By-Tor

I fell in love with the Daytona when I wrote my review of it. However the black one does nothing for me.

It's still a legendary watch, and the reps are great (at least visually)!

My brother's SMP rep is full of scratches and dings, and it's probably the most handsome rep I've seen. Maybe some members remember my post from Dec, 2006. See it again HERE.

Thanks guys.

Yeah, it's one of those "forgotten" models. Would like to see more of them... great reps!

I'm planning to re-purchase this watch, and buy one of the wrong stack models of the ExpII eventually. Dunno which color though... let's hope the factories get the hour markers changed from grey to black for the white version.

Also, AFAIK the correct hand stack version is not discontinued just expensive and not on inventory.

The problem with the correct hand stack version is the dial, which is really bad. Well, the coronet and ROLEX text are from Explorer II.

They produced with the same specs as the watch bklm reviewed here VERY BRIEFLY. I'm quite sure that particular (visually best) version is out of stock.

The correct stack version isn't good mechanically. Some members have been lucky and got a working watch. I have owned 2 correct stack Explorers, and the other one developed 2 fatal problems in just 2 days. The other one I traded almost right away. I recall both bk's correct stack versions were problematic too. The dial is loose, hour hand setup breaks (mine broke in 24 hours), the hands get stuck with eachother, etc. Maybe you'll get lucky... but 1 bad watch out of 2 was enough "experimenting" for me.

Personally, after owning many rep GMT Rolexes I'll always choose the wrong stack version from now on. The small visual flaw is a small price to pay for reliability. I understand how the hand stack is a major visual issue for some, but not for me.

This is probably the only watch I really regret of selling. Correct hand stack ExpII... really under appreciated Rolex among the members.

This is a photo job I once did... hope you like it.

Here's a quick rep vs. gen comparison.

bk is absolutely correct. The installed "sharp" bezel makes a difference. The crown is the only apparent flaw (Pugs can probably replace it eventually). The hand stack is only visible with a loupe, and when the hour hand and GMT hand "meet". I'd rather take a bullet proof movement than risk it with the correct stack modification. The gmt hand rim is a bit thicker on the rep, about the same thickness as the gmt hand on Master I.

I'm (hopefully) getting a new watch tomorrow (well technically today, since it's already Monday here), and my Aquaracer back. But meanwhile I'm wearing this:

I'm getting the 2 (different) best GMT Master reps, and make a complete and updated GMT buying guide for the members. Interesting to see how these two beauties compare against eachother. Big thanks to bk for modding this for me.

@bk: Thanks for posting this here. You could post your amazing Submariner Guides here, too.

Very beautiful.

If you're comfortable wearing gold, why not...

PS: How about a wrist shot?

Admin has now added a new system, which downloads all members' pictures from the photo hosting sites (Imageshack, Photobucket, etc.) to the forum archive/database, so this isn't a problem in the future anymore.

Amazing post... and what a great idea!!!

I agree, the Asian powered 21J Omega Seamaster black GMT belongs to the list as well. But maybe not to top-10 because of its non-sapphire glass. Perhaps you'll enlarge this post later (please do) and include it to top-20.

Good idea of linking the reviews. Here's the original Noobmariner review.

Here's Andreww's review of the UPO "Lite". This is a no-brainer and should definitely be on the list, imho.

Edit: I see you mentioned it's discontinued. Didn't know this.

PS: I'll pin this thread later if you plan of keep maintaining and updating it. This kind of guide is very useful... and proves that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a decent rep. Big thanks!

I also heard it is bad to do any adjustments when the chrono is running, is that true?

Hmm... I have never thought about this, and never heard people mentioning it. But yeah, it sounds reasonable.

I agree that some prices have become a bit unbearable. Fortunately I have already collected most of the watches I always wanted to own. Nothing can stop me from enjoying the ones I already have.

And besides, there are lots of nice reps in the cheaper price ranges. Watches with standard Asian 21J movements, etc. Those watches can be just as enjoyable as ETAs. The price difference between 21J and ETA is often outrageous.

I don't understand the Hublot prices, either. $1K is totally insane. I'm amazed that some people even consider those... but apparently there IS a market for them.

Very sad. This guy definitely had his share of bad luck.

Great driver.

Brilliant. The Omega Guide has been updated with a link to this review.

The Electric Blue sure is pretty. It might be the nicest looker of the whole SMP line. Your rep screams "quality" even from the pictures.

Enjoy that beauty... I probably would have bought it from Richard, but you catched it first. Congrats!

Thanks BT, I was looking in my archives for that pic

Wow only 11g? My wrist must be more sensitive than I thought

The watch head is probably relatively heavier, but the diver's extension increases the Sub overall weight. All these weights are measured with all bracelet links intact.

YM is precisely 11 grams heavier than the Sub.

@Torresp: King's site

Big thanks for doing this review for the community Giorgio. It's refreshing to see a different "review approach" for a change.

And yes, I agree. If you enjoy it and the watch feels decent... who cares about the flaws? Breitling has gazillion different models and I'm sure only 0.1% of the Breitling fans could call your watch out.

Too many members are paranoid about the flaws... especially when the replica is of an obscure brand, which Breitling is... at least for the general public.

Rep collecting should be fun... and having fun with the watches. You can enjoy both "super reps" and "not so super reps". I've owned various fantasy watches and inaccurate reps as well... I don't mind. I like all kinds of (well done) replicas and genuines.

Pix, you outdid yourself with this review. Amazing shots man... and there's definitely nothing wrong with quartz (sometimes).

@Steph... nice try man... trying to make me a PAM addict. It won't work. And besides, you take fantastic pics yourself, and definitely won't need anyone to shoot them for you.

Thanks anyway. Maybe one day I'll write a "dummy" review of a PAM.

@Steph: I didn't like Breitlings when I came to the community, either. Well of course the reps weren't even near the same quality as they are now... but Navitimer looked just weird and ugly. After a few months I started to appreciate them.

I'm still not completely crazy about the all-polished bracelets though. That's probably one reason why Steelfish is my Breitling of choice.

But you know... some watches just don't feel right... so why bother? Personally, I never understood PAMs at all... that may be a blessing. I don't want to own 50 watches.

This is shameless self-promotion, but since I don't sell any watches I guess it's ok. My review section is full of writeups and pictures of the reps between $100 and $250. Some of them are very good.

Black Explorer II with correct hand stack is a fantastic rep in the $200 range, for example. I'm not sure if it has the "wow" factor you want though.

Pugs only likes white dial Breitlings.

PS: That last Navi pic is great... I like!

Last week we did a members' TAG thread... now let's see some Breitlings. Gens, reps, past/present... I'm a big fan of Breitling but I have only owned 3 pieces. Chronomat Evolution has been on my "must have" list for a long time though...

Old Navitimer 7750 Serie Speciale

I haven't owned this one in a long time. The accuracy of this rep can't be compared to the new batch of Navis. It had shiny subdials and old 21.600 bph movement. 2 years ago this rep was hawt though.

Navitimer Tricompax Two-Tone New Asian 7750

I loved this one, but unfortunately the bracelet wasn't big enough for me... it was unwearable. Actually the old Navi had the same issue. The bracelets on these reps only have length for a '7.5 wrist max. Since extra links were almost impossible to find I traded it and bought the black UPO with the funds.

Steelfish SuperOcean ETA

The only Breitling I currently own. This is another of those reps that is a permanent keeper for me. It doesn't need much introductions.

Let's see yours!

Check THIS thread. There was some general talk about this rep (besides my writeup).