jimbean

What version is this?

hey gio, which one is that and who's it from?

Greetings Repgeeks,

I'm a newbie and just started building my collection. So far I have a GMT IIc Ultimate, DSSD v4 and a PAM 111h. Now I'm looking to further build my collection and am looking for suggestions. I want a fairly balanced and diversified collection with watches for all occasions. If you were going to get 5 more watches what would they be?

Things I'm looking for (but don't need to be on same the watch):

white faced watch (all my watches are black)

something with a leather band

maybe a chronograph

something that looks good with a suit

Also, I'd want them to be accurate. No fantasy watches or huge flaws.

Some of my possible picks:

Cartier Santos 100 Chrono

IWC Portuguese

Breitling SFSO

So bring on the suggestions and help me build a super duper collection!

Thanks in Advance!

Thanks carlsbadrolex and gioarmani!

One question, are the hour markers on your dial flat or slightly domed or raised? I couldn't tell from the pics.

With all these mods, we'll make our own super rep in no time!

Keep the innovation going!

Thanks again!

NICE!!! I was playing on doing this to mine this weekend. Did you use hand removers to take off the hands? I'll don't know if I should pick up a set or just try and hack it. Also, what's the exact brand/color/type of paint you used. Can you pick this stuff up at a Home Depot? Thanks!

Greetings,

This post will show you the child simple and cheap 'office' modification to improve the engraving on the DSSD v4 bezel. If you haven't read my review of the DSSD v4, you can find it here and read about the minor bezel issue. I called this an 'office' modification because I thought of it and started the modification at work using supplies you can probably find in any office or office supply store. I hope you find it helpful. Now to the show.......

Watch: Rolex Sea Dweller Deep Sea (DSSD) v4

The Issue:

Below are example pics of the bezel engravings before the modification. Notice the rough and imprecise paint job on the engravings. This issue is confined to the vertical edges of the engraving and is caused by missing and/or excess paint.

Required Tools:

• You watch...duh!
  
• Your finger nail
  
• Thumb tack
  
• White 'Sharpie' Paint Marker (any of the tip sizes)
  
• Clean rag (I used my t-shirt)
  
• Small piece of paper or the cap of a soda bottle
  

Step 1:

Using your finger nail, scratch the top edge of the vertical wall of the bezel engraving. This will scratch off the over spray of paint that is partially responsible for the imprecise looking numbers and markers. Do this for each marker and number that you feel needs it.

Step 2:

Shake the marker, then depress the tip of the white sharpie paint marker onto your piece of paper or bottle cap until paint pools out. Then dip the tip of your thumb tack in the paint.

Step 3:

Run the point of the thumb tack (which should now have some paint on it) along the edge of the vertical wall of the engraving. Don't worry if the horizontal floor of the engraving gets some paint on it. Wait several seconds for the paint to get more viscous after painting. To be more precise, you can use a loop. I didn't have one, so I eyeballed it. When painted it should look like this:

Step 4:

Now use your clean rag or in my case my t-shirt to to wipe the excess paint off. Use your clean rag covered finger nail and run it parallel to the vertical wall of the newly painted engraving. Most of the paint should wipe right off, except those in the initially blank areas of the engraving wall. Note that the paint I used looks brighter than the original paint. But since, you're only using very small amounts of paint to fill in the tiny gaps, it blends right in. If you missed a spot, you can always repeat step 3. Also, if the painting on the engraving floor is uneven, you can file it down with a fine grade nail file.

The Result:

Once satisfied with your paint touch up, let dry. Then open up a beer and enjoy the results. Now give this a shot to improve your DSSD v4 bezel. You can probably use this technique on the GMT IIc, but you may need a darker paint marker. I hope this was helpful and it works out for you. Please feel free to ask any questions and comment.

Eye Candy:

Greetings,

Well, I'm on my third rep now, the GMT IIc, PAM 111h and this, the new so called Rolex Sea Dweller Deep Sea (DSSD or SDDS) version 4. Below is my formal review. Feel free to let me know what you think of it and how it compares to the Gen and to other DSSD versions. Enjoy and please feel free to critique my copy of the watch and comment.

