By-Tor

Remember that Cristiano Ronaldo pic I posted? The guy is straight

I seriously doubt it.

Thanks people.

@Pix: No straps for me. What I need a nice two-tone dress watch. This one I had... but it was a bit too much for me to wear:

I'm just not keen on the black faced Explorer - To me it's too much like a Sub with the black face and the merc hands. I'd totally discounted the idea of owning an Explorer until I saw your review of the white faced one and bought that model immediately!

Great review as always, just the watch does nothing for me I'm afraid.

I absolutely agree with you. The white is much nicer and more original. Howeever, the black version is very good replica. I wonder if it would be possible to "paint" those markers and hands on the white version. The gen dial is rather expensive mod.

People claim that Angus sold white ExpII with correct black markers, but I have never seen such rep.

Not a single IWC! I'm so ashamed.

Ok, nice collection and smashing pics, mate.

Thanks man. Thanks for reminding me by the way... I definitely need that white GST, it's amazing.

My current collection. Not so many, eh? I've owned about 25-30 (I think) but these have "survived". So many nice reps are long gone (but not forgotten). The Seagull-Speedy is missing from the pic though. I forgot it in my summer cottage.

I'm almost ashamed of how "redneck" my collection is. Not much variation or real "class". All stainless steel sports watches from the "middle brands"... but these are the kind of watches that an average guy like me can comfortably wear.

Well, at least all of them are really nice reps. Enjoy the watch pr0n.

Seems like this review got almost zero response. Worst ever, actually. Under 100 views after 24 hours. Weird. The interest in these writeups seems to be fading? Or maybe people just don't care about ExpII that much?

I wonder if you guys realize how amazingly close this rep of the black version is? Here's two good pics of the gen:

Operating chronos on genune or replica 7750 movements for the first time without a full power reserve can lead to re-setting alignment problems.

Yep, that is correct too. I should have mentioned that. I rarely use the chronos at all, so it's not an issue for me.

@Stephane: I can't recommend a thing. I know nothing about the movements. But after years of collecting I've never had a movement problem before this one. Because there's absolutely no need to hand wind them, why do it? 7750 and Asian 21J need a bit longer shaking to collect enough power reserve, but I never hand wind them, either.

This is what Ziggy says about ETAs:

ETAs and most Swiss models, 2824-2, 2836-2, 2892-2, etc

Thanks guys.

This is completely unofficial, and Ziggy might say it wouldn't matter... but my white ExpII started to give problems as soon as I wound it by hand once.

I usually NEVER hand wind my reps, because there is absolutely no need to do so. People who say you "have to" hand wind your watch when you receive it are full of shit. Because Paul says so it's not necessarily gospel. Gentle shaking and then just wearing the watch is enough to give it power reserve. I'm sure hand winding can put stress on the crown which is often the weak link in reps.

Someone asked how the winding felt on my ExpII (was it stiff?) so I did it once. After 20 minutes I wound it... it stopped. The seconds hand got stuck with the minute hand.

Of course it might be a coincidence, but if it was it was a weird coincidence.

The old-old timers will know him as 'Flawlesstime73'...regular old timers 'sweepinswiss'

Thanks Nostradamus!

The Argentina squad is definitely the strongest of the tournament... on the paper.

If a team can bench guys like Tevez and Aimar it's pretty scary. But then again we've seen these all-star teams before...without much success.

Anyone else watching this? Personally...I like the South American football much more than European....way more interesting personalities and characters in the lineups.

Argentina and Brazil are the usual predictions to play in the final of course....but Paraguay and Mexico have been playing really well.

Thoughts?

PS: Player to watch is Lionel Messi (ARG). That kid can do almost whatever he wants on the field...amazing.

Isn't that Base?

Oooh i just saw a major flaw on my dials!!!

The "GMT-MASTER II" is wrong.....its like "GMT-MASTER ll" By-tor its wrong that my "II" its like "ll" ???

....was there a gen with "ll"??

Yes. It's a rare variation but it does exist.

Yes, that's the best wrong hand stack version. But I believe it's custom made for Joshua. No other dealers can get this one. I've been trying to get it for a long time but since I can't receive packages from China without customs hassle... I've given up long time ago.

PS: If I'm not mistaken your watch is built using this TW best case (as a base).

I bought this for my girlfriend:

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=14263

Great review as usual By-Tor.

The dial looks much better than on my MBW by the way.

Only one more review, the MBW, and you'll have covered them all

Cheers

Stephane

Thanks Stephane.

The "MBW" version of this watch is exactly the same watch that many dealers sell. Here's Trusty's "MBW":

http://www.ttwristwatch.com/index.php?main...products_id=249

I suspect the watch I reviewed is the old 1st generation version of the "TW/MBW" GMT Master (Ubi used to own this too), and the watch that you have (and Trusty sells) is the 2nd (with that wrong Explorer II dial and correct hand stack). Yes I agree, the dial ruins it completely and I've been warning people to stay away from that particular model since it was released.

bklm's Master is the 3rd Generation, and it has the improved dial. That watch has the same questionable movement modification, but it's potentially awesome with some mods.

Congrats. Quite a hassle to install it but now it looks great!

I had my SMP on the "Bond" bracelet as well. But I actually prefer it with the "Speedy" bracelet. Weird, eh?

Thanks guys.

And of course TW is referring to "Taiwan", not "Thailand". I don't know how I mixed them up.

This is my second review of a replica GMT Master II. I owned a "CN" version of the Master, but have sold it recently. The old review is readable HERE.

Please note that this is not my watch. Precious Time got a sample of this rep model and asked if I wanted to review it. I get no financial gain of this, I was just curious to see this version and photograph/review it for the community. I will even pay the return postage from my own pocket.

