By-Tor

Thanks for the comparison shots Maciek. Beautiful genuine!!! Yes...the crystal is convex from the edges which seems to be inaccurate. Didn't notice that at all. However the picture angle exaggerates the problem. Here's a wrist shot from the normal viewing angle:

Wow...Noobmariner. How much does George charge for that one?

What a slow morning here at RWG today. I'm sitting bored at home waiting for my fiancee. We're attending a big christmas party later this evening. I'm wearing my ultra sharp and magnifient TAG Link. Here's a fresh wrist shot for you. And my babe wears hers (from Reg): Let's see those shots and create some action!!! Merry Christmas to everyone!!!

Outstanding collection Robert. Great variation there... and your collection makes most of us look like beginners. You also own some of the best replicas there. Thanks for sharing mate.

That's a huge price. But if it's a limited edition rep with more expensive parts... why not? MBW 1680 red Sub generally sells for around $400 with standard ETA movement, although it's much less accurate than most modern day replicas. I haven't seen those prices coming down after all these years... 500 bucks is too much for ANY rep (for me personally). But if the rep is awesome and has some extraordinary features... I don't have anything against the idea of dealers charging for more.

Sad to hear that Neil. Get well soon my friend... the forum isn't the same without you.

Thanks Chronomat!!! PS: I rarely make these... but here's a bigger size picture of the last review pic. Click to resize and enjoy.

Thanks all, appreciated. @fitmic: I think the watch is sold out but try emailing wackobirdkeeper@hotmail.com. I'm not sure but I think he takes pre-orders.

Ever since I first found this community, I always wanted a rep of this watch. While I've never really warmed up to the white "blanco" GMT, the black one has always been my favourite Seamaster (along with the James Bond SMP). Unfortunately reps of this model always seemed to have some fundamental flaws: Either they had white datewheel, or didn't have the white window/box around it. They also had bad bezel inserts with lousy "18" and "6" numerals. Some dealers have used sales pictures of this rep with correct black datewheel, but have shipped bad ones with white. Bummer! I almost gave up, but then one day Wackobirdkeeper (a RWI dealer) found this one! Wacko is a friend and a fellow watch nut and I asked him to find another for me... preferably asap. I absolutely needed this watch! This watch has flaws, but nothing really serious. Of course the bezel was misaligned as usual, but that was a 5 minute fix. The hands (GMT hand and minute hand) are a bit too short. This is typical flaw on most Seamaster reps with "sword hands". Unlike standard Seamasters the GMT winding crown screws down very deep. I was delighted to see that this was replicated flawlessly. The datewheel is correct black and it has the correct white window around it. The bezel insert looks correct too, and the "color switch" from black to silver around markers 18 and 6 is spot on. The case construction is solid and the caseback is just as good as on the more expensive ETA models. The dial has very strong and nice wave pattern, excellent, crispy and accurate print... and the crystal has antireflective coating. However, it's ironic that the crystal on the genuine isn't AR coated. Personally, I find the whole "AR issue" a bit exaggerated. The modified Asian 21J "faux GMT" has similar functionality as the ETA 2836-2. When you unscrew the crown to the date set position (the genuine doesn't have a quick-set date) and turn it anti-clockwise you're able to set the GMT hand independently. For more detailed information about the functionality of a "faux GMT" can be found HERE. Unlike on Rolex GMT Master the GMT hand should be under the hour hand. So the infamous "hand stack" is correct on this rep. Although the movement is "faux" it serves its purpose perfectly: to track the 2nd timezone. I don't know if Wacko checks his watches before he sends them out, but mine has been ETA-like accurate, winds silently and has good power reserve. Just out of curiosity... it would be nice to see Ziggy's review and breakdown of this movement (and the basic Asian 21J) eventually. The date font is fair, but not 100%. The hands are coated with very strong Super Luminova, but the hour markers have typical weakish replica lume on them. The old genuine GMT's came with the "Bond" type bracelet, and I'm planning to get extra one for my watch as well. All the current models use the standard "Speedy" bracelet. It's less original, but still very nice looking watch bracelet. It has beautiful brushed and polished finish. The diver's extension is tight, firm and solid (deployed in the picture) The Seamaster markings are "stamped" on the clasp, which is inaccurate. They're engraved on the genuine. I found out that the polished "stripes" are separated from the brushed parts. This can be considered inaccurate, but it's not detectable at all (unless you remove a link). Actually I found this quite hilarious, and I've never seen such bracelet construction before. The bracelet uses pins as a resizing method, which is accurate. So... the rep has some typical inaccuracies, and the minutiae details can't be compared to some new super accurate reps. So what's the catch then? The catch is that this is the best replica of the Omega Seamaster GMT ever. Actually it's the only decent Seamaster GMT replica I've seen. Despite the flaws it looks fundamentally correct. Another catch is that it costs $95! Wacko sold out every single one of these as soon as he was able to source them. I'm not surprised as this is probably my best "bargain rep" ever... $95 is literally a steal for a great, great looker as this. You can certainly find gems from the cheaper Asian rep models, as this watch proves once again. I see huge sales potential with this one, and it can be considered Omegas answer to the "Noobmariner". If you don't own any Omegas yet, I think this rep is perfect "starting model". It's also a great addition to any Omega fans collection... and it easily survives the comparison between some much more expensive rep models. PS: Merry Christmas 2006 to all members at RWG, TRC and RWI!

Great pic Chris! Since I don't have this watch (yet) I borrowed your pic in this thread: http://replica-watch.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13256 Hope you don't mind.

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=13184

For me it's my new Wacko GMT. Can't take it off.

