By-Tor

For frankenbuilders:

http://tinyurl.com/yzpan34

I have always thought that using "serviced" claim in your sales thread (as a purpose to pump up the price) without proper references to the forum watchsmith (Ziggy, etc) / receipt of the actual service is very questionable and shady...

It's something that shouldn't even be mentioned if you don't have proof/receipt of it. I once suggested that we should put a rule that doesn't allow it (unless you have clear documentation and/or the buyer can somehow check the authenticity of these claims).

I believe most of our members are truthful but I'm 100% sure there is plenty of dishonesty too. The rules are always intact because of the latter group.

TAG Link chrono is one of the best looking watches out there. The reason I traded mine was the reflective dial. It's completely different watch with 2x AR.

These pics make me want one (again).

Wow... that's indeed a mighty watch!

Congrats for this beautiful purchase... enjoy!

My BCE and Ebel 1911 are both great.

Yep... Ebel 1911 BTR has very strong and apparent blue coating.

I would give the last finishing touches with this.

Seriously... it's cool (if you like beat up watches). But what Freddy said... what looks good on a vintage might not be a great idea for a modern watch.

But then again if you like it, that's all what matters.

Are you kidding me... I would absolutely love a great no-date Sub rep. Can't think of a nicer watch, really.

But non-SELs, lugholes and proper dial is a must... if these can be done I can see a huge sales potential for this. The engraved rehaut on the reps is also a total deal killer for me. The engraving never looks correct and it's a downgrade on the gen as well... really stupid addition in every way.

- the weight of the watch . Had two friends with genuine subs .they could not tell if it was a rep till they held my wm9v2 .as soon as they hold it they were like "this is way lighter than mine" . Original sub is a heftier watch from my experience.

Rolex watches being "heavy" is one of the stupidest and longest living myths that doesn't seem to die. This myth is from the times when all Rolex replicas were made of brass metal (and had batteries).

Sub weighs 135 grams (with all bracelet links intact), which makes it one of the lightest automatic XL sports watches in the world. Only GMTII and ExplorerII are lighter (because they don't have the bracelet diver's extension).

Most older reps were a bit heavier than gens because they used to have solid bracelet links. How there even could be any difference when both have the same dimensions and have automatic movements 3135/ETA? Maybe your friends' Submariners have lead casebacks?

Wow... what a great idea!

I think there was a rep of the shiny bezel version (blue and white) but it was garbage. This... well, I couldn't tell it from a gen.

Amazing!

My correct hand stack Explorer II is soon 5 years old. Not bad for a crappy movement, huh?

But then again it's the only one of my 4 CHS movements that lasted more than a few weeks.

hey BT, i also owned a 1983 528i, and man i miss it

That model was my absolute favorite... did you have that annoying "INSPECTION" light constantly shining on the speedometer?

It looks old today but the "spirit" is definitely there... loved my E28.

Thanks BT. But I think that I really want to keep it as a rep for once (exept the crown that is awfull).

Of course a gen dial is a must but this one seems so good!

As for getting a black too, no way If I do that, then the white one will remain in the box forever!

As much as I love my black, I would always choose white (if I had to choose between them). The gen white dial is stunning... the green lume looks amazing on white Explorer II. One of my all time favorite watches for sure.

Maybe it's the same thing with modern Daytona... I'd always choose white over black. And besides... even though we both have hmm... very one-dimensional and not-so-adventurous tastes... variety is the spice of life. Rolex makes so many amazing black dial watches, so why not throw in one white to the mix?

Thanks Lani. Your day-date 2xAR version is so cool!!!

Can't explain it... but I never get tired of this watch.

Morning RWG!

I'm starting the day with my favorite blue!

Hey two cool guys there... happy birthday old men!

Hehe... I owned a BMW 323i when I was a kid. I think it was a 1986 model (but not 100% sure). Straight six engine. It even had a "computer" on top of the rear-view mirror.

I also owned a 528i (E28 model 1983) before that. I've been a Merc man for a long time but you gotta admit that these old BMW models have much more spirit than the new ones.

Congrats Stephane!

Explorer II is great in both colors. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate even one second if I had a spare black dial awaiting. Gen dial is always something else.

But there's always one option... get them both, like me.

BTR today.

GMT for Saturday.

So has anyone gotten a gen tag since last year? I must admit I haven't...I saw a NOS orange dialed Autavia but it was too expensice,

Congrats Lani... it's a beauty! Looks like very well made rep too, great details.

My black ExpII. Have a good weekend!

That's really nice Mickey. Elegant and beautiful. The transparent caseback is cool.

I love white dials as well.

Hey, i notice it and it actually bugs me. Especially when side by side with a gen Rolex......

Wait a minute am i a cumpulsive-obsessive watch nerd? Pot/kettle By-Tor

Yes, pot kettle indeed. None of us are completely sane (when it comes to watches). I had new members in mind... those who might get wrong impressions from our compulsive-obsessive "that's a dead giveaway" statements.

Other then the slight difference in look, Rolex moving to 904L is pure marketing.

Exactly. It's just something that they use in their advertising to justify the outrageous cost. There are no practical benefits at all. And besides, the higher nickel content in 904L can cause allergic reactions to people with sensitive skin.

The sad thing is that there's virtually ZERO difference in feel, wrist presence and appearance between my WM9 and genuine. The best Rolex reps really are that good these days.

Many people who have bought the gens simply can't compare them objectively because they become "gen snobs" and fan boys. Go to the Rolex Forum if you want to see those bozos... and how they put down "Chinese junk". Then go to their "fake report" forum and observe how little they actually know about the models. Last time I visited their "experts" reported a few 100% legitimate vintages to Ebay... losers. The real expertise is here.

That's why I like this forum... we have none of those people among the veteran posters. We appreciate the design and watch models themselves... watch is a watch.

And Rolex is Rolex... Mercedes of the watch brands (and probably my favorite watch brand) and it doesn't have to prove anything. It's the King. And they're superb watches technically... the movements and quality are second to none. But asthetically the gens don't offer much extra (over the best replicas). You gotta be a real hardcore WIS to appreciate the remaining 5%. The precious metal versions are a different story though... but that has nothing to do with Rolex itself, only the materials used.

PS: As Dems said, there really can be some difference in steel quality between the TW/WM9 models and the standard Chinese versions. Not aesthetically but many people have reported how much harder the steel is (when they have drilled the lug holes). I guess Tribal and Ubi can verify this.