INTRODUCTION:

After getting my GMT IIc and see how accurate and handsome it was, I was hooked. I come from a family of Rolex lovers but I never really saw the appeal of an expensive watch. It's not because I can't afford one, but most likely due to the fact that I'm a cheapa$$. I'm a want something for nothing kid of guy and if I can get 99% of the bang but only have to spend 1% of its value, I'm all in. After getting my PAM 111h, I realized I also like big watches and what can be nicer than a big watch that happens to be a Rolex. Welcome the Rolex Deep Sea v4:

The Bezel:

This is one of the defining features of the watch. It gives this tool watch some 'bling' factor to go along with its in your face styling and size. Out of the box it's very strong. The black "ceramic" bezel is dark, has a deep shine and seems to be very resistant to scratches. Also, the fonts are accurate, perfectly spaced and positioned, an accurate color, but most importantly, it appears to be the correct thickness. Font thickness seemed to be the weakness of all the other versions. They were either too thick or too thin. This one seems dead on. In my pictures, the font my appear thicker or thinner, but that's mainly a function of the light conditions. I assure you it's closer to Gen then other versions. The depth of the engraving was also very impressive. But like every rep, it's not without its flaws. The bezel numbers lack the precision found on my Ultimate GMT IIc. This is due to somewhat flawed painting or possible over spray, depending on what technique they used. Paint on the vertical edges of the engraving are inconsistent, being either too much paint that spills over the edge onto the bezel or gaps in the paint on the vertical edge. (Pics are pre bezel engraving modification) The good news: it's not that noticeable and I've found a dead easy and cheap modification for it. Look for it in my upcoming tutorial. Overall, the bezel is the best one of all the versions, looks very Gen and is just about on par with GMT IIc bezel after my modifications.

The Pearl

Hmmmmmm. The pearl was a bit of a let down during the day light. It does not have a clear sapphire crystal like the Gen or clear coat like those found on my of the other Rep version. Also, it's not a pearly white and does not exactly match the hour makers. The color is more of an off white with hints of yellow and green. Not a deal breaker, but the pearls from the other version would be a welcomed addition. Also, I'd imagine that with a few mods, I can get this bad boy looking pretty sweet. I'll be working on it this week, so look out for the post. But if you're a lume fanatic, this pearl's for you. It's constantly charging from any light source and glows a brilliant blue. It really is quite nice and lasts a long time (still visible in the dark several hours later).

The Dial

In my opinion, the dial is very accurate and is on par with the other version, but includes the nice addition of a beveled date window. The print, second markers, and the hands are great. They look very Gen and are well done. The hour markers are very nice also and have great lume that lasts hours. The one big flaw of the dial is its glossy finish. The Gen has a nice matte finish that I wish the v4 also had. But the mods posted here should solve the glossy dial issue. Other than that, I think the dial is very accurate and impressive.

The Watch Case, Case Back, HEV and Crown

The DSSD has a very beef case. It's well constructed and screams quality. When I handle it, it feels the way one would image a premium Rolex would feel. Heavy, thick, and built like a tank. The brushed and polished finishes are great and the Escape Valve... Ring Lock.... print is top notch. The CG's look very accurate and are well shaped. The crown is nice and fat, matching the rest of the watch. The three piece case back is wonderfully constructed and looks very Gen. The HEV, looks to be similar to those found on the other versions and is recessed just the right amount. I think it's very close to Gen. Overall, the watch is top quality and handles like the Gen.

The Bracelet

This is the icing on the cake. Just like the other versions of the DSSD, the bracelet is phenomenal. The construction looks just like the Gen, but most importantly, feels like the Gen. My GMT IIc is deadly accurate, but the bracelet does not have that sturdy feel from the Gen. The DSSD's bracelet feels like a million bucks. Combine that with the built like a tank case and this watch feels perfect! The quick micro adjustments are a pleasure to use and the clasp is spectacular. What more can I say, the bracelet is a thing of beauty.

The Crystal

It's sapphire crystal and domed just like the Gen. It gives the watch a very unique look and seems to be of the same geometry as the Gen. It's great.