Yes. I'm amazed if he can't sell every single one of these... if he can get more into the stock.

Very nice triplehd. Funny thing... we all know how people rarely notice watches. But there seems to be exceptions too... I was wearing my black GMT today at work and a friend of a friend noticed my watch and said... "Hey, great looking watch... is it a Rolex?" I answered like Bond "No... I wear Oh-meeh-ga".

Seamaster feels much bigger watch than Submariner or any Rolex, imho. It's thicker, heavier and bulkier. I'm a huge fan of all Seamaster GMT's... but the black one is my favourite. I finally managed to source a good rep of this. This is absolutely awesome looker... and is becoming my favourite Omega ever. I'm currently doing a review of this watch... which will explain everything.

This is Asian 21J. But the GMT hand can be set independently. The hands are too short... but doesn't really bother me. I always wanted a rep of this model, and this was the first ever rep that has the white box and black datewheel. It also has the correct crown (which screws down very deeply). It also has nice AR coating on the crystal. Review is out as soon as I find some spare time to photograph it (very busy work schedule). @technician: I got this from "Wackobirdkeeper". He's a RWI dealer. But I guess he sells out these all as soon as he gets them. I'm not surprised, it's a great rep for the money. Omegas answer to the "Noobmariner".

Watch change: I received my outstanding black Omega GMT from Wackobirdkeeper today. What a fantastic watch for $95!!! Note that the crown isn't properly screwed in on the photo... it screws down just as deep as the gen. Camera phone crap photo:

Received my "WackoBirdMaster" today. And what a great rep for the money it is!!! Guys... you need to get this for $95!!! Aligned the bezel... and polished it already. I'll shoot some decent pics & review this watch as soon as I find some time. Sorry about the quick & bad wristshot!!! PS: Just noticed that the crown isn't properly screwed down in the pic. It screws down just as deep as on the genuine.

@themuck: I'm not saying ANY of our reps are bad. They would fool probably 99,9% of the population. Noobmariner with ETA movement is outstanding watch and rep (imho). When it comes to accuracy it runs circles around the best modified $400 Submariner reps 18 months ago. Rolex reps indeed have improved, but they haven't reached the same level of accuracy as many other brands and rep models. I'm just wondering why, because we have seen such amazing burst in quality and accuracy just lately. Or perhaps something is happening soon? It could be just that the factories haven't really concentrated on Rolex lately... and the great Sub and SD are on the works? Personally, I don't really care either way... but at least that would be the day to remember.

@xwoodbutch: Actually, yours is the Broad Arrow. Mine is partly hybrid, part rep of the older no-date Speedmaster with BA hands and acrylic bulged crystal. PS: Your BA is a gorgeous watch.

I agree Randy. For that exact reason I refuse to buy even one single Rolex rep anymore... until they come up with something that doesn't look half-assed. The ExpII looks tempting... it's almost spot on. But then there are those ridiculous grey hour marker rings on the white version. I mean... how can you screw up something like that and don't do it on purpose? There are probably 2 thousand reference pics of the ExpII on the Google alone. And those thin bezel numerals... Or putting those humongous "Jumbo" crowns to most Submariners? Or those laughable pearls? Have you ever seen a rep pearl on those Subs that doesn't look utterly ridiculous and fakey fake? They're shite even on the MBW's. Are they blind, stupid... or both? No... it doesn't wash. Cost-effective? Yes, partly... but it has to be done on purpose... to an extent. I agree with tvt that they mostly sell these watches to masses...and not to collectors/enthusiasts like us who care about the minutiae. But come on... why wouldn't they make one rep model that would sell thousands and thousands in this community... and keep sellling forever? Sure... those "special order" Big Bang and Chronomat Evolutions will be huge sellers. But nothing compared to Submariner. They can't do it? Sorry I don't buy that... they just don't want.

Indeed. When you put dark hands into a white dial watch it makes a difference. Cuts down the "blending" effect. But it's still quite understated. Generally, I'm not a huge fan of white dial watches... but I guess you have to own at least one.

I think it might be true for Rolex. Submariner is a simple watch compared to many watches they have replicated almost flawlessly (TAG Link Chrono, PO 45mm, Chronomat Evolution and the upcoming Big Bang, etc.) Yet none of the Submariner or SeaDweller reps aren't even close. The best forged case was the TW best which is 4 years old... it's been all downhill since then... at least when it's about constructing a rep case. Even if they can get the dial in order... it seems to be completely impossible to do the rehaut/crystal/case construction right. The $95 Noobmariner (and its $140 ETA incarnation) is the only Submariner rep that makes any sense. If you don't have lots of extra cash for genuine parts and some modding talents I wouldn't waste a dime to those half-assed attempts. I mean...launch of the next "perfect Sub" is already waiting around the corner anyway...

Keep in mind: the current Rolex replica models are rather old. Some even 2 years or so... But it's true...besides Explorer I (and perhaps some DD/DJ models) there's not even single very accurate out-of-the-box Rolex replica (save the modified DW's and MBW's). Some of them are downright awful...when compared to some Omega, Breitling and even TAG reps. But newbies still buy the inaccurate Subs and SeaDwellers like hotcakes... so why would they make any real improvements? You know... blessed are people who are easy to please.

I find it interesting that white is the preferred dial version on the new Daytonas. It would be interesting to see the statistics of the ratio between white and black. For my Omega Speedmaster BA it was no contest...the blue hands against white dial create enough contrast... and look gorgeous. But sometimes I feel white dial watches are too stealthy and pale. In the end of the day I'd probably choose the black Daytona as well.