By-Tor

Still my new TW steel Sub.

I just spend half an hour there. Great site. Mostly pre-TAG though.

TTK's gen collection... and Ubi's "super reps" come to mind first. Pugwash has awesome collection as well. Almost all the best reps released.

Lots of members have great collections: Bazz, Jetsons, Richard Lawton, Pismo, Eunomians, Repaustria, Palpatine, etc. Actually it's impossible to list them all. Stephane must own all Rolex Submariner rep models already.

My taste in watches is very typical and average. I just buy certain type of (popular) sports models. I never get bored of Omegas, Breitlings and stainless steel sports Rolexes.

Edit: Forgot dluddy and robertk of course.

Weekend watch:

Thank you all for your nice comments, much appreciated.

And nice to see you back Alex... man, where have you been?

@Ubi: Is this really 10 years old model? Fascinating. I thought max. 3-4 years... and even THAT is a lot in the rep world.

Really weird thing about this watch is the size. It's supposedly the same 40mm but the bezel and crystal look wider (like on the real 16610). I don't know if that's the case but this feels somehow "bigger". Or maybe it's just the case depth? Are the replacement TW inserts the same size with the CN models?

It came from Eddie Lee. My signature has a link to the review. Happy reading.

I haven't taken off the bracelet yet. Maybe I eventually have energy to check there.

I'm 99% sure that this is exactly the same watch as the old MBW. I checked a few threads in the old RWG and at least Tommy had bought this exact same watch from Maria. I also think there's a newer version with different (but still wrong) M and m alignment. Then Davey had a version where 6' hour marker was positioned too close to the seconds markers.

I guess there are 4-5 different variations of this model. I also forgot to mention that this version doesn't have the crown rubber gasket or the etched Rolex crown. It has the (almost) correct datefont though. Not serif, not too thick. I try to shoot some new shots tomorrow.

Yeah, erwin sold it for way too cheap. I didn't know it was there for days, I thought I jumped on this right away. Well, as soon as I saw it. I feel sorry for the poor chap though, so I promised him a lifetime rep consulting (whenever he needs any guidance).

@Tribal: I'd love to do those mods but my fingers are like sausages. I leave modding to experts. Nooby dial would really put this "over the edge", but I'm quite satisfied with this. I'm also surprised how good the crown guards are.

Nice write-up BT.

I managed to pick up the same watch about 6 months ago, thinking I'd build a 16800. But so far I haven't been able to get past those poorly positioned lug holes. I'm still trying to figure out how to drill some off-center holes to get them more cemtered in the middle of the lugs.

Good luck man. I have no idea how you're going to do it though.

Wasn't there newer version of the "TW Best"... without lugholes? Can't remember.

I too don't like the holes drilled too far out, but the deeper rehaut is great.

Different strokes for different folks. Things that bother some, do not bother others.

Indeed. Actually nothing bothers me on this watch, it's really nice. I'm not planning to do any mods.

Somehow this has "bigger" and more substantial wrist presence than the Chinese versions. Maybe it's the case depth? I wish they'd make the improved TW model of the GMT Master... I'd buy that too.

Great collection. And very nice pictures man!

@Robert: Magnificent IWC!

I switched to this one.

Ok, I wasn't going to buy a new Sub... or write a review of a new Sub. God knows there are enough of them. But this was for sale in the member sales section for a very nice price. The old "TW Best" classic. I was "Subless" again, so I couldn't resist (being the geek that I am).

Special thanks to member ***erwinner*** for the flawless transaction.

I'm not going to bore members with the endless info about rehauts and such. If you want to know the differences between the "Taiwan model" and the standard Chinese Subs, visit bklm1234's excellent Submariner 16610 buying guide HERE. It contains pretty much everything you need to know.

I also recommend my friend Stephane's great reviews of different Rolex models.

Originally, I was never a fan of the "TW models", because they have certain inaccuracies. But then I got a "TW Best" GMT Master for a review. Although not very accurate rep, it was really nice watch, and I became a "believer". You can see the review HERE.

