By-Tor

Stunning. I love this watch. How difficult is to source a crystal for that model? Or is it just the standard Sub crystal with cyclops... just placed sideways?

Brilliant!

Have a good weekend everyone!!! I'm starting my weekend with the GMT.

Nice. Can you tell us more about this watch (or take more pictures). Thanks man.

When I was talking about the "correct" hand stack version, I was of course referring to modern Explorer II and GMT II, which both use caliber 3185. Gen vintage models have different hand stack, and don't have a quick-set hour hand. Reps of the vintage models often have adjustable GMT hands, which is technically inaccurate... but no big deal, as long as you set the 24h hand properly. PS: That's a beauty Harley! @Stephane: Thanks man!!!

Brilliant work Gio. Definitely deserves to be pinned. Thanks man, I'm sure many members will find this useful!!!

I've been wearing the 'Racer today, and will wear it on Wednesday as well. Welcome back Ubiquitous!

Yes, the correct hand stack version operates exactly like the genuine. The hour hand moves in 1 hour jumps, and the hands set exactly the same way. Technically, the modified 2836-2 only pretends to be a GMT movement, but it operates exactly like the Rolex caliber 3185. However, the date change follows the 24h hand on the rep. I wrote a small article about the rep faux GMT movements. See it here. @vic: Great choice! ExpI is an excellent replica. @Stephane: Fantastic ExpII of course. This goes without saying. Feel free to post more pics of it. Since this thread is still alive... here's a few photos I've taken of my Franken-Explorer II.

@Arty: That's a nice one! I'm starting the week with my Explorer II.

I've been wearing this since Friday morning. Have a great weekend!

Genuine. 16610 comes with both "S" fonts, so no problem there.

I have often wondered this same thing. I think it's great for the rep watch community that they replicate all kinds of watches. But from purely financial point of view, I think it's weird. Instead of improving the "hot sellers" like all those medicore (and even outright laughable) Rolex reps, they put out all kinds of obscure models. There must be more than meets the eye.

What an idiot! If someone can figure out who he is (or his ip address from the moderators of that forum), please let me know via pm. I'll make sure that his ass gets banned from all replica boards. Thanks.

Of course it's a gen. Did someone even suggest anything else?

Again, nothing wrong with them. They probably have silver/"white gold" surface, and are reflecting back whatever the exposure is.

Joshua says this is the most accurate version because the maker had the genuine of this particular model. I think it's important to clear these false rumors now, because it gets a bit tiresome to still correct them after a year or two.

@lanikai: Are you sure the subdial font is incorrect on the black dial / red subdial version? It uses different subdial font from the other versions, and when I compare it to this factory photo, it looks quite accurate to me. Very good actually. Or perhaps I'm missing something?

Hmm, that's exactly what I initially thought about YM as well. It's not that blingy watch in the flesh, really. YM is still not my top favorites, and I would never even consider buying a gen. But I gotta say, the rep is amazing for the money, and like you said: for $120, why not? I'm surprised how much wrist time mine has been getting lately.

I had a relaxing 3 days off, but now I'm back to business, fully charged. Going back to work this Wednesday morning, and wearing one of my all time favorites on my wrist. Too dark to get a new wristie (it's 6:00AM here), so once again I have to settle for an old one. Let's see 'em guys and girls!

These reps are very old, and they have been around for so long time. Members own lots of beautiful modified MBW's... and over the years there have been dozens (if not hundreds) of pictorials and discussions about them. So I'm not surprised if the feedback for the MBW threads leave something to be desired. Even the excellent ones. I think Stephane noticed this too. When I have posted reviews of modded watches (like my Tudor MBW, or franken-ExpII), the response has been polite, but quite mild. Members get much more excited of the watches they can directly buy from a dealer. Modified watches can be very nice (like this one), but they're always unique, and they're not potentially interesting from the buyer's point of view. At least not directly. That's probably the only reason for the low response. PS: Generally speaking, I think Rolex (as a brand) has taken a nose dive in popularity here. Sure, it's still the most popular brand, but the fact hasn't really changed: Most Rolex reps that surface aren't that great.... including the highly anticipated "Super" SeaDweller. The only way to get a fundamentally correct Rolex rep is to build it around an expensive MBW, or very rare Noob factory ExpII/GMT, and do a lot of mods and weird tweaks. Most people can't/don't want to go to that route, which is understandable. The pics of the new and upcoming YM are quite inspiring though. Maybe there's something finally happening?

Very nice. And that's how the Rolexes come these days. No hologram, just a transparent sticker. Your watch doesn't seem to have the ROLEXROLEXROLEX engraving on the rehaut yet (it's an "older batch" version), which probably isn't a bad thing. Enjoy!

Great post man! I'm glad my review "pushed" you to get your own. These MBW's already have a cult following, and people are passionate about them. So I'm not agreeing with mezz this time. There definitely IS enough enthusiasm, it's just that the old gang Palpatine, Sherrington, Repaustria, Eunomians, Ubi, et al. have been quite inactive in the forums lately. But you guys (along with Stephane) prove that new ones will replace the old. Keep the posts coming, this was very enjoayble to read. Great watch for sure. Enjoy!

Other came from bklm1234, his connection found one piece from China. He then performed some mods on it (replaced the bezel, did the cg's, aligned the cyclops). Another one came from a fellow member. I performed the same mods myself (I had an extra bezel). Exchanging the bezel is essential, as the original one that comes with the rep doesn't have the sharp teeth a'la gen. I'm actually debating of getting correct hand stack movements for these both (when the new movement comes out). SELs, rehaut, dial, cyclops position and bezel are are virtually perfect.

@Pugs: Yeah, I'm pretty amazed myself too... considering that I've owned 35-40 reps. But where do you need so many watches, really? I already owned a 42mm PO, but I'd definitely buy one again (if they release a double-AR version with a decent bracelet). Indeed. Those are perfect bases to do almost anything. Very rare Rolex replica. Modifiable to 99% perfection, just like MBW's. It's beyond me why the factories stopped producing this gem. Thanks again, all!

Thanks mate. Whenever I post my collection, everybody is always saying the same. For some reason I just can't get into straps and PAMs. I don't know why, but they just don't seem to grab me at all. Thanks again.