By-Tor

Crappy replica, crappy dealer.

Keep in mind that Honpo used to scam a few veteran members of this board (including Eunomians). Whatever you do, don't buy from Honpo.

That is definitely the "WM9 v1". The original "Super Sub".

Crown guards are fat but they're easily modifiable... you only have to file the insides thinner. I wonder if she can really source it without the ugly engraving. I see lots of sales happening.

REVIEW!

I don't know about you, but I miss the "earlier days" of this hobby. Reps weren't so accurate but they were cheap as hell. Paul was selling ETA-powered reps for $170 and people were buying like crazy. Lots of traffic in the forum (although back then the community wasn't divided into 5-6 different camps). Personally, I never understood why we need all those forums but that's another story...

We had only a handful of great replicas. None of them would qualify as "super reps" now... not even close, but they were still great: initial Seamaster Pro, TW Best Sub, those extremely inaccurate MBW's (that had mythical reputation), glass back Moon Watch, etc. etc.

Remember watcher's China Sub vs. Gen comparison in the original RWG? People praised the rep and it was amazing how accurate it felt back then. Now people would laugh at it. Pictures of modded WM9's can fool even Tribal and Ubi.

I remember how happy I was with my fantasy Speedy. Now that kind of new release would get hammered by the membership. We have some replications that are literally 98% (visually). Are we happier now? I don't think so.

Back in 2005 people were enthusiastic. All out-of-the-box reps got praise from the members. Now we need a $3000 frankenwatch to get any kind of discussion going. Don't get me wrong, it's great that we have those amazing watches (and builders) among us, but what about ordinary buyers who don't have the money/skills? Is anyone still interested in their new purchase?

Ubi wrote that he feels bored. I don't feel bored but I simply don't have anything to buy, or any reviews to write. What to write about? We have seen it all. I haven't even picked up my camera in a LONG time to photograph the watches.

Maybe we older members have simply "raced" it all and reached our goals? Have we become "elitists", just like the gen watch snobs? I mean seriously, have we lost some members because of that kind of attitude?

This isn't supposed to be a negative post. I'm just wondering what we could do better to return this forum into its original glory. We have been discussing this in the admin room but I'd also like to hear some ideas from the membership.

Asian 7750 at least have pictures of the white rep version. Dunno who this seller is, I just found him from our links section.

http://www.asian7750.com/cn/product_show.asp?big_pid=&ps_id=61&P_id=626&ti=

Are you referring to this one?

http://puretimewatch.com/product/gmt-master-ii-16710-bluered-bezel-correct-hand-stack/

Stay away. It's a bad replication. Many issues, like datewheel positioned too right.

This one is the best 16710 rep ever made. I wonder why you guys aren't buying (if it's actually on stock). Good old Noob GMT.

http://puretimewatch.com/product/gmt-master-ii-black-bezel/

http://puretimewatch.com/product/gmt-master-ii-bluered-bezel/

http://puretimewatch.com/product/gmt-master-ii-blackred-bezel/

Is PureTime out of stock?

Because this particular rep is the best one... old "Noobfactory" GMT. It only needs a crown guard trim and it's as good as it gets.

http://puretimewatch.com/product/gmt-master-ii-bluered-bezel/

Plain steel Sub today.

Yes there is a rep. But I've never seen a member purchasing it... all members' reps have been black dial... I've only seen dealer pictures of the white.

We already know the rep is great quality.

Holy crap the white BTR looks amazing. I wonder how the rep is... is it really possible that no one here ever bought one?

Amazing!

Nothing beats the gen Fish dial.

How about some wrist shots?

I wonder why you would want to bring back a rep that had so many flaws it was a joke!

Amen to that.

The initial SSD was total crap. There was absolutely nothing done correctly on that replica.

Let's hope the TW version is going to be better (if that's what they're talking about). Perhaps it's the unfinished WM9 project?

There is a post I made somewhere in the Rolex section of actual side by side pics that I took of my gen ceramic sub when I had a BK sub sometime earlier this year.

It's here:

It's a brilliant post. I pinned it.

Gen Fish today.

Blue Aquaracer for Friday.

I have reviewed both.

v2 Skyland

BCE v3

I'd say that Skyland v2 is better rep of the two, and has much better AR. I still have mine and won't sell it anytime soon.

Skyland is "hit and miss" when it comes to lume dots. Some reps have very acceptable dots, some don't. BCE v3 lume is greenish and very "chewing gum"-like. If you compare the rep BCE dial to genuine, you'll see it too.

Is this a true Noob-Factory watch?

Nope, not as we know it. Stay away, it's a horrible rep.

I once wrote an article of the Noob YM. LINK.

But that was four years ago. I have no idea if it's still available. Sorry.

Looks great.

More pics... and a wristshot, please.

@slask: Have you considered the 42mm version? I think it's much nicer than the mumbo-jumbo XL (45mm).

Once again RobbieG's photos are a good reference.

Yeah... didn't we have a thread devoted for that E30 once?

PS Dave: Nothing beats the BMW interior. Merc doesn't come even close... especially now that they got rid of the classic looking wood panels (I hate my Mercs black ash panels).

Ok... Jaguar comes close.

frank,

I have no idea. If that ever comes out, you can be sure that I will be the first on the line to buy it.

I'm very happy with my collection but I'm looking for a white BTR now. I have never seen a picture of the rep (save the dealers' photos). I'd love to see it.

Enjoying Skyland and my new Merc E200 CDi.

It has a serious flaw... the date wheel / cyclops are positioned way too right on the dial/crystal.

This is very typical issue with Chinese Rolexes. Other than that, it looks decent.

850i is a great car. Our old member "Eunomians" owns one in amazing condition.

Yeah... I like the older cars much more. I don't know what it is but getting a new car does nothing for me. It's owned by our company and if something comes up you drive it to the official Merc service. They're STERILE.

But buying a 10 or 20-year old car in pristine condition is something else. Those cars have "spirit". Plus when you run into a problem you can still be a real man and fix it yourself. With these new cars... they have Windows7 with a few viruses inside.

These two models have always fascinated me. BMW 850 and Porsche 928. I don't know what it is... maybe it's because they weren't so much "in your face" models... like the 'Vette and 911.

Actually I might get one... they're not that expensive to buy.

PS: I also have a "soft spot" for the Frenchies. Peugeot 607 must have been the best looking sedan in the whole decade. Great looking car (imho). The new 508 was a huge downgrade.

Oh yes now we're talking. I had the 124 too. Brand new... last 1995 model (the facelift, remember?). Black... with grey trim on the doors. "Last great Merc" as they say. But mine was diesel... it was lazy as hell. E250 20 valve model... it had that "grill" on the right fender. 112 hp and ZERO torque w/ low rpm.

500E would be a great hobbyist car.