wisrep2010

The problems you speak of are common. Some enjoy the chase of it, others either don't right away or do in the beginning and tire of it. I am in the later category and eventually got to the point where I didn't want to settle for anything but the relative perfection of genuine pieces. I haveno interest in the snobbery of them, but rather the precision of the details mechanically and fit and finish-wise. But if you have a genuine love for watches there is no reason to leave. In fact there is every reason to stay.

Many of us are also genuine collectors and some exclusively. So let me wear Lani's ambassador hat for a moment and say that if you love watches - rep or genuine, there is no better place in terms of knowledge or a better group of non-snobby people to interact with. So stick around. You don't have to buy reps to hang out with us...

Also you might consider adopting a strategy I have employed with great success over the years: Use reps as a sort of training ground for gens you have interest in. If you think you love a watch, buy a rep of it first and see if it really suits you before buying the gen. If it does, sell it and buy the gen. If it doesn't sell the rep and move on. It will actually save you money, not waste it. If you buy a gen and find out you don't like it the likely hit when you sell it will be more than a thousand. If you get the rep and flip it the loss will be less than a hundred in most cases. Wors like a charm. I discovered a love for the Yachmaster, the GMT Master, Datejusts and Day-Dates, the Planet Ocean, the Aquatimer, the Kairos, The Vacheron Malte series, and many others I'm sure I'm forgetting this way which led to great gen experiences. And I saved a lot of money on others not listed here by trying the reps and realizing they are not for me such as the Big Bang and ROO to name two. Food for thought.

So stick around, if nothing else Offshore still has a lot to teach you about boats!

Very well put and echoing my experience as well as approach!

cheers

WR

well since I recently got back into collecting replicas I have also seen that the quality compared to a couple of years back has decreased.

Since my rejoining of the replica community I have purchased 11 replicas

• Franck Muller Conquistador Black King Cortez
  
• Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo V2 - Rubber Strap Version
  
• Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo V2 - Bracelet Version
  
• Graham Chronofighter Diver Tech Seal
  
• Graham Chronofighter Commando
  
• Graham Chronofighter Diver SS
  
• Rolex Red Submariner
  
• Rolex Double Red Seadweller
  
• AP Survivor
  
• AP Rubens Barichello II TI
  
• IWC Top Gun V1
  

Only the 2 Rolexes, the IWC and one of the Graham's didn't have issues - the worst part is that the most expensive ones where also the worst. The issues where mostly QC related, such as misaligned hands, scratched case or bezel, bad movement, dirt under the crystal, glue residue under crystal etc

I have used a variety of sellers - drop shippers as well as the ones claiming they would inspect the watch before shipping - well they might have inspected it, but they still didn't spot the most obvious issues

I did expect some issues since a rep is just a rep, but for watches over $500 I would have expected at least some basic level of quality - not QC, that's a different story all together as we all know.

My conclusion is that I will stop buying for now until the I can resolve those issues with the sellers and my watchmaker respectively - If 70% of the issues can be resolved I will continue to buy - if not I will once again have to say goodbye to buying replicas.

cheers

WR

Hey, WR -

Indeed, guessing much like yourself, proud to contribute in both worlds. I'd honestly feel blind not being part of the RWG community.

Funny how owning a rep often leads to a gen purchase. I was content w/my gen Rubberclad for 7 yrs, then had an itch for a rep 09 Silver Themes, which lead to a gen 09 Themes, which lead to a gen Montauk and 09 Ti Themes. : )

I currently own more gens than reps but catching up quickly - the replicas are a great platform for me to test drive watches and than buy the gen if I like them - I bought too many gens that I lost interested in in the past and lost money flipping them

cheers

WR

Finally mounted the white strap .. didn't think I could pull off, but actually really growing on me.

looks great on the white strap - I think I already said that when you posted the pictures with the Hornback over on TZ

cheers

WR

I need the opinion of one of you specialists.

As i asked my dealer regarding the Sellita in the V2 Parek Aquanaut he told me the factory can swap it with the movement from this Tag rep instead (supposed to be a Swiss ETA).

Would you do it - or stick with the Sellita ?

Thanks !!

