mezzanine

No doubt all the super-reps carry an inflated price premium...much like newer technology does...but I don't think there's much comparison between the Cousteau and this watch.

I'm going to try hard to get in on the next double-AR run to get the Patek Philippe Nautilus double coated. I was supposed to be in on an earlier run, but ended up with an emergency situation that killed my finances. As unheard of as it is to get a watch whose gen doesn't have AR treated for it, I am less concerned with it being noticed as inauthentic as I am with getting it personalized to what I like. That's what it should be all about. I personally feel that AR coating adds to the appearance of almost any watch. It isn't so much about whether the gen actually has it, for me. I would recommend getting *any* watch that one likes AR coated.

You've got a lot of the really good "pre" super-reps. Especially most of the good ETA based, non-chrono watches. I would love to see the AP repped. I think I remember hearing rumblings about it. That being said, I've ended up shifting my 'style' to whatever is the best done rep. Therefore, I've picked up watches that I otherwise may not have been into, if all reps were of the same quality. For example, the Breitlings I probably would not have bought. I would love to see what your thoughts were IF you were to pick up a super-rep...given the fact that you've had most of the good ETA based older reps. I have a feeling you'd be surprised at how far things have come, even though your point of reference is by no means 'low'...as far as your expectation level.

I blame those guys too.... I think I'm eventually going to cave. I can see it now...it's already on the radar. I almost went with one recently, but then decided on the Patek Philippe Nautilus Jumbo. What's funny, though, is that the unmodded ones don't appeal to me very much at all. I especially like modded dials- aged lume, etc... I figured the Pams would be high on the list...falling into the 'strange aesthetics' category, that eventually starts to become appealing after repeated exposure and time spent on the forums. Strangely enough, I didn't really *know* about Panerai before I got here- but I didn't really resist them much once I got immersed. But what's funny is that I've moved away from them after my more initial interest. I found that I got more excited by receiving a more conventionally designed watch. Maybe partly due to the external re-inforcement, whereby my friends didn't really get too hyped on them.

But eventually caved and came around to it. There could be any number of reasons why you resisted. For example, maybe you didn't like the aesthetics, but eventually started to appreciate the design. I think the PP Nautilus or Ingy might be examples of this. It seems a lot of people start out disliking the design, but if exposed to it enough, eventually begin to appreciate the uniqueness and beauty they represent. Or maybe there was a brand that you said you'd avoid when you first started. I know that I resisted the notion of going after an IWC or Rolex. I didn't want an IWC because I felt it was too *obscure*. I didn't want a Rolex for the exact opposite reason. For whatever reason, most of us probably have a rep that we initially had thought there was no way we would get. For me....it's a vintage rollie. I felt that it was a poor value when I first came to the forums. I saw the people modding them at great cost, and figured they had gone mad. I resisted *any* rolex initially, but eventually decided to get a modern sub and began to appreciate the watch. Now, I look at the vintages that have been modded and I am pretty sure that I'll eventually get one. This was the 'last frontier' for me. I knew I had the disease bad if I ever reversed course on the vintages. They represented the 'niche' occupied only by the hardcores that had lost perspective on the hobby. Well, guess what?

You horrible people have *finally* worn me down, and got me thinking about a modded vintage rollie. I swore the day would never come...

I believe this model is 42mm.....the newer one is 43mm, I think. As in the gen one that was released recently...

Here's a pic of the watch in question- is this the first generation dial or the second?

I've already paid for an Evo, and so I've got very little time to make a correction to my dial selection before it gets shipped out. I'd originally specified that I wanted a graphite v2 dial, but the one I *really* want is the slate-grey v2 dial with black sub-dials. The problem is that there is almost *no* information on this. It's actually kinda funny....there's a couple of threads where people have asked, and it just doesn't get resolved. It seems no one has bought the v2 slate-grey dial to be able to post the pics. The gen slate-grey dials are actually a very light coloured grey. I've been able to track down a picture of the revised dial, but it looks too dark again- just like the first generation of the dials. I feel like I'm on crazy pills over here, trying to figure this out in the next 24 hours....without there being a conclusive determination in the archives of ANY of the forums. If the graphite is the one that has been done best, then I'll go with that one. But if the grey on the v2 dials is a light shade like the gen, I would much rather have that one. Any help is greatly appreciated!! Especially if there are any owners out there that actually have pics of the revised slate-grey dialed watch.

