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Wow, you must be our youngest member yet! Beautiful pictures, and welcome to the board!

I get a feeling this will change one day soon. That's all I'm saying

After I've tried this WM9 you might find yourself having a 'I told you so moment' haha

I love Clarkson's quote, and I don't associate myself with this in partcular, but it does sum up some people's attitude towards them;

"The only thing worse than a fake Rolex, is a real one"

I wouldn't say I dislike Rolex, but I find it is a brand that I can take or leave.

The problem with Rolex is that a lot of people buy a Rolex for the sake of owning a Rolex. I think in some ways it spoils it for the hardcore fans.

As a watchmaking brand I have the utmost respect for Rolex, they make very good watches, and they don't really get stuck in the fashion rut that some do. They stick to what they know best, and apart from the DSSD, they haven't really increased or changed their line up to much over the years. Whearas brands like AP and Hublot seem to be caught on making 'fashionable' watches, which is something I'm not keen on.

As far as wearing and buying a Rolex, I would never buy a genuine. Perhaps some of it is to do with the fact that the stereotypical view is that most people assume it's fake, and also something to do with the fact that I'm not a hardcore fan. Up until recently I had never even owned a replica. That will be solved as I have just bought a WM9 V2 from another memeber. I am really looking forward to receving it, as the Sub is one that has really appealed to me of late. Another that I really like is the Explorer 2, oh, and also the GMT Pepsi...mmmmm

Il give you my thoughts further to this when it's on my wrist

Thanks!

but I think the v2 5004....has the faux PR? well, so it says on TT. this is what confused me the most....

Perfectclones doesn't even have them listed as v1 or v2......so I guess he doesn't carry v2????? I hope?? :|

Lol this is going to get complicated but here goes.....

Joshua posted the pictures of the 5002 a while ago, this was termed the V1;

Then Puretime listed this one and it was termed the V2; These have the faux power reserve and are less acurate

Josh listed a 5004 V1 after this was released, but the hands were the same as the 5002 he released, which is incorrect because the 5004 has wider hands.

Then the correct version with fat hands was released, and has probably been termed as the V2, but it bears no correspondence to Puretime's V2. It is a V2 of the V1 that Josh listed if that makes sense :S

As a massive Seamaster fan I absolutely love this picture. It captures the heritage of the vintage series, but also reflects that even the newer co-axial keeps the design that is over a decade old.

I am not much of a fan of the 'V' labelling system it causes this confusion, especially when the watches are actually coming from different factories, and not a newer version of a predecessor, but instead a brand new watch from a totally different place.

As for the IWC accuracy, get the one that has the faux power reserve (V1 I think). You can get that in both 5002 and 5004 (now with the correct fat hands)

The working power reserve model (V2 I think) has the wrong dial layout, the date window is bad and the power reserve is too close to the center of the dial.

The ones listed on the first page here are the most accurate ones;

http://www.jpc8118.com/pliot-series-c-106_214.html

Rocketeer was sending batches of crystals from the UK over to the US for HauteHippie's runs. Not sure if this is still occurring or not, but have a look in HauteHippie's section, it might give a bit more information on it.

2531.80 is my favourite...

I might have a spare gen bracelet kicking around near the end of the week. If I do Il shoot you a PM!

Unbelievable! What amazing work, this is the most impressive franken I have seen!

Are you looknig to source a dial in better condition now that you know it works, or will that one stay in there?

It does look incredible on the bracelet, the dial could be pink for all I care, that bracelet makes the watch!

Spoke to Joshua about this....the blue version has a silver white dial with metallic finish.

Looks like that thread a while ago about Josh's colourblindness wasn't far off

The cream dial does look very nice though in all seriousness, and who would have seen the genuine to notice such a small variance anyway!

