By-Tor

The only problem with this movement is the constantly "wandering" '6 subdial hand. That's the hour totalizer in real chronograph watches, but in this movement it's a standard 12 hour hand (which just follows the main hour hand).

The solution was this.

Here is my old Speedmaster with this movement, with "killed" '6 subdial hand.

bk has new crowns coming, in 30 days or so.

Here's a comparison of the crowns: genuine vs. current (oversized) WM9 crown.

We're not talking about huge margins here, but it's still noticeable (somewhat).

It's the "hat" part that's taller on the rep.

Wearing my white Exp II today.

Have a good weekend, all!

It's actually Venus copy of Seagull ST-19, and the movement has pretty good reputation.

Ziggy once made a great review of it. Perhaps he could repost it to the archives?

Stunning!

TT Sub is one of my favorites as well... and first-ever (good) replica I purchased.

This looks like a keeper to me, fantastic mods. Post a lot of pics when you actually receive this beauty. I'm a sucker for TT Sub pictures.

PS: Which crown you used, Noob or MBK? I recall the Noob I reviewed didn't have very smooth gold plating on the crown area... it was better on the MBK version.

The black SMP Chrono isn't bad...but they have the "happy feet" on the crown, and the OMEGA applique has the dash going through the bottom instead of the middle. Other than that...it's not bad.

I agree, very nice watch. But the subdial spacing is wrong on the chrono of course. Gen uses caliber 3303 if I remember correctly... same movement as in the automatic Speedmasters. So in that sense "Bond" Chronograph is the superior choice.

I have my eye on just a few gens and as usual would love to see some reps to see if it really is love or fleeting lust...

I hear there are some new more accurate DD's coming. I have my eye on a 36MM with a roman glacier dial. I hope in the new run they wil finally do a color accurate version of that dial which isn't so turquoise. I want to be sure I love it before I pull the trigger on a platinum watch as if I don't really love that dial I would just get a white gold version or keep my DJ...

I agree, it's a great looking watch. But I simply can't wear a watch that small.

I understand that the gen full gold version is much heavier and feels more substantial, but man... it's a small watch. I might check the DD2 eventually. The DD looked great on my lady though... and I really liked the turquoise dial, inaccurate or not.

Another dress watch that I really like is Omega AT. Quite underrated watch and it has the classic lines.

What Robbie said. You can't compare the new WM9 offerings to the Chinese reps.

Completely different level in every possible way.

I'm a fan of the no-date Sub too. My old man has a 14060.

Very clean and cool... and keep in mind, the original Subs didn't have nonsense like the date display.

Doesnt Ofrei have gen inserts for Omega?

-tazz

I think they only sell full bezels... for $225 or something. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Hey those are great suggestions. Completely forgot about the 42mm UPO thing... would be awesome.

I have my old Bond Seamaster and while it's not perfect it's pretty satisfactory (for me). The bracelet on these old versions is way superior. If I manage to find a gen insert for this, I'd be even happier.

Both are just as accurate. There's no way to tell if your watch is from 2004 or 2008 without looking at the serial (which is located between the lugs and requires bracelet removing). Same thing with the crystal coronet etching. They started to etch it only in 2005 or so and there are lots of 16610 with SELs, no lugholes and no crystal etching as well.

It's all about personal preferences. The one attraction in the sports Rolexes (for me) has always been the smooth, shiny metallic rehaut and the engraving destroys that (just imho).

I purchased only a few new watches in 2008... traded some too.

Right now I have a pleasant problem: There's not even one single watch I really want... I feel my collection is somewhat "finished". Been feeling this way for a while now. I'm enjoying my collection and this hobby more than ever though. In these circles "finished" doesn't always mean "completely done"... we can always rotate one or two watches and get the replacements of course, but there are no more watches that I'd absolutely want to have.

Strange how much I've been attracted to Rolex lately. Actually I have all my "dream Rollies" already. Gens or super reps. So the only really tempting Rolex for me is the upcoming WM9 16660 Seadweller... but since I have the WM9 v2 supreme black Steel Sub now, I think I can live without the 16660. They're so similar in appearance anyway. WM9 Yachtie is superb replication... but since I've owned a good (Noob) rep Yachtie I can pretty safely say that it's not a watch for me.

Omega hasn't released any new "must have" models lately. I traded my UPO long time ago (actually it was after I got my SFSO) and now I have the "itch" for it again. A member was selling his UPO with Chief AR and black rubber strap and it looked very hot. That would mean trading my SFSO for it... since I promised that I will NOT break the 10 watch limit... otherwise I can't control the addiction. So black UPO with 2xAR x rubber strap... maybe... if a nice trade mysteriously comes up somewhere.

Another watch that I lust after is the good old TAG Link... but not the old model that I used to have (and reviewed)... but the "brushed" version, which doesn't suffer from the reflective dial that much. There's something special about the Link bracelet that does it for me.

So if I'm purchasing anything at all in 2009, I'll be pretty much re-buying my old watches back. This, of course, unless something irresistable comes out. What these watches could be... hmm, let's see...

