jpz5142

For the most part reps are going to last a good while, the better quality of rep the longer it will last. The trick is to find the better quality reps, which is what this forum is for. The rep business model (other than being illegal) is no different than any other business, they exist to make money. Obviously this is a simplified version, most rep "factories" don't care about earning you as a life long customer the way say Ford does and as such don't care about consequences of cutting corners on quality. If you're wanting to know if a typical rep will be around to pass on to your kids as part of your estate you probably have the wrong expectations. If you want it to last several years say 3-5 years then you might be close, if you've done your research and buy one of the better reps. One of the biggest problems with reps is the supply of parts, one advantage of finding a rep that can take gen parts. If the rep tube fails then you can replace with either a gen part or an aftermarket par. That's one advantage of Rolex being tight on parts for as long as they have is there is a slew of aftermarket replacements for some simpler things like tubes, gaskets, bezel inserts etc. It will be these parts that determine the lifespan of a rep. As said, most of the rep movements are serviceable and or can be replaced with another clone movement for less than the cost of a service in most cases. All that said, Rolex tubes will strip, gaskets will need replacing etc and Rolex will gladly service and replace these things for $$$$. The cost of a new rep is cheaper IMHO. If you are the type of guy that will buy one watch and wear it every day for many years then maybe a Gen is for you. If you prefer to have a different watch every few years then reps will probably fit you just fine. If you prefer a collection of watches and wear them on a rotation then either reps or gens will work too.

Google "TC Submariner" and you'll find his site. Word of advice, he doesn't sell to newbies so get some feedback and meaningful post because he will ask for references before selling to a new customer.

Yes, it's not a convenience issue it's a lower hassle issue. Many people say that they've had problems with the website and sending money to China. Also, the website and or bank transfer to WU might take longer than taking cash to a local WU agent. Like I said, it's not about what's easiest to do from home with a click of a button it's about ensuring that the dealer gets your money and in an expedient manor.

I think the overwhelming response is don't use the online site go to a WU out and do the transfer in person but it's your call...

Short answer is that you have to pay the fee associated with the transaction when using these options vs PT assorbs the fee associated with a credit card transaction. Fees vary so check with your local agent to compare western union vs bank transfer. Of the two options I'd chose western union, just my previous experience.

minus the ball peen hammer Of course, that's what we're here for...

Parnis sub is going to have an Asian clone of the 2836 if you're going to go that route just get your movement serviced if your guy will service an Asian movement, some watch guys won't. Also, ask your guy if he'll do a movement swap with an Asian movement before you buy, if he won't service one he also might not do a swap with one. If he will do the swap this is a good way to save a few bucks as asian 2836 clones can be had for < $100. As far as brands of donor watch you'll just have to look and do some research, if it's swiss automatic with a day date function then likely it's eta 2836. Start you search as "eta 2836" and once you find a few watches then search by that and you'll likely find a few going for less than those that have eta 2836 in the description. Just beware that there are both a 17 jewel and a 25 jewel variant, the 25 jewel version is an updated design. Another option is the selita 220, it's a swiss clone of the eta 2836. If you're not wanting to go the donor watch path, as said the $300 quote is a decent option and probably quicker also. Personally my desire to do the hunting and save a few bucks is stronger than some...

That's a bit of a pipe dream for anything plated rep or gen, just saying...

Depends on what you mean by some Chinese movement, if it is an ETA clone then I'd say service the movement and it'll give you years of great service. Full service should cost half of that price and give you the same outcome as a swiss ETA. If it's a 21j cheapo then don't go for the Swiss as it would require some mods to get the dial and hands to fit. If you want a true swiss ETA, thats not an outrageous price but not a good price by any means IMHO. I recently bought an Invicta watch on ebay that had a Swiss ETA 2824 for $120, had it serviced and installed in my TC sub case for an additional $120 for a total of $240. I only paid for the service as I also had the pinions swapped from H2 to H4 which requires the movement to be practically disassembled so it made sense at the time to pay a few extra bucks to get a full service. You could probably look around and get a donor watch with the movement in good condition for about $200 or so and just pay for a movement swap and save a few bucks.

I personally avoid gold plated reps as it will wear off sooner or later... if you're rough on your watches the faster it will wear, if your not rough then later but in time it will wear off. But I also avoid any gold plated item for the same reason.

IMHO some of this is due to how the rep industry works... Meaning after reading thru several of the post over the years from various sources; BK, TC, PureTime etc, the industry works much differently than we on the outside would think. It seems that the "Factory" merely serves as the person comissioning the rep, ordering dials from his preferred maker, bracelets from the guy that did great work on the previous project etc... These parts are kept separately in various stashes across the city and after the initial wave of orders from the release are met and rejects are sent back what is left may very well be sufficient to build a complete watch it may not be sufficient to build a best possible rep from that "version." Meaning in the initial wave of orders it is very easy for the "watch tech" to select a good dial, hands, bracelet with good SEL fit etc but towards the end of that run (aka "version") it may be slim pickings. Also bear in mind not all of the parts of the rep are ordered in the same quantity, the dial guy might have a minimum qty of 300 but the case guy (who might be the only way to contact the bracelet guy) might have a minimum of 500 etc... this is why it is possible for different "versions" to have improvements here yet the same or new flaws elsewhere. This is of course my understanding of it...

Holy necropost Batman, this is an almost year old post...

My new to me 512

Woohoo!

This is why I video the opening of my packages, just incase it happens I have something to try and fight with...

My wife got me some very similar to those, they are fun functional and very cool in my opinion. She also got me some quartz movement cuff links that also are fully functional that tell the time.

that's an awesome creation, now how to convince the wife that I need this... I know, MOAB can buy it and then before he even opens it he can raffle it off!!!! :partytime: :partytime:

also, where do you guys source good leather? I have used Tandy veg tanned leather and didn't like it much, an old baseball glove, various scrap leather. I just would like to know if there is a good supplier of leather to a consumer....

fair enough. I use a tool to make a groove on the straps that I have made as well, I just didn't every think to make a colored line. Didn't know if this was a stylistic decision or if you didn't have the tool...

In the US it's selling of the rep that is illegal not possession, so he'd then be admitting to a crime and then paypal would not only refund but freeze the account and Matt would loose the ability to hold a paypal account.

Unfortunately in the US he'd be told by paypal to destroy the watch and he'd be provided a refund. So as scammer he will get the watch and his money....

Sides look great, curious why you made a white line prior to stitching? Is it going to be permanent?

As you have found out for yourself the correct hand movement has a reputation as unreliable. The noob ceramic is pretty good out of the box however mine has added a gen bezel assembly with gen crystal and gasket. If you are good with movements it is possible to build a rep 3186 from a yuki 3135 using rolex movement parts and with some modification fit it in a BP GMT ii. The important thing to realize here is that this is very costly and about the same price as a pre-owned gmt ii.

Great app, thanks for posting this! And fwiw it is available in the Google play store.

AFAIK, both the noob and the bp come with the Asian clone. The bp suffers from the weird spacing on the adjusted 5 positions and the noob doesn't even have those engravings.