By-Tor

Switched to my big bad blue for Sunday.

I listed the dial measurements in the article. And like I said, there are two versions of this rep, indistinguishable from eachother (visually). The only way to make sure the gen dial fits is to ask the exact measurements from the supplier. Happy hunting!

Been wearing my new one since Wednesday.

Now that's a UPO I'd happily wear! Stunning... Big PO and TAG Carrera Racing are the only watches that I'd prefer on a strap.

Definitely not. It's a nice cheapie, but it's still just... well... a cheapie.

Thank you Sir. @doc: That Silix version ain't bad at all... for a cheapie.

@Doc: I don't really know the history of that rare version. Did they ever produce the "cream dial" version in the factory, or was it some kind of defect in production that caused the white dials turn yellow? @Fxrandy: I'm at 9 watches right now and at 10 when my WM9 v2 Sub arrives. Wrist shot added to the review. Enjoy!

Thank you all. Appreciated. This was just a quick writeup, compacted to as few words as possible. @Stephane: I just stared my both ExpII's and I swear, I can't see any difference between them. Except for the bezel numbers and crystal coronet etching (my chs version doesn't have one). I'd verify the dial size from Eurotimez or bklm1234. Maybe this actually IS the "older" version.

Good observation. I checked it in direct lighting and at least I can't see that with naked eye... but could be. It doesn't show that way in other pics though. Could be also my Photoshop noise filter which sometimes smoothens the shadow edges. All I know it works. The WHS/CHS debate is endless. I prefer a working and reliable movement. If I could, I'd change the CHS to WHS on my white Explorer II as well. Doesn't mean a lot to me.

I'm a huge Explorer II fan. So big that I absolutely had to get both versions, black and white. Actually I already owned a black ExpII quite a while back. You can read the review HERE. However, that version had many problems, the biggest one being the cyclops/datewheel position. They were placed way too right on the crystal/dial. The SELs were less than stellar (didn't fit very well), and the hour markers were positioned too close to the minute ticks. I traded that one, and I had to wait for over a year to find the correct black version. Beware of the wrong version... many dealers carry it. Pay attention to the hour markers at '6 and '12 (too close to the minute ticks). Those are the easiest "tells" of the inferior CN version. Actually the correct WHS version was available all the time from bklm1234 but it had an ugly, thick 24h hand which was a major turnoff for me. But miracles happen, sometimes the factories actually make improvements, even without screwing up anything! Now Eurotimez is able to get this best version (with thin 24h hand), and BK has access to this as well. It was time to make another purchase! My new black one is visually identical base with my white franken-Explorer II. It has the correct datewheel/cyclops position and as I said, now even the WHS version uses a thin, excellent 24h hand. Other improvements are almost perfect date magnification (small) and perfect bezel numerals. They were either too thick - or too close to the bezel edge (on the older versions). The only small complaint are the SEL endpieces, which are a bit too "rounded" in typical "Noobfactory" fashion. Also, the etched crown is the same as on the Noobmariner. Not disturbingly oversized, but still too visible. Other than that, the black version is extremely accurate "out of the box". Besides replacing the thick and ugly default crown (and tube) with genuine parts, there's absolutely no need to do any modifications. The black replica dial is excellent and I didn't even touch the crown guards. They're virtually identical with my gen 16710, which is technically the same watch as 16570. I've mentioned all the good points of this version in my previous ExpII writeups and the issue about those two different ETA GMT movements has been beaten to death, so I don't want to go there any more. All I can say, I've owned countless of ETA WHS versions and never had one single problem with them. And as I've said many times, there are many stupid myths about genuine Rolexes floating around (even in this forum) that simply aren't true. Like "heavier bracelet" and "it's easy call out the rep from the steel color", etc. Another myth is that "all replica Rolexes have wrong crown position". Nice myth, but it has nothing to do with reality. The CHS Explorer II has 100% perfect crown position, and the crown position on the WHS version is 98% exact. Does the genuine dial fit? To make things more complicated, there are two different "batches" of even this best version. Visually, they're indistinguishable from eachother, but unfortunately none of these newer versions will accept genuine dials. For some reason the factory has changed the dial diameter at some point. This is what Dluddy said (after experiencing with gen dial w/ Noobfactory Explorer II): "The issue I had with my genuine dial and new "Noob" Explorer II' dials is as follows: Gen dial is 27.5MM Current Rep Dials are either 28MM or 29MM and the gen dial does not work. I had to find an older 2006 Trusty model through resale as this one works fine since the dial is 27MM." My franken is 3 years old, so apparently it's the older Trusty version. My personal advice (if you want to avoid stress): Forget the white one, and forget about the mods. Just exchange the fat crown and enjoy! What there's not to like on the black version? If it's so good, why this replica never became a big seller? I simply don't know. It's one of the mysteries in life. One reason might be that the "Noob" ExpII was never "hyped" like some "megasellers", although it's better than GMTIIc (which has a bad rehaut engraving) and light years more accurate than the "Super" Sea Dweller, which looks fundamentally wrong. Another reason might be that people simply don't like the black version. Personally, I love both versions (almost) equally. In my opinion, the black version has been the king of otb Rolex replicas for many years, but I predict the new WM9 v2 Submariner and possibly the WM9 Yacht-Master will inherit the crown (or at least offer a good challenge) very soon. Sorry folks, I couldn't think of anything new to write about this replica model, which has always been one of my favorites, and definitely the most underrated Rolex replica ever... a real "sleeper". It's no surprise so many HC Rolex guys (like BK and dluddy) own this rep, and have used the base watch in their franken projects. In short: I'm lovin' them both... and I finally have them both! Click HERE for the wallpaper sized version.