The ones you want replicated... the annual "I want/gossip" section

1. More EBEL BTR's. This watch really has impressed me. Lovin' my white Discovery Chrono, and it might be the best and most accurate replica ever. They can never replicate the complications, but how about this GMT:

As you know I love almost all watches with the 4th hand, and I'd probably have a hard time resisting this one.

This is another Ebel that I always wanted to be replicated: Classic two-tone 1911 chronograph. This would be the perfect dress watch. I think Ebel stopped using El Primero at this point and used just the basic Tricompax 7750. The spacing looks very 7750 to me. I dunno why I like this model so much, I just do... pure, classic 40mm design with that case shape maybe? It's "clean", simple and beautiful... and the design beats Daytona and Speedmaster with ease (imho). This watch would be SO amazing and a dream-come-true in many ways. I'm not holding my breath though.

2. More Zeniths:

No, not the ugly (or at least tacky) modern Zeniths... but the classic Flyback Rainbow. This watch is SO "me". I wouldn't mind wrong subdial spacing, either. Just replicate this damn watch!

3. Vintage GMT 1675

Well yeah... we all know that the factories can't make the vintages right... not even remotely right. This wouldn't even have the "hand stack" issue... but yeah I know the drill... "No, we're Chinese, we can't use these thousands of Web reference pictures and do this very simple watch properly, we have to screw it up completely... we have to write OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE on the dial, use oversized crown, completely wrong looking case... we don't want to make a lot of money and sell this HUGELY POPULAR model at all, etc." But I'll post this again anyway... like I've posted it every year.

Okay... post your suggestions and the watches you're thinking about buying in the next 12 months. Don't be shy.

I was told by everyone that no one makes better Omega black SMP, so I may have to wait on that one or just settle on the hundred dollar one Trusty sells (unfortunately I can't find any reviews on this watch). What do you think about my plan? Do you have better recommendations?

:)

If I were you I'd try to hunt down the black GMT version. But be careful, there's only one good version with black datewheel and "sunken" crown. It's a great buy for $100-something.

GMT ARTICLE

Unfortunately there are no great reps of the standard black Seamaster.

I agree. Gold and an oversized "macho watch" like PO don't mix very well.

I'm just curious to see how the red gold looks in natural lighting.

Whoever installed that crown onto this PO rep must have a good sense of humor.

Giving my "ceramic" some lovin' today.

I'd say 95% of the membership prefers it without the engraving.

Engraving is probably the biggest thing that keeps me from loving the GMTIIc. It looks very cheesy (albeit not as bad in real life... pictures exaggerate the visual effect).

It's very questionable design move by Rolex (imho). I simply don't like it at all... and would never, ever buy a genuine or rep Rolex with it (if I had a choice).

You have three different watches here, not two.

1. First watch is the Noobmariner. Very good rep for the money.

2. The SSD is an ok replica, with or without the ETA movement. Don't be fooled by the dealers' selling jargon. "1:1" is absolute bs... it's not even close to the gen. For that price it's an ok purchase though.

3. Deepsea. I have no idea... I haven't followed this watch/rep at all.

1 and 2... I think these standard Chinese Rolex reps are good buys with Asian movements... in the $100 price range. But if you want really good Rolex replica (by today's standards), unfortunately you need to invest $400 - $500 to WM9 products. That's how it is these days. The Chinese simply can't make 'em right.

I recommend the Noobmariner, which (as a cheap alternative) is pretty much the only 16610 rep that makes sense anymore (unless you want the expensive WM9 v2).

Happy hunting!

I wouldn't mind seeing a wrist shot, either. Not that I'm that interested in purchasing one, but just out of curiosity.

What if you have both fakes and "reals"?

Does that make you schizophrenic ?

Most (if not all) look gen to me.

The "Electric Blue" Seamaster is a stunner!

Great collection, thanks for sharing.

Can't take it off.

Always great to see your collection. Yours was the inspiration for me to shrink mine. You can only give love to so many watches and stick with what you truly love. You know, my best friend is this really wealthy guy who has over a hundred gens, many of them complications. Like over a million bucks worth. And you know what? It really osn't impressive to me (yeah I do tell him that) because he doesn't even know what he has or what he likes. He probably has never even worn more than half of them which are still in the original boxes. Silly really...

A watch collection should be personal and refined IMO. Anything more and it is either a disease or showing off. Not knocking big collections, but if one has one I only hope that they all mean something to him or else there isn't much to gain from it. When I see yours I instantly see how you are connecting to them and what you connect with. And that my friend is where it's at as they say. Thanks for sharing!

Couldn't agree with you more Robbie. I think my current 10 is the absolute maximum number... and I still have a hard time wearing them all regularly. But on the other hand, when you have more than 4-5, you can make "finds" after a while. You haven't worn some piece for a long time and then you're positively surprised when you take it from the box and put it on your wrist... and think "wow, I didn't remember this was so nice".

Only a fellow Watch Idiot can understand.

I believe your collection is calling for a BCE & a DSSD

BCE is a stunner, but DSSD... that watch does NOTHING for me. Maybe it grows on me later but now I simply don't like it... I think it's just ugly and clumsy.

Is this the noobmariner everyone referring to?

http://www.tt88time.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=257

Thanks!

Yes.