Thanks man... Yeah, the Cousteau is deceiving because it's a rounder watch with a much greater surface area than the HBB, in terms of the crystal size. They both wear pretty large....I think you're fine if you can pull the HBB. Once you factor in the case size of the Big Bang, they're pretty similar in size. They are my two favourites...no doubt. I hope to have a couple of others to add to the collection- but I doubt that either will displace the Cousteau or HBB. I've seen your pics of the ceramic and SS, and the ceramic looks awesome. One day.....!

laz, I can't believe that's on your wrist and not stuck in some bubble-wrap on it's way to Canada in exchange for my GMT II... j/k Damn I love that watch...one of the nicer modded sub's I've seen.

This was the first Super-rep that I purchased, not including the uPO, Tag Link Chrono, or any of the other really good reps of 2006. My first reaction upon seeing it was that I should sell all the rest of my watches and get out of the rep game altogether. It is that good. I've owned most of the good watches that have been produced over the last couple of years, and to this date, it still remains my favourite...with the IWC Cousteau Divers coming in a close second. It has received some criticism for having a modified A7750, but damn if it doesn't look good. The machining of the case, the double-AR crystal, the detail of the machined numbers on the dial....it is the most striking watch that I have owned or personally seen. I like the steel outline of the 6 and 3 o'clock sub-dials on the stainless steel version. Sometimes I don't like the way the SS version doesn't offer a lot of contrast between the bezel and the case. Sometimes the 'seams' or lines between the bezel and case sort of blend together, and I feel this can detract from the presentation of the watch. That's the big advantage I would see to having a ceramic bezel. It would increase the contrast, and set the bezel and dial off from the case in a more pronounced fashion. Of course, the disappointing aspect of the watch, in terms of actual wearability, is the clasp. It is a pain on smaller wrists. Some folks have sanded down the guilty part, some have padded it with a foam material...I've actually used kleenex, believe it or not, and tucked it into the space and have been able to wear it for longer periods as a result. Anyways- this watch was released a fairly long while back, by rep standards, and yet I still think it takes the crown for the best rep to have been released yet....rotor stickers and all. My photographic abilities stink, but none-the-less, here are some shots of the HBB in all it's beauty:

Very impressive looking sub. I have to say, the crystal sits higher relative to the insert than my MBW did. Great picture of the bevelled crystal edge. I really like the idea of polishing the rehaut. The noobmariner dial swap is a good move. The datewheel could use a swap. I would've swapped the bracelet, but I understand it's a personal choice. I found on my MBW that the cyclops seemed to sit slightly high, relative the date window...but that's subjective and probably inaccurate. I like the idea of modding the crown guards, even on the modern sub. The crown/tube swap is nice....I wish that the MBW didn't require it to be drilled first. That bugs me about the modern. The insert can be done without using a gen...but the pearl is nice to have a gen one.

Considering the direction the prices are headed, it would be a prudent move.... One poster here actually picked up 10 I believe around a year ago... I would guess that the price has probably doubled what he paid at the time. You all will probably witness the same type of increase in price over the next year or two. Worst case scenario, you sell it on Ebay. There are not many investments that are likely to be as 'sure fire' a bet to increase in value to that degree.

I always wonder when people will start to figure this out. If the watch has all the quality and finish of the gen, a minor tell on a vintage watch will be much less conspicuous.

If I had the extra cash, I wouldn't think twice about this.... Wise move for whoever is smart enough to jump on-board. Kudos to ajoesmith for organizing it. I think that there will be some folks who will regret not getting in on this....and I'm likely to be among them. I've got a couple of expensive super-reps, and odds are that one of them will conk out on me at some point. The cost of getting them serviced is most of the way to the ETA anyways....

No way is it going to be over $350....you're kidding. This should be in the SFSO range, IMO....low 300's. Honestly, I don't know why someone would buy this over the Cousteau if they're the same price. Okay, I do...if you like this model especially, or if you have smaller wrists- but if it were me, it would be no contest if there was no discrepancy with price. The Cousteau is a more sophisticated rep....I don't see how they can justify it. No rotating inner bezel, no faux piece of Calypso on the caseback, etc...