There is no reason to switch from Sellita to ETA in particular considering the the Swiss ETA you will get will likely be of the lowest ETA quality + the Sellita's finish is actually nicer than ETA's

http://rolex.watchprosite.com/?show=forumpost&msid=13043806&ti=591561&fi=732&pi=3825541

Sorry I should have been a little more specific - I meant DSN dials, not the whole watches.

As far as I can tell only maybe one of those PVD cases could be from DSN.

cheers,

b

Hey B, no reason at all to be sorry about anything

cheers

WR

Wow - these are certainly some better DSN examples - wera them well!

cheers,

b

would really surprise me if they were from DSN - I have a feeling that there was a lot of modding involved including the PVD coating

@HikeUSA: maybe you can enlighten us ?

cheers

WR

beautiful Panerai's - thanks for sharing

Great shots! Welcome to the forum

Nice Watches Mate, welcome to RWG

thanks guys, appreciate the warm welcome (back)

Just to be clear I didn't write the article just posted it here as I thought it would be a nice talking point

I have had watches from many brands - I am referring to gens of course - and while I am not a particular fan of Rolex I have to admit that a lot of the things mentioned as negative by fulanito_uk are part of why they are so successful.

I believe that some watch brands fail because they don't have a watch like the Submariner or other watches that have no design that instantaneously makes you recognize the brand - like a Omega Speedmaster, AP Royal Oak, just to name a few - I actually like the fact that they are not trying to pump out new designs all the time. The movements, while not as refined as AP, Patek, Breguet etc. are certainly reliable workhorses that are next to indestructible even in the long run, partly because of their ruggedness vs. refinement and beauty or in this case lack thereof.

It is a little like with the Porsche 911 - maybe not a beauty like some of the Lamborghinis and Ferraris - but definitely more reliable and identifiable - and for me at least that is a big part of the intrigue of a brand.

All I want to know however from the OP is who the girl is in his Avatar

PT Red Submariner

Love the Graham piece. Have a OS Diver and Overlord MK III. Been looking at getting this one for a while, just don

Interesting there seems to be no love/interest in this watch here

Great work and thanks a lot for sharing your technique!

fab pics

thanks - appreciate that!

Grrr, so close to buying one of those! Thanks for the bait... er pics.

Happy to be of help...aehh temptation

Thank you for the review. I have been eying this one for quite a while now.

go for it - I wore it today and absolutely love it - despite its size it is very comfortable

Guys, no need to use washers. All you have to do is file the hollow cylindrical tube that goes inside the lever/trigger. It is a little longer than it should, that's why the lever has a little play.

wisrep2010: congrats on both the watch(es) and the review(s)/picture(s).

And I agree that the Tech Seal is an amazing watch. Allow me to link you to my Tech Seal on a different strap: http://www.repgeek.com/showthread.php?t=98090&highlight=Tech+Seal

thanks Astro - yours looks great on that orange/red strap

Maybe this picture helps:

You're right but I can always send the watch in for service if it gets screwed up.

Just make sure you send it in with the original dial - or Panerai won't touch it - BTW: I love the way the dial looks on the 170 and would not change it...but that's just me

cheers

WR

No unchanged at 43mm - at least the gen

Hell... There are many occassions where I'm usually wearing a watch on each wrist...

I have done that a couple of times

I feel really naked when I don't wear a watch - never ask me for the time though, despite looking at my watches all the time

cheers and may you never be without a watch on your wrists

WR

Magnifico

Love the grey dial - that would also look great on a black alligator I suppose!

I have had this in my parts bin for a while... And thought I would snap some pics of it. The workhorse Rolex movement... Not meant to be flashy, or fancy as it is hidden behind a steel cover... But it has a certain beauty and charm of it's own...

It does it's job and it does it fairly well

Love the granite counter top - has always been your trademark - and great photos as usual

that looks great in blue - enjoy it!

cheers

WR

I also started out on RWG in 2005, under a different name...don't ask why I had my reasons for a fresh start

I always called RWG home and I intend to contribute as often as I can - like in the old days mostly with pictures and reviews

If you look at my pictures from the past you might figure out who I was back than

cheers

WR