By-Tor

Good point Ronin.

Those vintages are a whole different world and I'd say they generate at least 60-70% of the interest in the Rolex section. But if they were great out of the box, would the interest go down? I mean, all the excitement of building, hunting for parts, etc.

Back in 2004 when I first arrived at TRC, everyone was talking about the 16610. Now the WM9 is so good that there's very little modding left. Swap the gen insert there and wear it. Boring... almost like buying the gen.

If you go to the dealers' sites you constantly see new reps of obscure brands like Roger Dubuis, Mont Blanc, Cartier, Sinn and then those gold & diamond DateJusts, GMT's. All fine brands and there must be a market for all of them... someone's buying them but not our membership. That's for sure.

All popular models have been repped. The community is "almost ready". Now we just have to enjoy the watches that we have collected. Is it really that bad?

Same as P4GTR. Big Bad Breitling.

Here's the new "yellow" Skyland photographed on a AD watch stand.

@BT - i do find the roman numeral dial different and cool...but stillllll - for me i'm having a hard time getting past those design elements...congrats on the purchase!...as always, can't wait to see your review...i like importr's rubber on his B01...adds a sporty flair to it and tones down the "modernist" styling...

R-

I hear you man. It's very "love or hate" watch for most.

I disliked it when it came out. But it's adventurous enough to deserve a shot. The rep is very good.

I might not like it long term, either. But if that's the case it goes to the trading section. There... problem solved.

That's why reps are so cool. A few hundred bucks for a working adult is NOTHING. It's different to "try if you like it game" with the gen (which costs $7K btw).

jaja scream fake....lol....

Well most people who know rolexes know that youre wearing a 20k+ watch. These rolexes are president style daydate II, which come in white gold or platinum....If you drive anything less than a $80k car itll scream fake! Stick to the date-just or regular subs, yatchmaster if you want to pass the rolex lifestyle test....

Other (very good) alternative is just to buy it & have fun with the watch that you like and don't give a sh*t what other people think.

@Mickey: I just posted gen pics of this watch here. They're good reference material to compare to the rep.

Great shots!

Hey mate, you don't know how close I was to buy it from you (when you put it for sale). Actually I was going to grab it but in the morning it was already gone.

But yeah, I actually prefer the Roman dial. I'll get the "ultimate" version. PT says the steel is really brighter... I'm a bit skeptical about that but that's what's it's going to be.

* hands length - I think those hands are a shade short

* bezel insert colour - gen is a darker blue. This one looks slightly too light, but is on par for reps.

Gen actually comes in two hand lengths. Very short ones or the tall ones. Weird, huh?

Here's a shorty. My gen also is this "shorter hands version".

I also think the gen bezel insert is lighter, not darker and more like slate blue. Whenever the rep factories make ANYTHING blue (dial, insert, anything...) it's ALWAYS too purple.

Other than that, great summary.

This is a 1.2K watch preowned. Enjoy that nice rep as it is or get a gen... it's not worth expensive mods, imho. Gen quartz is about $700 preowned.

I wrote an article of the gen SMP Bond. You can view it HERE.

Yeah I'm looking forward to photographing it. Must be quite a challenge. This will take 2 weeks or so... PT must first order it to EU.

I almost ordered a Blackbird but Precious Time said that he wouldn't trust the movement. His customers have had many problems with the date. That sealead the B01 deal. Let's see how I like it.

I guess I won't be getting the new PO then. But then again, I've had enough of PO's and I have enough divers (Sub and Fish).

Watches that would be instant big sellers:

Speedmaster Moon watch with correct spacing (7750 subdial tricompax mod)

Rolex Daytona "Zenith" (7750 subdial tricompax mod)

Rolex 1675 GMT Master

TAG Heuer Monaco

Breitling Navitimer (correct slide rule & 2xAR)

Planet Ocean 42mm (with double AR)

TAG Link Day-Date Chronograph decently repped with 2xAR, and not half-assed like the current one

I'd be the first one to get the "Fighters" Navi if that was available. And I think it'd be really hard to resist the Monaco, Link Chrono and 1675 too.

Be aware that this model has very tiny bracelet (not enough links for big guys). If you have a big wrists, like over 7,5 it won't fit (unless you get extras from the dealer).

The crown guards are very fat. That's an instant tell.

People often just file them from the inside, but they have to be shaped from the outside as well. Real vintage Subs and Dwellers have the cg's shaped like "chops" or spikes... they're not fat and curved like that.

