By-Tor

Early start. 5:30 Friday morning here.

What a rough night at work! I edited & fixed 40 pictures and 7 pages for my stepfather's magazine. But that means more money = more watches.

Starting this work-filled weekend with my blue SteelFish!

Great collection.

I always try to keep my collection under 10 watches. It's tough sometimes, but that's about the perfect size for me. Sometimes even with small collection I have a hard time giving all watches the wrist time they deserve. So why own 30 watches?

But of course, people who are more "collector types" might see this differently.

That was cool.

Great watch too!

This review was a true community service.

I read it again, and the experience was just as enjoyable as at the first time.

Thanks again Toad!

Another huge disappointment was the PO Chrono. The subdial spacing was excepted to be off... but it was still surprising how slow seller it was. Especially if you remember that UPO might be the best selling single replica model of all time.

BT did you ever consider getting a Slevin on a bracelet? I would think you would love that.

I really like it... but there are SO many watches I like.

No, really... one of these days I'll get a IWC. I'm actually more fond of your version (the one with yellow on the dial). I like bright colors.

Unlike Rolex, those vintage Omegas can be found for very reasonable prices. However, the prices of the Seamaster line have increased a LOT lately.

Lots of old models were very small, but that Constellation looks like it has some respectable size. I guess 38mm or so?

Nice review & watch. Thanks for sharing.

Yep. Looks exactly the same to me.

When was the last time you saw someone purchasing a IWC GST?

That was really "hot topic" back in 2006, but now disappeared. It's very good rep, even by today's standards.

I always wanted the white/gold hands version. I would have purchased it at some point, but I heard the bracelet is way too small... only fits like anorectic '7 wrists or so...

I would like to know how to spot a replica GMT. I understand the replicas are very well made and hard to spot. What is the difference from a real vintage GMT ca 1970's and a good replicia?

There are no good vintage GMT replicas... unless you build a serious franken... so they're all easy to spot.

It's a bit different with the modern ones, this was just posted recently.

Ah... I stand corrected. Weird terminology though.

I never check the tracking with reps anymore. Useless stress... it comes when it comes (if it comes).

"Awaiting customs charging" doesn't sound good.

Congrats Robbie... cool watch, and good photos too.

I'm not that familiar with IWC. Is that gen or rep? Looks great, either way.

Have you checked the links section in this forum?

Both links have been updated.

Not "pissing" on your watch, just trying to point out the (possible) flaws for the members. I doubt it's a difficult fix though.

Here's a photo of Lewis' watch. The area that I'm referring to is surrounded with red. The gap is noticeably bigger on it. No gap on the other side though.

@Taka: Yep, the bracelet has small screws.

Anyhow, it's interesting to see on gen "catalogue" picture black dial watch, it comes with standard ETA datewheel, however, in the white version (I have seen the gen), it uses Arial font (just like what the rep and gen is using).

Good observation. Actually I didn't even notice the whole thing. However, I noticed how well the datewheel is aligned on my watch, compared to the previous day-date A7750's that I've owned.

Here is a gen reference photo, and the font really seems to be identical with the rep (on the white version).

The rep is insanely accurate. Protruded pushers (on the rep) and the bit too "high" crown are the only flaws. However, the endlinks are much better on my watch than Capice's. No noticeable gaps there. Perhaps this is a QC issue, or something they have fixed for the "second batch"?

Good work... looks great!

I'd put it on the Oyster bracelet though... but that's just a personal preference... Jubil

You know what I'm still wearing.

I have always liked the rose gold HBB too.

It's WAY too much for me, and it's a bit gross... I definitely wouldn't wear it, but I still like it. I guess I'm some kind of weirdo then.

think he said 28mm... i know it was not 29mm... I need new hands too... maybe I should just buy a gen

Sometimes it's easier. I got tired of constantly modding and fixing my GMT... and then the CHS movement broke. That was the last straw and I bought the gen. Good news is that ExpII's are much cheaper than Sub, SD and GMT II in the second hand market. You can find good ones for around $3K... especially if you're not super anal about the condition and don't mind the tritium dial.

Just for the future reference: chrgod's excellent overview of the best "budget" replicas is sticked in the "watch reviews" section. It's easy to find (and link).

Not really... your rep is the good one. Same base rep as ours... it just needs a new dial. Too bad the gen dial won't fit to all of these... and I don't know how to determine which ones.

So... how do you like it? It's an incredible watch, isn't it? The dial means EVERYTHING on the white ExpII... no rep dial looks like that.

I'd buy a gen "whitey" if my franken wasn't so good.

Yeah I see that. Looks almost like 20mm lugs with the correct 19mm bracelet? Bad machining or a big mistake?

Dunno... but in this price category it's an unforgivable mistake.

Actually the gen vintages don't have the end links as perfectly machined as the modern Rollies, but those are just laughable!

Yeah, great except for the endlinks. There are HUGE gaps between the lugs and the non-SEL. The fit is terrible.