kramerica2

2013 is coming, and I plan to celebrate as I did in the past couple of years with a new gen. My guidelines as always are: 1. No "super" rep available. 2. The gen has something special - a great in-house movement, great history, etc.. Something that could never be "replicated". I'm considering the Zenith Captain Winsor, but only if I can get it at ~5000$. Would love any other recommendation for a watch that would answer those demands. Only one exception - No Rolex please. Thanks a lot...

I have some guidelines in picking my few gens: 1. There isn't any "super" rep for the watch. 2. The watch has something special about it that would give significance for owning the gen (history, great in-house movement, materials, etc...) 3. I can get it at a resonable price comparing prices of that watch anywhere in the world.

So, my annual trip to the US is very close. I'm going to travel for about 3 weeks total. About a week in Dallas and Austin, TX, a couple of days in Seattle, WA and the rest doing a road trip in the Northwest (perhaps even a quick visit to Vancouver). I'm going to fly wearing my gen speedy, and thinking of taking one more watch with me in my suitcase or my carry-on (what's the safer option?). My options are: Gen 45mm PO 8500 (ceramic) Rep 42mm PO Rep SOSF Which one would you take (if any), and is there any risk passing customs with 2 watches? Thanks..

Well, don't expect current PO level of accuracy with those ceramic POs. I have the gen, it's a different league in terms of build quality compared to the previous gen PO, and you have that clear caseback, with the movement that's impossible to replicate.

I'm looking to buy my first Rolex, and the GMTIIC seems the perfect choice for me. The problem is that I've seen and read too much about the reps, so I'm confused. Apparently, the V version is the best one, but it seems that a certain movement is problematic. I've searched Andrew's site, and found this one: http://www.ttw168.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_5&products_id=5425 Is this the best version currently available? Is the movement reliable? Is the exact watch available with different/cheaper movements?

All of those watches are tiny for my wrist. 41mm is the smallest I can pull off. I did extensive searching around here, only to come to the conclusion that there aren't any good reps for those... Am I wrong?

I'll add another one, the "justified" one IMO. Think about an average Joe whose dream is to buy a gen luxury watch. He saves for months, maybe years, until he can afford a decent Rolex. He wears it with pride. I can truly understand why he's going to hate reps and reps owners even more. Myself, I worked extremely hard to afford my 2 gens, but still buy and wear reps as well. Still, it seems a bit unfair that for other people, my rep SOSF and my gen PO get the same status and appreciation, but who am I to complain?

Basically I'm looking for the best rep of anything that isn't SUB/DSSD/SD. AFAIK, the Daytona is out of the question. the sec @6 movement is a disaster. That leaves me with the other 2 (or perhaps a model I didn't think about). So, what's the best, most accurate rep of non sub/dssd/sd ?

Hideous watch by any means.. But you can't say "lost its way" on a company that introduced the skydweller just a few months ago.

One of the best looking APs ever. They wear much bigger than other watches, so the 39mm might be perfect. Can't wait for the rep already...

Is this still available? Can't find it over at Watcheden.. Only with an ugly "PVD" case.

This post is meant for the more serious collectors out there, especially those that spent a lot of money on this hobby. Every now and then, I think about the money I spent over the years on watches (~10K$), and start to really question my sanity on the subject. I'm not a rich guy by any means and still young (30) and single, and although I'm not risking the college fund of my future kids, and I do keep a significant amount on the side, I can't help thinking that another 10K would be always useful. I usually dismiss those thoughts quickly, knowing that I really enjoy this hobby and watches, and also knowing, that I'd always be able to sell them for a decent amount on a rainy day in the future. Not for full price obviously, but with prices rising all the time, without losing much money either. What are your thoughts on the subject, does that happen to you as well?

The Chronopassion is on my wishlist for some time now, but I remember hearing bad things about the chrono reliability of those watches. Meaning that in a few months, you're almost guaranteed to lose the chrono function, and for that kind of money that's hard to accept.

Love that 8500. It was my fastest (and most expensive) watch purchase ever, made the decision instantly when I laid my eyes on it, much faster than <300$ reps.. Mine is a 45mm black bezel, orange numerals. I keep admiring it each and every day... that movement is awesome.

I have a gen ceramic 8500 PO and a gen speedmaster, and those should deserve the most compliments. However, I can count on one hand the number of times for both of them combined. The watch that I do get compliments for (mainly from chicks actually) is the black dial rep SOSF.

