By-Tor

Most accurate reps that I'm familiar with:

SFSO (black is probably the best choice, because reports say the blue isn't 100%)

TAG Aquaracer chrono (ditto. Blue is not 100% accurate)

Explorer II Noobfactory (old version, correct hand stack, black dial)

Noob 16710 GMT (correct hand stack, better dial. This is an extremely rare find. Both "Noobs" have an oversized crown though)

TAG Link Chronograph

BCE double-AR (ultimate)

UPO

SMP Chronograph

Explorer I ETA

There are lots of more, but I'm not that familiar with PAMs, HBB, Chopards, etc.

Super SeaDweller is a nice rep, but definitely doesn't belong into this list... due to its completely wrong looking front appearance.

One of the watches I never initially liked, but after getting this one for a review from Narikaa, I was sold. This watch really surprised me, and I bought it immediately. The rep is very accurate... best value for money rep I ever bought.

Here's mine, let's see yours!

@ By-Tor,

By-Tor, how is the lume of this noob? Maybe you want to share some pics ?

Yeah, I might take some pics later.

The lume is very decent rep lume, and like I stated in my review the hands are lumed nicely as well. i.e the lume is equally strong, which is rare on the Rolex reps. Usually the hands have much weaker luminous abilities than the hour markers.

The pearl is luminous too, but not quite as strong. Nothing to complain about... the lume overall isn't as strong as on my gen Explorer II dial, but very decent rep lume... so no problem there.

Yep, Yachtie is one of those watches that I learned to appreciate when I got one. I never liked it initially, but it's really dressy and pretty watch "in the flesh".

Nice pics.

Enjoy!

I tried to switch but couldn't take it off yet.

Hey By-Tor after reading your review and your following answers to other post

One thing that varies is the date magnification as well. Usually the datemags on the gens are smaller than people think.

Only the old 1680 models have huge datemags. The "big datemag" is another ugly myth that goes on, no matter how many times it get straightened out. And for some reason GMT II and Explorer II have slightly weaker mags than Sub 16610.

Yacht-Master date font varies too... it comes with both thicker and thinner fonts... not to even mention all those different dial variations.

Hope you enjoyed.

I sure did.

I just updated the Omega Guide with this article. That was probably the fastest update ever.

Thanks, it's a beauty! I love the train caseback, gorgeous!

Thanks folks!!

Hey, I replaced the wristshot picture with a better one. Look at the SELs, they're very nicely recessed.

PS: If you have this review in your browser cache, click refresh to see the new photo.

@iceberg: QC = quality control

@Steph: Yeah, funny those little details that we obsess on the reps... turns out the gens have similar issues. I remember when I was writing the Aquaracer chrono review and searched for gen reference pics. Almost all the gen pics I found had worse day/datewheel alignment than the rep. And people say that the rep 7750 day/date is notorious for its bad alignment... well it looks good to me.

Here's another example of a badly aligned datefont in a gen Rolex. Clearly offcenter. This is from Blowers Jewellers who would never, ever sell a frankenwatch. They're the biggest online preowned Rolex seller in the EU.

The case, dial, crown and bracelet look all original to me.

EBay auction:

http://tinyurl.com/2wx9h3

The watch looks all genuine to me, but see the datewheel. If it's original it's pretty sad indeed.

They go for about $350 or so...

But beware: you have to find the correct rep version of the ExpII in order to make it fit. It was a straight fit on my watch, but my friend dluddy experienced some problems fitting a gen dial into his... and he SUPPOSEDLY had the exact same model. That was weird.

The new rep models with correct hand stack come with badly positioned datewheel and cyclops (positioned too right). I didn't even notice it when I wrote my initial review of it. I doubt the gen dial fits to this model at all.

Read the review of the new (inferior) rep version here.

You probably read my franken ExpII review already? This is the older (superior) rep version with correct datewheel position. The gen white dial is a must-have for the rep, or then you can settle for the black version. Good luck finding one of these for base. You're going to need it... it took me over 7 months to find one.

Very nice RG, you're becoming more of a Rolex man slowly but surely!

That's a nice shot of the Tag, Iceberg, I didn't realize they used the zenith movement.

It's the Link Calibre 36, TAG's flagship model that uses the El Primero.

PS: Great job mr. Z... once again! Funny thing that for the first time I noticed how the coronet is positioned on the ELP Daytona dial. Never spotted that before, even though I've seen Ubis pictures so many times.

The master stamps his authority on the review game. Another winner.

Thanks man.

Now, the watch, It's definitely a great rep and I too can see a time in my life where my hair would go grey and my watch would turn gold and this watch would fit nicely. Just not today.

Funny you say that. I don't see this one as an "old man watch" at all. Well not like the DateJust (especially two-tone DJ) or ANY thin gold watches with leather straps.

To me TT Sub is more like a "yuppie watch". It's definitely one of those watches that screams "notice me, I have money". That's what makes it a bit gaudy, and perhaps tasteless in some people's eyes.

Well, I like how it looks. A lot. The blue dial/two-tone combo is really something, and the makers really nailed the blue dial this time (finally). I have enough steel watches, so hmm...

Ah, gotcha!

I fully agree, staff is doing a great job here.

What I do not agree with, however, is the attitude "like it or leave!"... I am a moderater on another board and I would rather like to see members complain and discuss than leave. In a rational debate, of course.

Just my 2 Cents.

Hmm... I don't think we ever had that kind of attitude in this board. Not by the members, or the admins/mods.

Care to be more specific... what incident you're referring to?

Well, I've been informed by another dealer that this watch comes with two "grades" of gold. The other "grade" is supposed to be much higher quality, and Eurotimez swore that my review watch is exactly that. Probably the same "gold grade" that our legendary Eddie Lee always described as "TW best gold". Yeah I know, that's serious rep dealer jargon/marketing.

This gold issue is an age old debate, but the closer I examine the bracelet on this one the more I appreciate it. If I decide to keep/buy this watch (that's definitely a possibility), I'll try how well it can take polishing, and take one spare link to a jeweler.

My previous 3 TT Subs got small, microscopic brown spots on the gold (to the areas where two midlinks turn and touch eachother... and get "friction"). This happened almost immediately after a few days of use, this watch doesn't seem to have that issue at all.

I'll keep you posted.

Great photos Corgi! Wow, your pics are getting great!

I have a day off, and I'm sitting at home right now drinking the morning coffee... and wearing this one. I gotta enjoy this while it lasts...

Have a great weekend!

Great review BT. And a very nice watch. But even in my fifties, I just don't care to wear TT, or gold for that matter- maybe a sedate gold watch on a leather/crocodile strap for dress wear- but not as a daily beater.

It's quite surprising how many people dislike gold these days. It was different back in the eighties and early nineties.

I love the looks of many TT watches, including this one... but I find them a bit gaudy to wear. This kind of watch almost requires you to wear white shirt and a suit.

This could work quite nicely as a "special occasion" watch. Hmm...

Another great review BT. I'm more of a Black TT Sub guy but the dial color looks spot on for this Blue one....

I'm usually into blue dials but I actually like the black TT Sub more myself, as well. Eurotimez offered to send the black too... but blue is WAY more popular... so I chose to review this one.

Anyway... it will be tough to send this one back.

Thanks all.

@Mezz and Stephane: How can you say TT Sub is "ugly"? I understand that gold isn't for everyone, but "ugly"?

"Gaudy" or "tasteless" I could understand, but "ugly"? Come on...

What could be better watch in this nice and snowy Thursday... than the white ExpII?