The Feel

This watch feels AWESOME! It has a great wrist presence and feels as a tool Rolex should. I love wearing it and it's now my daily watch. Words can't describe how nice it feels on the wrist, but if you try this version on or the Gen, you'll get the idea. The perfect watch for you big watch and Parerai fans, but if you really don't like a chunk of steel on your wrist then the DSSD might not be for you. But in reality it doesn't wear too big and isn't really that heavy. It comfortable, but just big and heavy enough to remind you that you're wearing a nice Rolex watch. The winding action is smooth and I've had no problems with the movement (it keeps great time).

Conclusion

This watch is very nice out of the box. Not as accurate as the Ultimate GMT IIc OTB, but with a few modifications, it can be very close. But the feel and build of this watch is AWESOME! It's built like a tank and feels so Gen you'd forget it's a Rep. I recommend this watch if you'd like it despite its flaws or if you don't mind modding. If you can't forgive its faults, it may not be for you. But overall, it's a great watch. I hope you enjoyed my review. Please feel free to ask questions and comment. Thanks for looking.

Comparison Shots, Etc

Greetings,

Below are a few shots from my new so called Deep Sea Sea Dweller v4 (DSSD). I'll post a full review sometime this week. But boy is this thing nice! Enjoy!

Font looks bolder due to the lighting. Not as thick in real life. Looks dead on to Gen.

Greetings,

Well, I finally did it. The blue fake AR (extreme crazy electric blue tint!) was driving me mad! Every time I looked at my watch, it was blue! I couldn't even enjoy the sweet looking black sandwich dial. What pushed me over the edge was when I went to the local jewelry shop and saw that they were an AD of Panerai's. I looked at an 111h and saw no visible AR. Right then I knew it was time to get rid of it. I was tired of wearing the blue light special on my wrist. Below outlines the process I went through along with pics. Enjoy!

Step 1: Disassemble Watch

For this I took off the straps and used the duct tape method to remove the back (worked like a charm).

To remove the crown, I used the tutorial from a fellow member:

http://www.rwg.cc/members/Pam-Crown-Tutori...emove+pam+crown

It worked perfectly! (Tip, I turned the screw in quarter increments until it slid right out. You should not have to turn it more than 1.25 times)

To remove the movement from the case, I just unscrewed the two screws holding down the tabs and movement.

I then placed the parts in the zip locks bags so I wouldn't lose them or get dust on the dial and movement.

Step 2: Strip AR with 100% Acetone

For this I used my girlfriend's nail polish remover and a plastic scrub pad.

And wow was that a failure. I was hoping it would strip right off, but it didn't. After 30mins of scrubbing, my beastly strength had failed me. On to step 2.1.

Step 2.1: Strip AR with Metal Polish (Brasso)

With a sore thumb, I had to bring out the big guns. Metal Polish! But the watch is a $158 111h. Even though we website says it has a sapphire glass, one should know better. It's not. What a dilemma! Live with the blue light special? Buy a new crystal? Or roll the dice and strip that mofo and risk scratching it to hell? I'm a gambling man, it's in my blood, let's strip it!

Well, the metal polish was some pretty gritty stuff! It took that fake AR off pretty quickly!

I rinsed it between polishing to check on the progress.

Step 3: Polish The Crystal with Glass Polish

Well, I hit an Ace high flush on the flop, but the board paired on the river and lost to a full house. The metal polish produced some scratches. They are very faint and hard to see. So I picked up some glass polish to hide/fill the scratches. It did a fairly good job and the scratches can only be seen under certain like and that if you looked really really closely. Naked eye and under normal use and examination, it looks as smooth as water.

Step 4: Reassemble Watch

To ensure there is no dust on the crystal, I polished, brush and vacuumed the lens right before placing the movement back in.

When pulling out the crown in step one, I made some notes on a piece of paper noting the screw position for the crown screw. I popped in the crown and tightened the screw. Good to go.

Then on to the screws holding the movement down. Wow are those screws and tabs are small! After a few failed attempts in lining up the screws to the tab and hole, I finally grabbed some tweezers. I placed the tabs in a fashion similar to placing the wishbone in the game Operation. I just lined it up and dropped it in. The tweezers also aided in lining up the screws.