As I have the gen, I can tell you: It's going to be hard for them to make a good rep of this watch. I'm not talking about the clear case-back and the movement, of course, but the ceramic bezel with the pearl, the silvered date font, the metallic numerals, etc... would be hard to replicate. The V1 would be bad, I can guarantee it. As usual, it would take them some time and versions to get it to an acceptable level...

I've seen it happen so many times. Gen experts are not rep experts. I've passed my POrikka (which has many many flaws) so many times as a gen with gen Omega owners, just for kicks, and I never failed. You can see it so many times in WUS forums. They can easily spot the very cheap and bad reps, but are clueless about the good reps most of us own. Only rep experts would be able to call out a good rep, and you know, most rep experts would just give you a wink and show you their own rep....

Great topic! 1. When there isn't any super rep available, and there is something special about the gen that a rep could never replicate. 2. a. Omega Speedmaster - there isn't a good rep for it, and no rep could ever replicate the history and meaning of that piece. b. Omega Planet Ocean 8500 - Obviously no rep yet, and again no rep could replicate that movement. Not engineering wise and not design wise. 3. Talking about "worth" in luxury watches is tricky. I don't need it to get appreciation. I feel perfectly safe wearing any super rep at any situation. No way you'd be called out, so at that sense you get the same from a 300$ rep, why buy a 5K$ gen? However, the feeling is totally different. It's something you're proud to wear, and sometime leave as a special heirloom. And you know what, many times the watch value increases over time. I'm not saying for a second that it's a good financial investment, but you probably won't lose much money (if any), when you'll decide to sell it later on. For example, I bought my speedy 2.5 years ago for 3K$. It's impossible to find it today for less than 3.5K$, and if you convert it to my local currency, the gap is even bigger.

Guys, china is changing. There is no doubt that sooner or later those factories will be shut down. If not at the current raid, than later. Regulations in China are becoming strict. Environmental laws for new factories, for example, are now even stricter than those in Europe. Not so far ahead is the day when China would no longer be the cheap mass-production factory of the world, reps included. But no worries. Where there is demand, there will be supply. Other countries would replace China. Sure, it will take some time for them to get it right, and there may be some tough times ahead in our business, but in the end - market demand is always supplied, and we all know the magnitude of that demand.

For me, it really depends on the situation and the person asking. For example, once, I was wearing my first rep, A cheap PO from Narikka, for a business meeting. After the meeting, a guy I only met at that meeting and was wearing an Omega SMP, rudely shouts at me (while everyone are still listening) - "Are you wearing a fake watch?" I was very surprised, but decided to take the risk. I took the watch off my wrist, handed it to him and said - "It's a very nice gen, check it out for yourself.." He was too shocked to even really check the watch. He apologized, agreed it was a nice gen, and gave me the watch back shamefully. The watch has many flaws, and I really took a risk, but it paid out... Since them, I only wear gens or very good reps for meetings.

Asian 7750 is honest and cheaper than most dealers. However, for some reason, he's the only dealer that couldn't get his watch to pass customs. After the first time, customs got his watch he sent me another watch in another method and it too got caught. I think he's just a bit careless with his packaging, and doesn't really try to trick them like other dealers. That's the only reason I avoid ordering from him. YMMV obviously. His communication and reliability are top notch.

hackR - No doubt about it. I've tried the gen SOSF more than a couple of times, and almost purchased it three months ago. The gen bracelet is better than the rep, but compared to an Omega PO, even the gen bracelet feels flimsy for me.

Thanks.. The only thing I dislike about the watch, is the bracelet. AFAIK, the gen bracelet isn't that great as well, but it just feels flimsy compared to the rather hefty watch. I remember that it bothered me in the old one as well, but I guess I'll get used to it. My other watches are mainly Omegas, gens and reps, and their bracelets just feel better. Other than that, it really is a top notch rep. More expensive than most reps, but you do get more - better AR (really almost on par with my gen PO) and much better lume.

When you're right, you're right... I didn't have the time to size it yet, so the true photo shoot will come later. For now, I hope this iphone "wrist shot" would do... mind you, the lume filling is the same color in all the markers, what you see in the photo is light and shade... and btw, trust me, I can't do justice to the beauty of the dial with photos.

Just got the watch from Andrew, and i must say it's even better than i've hoped. The AR is one of the best I've seen on reps. The dial and numerals are gorgeous. The watch just looks amazing as a whole. Sure, the bezel engravings could be deeper, but they're so precise and sharp, so it makes up for it. Ever since my v1 sosf was stolen, I've been waiting for a good rep to come out, and i'm glad I've waited, it's a very good watch.