mezzanine

This discussion always makes for an interesting thread. My vote would go to the uPO, as By-Tor mentioned, it's simply too big. In fact, watches that are especially large and heavy end up being a kind of self-torture, as I love so many of their designs but can't wear them practically in many cases. I would put the AP ROO in this category as well. I refuse to get rid of my MBK AP ROO because I like it so much, and yet it's not a watch that I typically can wear and forget about. I'm not surprised at all that there would be people who are disappointed in the 1680/1665 MBK's. I would question whether the people responding had received "brand new" watches, which in the case of the vintage Rolex's, make them unappealing in an unmodded state. I've had both unmodded and totally modded 1680/1665's and they are worlds apart. The unmodded ones I would not feel comfortable wearing out publically (seriously), and the modded ones would require a Rolex expert to crack the case backs to be able to distinguish them from the real thing. By-Tor, I bet you if you had a genuine white dial 1680 with "the works" it would bring you around on the idea of the vintage pieces. What I've learned with the vintage pieces is that the dial makes ALL the difference. Combine it with a genuine bracelet and insert/crown/tube/crystal and it really does have the feel of the genuine. I have a 1665 with the same specs as my 1680, the only difference being that the SD has what I perceive to be the best available "aftermarket" dial. It is damn good....much better than the MBK dials (even when modified properly like Palp did with yours), and still it bugs me. My biggest disappointment would probably have to be the MBK modern sub. Not because it wasn't well finished, etc... but I can honestly say that if it weren't for the vintage 1:1 pieces, I wouldn't have a single Rolex rep in my collection. In fact, I wouldn't wear a lot of the semi-modded ones...but the fully modded ones are something different. That's what makes me curious about the ceramic GMT II. I haven't been following the response to that, so maybe I'll have to take a look. I already have a "first generation" ceramic HBB, though, and at the new prices, I think they're actually a solid deal- I'd have a hard time imagining someone receive that watch and not being impressed.

Best wishes, T....

I've run into this a few times, I think different endlinks are simply different shaped, sometimes even when they 'should' be identical (580's). Consider that 580's are used with both the 1680 and the 1665 and yet the cases are different.

Devastating that they're no longer using titanium, which is one of the things I really liked about this one. I like the design, though. Seems similar to the steelfish.

Gotta roll with my only two watches right now- I might have an upgrade for the Sea Dweller that is relatively uncommon coming up soon...

Interesting stuff, I'm going to respond more thoroughly in a bit, but here's a pic of the helium valve of the watch linked to by cskent, certainly night-and-day compared to the MBW stock engraved He valve:

Freddy, regarding the shine of the steel, isn't that one of the distinguishing features between the gens and reps? I would've thought the vietnamese cases with their more distinct shine is probably closer to the different grade of steel that Rolex uses. The difference in appearance between the gen and rep 'steel' is one of the reasons I think the bracelet 'upgrade' is worth it, as well as the finish. I agree about the price issue. Anything about $500 isn't worth it. At the same time, I found it interesting that if I considered that basically use the MBK 'cases' exclusively anyways, not using any of the standard parts when it's all said and done. I guess I still use the ETA movement, even if they're swapped out for slower-beat ones, etc.. I see a very steep price/value curve working if you start to consider genuine movements. My consideration is that anything you can 'see' stays within the range of replicas, and the price trade off is not worth it, IMO. I would be interested in doing an Explorer based on a vietnamese case, but the gen parts I think it would require to be good would make spending a huge amount on the case or a gen movement unrealistic. However, other than the bezel and the dial, the rest of the watch could be done without a huge premium on parts...which is a hugely relative statement.

Yeah, you're right, I could've sworn that my eyes were deceiving me- here is the dial under the best lighting I've probably been able to achieve yet...

dvn, enjoy that one while you can, I can't believe it's still available...

If this goes to court, I'm hiring By-Tor as my representation and claiming a literal translation defense... I came very close to posting an update pic to show the full scope of my particularly canadian celebration!! We know how to do things up right... I can't find a more specifically incriminating smiley...so I guess I'm pleading guilty to a lesser offense...

This watch is almost entirely the creation of repaustria, and I am forever indebted to him as a result, as well as Mickey Padge, two of the best members we are lucky to have.

I can't help it...

Careful..PM me...I wouldn't be surprised if this is the exact same one I'm sweating on right now...I'm [censored] at the people advertising rep parts as genuine on the bay.