Both models are Genta designs, and both fill a similar niche. I'm curious about which is the more impressive rep. There are only a few members that are qualified to be able to answer...Ubi, Euno, Stephane off the top of my head...maybe some dealers as well (TTK). But my question is: if you had to choose just one, which one would it be and why? I'm referring to the MBW models for both watches. They're similarly priced, and although it seems as though the purchase of one seems to inspire the later purchase of the other, they are two of a kind. I think there's more hype around the Nautilus right now. I believe that MBK only started offering the Jumbo version relatively recently. There may be a skewing of the results because of the newness of the Patek. If I'm correct, neither are high fidelity copies. Both have flaws that conceivably would be 'tells' for WIS. The Nauty has some dial issues...at least the blue dialed one, and the AP has a solid caseback, when I believe it's supposed to be exposed. My first impression was that I would prefer the AP RO Jumbo. I really like the bezel with the screws, as well as the bracelet. The fact that there isn't a decent rep of the Royal Oak Offshore also makes the Royal Oak more appealing, as there isn't really another way to get the AP signature without going with the MBW RO Jumbo model. But after seeing Ubi's pictures of the blue-dialed Nautilus, I was enchanted. The dial is gorgeous, if not perfectly correct. The bracelet is nice, although if I was choosing between the two, I'd probably say that the AP is more appealing to me. The bezel has a strange effect on the overall presentation of the watch. I think it's the bezel that gives the Nautilus it's divisive quality that causes people to either love or hate it. As an aside, even though it is probably an offensive notion to most, I am probably going to get the crystal on the Nautilus (blue dial) AR coated. I know that it's totally wrong for the model...especially since it's supposed to be from the 70's, but that dial begs to have an AR crystal to make it really pop. Considering it's not a 'correct' model, and the chances of anyone actually knowing what it's supposed to be, the idea of personalizing it in that way doesn't really bother me that much. You could always say it was done aftermarket....I really don't think it's as much a sin as it's made out to be. If we were talking about getting the crystal to a Rolex or Panerai that is not meant to have AR, then I think it has more relevance.

The darkside has implemented a policy whereby users are not allowed to re-sell new watches at full retail, or sell used watches (unless they're modded MBW's, discontinued rare watches, etc...) at full retail value.

Still feeling the Cousteau Divers.... Lovin' it. I like it better in photos when it's more of a profile shot that shows the rubber strap tapered into the case.

He could do a lot worse.

Here's what I think is wrong with your logic. Keep in mind, this is only my opinion. I'm sure others here would disagree. But you've sought out gen watches that appeal to you. You haven't looked at which reps are done well- and this can go above and beyond 'accuracy', so even if accuracy isn't that high an important criteria for you, that doesn't necessarily discount what I'm saying. What I would do, if in your position, is learn which reps are well-done...and then limit your selections to that list. That has been the method that has produced the most satisfactory results for myself....

Bob, I have no Rolex or Pams that are going to be staying in my collection. I still have a GMT II, but probably not for much longer. You want my advice? Buy the super-reps. There it is in a sentence. I half-begrudgingly say it, because I don't like some of the things they stand for, but that's the best advice I could give a noob. So based on your list, I'd buy a uPO, Cousteau, perhaps an Ingy, etc...

seadweller, you're right about the combo- hopefully in the next week I'll have both watches. Something I've noticed about the Cousteau, is that it looks way better in real life than it does in pictures. I think it might be my favourite rep. Hard to say, because I just got it and the novelty is fresh, but it seems to me to the best of a few different worlds. The HBB is dramatic and my 'style' of watch...but it's comfort level isn't the best. It is less conventional as well, which is both good and bad. The dial of the Cousteau seems to get washed out in pictures...but it's a really crisp blue with a lot of natural shine- but then when you add the really spectacular AR, the combination of the light hitting the shiny blue surface while the AR prevents the reflection from causing glare on the crystal is really something else considering the sheer size of the crystal. Really cool.... The story behind the Cousteau is great, which I think adds to it's allure. The watch is large and round (obviously), but with the way the rubber strap tapers into the case, it streamlines the watch as it sits on the wrist- and smaller wristed folk like myself can pull it off. It's an interesting blend of classic styling and modern touches that combine to make it a really understated, but solid presence on the wrist.

Good question...I'll try to put the tape measure on it and get a number, but it's likely to be closer to 45mm, I'm thinking. It's big. The way the rubber strap integrates with the case in a tapered way sort of streamlines it and makes it's size more natural.