calatrava

Seems like a fairly modest watch for a person of his stature. I would have gone with the Nautilus in his situation.

Why don't you list what your buddy is asking for? You should also post this question on a gen forum, say Watchuseek, or Timezone.

If I may, I don't really see the value in a gen HBB, if you want a 44m watch, and must get a gen, why not get a gen Panerai? At least the ones which use a 6497 movement are only half the price of the HBB, and even the 312 with the in-house movement and 3 day power reserve is just $7.5K.

A point of comparison, you can get that watch brand new from a grey market dealer (with manufacturer's warranty) for $11K. Check out this search site, to see how much similar watches go for preowned: http://www.elitedealseeker.com/index.cgi?category=watches Also look at chrono24.com.

I received a Pam 111M from Angus that was DOA, and I was refunded the cost of shipping it back.

I just pulled the trigger on one of the microrotor replicas. I don't really think it's all that accurate a replica, but the microrotor movement intrigues me. http://www.watcheden.net/patek-philippe-automatic-with-white-dial-brown-leather-strap-i-121934-p-1.html

If you look at the top right corner of their website, there is a code for $20 off, I think it applies to purchases over $108.

Hmm, for $108, I would consider buying that replica just for the microrotor movement.

Yeah, I'm not sure why they're using mineral crystal on a watch at this price range. It could very well be that it actually comes with sapphire, but Watcheden and Timesshops' descriptions aren't the most reliable.

I don't think my gen has AR coating, unless it's colorless and just on the inside. My guess is that it's just a high quality sapphire crystal. The reason why I like the Deep Stream replica more than the white dial replica is that the Deep Stream dial just seems much more convincing to me. The guilloche on the white dial replica isn't anywhere as deep as on the gen, and it is quite noticeable when placed side by side. The white dial replica would also benefit from AR treatment on the inside. But, you're certainly right that unless one compares the rep to the gen side by side, or with macro photos, it's extremely difficult to tell when looking at the watch on the wrist. For one thing, the Vacheron Overseas tends to fly under the radar, so only a small number of people will even know it's a $10K+ watch. People are more likely to assume it is a fake based on who is wearing the watch, than based on any observed tells. For the most part, the people who might be able to detect the tells either own the gen, or is also a rep collector, and even then, it'll take much more than a quick glance at the watch on your wrist.

I agree very much with your review, many small flaws, but looks great on the wrist. I also have the gen white dial VCO (in addition to the rep deep stream, and a rep white dial), and the gen bracelet is quite simply the most comfortable yet substantial bracelet I have ever encountered, it is simply a work of art. The replica bracelet isn't bad and is still extremely comfortable, but as you say, there are small fit and finish issues, and it has a bit more flex than the gen bracelet. The rep clasp is also a bit finicky.

Both my Blue SS Nautiluses used the SW200-1, and one of them was the very first Blue versions.

If you don't mind the slightly inaccurate Calatrava 5107 I showed above, Trevor's email is trevor123.bobo@gmail.com. I believe he's a TD on at least one of the other replica sites.

The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine is pretty good.

These are some of the Calatrava replicas I've collected over the last two years. I do have a replica similar to the 5107 above, but it's not quite as accurate, as it has "AUTOMATIC" on the dial, and the date window location is a bit off. It comes with a clone 2836-2 movement, and I got it from Trevor.

I wish I could say otherwise, but I haven't found a truly accurate Patek Calatrava replica that is still available.

Is that why Charlie Sheen wears a Patek Perpetual Calendar when he's out partying?

Unfortunately, it's not a replica.

And this is my replica Patek 3520D with quartz movement. I think all it'll take is a nice slightly domed sapphire crystal to complete the look.

The Patek Calatrava 5120 is the perfect example of a dress watch with two hands and no date.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of Hublot, but I can see how the design might appeal to some people. But I do feel that they are amazingly overpriced, even if you're used to pricing for gens, so I would lean towards thinking it was a rep as well if I saw one in the wild. I guess it's a hard choice, either have something think you're wearing a rep HBB, or even worse, think you're a fool with your money for buying a gen HBB.

The first (clone ETA) was from Trevor <trevor123.bobo@gmail.com>, and the rest (asian 21j) were from Taobao. This is a link for the second one: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=12458721378 The other two were also from Taobao, but the third one can be purchased from the TDs here, and the last one seems to be discontinued. What were you expecting them to wear? Patek Nautiluses?

I think the date wheel difference is just due to the use of an Asian ETA clone instead of a Swiss ETA. Yeah, I guess you're right, the screw holes are more asymmetrically distributed in the higher-end replica.

Okay, I've finally received the watch, and even with the flaws, it's an amazing watch, the dial is simply stunning. My sincere thanks to Guru for tracking down this watch, and finding the one dealer who was willing to source this. Now for the obligatory wrist shot.

Just noticed that the price for the titanium one is $45K.