I agree. All these countless "Special Edition" models just weaken Omegas prestige. Very cheesy and pretentious model (once again). It's even more ridiculous when Bond doesn't even wear these in the movies. The standard PO is great. Why make changes to something that's so good?

Just FYI: I finally managed to get the black version of this legendary rep (same as Avitt's watch in the review), and it's just as good as I always said. No mods or dial replacements are needed, it's superb otb. Look out for another pictorial soon!

I wish it was snow here already. Wristie from last winter... but this is what I'm wearing!

@dluddy: That's mighty fine 5513. I'm wearing the Aquaracer today. Wore it yesterday (Sunday) as well.

Excellent choice! Carrera is one of the few watches that I prefer with a strap.

That Orsa is seriously cool Pugs!! I just put on this big boy for Sunday.

This for Saturday.

@Lani: I agree 100%... I'm sure the guys didn't mean it that way, but I removed the pictures.

Very cool watch. A massive one at that. Congrats Pugs!!!

Nobody dropped their gloves and started a fight... what a bummer!

I saw Klinks new forum as a last attempt to make it good. He spoke nicely about RWG and RG. I don't have to like him or anything... but this community apparently means a lot to him... and he has been banned, ridiculed and humiliated more than it's necessary. All I know that I don't want to have anything to do with this gangbang. He's a sick old man. Enough is enough.

Indeed it is Dluddy! My favorite wrist shot and probably my favorite rep:

Am I the only one who feels sorry for him? I really do. I wish no harm to Klink or even to his website. I hope he gets well soon. And if he wants to use my articles there, I have no problem with it. I don't claim any copyrights over my reviews of illegal counterfeit items anyway. No harm done (imho), unless his site starts to scam people or phish their personal information. PS: I have never requested Klink "to take my stuff down". I don't know where this came from... I simply don't care. I have bigger things to worry about.

Sports watch: GMT Master II (already own it) Dress watch: Ebel BTR gold I couldn't afford this next one without selling my apartment but who cares... Dream watch and a collector's piece: Omega Mega Tourbillon

This today.