By-Tor

Oops, I actually meant Avenger Seawolf titanium. About the Royal Oak... where's admin when you need him?

Breitling Navitimer, Steelfish and Avenger are very good replicas. Vacheron Constantin Overseas, AP Royal Oak, LOTS of Omegas are very good (SMP, PO, Aqua Terra, Constellation), new TAG Link chronograph 7750, Rolex Explorer I and II, Daytonas, etc. etc. We are spoiled.

Diver watch replicas often have "horrific" pearls... difficult to say why. But PO 4th gen has one of the best rep pearls (yep, it's still quite bad but I've seen much worse). Like the 3rd gen pearl. You have to keep in mind that huge pics often exaggerate the problem.

Check my Omega guides. All answers are there (and more). http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=426 http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=4509 Pic of the SMP:

Ditto. 4th gen PO definitely belongs to that list.

True, they have some interesting and rare models but most of that stuff is just lowest grade stuff. i.e their "chronographs" are faux calendar watches. Those are $30 - $40 Silixwatch reps, definitely not $150 stuff. And ALL these shady replica sites are guilty until proven innocent. It's safe to say at least 95% of these sites are more or less scam. This particular site is no different. It uses some actual pictures of the watches but to promote their "high grade" stuff they use genuine factory pics (just like all other scam sites). Stay away from that site at all costs!

In a word, yes. Except that we get MUCH better watches for $200 compared to the junk that goreplicas sell. All "grading" stuff is nothing but a big scam. Edit: I just went to the scam site you mentioned and they use pictures of genuine watches to promote their crap. Consider yourself lucky that you found this place. This was especially funny (their new LV Sub advertisement): "These are actual pictures of the watch! It is EXACTLY like the genuine 2006 Rolex Submariner Limited Edition" Yes it is. Because it's exactly the picture of a genuine Rolex Submariner LV. I even know the Ebay seller where they have stolen the pictures from. Thanks for the link (and laugh), haven't been in those sites in a while. Those sites would be almost funny if we didn't know how many people they rip off every day.

No, according to my sources that changed 1978. Old models use just standard stainless (whatever the grading is... 316?)

You need to brush it again if you end up with mirror finish. Check this one (read til' the end of the article) for brushing info: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=4509

No, originals have brushed finish. The steel used in Submariners have been higher grade stainless (grade 904) since 1978 which is just a bit "shinier" than lower grade stainless used in reps (and most other watches). It IS brighter but the difference isn't that noticeable, really, especially if you clean up, polish and rebrush the rep band. It was probably just the lighting which played part in that "celebrity show". Edit: Other people already answered while I was typing this. Well done.

I think Richard Brown is doing great job with the book. He knows his stuff and based on what I've read from him he seems like a gentleman. And there IS a need for a book like this, definitely. Like I said, RT has a point. A book like this might help average watch people to spot replicas and avoid scam. But for us (as a community) it's probably not a good thing to get ANY more "mainstream publicity" and coverage. Despite the books' original purpose this kind of documentation increases the awarness and demand of the high-end fakes, which will automatically increase the effort of the copyright holders to start getting more interested in us. I don't know exactly how the "big wheel" of replica industry operates so don't take my words as a gospel. This is just my "gut feeling" of things (and probably RT's too). Maybe I'm exaggerating... if they can't get sites like Replicacenter offline (which I'm sure makes hundreds of thousands, if not millions from blatantly abusing the copyrights) we have nothing to worry about... and when we talk about Richard's book we still talk about small numbers. And maybe I'm just selfish when I think we should keep this community "underground". That's probably not in our dealers' interest, either. More people, more business, more profit... the question is how much more "mainstream" we should get? Too often when someone is offering a different opinion or viewpoint people take the debate to a personal level. I think this makes an interesting discussion.

Congrats for finding us. Your story is sad but very typical. But at least it has a good ending. 99% of those sites sell pure junk and use pictures of genuine watches to promote their toxic waste. You just entered the hardcore rep heaven, enjoy the ride!

"It doesn't have a box or any papers" Ok, that kills the deal for me.

Why not? I thought this was an interesting discussion.

@watcher71: I see your point, but IMHO all illegal activity is "underground". Or at least it SHOULD be underground. Someone posted a great analogy a while back. If you smoke a joint, or sell a joint to your friend it's all ok. Nobody really gives a shit because it doesn't affect the "big picture". Let those hippies listen to their old Doors albums and have their fun. But if you sell 20 kilos of grass and advertise it publicly... eventually someone will come and end the party. If the rep sites really advertise in the Rolling Stone magazine I'm sure the end is near. Actually I think it's just around the corner.

I perfectly understand RT's view. It's a two-way sword. It's kinda the same thing when people go to the genuine watch forums bragging about how good the new replicas are, posting pictures and information. Or invite here all possible jackasses they know who aren't really interested in watches... but just want to impress their friends with the bestest Grade AAAAA++++++ Swiss Rolex. One reason why high end reps are so fascinating is that (so far) they're very much an "underground" thing. This kind of book is very educational but it also helps bringing this hobby accessible for the general public. If the high end reps become mainstream it's not good for anyone. Not for us, and not even for the genuine watch owners and companies. We had a poll about that in the old RWG and according to that one the majority of members _never_ portray their reps as genuines. Give me a break, that's just utter crap and a load of pretentious [censored]. It's just too hypocritical to even claim that. Some people might do that (I believe Watcher and Thor) but "most"...? I just don't believe it. Like I don't believe those people who never download porn or masturbate, either.

Thanks my friend.

Read it carefully. It says "45mm including crown". I believe this the same 3rd generation PO that I briefly owned. I reviewed the watch in the old RWG (check my signature for link, it's reposted here too). The only thing that bothered me with this watch was the pale orange bezel color and too dark datewheel font. But then again it had the minute hand in correct length, heavy weight and very convincing, solid feel. It's very good replica watch but not quite as good as Andrew's 4th gen.

Thanks Jet!

Thor already did.

Ok, didn't know this, thanks for clearing it up. I've seen some pictures of the new model. I knew there was something different but couldn't put my finger on it. Nevertheless I still believe you have to have the genuine or the old rep version side-by-side with the new to spot those differencies. I wonder if all new rep models are the same... and if all the dealers have replaced their stock with them? Lots of people have asked me this question but haven't been able to answer that. Precious Time was able to source "old factory" black SMP for Bricktop so perhaps the new models are just coming from a different factory? Further proof that some of the best reps become "collectors items". We have seen on many occasions that new replica model doesn't necessarily mean improved watch. Nevertheless...the bezel adjustment and polishing info is still valid with the new version as well.

I see you've been getting the "Omega bug" as well. So many members have this rep and I'm sure it's not impossible to source one from the "old batch". Maybe even some dealers still have it?

First: Great to see you here. And no way man, you deserve to be the co-author. That guide has been very useful for many SMP owners. Thanks again for letting me use your pics and info.

Thanks.