The main rival of the MBW/TW models is the Chinese "Noobmariner" which I have reviewed HERE. It's available with ETA and Asian 21J movements. Different dealers just have different names for it (Beginmariner, "perfect Sub"), etc.

I'm not going to lie to you: I don't have much enthusiasm to write about this old rep model. This watch has been debated to death, and numerous members (like Chietang, Tribal and Ubiquitous) have all used this as a "base" watch for their great modifications. But since I always make some kind of writeup/pictorial of my purchases, I decided to "squeeze" out something about this (undoubtedly a nice and classic rep) as well.

My watch is a "TW best" model in good and bad. The dial isn't perfect. M and m don't align, the print is not as good as on the Noobmariner, SELs and clasp coronet are very sloppy, and the hour markers are "pimplish". However these aren't apparent, except in the zoomed pictures.

The bracelet has solid middle links, and the case has lug holes (which are positioned a bit too close to the edge). The rehaut is metallic, and deep as a fish tank. Personally, I think it was good and deep enough on the Asian Nooby, but many people swear by this one... so who am I to say they're wrong?

The cyclops and datewheel are also placed correctly. While the winding crown isn't visually perfect, it's better than most. It also operates smoothly and nicely. But you all knew this already, didn't you?

The TW model is more expensive and probably quite difficult to source these days. It's also the only option if you want to build a "perfect" 16610 rep. You buy what you like the best, debating about the "best Sub" is a dead horse.

I just end this "mini review" with two pics I took of the watch today. Hope you enjoyed this quick writeup.

In the old sci-fi movies all spaceships always had LOTS of flashing lights everywhere. I guess that was supposed to give the "high-tech" feel.

TW Rolexes may be more inaccurate than their Chinese counterparts. I was always skeptical about the TW models... and wondered why people praised them so much... until I got one for a review.

Despite the inaccuracies they have much more substantial feel. The Chinese version just feel cheaper and more "plasticy". And Chinese still haven't figured out how to make a deep, metallic rehaut and good crystal for the Rolex sports reps. Not even close.

I love that cars in Hollywood movies explode every time they crash... like all cars had trunks full of dynamite. And in car chasing scenes tyres always make the noise of a burning rubber... even when they drive on a sandy beach.

Thanks guys... and you're welcome hwrd. This watch is one of my favorites. Unfortunately it looks like the bulged acrylic crystal version (which is much nicer than the new one) is out of production. Same goes with another rep classic: the full size Moon Watch (Seagull/Venus).

I always told members to buy these before it's too late. The movement (Seagull ST-19) is virtually bomb proof. It's not 100% chronograph movement (the 6' subdial is a 24h hand), but it can be "frozen" like on my watch. I've never heard anyone having problems with this movement.

Just changed to the big UPO. This never ceases to amaze me. What a great watch/rep.

Did you already read this?

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=429

Unfortunately this exact same rep isn't in production anymore. There's a newer version available though. Read the Omega Guide for more.

I think all Asian Noobys have the same movement. Pugwash said it's a Seagull of some sort.

The ETA Nooby had perhaps a little bit lower rehaut by the way. Weird.

They can be found. I just reviewed very, very nice TW model of the GMT Master. Check it out:

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=35969

Congrats! You got the legend.

Actually I also owned a ETA version of this watch, which (imho) is the best Rolex 16610 rep "out of box". The TW/MBW versions have superior case depth and crystals... and perhaps a bit better "feel". But other than those Nooby runs circles around all others.

The dial of this watch is amazing. And as you said the cg's are very good. This is a great rep, and at $100 it's a lot of fun.

Just sharing some pics from my HD...to get some action to the Breitling section.

Unfortunately I no longer own this beauty.

i hate to be the bearer of bad news by-tor, but it looks like they are only accepting entries from the US....

deltatahoe

Damn... noticed that too when I tried to enter. Bummer.

But I still have tickets to Wembley and Helsinki Arena in October.

Wish me luck guys!

http://www.sesac.com/rushflyaway/index.aspx