Duct taped that case back shut and I was good to go.

Wow! What a difference!!!!! Bye bye blue light special, hello PAM 111h. It looked a million times better and I was no longer embarrassed to wear my sweet piece! It look so much more Gen! I recommend this mod 100%. It's a very easy mod.

The Most Important Step: Step 5 Enjoy A Beer With The Reborn PAM111h

Very nice! What version is that one?

Hello People,

Does anyone know if the 111h from trusty has the fake blue AR on both sides of the crystal? I was interested in taking it off and maybe later having a single AR put on. Hopefully it's only on the top side. I'm afraid of cracking this puppy open. Also, any tips on removing it?

Thanks!

No, I can't agree. This is the only somehow remediable flaw on the GMT IIc:

How did you remedy the weak engraving?

Thanks,

Mark

Greetings,

Well after a week or two of browsing the forums, I finally caved and picked up an Ultimate GMT II Full Ceramic. Below are the pics and my comments. Feel free to let me know what you think of it and how it compares to the Gen and to other GMT IIc versions. Oh and thanks to all you fellow rep lovers for posting and giving me the knowledge base for a newbie like me. Enjoy and please critique my rep and comment.

Please remember that I'm new to this hobby so don't take my word or opinions as you would some from some of the other pros on this board.

Bezel, Dial, Hands, Cyclops, etc

I think the face of the watch is very nice. It has a super smooth glass like appearance that really makes this watch a looker. It's constantly catching and reflecting light and looks really great on the wrist. I went to the AD to check out the Gen and I feel that the dial and hands are spot on via the naked eye. The cyclops on mine seems to do its job well and looks very similar to the Gen I checked out. The bezel is very glass like and very shiny. But I feel it does lack the depth of gloss that the Gen possesses. The numbers on the bezel are very good and the color seems accurate but it does not have the same subtle platinum shimmer that's on the Gen. The numbers also seem just deep enough to accurately replicate the Gen. The rotation on the bezel works well, is accurate and snaps into the correct position with each of the 24 clicks. But again, it's not the Gen and does not have the same smooth clicking action from the Gen. Seems like a little oil would help. Anyone know how to do this? Oh and it does have a little play when clicking it into position.

Please note that the date is out of focus because I was shooting with low light and had to use an aperture of 2.8 causing the narrow field of vision. Rest assured it's in focus via the naked eye.

The Side of the Watch, Crown, Bezel, etc

Looks good to me. But what do I know. The bezel seems to be the correct thickness and the groves look Gen to me. The crown threads nicely and has the rubber o-ring. The CG's also look good. It looks nice on my wrist, that's all I know.

The Other Side

All looks good here.

The Clasp

The clasp looks really sick. It feels secure, tight and looks great.

The Back Case

It's clean and appears well made. From what I remember, it looks very Gen.

The Engraving

This is where the wheels fall of the wagon on my rep. The engraving is accurate but is no where near deep enough. Looking at is straight on, you can barely see it. For me, it's a dead give away. Also, the metal was not very well made and had visible pitting and not very clean. This is probably the worst part of the watch. Remedy? Don't let anyone see that part smile.gif

Viewed from an angle, the engraving is more visible.

The Movement and Feel of the Rep

The movement has been working great so far. It keeps very accurate time and the adjustable GMT hand has worked flawlessly. The sweeping second hand is very smooth and to me looks like the Gen. Using the Gen as a point of reference, my rep is very close in feel. The only differences I found were that it was a bit lighter, the band was noticeably looser, but other than that it feels great!

The Olive Oil Bath

Out of the box I was very happy with the band. But after handling the Gen, I realized it needed to be oil to get that Gen feel. So I dipped it in olive oil for about 15 mins and then wiped it down. Not only did it feel a whole lot better, but it actually cleaned it up and removed a lot of dirt and grime. It also gave it a nice shine!

In a bowl of Olive Oil

During the Wipe Down (Note the grime on the paper towel)

Thanks for looking and please comment on the accuracy of my particular copy and ask any questions.

Also, does anyone have any other suggested hacks or mods? I'm particularly interested in mods for the engraving, tightening the feel of the band, and bezel number mods.

Thanks in advance!