5 days to the west coast.

Ok since nobody else is playing the spot the gen game here are the answers: Blue 2 tone sub is a gen Yachtmaster is a gen 2 tone Datejust with white roman dial is a gen The Daytona's are easy to spot from this distance because the 3 and 9 subdials don't line up with the 3 and 9 ticks, they sit slightly above the midway point. The Daydate is a tough one, if I held that in my hands I would have a hard time knowing it was a rep. The Exp II is easy because it's the incorrect handstack version. The Sea Dweller would be tough because it's the new V2 but holding it in your hand, the band doesn't feel as nice as a gen. Thanks for playing folks!

Donation made and money well spent IMO! It's nice to see a community step up and work through something like this.

Interesting responses so far. It just goes to show that in a real life situation, an expert may get a glance at one of these watches from a similar distance but it would be tough to tell rep vs gen. I know that personally I never want to stare so I'll sneak a peak. There is a lot of emphasis on dial font, rehaut, spacing, pearl, bezel, crown size or crown guard shape etc but if rep experts can't tell from this distance, neither can your average Joe. I'll hold off on the final reveal in case others want to play.

I agree, I have a BK GMT II Transformer and BK Sub on order and should be here in 3-4 weeks. I thought the Rollie experts would spot the "special" watches in the group. There are 3 gens in there and if nobody can pick them out.... we know that these reps must be pretty decent!

Thanks guys! The 28 is not an ETA, I had an opportunity to get this one or an ETA 28 but elected not to because it had the incorrect hobnail dial. If it had the SS case and hobnail dial, I would have gotten it!

Thanks guys, I'm learning so hopefully I will get better.

Yes, you're right Stephane I need to work on my vintage pieces soon. I have a black Daytona missing a link that is soon to be whole thanks to you Stephane!

183 is in pieces at the moment waiting for parts.

Polished ceramic bezel and double Chieftang AR.

Have a couple in various states of disassembly and one out for service that didn't make the group shot.

Be nice... I'm still learning how to shoot bright shiny objects.

You guys are good! Yes, it is a gen bezel and all it needs is AR, datewheel and a gen rubber strap. Here is another shot:

Skype him @ TTK2002, I'm sure he can get you one.