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dieselpower

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Posts posted by dieselpower

  15. Why in general do gen watch owners hate reps ?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Firstly, I would like to say that there is no such thing as a fake watch that runs. If the watch has a movement that works and it tells the time then it is not a 'fake watch' it is a real, actual watch. That's just to the fools who look down on our wonderful hobby.

     

    Now, I'd like to address the issue of honesty amongst the gen communiuty. For starters, as far as I can tell the VRF marketplace is infested with franken builders. Great, good luck to them but please don't start looking down your nose at the rep world! They are as guilty of replication as we are. I bet your average VRF franken builder wearing his perfectly formed (from various gen parts) Sub regards his watch as a genuine Rolex product, well I've got news for you - it's not. Only a watch that came out of the Rolex factory and has only ever been worked on by Rolex is a gen. If you have assembled a watch from various parts from various sources then you have made a frankenstein, which is only one step away from a rep. And, whilst we are on the subject what does a gen owner do if his watch breaks and the part required to make it work again is no longer available, at all, anywhere? Then he finds a company or individual who is manufacturing that part in the same material and to the same exacting standards as the original company did. Does he put the watch in his sock drawer and never wear it? No, of course not. He is perfectly within his rights to buy the (rep) part and enjoy his watch again, regardless of what others think. It's still a lovely watch, now it's a lovely watch that works. Good.

     

    I own reps and gens. I prefer reps. I like the research and gathering of parts. I like the fact that financially, building reps opens up the availability of the pieces I really like to suit my budget. I like the fact that I can buy parts piece by piece thus spreading the cost rather than having to blow thousands in one hit. I like the fact that a decent rep is like sticking two finger up the the gen companies because I strongly suspect that their 'swiss made' pieces are far from 100% Swiss. 

     

     

    “It is not generally known that quite a few Swiss companies have watches assembled in China for export to North America, Asia and even Europe, where the brand name is more important that the “Swiss made” label. Such watches may consist of a Chinese case and a Chinese crystal, a Taiwan-made dial and metal bracelet and Japanese hands. If the movement is to be considered Swiss, 51% of its value must be Swiss and at least the last wheel must be added in Switzerland. Swiss watch brands without the “Swiss made” label are usually equipped with a Japanese movement. The “Swiss parts” label means that the movement is assembled in Asia using kits consisting at least partially of Swiss made components.”

    The Swiss law is quite complicated when it comes to what is swiss made and what is not - some say this is by design but it seems that if 50% of the value (note - value, not quantity) of the parts are made in switzerland and the movement is encased in Switzerland then you can legally call it a swiss made watch. So, if Rolex had parts for their movements made in China but 50% of the value of the total parts (ie a few expensive bits) were made in Switzerland and the movement was encased in Switzerland then you have got yourself a genuine Swiss Rolex. I'm sorry but that's not good enough for me. I'd rather be honest about a watch and say to whoever it may concern that I am a hobbyist who amasses parts and has his favourite watches built by skilled people and yes, they are real watches and yes they are waterproof and yes they keep excellent time and yes they will withstand the same amount of wear and abuse as one that came out of Rolex's swiss/chinese factories and yes they can cost thousands to make etc etc. Rant over...
    • Like 3

  20. Vintage 1016 question

    in The Rolex Area

    Posted

    Much thanks to JoeyB for taking the time to explain the 'home made' process. Given that I am stubbornly entering middle age with a refusal to admit that I need reading glasses - and I do need reading glasses - I don't think I could paint a barn door accurately, also I've never used photoshop in my life - don't even have it on my computer not to mention the fact that a full time job, wife and two young kids leave precious little 'me time' I can't see me going down that route anytime soon. But you never know and the tutorial is genuinely appreciated. On reflection I'm quite good with my hands and have always made stuff but it's the teeny-ness and accuracy involved that puts me off, I'm more used to 3 metre lengths of 4"x 2"where a milimetre here or there doesn't really matter, can't quite say the same of a watch dial. I'm almost tempted to give it a go and show you lot the results just to give you a laugh. I bet I'd be able to hear JoeyB's howling from my living room after all there's only the Atlantic ocean separating us!

     

    @ ubi - the double irony is that I've got teeny tiny wrists. Humph.

  24. Vintage 1016 question

    in The Rolex Area

    Posted

    I have got a few projects on the go and a few options before me, so, to help me decide which route to take I would like to know if it is practical to put a slow beat 2846 ETA movement inside a gen 5500 case with a view to creating a 1016 Explorer also, using a rep dial? Hope this question makes sense and that it is indeed plausible. Thanks for any advices.

  25. Out for a ski this afternoon

    in The Rolex Area

    Posted

    Not only do I have to read this but I am being texted by my mate who is skiing in the Alps right now. Me? I'm stuck at home looking after kids. There is no God. To everybody who is enjoying alpine pursuits I wish you well, and be careful out there. I wouldn't laugh at all if you were to injure yourself. No. Not me, not even a titter would you hear.  :nono:  ;)

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