This watch uses the same "wrong hand stack", which means that the GMT hand is placed under the hour hand. It's the hand stack of the old GMT Master I model. Unlike my old CN version the GMT hand isn't independently settable on this "TW Best" version, which again mimics the behavior of genuine Master I. Tracking the different timezone is achieved by turning the uni-directional bezel to the desired position. The bezel functionality is excellent, and it's replicated nicely on this watch. The click is soft, smooth and solid. And like I said, it turns and clicks correctly to both directions, unlike many other reps.

The bracelet has solid middle links (inaccurate), just like all MBW/TW watches. Personally, I don't mind. The rep is about 7-10 grams heavier than the genuine Master, and I'm sure the solid middle links are the main reason. The bracelet has very good brushed finish and feel.

The red GMT hand itself is too small and thick. It should be long enough to reach the minute markers. The hand is too short on many GMT/ExpII reps, but this is the worst GMT hand I've seen.

New members are probably curious to know what the terms "TW best" and "CN" mean.

In short: Just like the MBW's, the TW models are produced in a replica factory in Taiwan (instead of China). They have lots of similarities, and some even suspect they come from the same factory. The watches aren't usually extremely accurate, but they have certain advantages. The overall finish, feel and quality is very good. This rep is no exception.

Another good thing with the TW Rolex models is the case depth (or "rehaut") as the community calls it. It's conical on the Chinese versions, and they often have an ugly white "circle" appearing under the crystal, where the rehaut should merge with the crystal. The hardcore Rolex rep experts think that it gives these watches extremely cheap look. TW models don't have this problem, as the picture below demonstrates. The rehaut is very smooth, shiny, deep and metallic. The crystal height is absolutely perfect.

And before you comment the lug holes, let it be known that Rolex actually produced a GMT Master II with lugholes and SELs. So this kind of combo is certainly accurate, although rare.

Actually, the rehaut on the TW models is too deep (which is clearly seen in the next picture). Personally, I think the whole "rehaut" issue is actually much more a "crystal issue". See the small little "dent" just under the crystal and observe how the rehaut merges with the crystal on the genuine. The "TW best" model is almost spot on in this regard (rep on the left). This is where all Rolex Sub/GMT replicas fail. TW version isn't perfect, but it's the closest one.

Now look at the old CN version. From the left pic you'll see that it's both conical and comical. On the right you see how it looks like it's built from 2 different parts. The upper part of the rehaut gives that ugly "white circle" effect in certain lighting.

Compared to the old CN model the "TW Best" has another huge advantage. It's the cyclops/datewheel positioning, which is spot on. On the CN version they were placed too right on the crystal/dial.

Accuracy of the dial print and date magnification are inferior on the TW model. The etched crown is too big and offcenter, just like on all old TW models. The hour markers have the same characteristics as the old MBW/TW Best 16610 Submariner. They look wrong on the zoomed pictures. And while the print accuracy is a bit off, we'll notice that the print itself is very clear, crisp and high quality.

The good news about the dial? Yes... the lume on the hour markers is good. Best I've seen on any Rolex replica. It's probably not super lume, but the same material they have used on the UPO and Steelfish. Too bad the hands aren't quite as bright. But this is typical on all Rolex reps.

Like I said, this watch isn't mine. I'm still "GMT-less", and I'm waiting for the "perfect one". My friend bklm modified a superb GMT for himself. He promised to do one for me too, but unfortunately it looks like that particular version is out of production. I want to believe it's only a matter of time when I find "my final" rep of this watch. Personally, I wouldn't mind the wrong hand stack version at all, especially from the long-term functionality standpoint.

It's only logical that Rolex (that has become a caricature of its former self) has ceased the production of their best and most fascinating watch ever, the classic GMT Master... and replaced it with soulless and tasteless "ceramic bezel" version. That watch even has polished middle links. Do you want it with or without diamonds, mr. 5-Cent? Yuck!

While this rep has lots of flaws, I like it a lot. It's a lot like the MBW vintages, really. It has certain genuine high quality "feel" in it. And just like MBW's it's not extremely accurate replica without modifications.

If I'd choose to keep this watch (and if I had modding skills I'd certainly keep it), I'd change the GMT hand to longer and thinner version, and would file the cg insides a bit. Then perhaps change the crystal to one that has smaller magnification. The dial isn't perfect, but I could easily live with it (especially keeping its excellent luminous abilities in mind).

This is certainly a great rep for someone who is capable of doing the mods. 2 years ago this rep would have been sensational. But since we've been spoiled with all kinds of TAG Links and Cousteaus lately, I can't give this watch very high accuracy rating.

But would I choose this watch over my old CN version, which was more accurate in some regards? Yes, without hesitation. Although pretty much everything is a "bit off", it has excellent genuine "feel" and presence, which the old CN model couldn't quite capture. Don't ask me what it is, because I can't give a reasonable explanation. Just look at this picture.

I've been wearing this for the whole weekend.

@Yellomen: I hope I can squeeze it out by Monday. Busy at work right now, but I'm fast.

And actually I meant "Jetsons", not "Eunomians". For some reason I always mix up these two fine gentlemen.

I received this one yesterday. Precious Time got one sample of these...and asked me if I wanted to see this "in person"... and of course I did: I'm a GMT geek.

I haven't bought this watch (at least not yet) but I wanted to photograph it and make a review of it (and compare it to the CN model). I believe it's the same old model that Ubi and Euno have (or had). It has many interesting and unique qualities... but also many annoying flaws. I try to review it in the beginning of next week, when I have time to shoot some photos.

Anyway...here's a quick wrist shot.

Couldn't sleep and took a drive. It's amazing how silent the city is 5:20 AM. And it's also amazing how difficult is to take a decent wrist shot when you're driving. I had to stop to take a proper one.