By-Tor

No excuse for this kind of behavior. That kind of members should not sell or buy here or elsewhere in this community.

That's probably true. But I can't ever imagine owning one.

Replica crown construction can also be fragile (QC issues) and manual winding might put an extra stress on it. 7750 is even more prone to damage but Ziggy has stated many times that all replicas with automatic movements should not be hand wound, ever. I'll just take his word for it. And why would anyone even insist on manually winding an automatic watch... there are ZERO benefits from doing so. You will most likely survive from driving without a seat belt too, but that makes no sense, either. I just don't get it. Maybe it's 100% safe when you're talking about properly serviced genuine watch but as nice as these are, they're just Chinese wonders. As Eddie Lee said, too many people treat them like a Playstation.

That's a great comparison. Thumbs up! "Braceletaholic". I guess I am one. I want to wear all my watches on a Bracelet. Especially Breitling because Breitling bracelets are so nice. I never understood why would anyone wear his 'Ling on a strap. One thing where Skyland should get a special mention is the correct SEL recess. That is missing from the Steelfish replicas (where the SELs are on par with the lug tops). All gen Breitlings that use Pro2 have slightly recessed SELs.

Let's see the Sunday wear! I'm wearing this blue beauty... I just can't get tired of it.

Congrats! Good photos! You only have to find the setting that sets the white balance correct (in your camera) and they'll be even better. Do not hand wind your automatic watches. There is absolutely no need to do that and it just causes wear on the movement. Just shake, rattle and roll. Good luck!

I would never put a rep bracelet on a genuine watch. I suggest you take the bracelet to someone who can refinish it. Or buy some Scotch Brite-Pad and brush it yourself. It's not that hard. http://www.minus4plus6.com/maintenance.htm

Hehe that's a priceless pic Gran!

Amazing 'Lings! How do you like the B01 so far?

Why would you want to install an ETA datewheel to a Rolex? It's completely different. The biggest issue with the GMTIIc is the rehaut engraving. Doesn't matter how much you mod the watch, it will always be off... too tall font and non-symmetric. The other rep models that have ROLEXROLEX aligned correctly are inferior in every way (wokky, cheap looking, etc.) I suggest you just wear the rep as it is. It's OK. I don't see a point investing a lot of money to fix details on a rep that has fundamental flaws.

I found a gen photo for dial color comparison. The rep dial color is not 100% accurate but it's not that much off, either. The gen dial seems to have a bit more matte, brownish tone on it.

Hey Sean... cool! That's the first new SuperOcean on the RWG.

Crazy. Your projects are amazing. I thought that gen vintage Daytona dials were pretty much impossible to source. Apparently not. Congrats!

Starting the weekend with always amazing WM9. Wearing and admiring it right now.

Really? I know they put the engraving (yuck) on them but they got rid of the lugholes too? I didn't know that. The new ones probably come with SELs too, huh? The fat lugs 2010 Sub was the biggest mistake Rolex ever made (imho). It's not an ugly watch or anything but how can they be stupid enough to touch perfection?

Is that one of those David Wong Daytonas? Looks good... too bad you sold it. Sometimes we do these impulse decisions... and yeah, that was really a mistake to sell that pointed cg GMT. Those are seriously climbing in value these days. I will never sell any of my gens, I've already made that decision. Funnily enough, the BTR is the ONLY rep I regret selling. I've become very anal about the bracelets and I'm afraid I can't source one with similar fit and finish anymore. You know how they dowgrade this stuff when the new batches come out, it's really pissing me off. I think buying from the first batch is good... they're usually the best ones. When the rep has gained a reputation they start to use these shortcuts. Same thing with Fish, BCE, Seamaster Chrono and many others.

For me it's definitely this: Ebel BTR. It was the most stunning quality replica I've even laid my hands on. Discovery is the more accurate replication but it's not quite as well built as the BTR (did I already mention that it was stunning)? Rep bracelets are often what they are, and when you've had gens you'll learn to appreciate these things... the total accuracy of the SEL fit, perfect brushed finish, etc. But the BTR rep bracelet was insanely good... better than many gens I've seen. Perfect finish, smooth as a butter (without any oiling or polishing), perfect fit, perfect SELs. Best quality rep bracelet ever. It looked nice on a strap too. I decided that I won't be buying more gens for now so now I'd like to re-purchase it but Joshua said that there will be a new version with tight subdial spacing (and possibly that amazing rotor). Decisions, decisions... Any similar stories? What was the best rep you let go?

No-date is the nicest Sub, vintage or new. My old man has a modern no-date, I have always admired the simplistic look. I actually prefer this over the cyclops models. If I ever buy another gen Rollie, this will be the one. Those frankens look amazing Ubi. PS: Will Rolex continue to produce the old styled no-date along with the 2010 fat lugs Sub?

@Cats: Here's a good photo of the gen by John Holmbrook (I don't have any from this angle). It shows how the crown should be positioned when it's all screwed in. It doesn't go all the way down on the 16710. Maybe your watchsmith thought it should, and that caused the problem. I guess it's just about the tube position.

If you can take the tube off still and re-attach it higher I guess it's no big deal. But don't they use some kind of cement to attach it... can you remove the tube & cement without damaging it? That's the question I believe. Tribal and other experts know for sure. Damn this kind of stuff is frustrating. Keep us posted. Edit: about the crown position... the crown "hat" should be above the crown guard tops. It doesn't screw all deep down on the gen, there is a very minimal gap between the case and crown when screwed in. You can only put a piece of paper between the crown and case, the gap is that small... but the crown bottom is not touching the case.

I have no idea about these but I took a picture of my gen (from that area). Maybe it helps? Just quick and dirty one... didn't have much light available. http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6096/img0262wz.jpg

Hehe, good (or bad) suggestions guys. I hate every single one of these. I wouldn't mind wearing the Mickey Mouse Rolex though. You know me well. Any watch with diamond bezel is definitely something that I wouldn't wear, no matter what... like this Super Avenger. PS: I have owned 2 reps with a leather strap. AP Seven Sails and Ebel BTR (I sourced a bracelet for it later though). Straps are definitely not for me... steel bracelets all the way (regardless of the model).

+1 There is a very tiny screw that keeps the rotor in place. That loose screw might cause the noise. Open the caseback, turn the watch over and see what drops from there. I wouldn't wear the watch now... the screw might get somewhere into the movement and cause more serious damage. Re-attaching the rotor is a piece of cake. You don't need a watchsmith for that... you only need a tiny screwdriver and steady fingers. Even I can do that with my clumsy big hands.

I wonder if these guys practice to take pics that bad. I don't know how it's even possible to be honest.

A7750 high beat is amazingly reliable movement. It has been out for what... 4-5 years. How many member complaints you hear about it? Very few. I've never had ANY problems with my A7750 watches. It's an excellent movement.