I agree with mjmj... very MBW'esque looking case.

I agree about the pearl. It was weird at first for sure. I also disliked the SELs... or actually lack of them. How the bracelet attachs to the case looked stupid (leaving the gap, etc.) New Bentley has a similar system. But then again, when you have lots of watches why not get something a bit different?

@Importr: Great 'Racer! Is that a recent purchase?

Edit: I just sent a payment for Ultimate version of B01 Black, Roman numerals. Thanks for all the help guys.

Good question. I just replied in another thread that there have been very few watches that interest the masses.

What might be the "next big thing"? I don't know... it first have to happen in the gen world. It's pretty silent there too.

DSSD, PloProf and B01 are kinda "love or hate" watches. Design wise they don't have similar mass appeal as UPO and Steelfish.

It's also noticeable how little interest the newest Rolex models generate. Not just here but also in the gen forums. I mean, who is overly excited about the 2010 fat lugs Sub? Or the Day-Date II? Not many. I absolutely adore the classics but I think the new Rolexes are simply BORING.

At first I hated the Breitling B01. But now I like it. Weird, eh? Actually it's quite bold and interesting design. I'd be all over the TAG Grand Carrera too, but I don't trust the rep movement.

Another factor is that most our veteran members have collected pretty much all watches they ever wanted. Very happy position, really but every now and then you simply need your fix.

Yes, you gotta admire the dedication. Great shots!

I've been thinking about that point. I'm awaiting delivery of my UPO from PT, should arrive as we speak.

How does this 4 year old rep compare to 'modern' hi-quality reps?

4 years ago the UPO was one of the best reps made, but today?

It compares very well. But the lack of double-AR is a big flaw. Gen Planet Ocean is probably the poster boy of watches when it comes to strong blue double-AR.

I don't know if the factories have made some downgrades to it, but if you get similar replica as in my old review, and double-AR coat it, it's still excellent even by today's standards.

@Red: Check this out.

Actually this is not 16710 but 16700... but that would be like your project watch. I doubt the Jubilee is technically original for these but I'm sure it could have been ordered with one (by special request).

PS: If you're a GMT fan, this page is a must-read.

Wow, the el primero made appearances across many different brands. Interesting, very interesting.

Lots of brands used it. Movado in their top model, Ebel... I'm sure there were others too. TAG Heuer still uses it in Link Calibre 36 chrono (the most expensive Link).

Yes indeed. The models up until late 2003/early 2004 or so actually HAD lugholes. 2001-2004 models had both SELs and lugholes. Mine is K-serial 2003 model.

Older RWG members still remember how the rep Subs and GMT's were still offered with this exact combo.

Actually there are much more 16710's out there with lugholes than without them. All older non-SEL T<25 models had them too.

It's the one and only Zenith El Primero. The old Daytona movement.

Old Ebel 1911 Chronos used that movement too, before they changed to inhouse "Modulor".

PS: This is the exact same model that Don Johnson used in Miami Vice. LINK.

Very early Tuesday morning here. Starting this beautiful day with my SMP Chrono.

Hi River. Good to see you back, where have you been?

Now that's a great franken-Daytona. Top stuff.

It's actually surprising how few new watches there have been. At least of the popular mainstream brands.

Omega PloProf and Breitling B01 only come to mind.

Hehe... I've had many Day-Dates my friend.

Also a TAG. But I stepped "down" to the date-only version.

Unless someone in EU offers me a QC's Blackbird with centered pearl in EU really quick, I'm going to order the B01 black Roman numerals version.

Two gen shots. How can you not like this one?

Not sure if it's worth to pay $50 extra for the "Ultimate" version is "supposedly 316 steel" though. I'm a bit skeptical about that.

You've got your Aeromarine Skyland, rep Navi's aren't good enough (what about a Legende or Datora?)

How about Montbrillant Legende? Is the bracelet brushed? I can't figure it out from the photo.

If it is, it might be a great option. The rep is very good... best Navi rep probably?

Edit: Looks like it's polished. Shame.

I'm leaning towards B01 black Roman numerals again. Yeah I'm crazy but that watch is just "different". Maybe I need something blingy in my collection. And I don't trust the seconds at '3 (unless someone in EU offers me a good, QC'd one). Otherwise Blackbird would be a no-brainer... it's a great looking watch.

THIS is "UPO". Amazingly it's almost 4 years old replica and still selling strong.