The most accurate replicas are quite bulky, even the SOSF (Superocean Steelfish) and the BCE (Chronomat Evlution) wear like the UPO. The smallest of the range is probably the Navitimer replicas. They aren't wuite upto the standards of reps we are used to these days but they are still great little watches.

ooo that's a tough one....here's my different answers based upon my different moods;

If I were buying it for accuracy and everyday wearbility it would be the SOSF

If I were buying it for longevity it would be the V3 BCE Graphite

If I were buying it for a weekend watch it would be the Skyland

If I were buying a gen....it would be the tri-compax Navitimer

So I guess my answer is, it depends what mood I am in when pressing the 'send money' button

Excellent review, I've owned one of these for 12 years now and it is still in excellent condition. This is a testament to the durability of this watch as I have worn it in some pretty extreme enviroments with my work, the crystal is still absolutely perfect, without a mark on it. Sometimes it feels kinda small compared to the recent fashion of big (Some massive!) watches. Next to my maxi-Planet Ocean it looks tiny.

Definitely, they make great daily wearers! Don't worry, fashions change, but legends don't.....the 41mm divers will have their day again

Nice to finally see the SMP back on your wrist again J I must admit I'm suprised that you went for the quartz, they're usually bashed here but I understand your reasoning completely, especially if you got it for a really good price

I just received a rep SMP (not from the dealer we discussed J) and it made me realise how much better the gen is compared to the rep. The dial was nice, but I wasn't impressed at all with the insert, it has a submariner-type pearl, and the quality of the bracelet is nowhere close to the gen. I would say that if you really like this model, going gen is the only option

I am so glad to have one back on my wrist, it felt like there was a massive void in my watch 'collection'. I completely agree that the gen is the best option. It is a bit more than the reps, but for the price of 3 high ends reps, a gen can be bought. So it's certainly not unattainable, it's just the psychology of lumping $1200US into one watch I guess (if you go the auto route)

My friend, great writing, it's very refreshing to read a gen review. At the gen forum is hard to find really good reviews as those in RWG and RG.

And don't even think on selling this piece, ever. Quartz or Auto, the SMP design is awesome.

Thank you I agree, it would be nice to read more genuine reviews. There are a lot of genuine owners here, and a lot of great review writers....to combine the two would be great. Yes it's a rep forum, but we're all passionate about watches whether they're real or not

And don't worry A, this ones staying in my drawer or on my wrist

Here's a few pics I took today;

We've all heard of the frogmariner....how about a frogmaster?

I'm not a movement guru but I would guess that one of the gears is damaged, causing it to jump at intemittent periods. I would contact the dealer and see if they can exchange it for anther one for you.

Try fully winding the watch and leaving it for 36 hours, if it's still running the reserve isn't the problem.

If it is still running it might be somethng simply like a sticky rotor, which can be solved by a little grease on the bearings usually.

SMP for me this weekend;

I prefer the looks of the Graphite BCE, and for me it certainly sat much better on my wrist. However, I think you should keep the Skyland, so I can give your BCE a nice new home

@ Ammandel - Thanks I really like the Bond SMP. It sits so perfectly on the wrist, and whereas my review of the PO was completed on that honeymoon period, this review comes from a genuinely long period of love for this particular model, and it's history.

I didn't think I'd like the quartz after sending the money, but now it's on my wrist, I honestly can't tell the difference. It is slightly lighter, and there is a tick, but I don't glance at it long enough to notice the tick. I thought I might dislike it, but I am really surprised at how little I am bothered by it being quartz.

As for the lume shot....this review was completed with my sister's point and shoot. She is at work, so I thought I'd take the privilege and borrow it for a few hours I find the point and shoot much better for the reviews as you can get really close to the watch, and they take really good lume shots too!

@Bytor - The 2531's crop up a lot at the moment, the trouble I had was finding an example that was in almost pristine condition, of the later years (05 ownwards) and at a price that I thought was fair.

I certainly have my eyes peeled for you, and if one does appear Il shoot you a PM.

This time last year I picked up a 2531.80 without box and papers. My first impressions of the watch were a mix of astonishment and awe. I couldn

Everyone have a great time, I wish I didn't have exams this week

As for the idea of another meeting in the summer....count me in. I am free between Mid June - Beginning September. If it falls within those times it would be an absolute pleasure to meet the EU members.

Oh my word, that is an incredible shot! I am looking forward to seeing the expert division threads, there are going to be some beautiful shots if this is anything to go by!

Woman!!

Incredible work here! FOr me the big difference ove the replica is the larger date window which is filled by that lovely Breitling datefont. Combined with the AR caoting it looks excellent!