By-Tor

Sub (besides Noobmariner) has never been done that well, despite hundreds of different versions. WM9 was to first one who made it well (by today's standards) and I believe it's Taiwan-made. Yet a watch like TAG Link Chrono was made exceptionally well in their first try, and it's probably 1000 times more difficult to execute than a simple Sub (the dial textures, bracelet brushing, etc), yet it was all superb. The mistakes on the current vintage Rolex reps are so stupid that it's pretty impossible to believe that ANYONE (even after sniffing glue for 20 years + going through a complete lobotomization) could make those errors. I wonder if they have access to Google image search at all... it takes 2 seconds to get reference material for any vintage Rolex. I know that they often use factory surplus dials & parts to squeeze out some of that cheap shit (that some of our dealers are selling as budget stuff) but what's keeping them from releasing the more expensive ones and put some effort to it... Even MBW's are ridiculously inaccurate... their only strong point is that they're good bases for modding.

I understand that. But I'm not willing to swallow that it's more profitable to make a super-rep of Mont-Blanc Timewalker than vintage Rolex Daytona or GMT... two of the top-15 most recognizable watch models on the planet. That's just way too insane to even think of.

I find that logic flawed because I'm quite sure that the popular Rolex vintages would sell much more than say, Jacob & CO watches that they just repped. Or Chopard, Chronoswiss, Graham, Mont Blanc and many of those obscure luxury brands that we have excellent reps of. I mean, how many people outside the WIS circles have heard of Chopard and Bell & Ross? Daytona El Primero is extremely popular watch from a historical point of view... so is 1675 GMT. Why wouldn't they sell... they're probably among the most requested watches in the rep community?

Sorry Freddy... tired, that's all.

Thanks for getting us started Robbie... that gold Daytona is a stunner! Great shot TX!!! I'm just not getting enough of this Sea Devil in a blue dress.

Here's gen for comparison. The rep looks pretty damn good to me. Here's King's (terrible quality) photo of the rep. Even the wings logo is correct, unlike on graphite v3. Is there a reason this model hasn't gotten much attention? I'd say this is way better than the graphite and its sloppy lume sticks, or maybe I'm missing something?

I probably did, but I get so much pms from my past reviews that I simply don't have to reply them in the other forums. I really hate that... I wish I did... nothing is nicer than talking watches, but that's how it is when you have a family and work. Sorry 'bout that... shoot me another here. RWG is my home forum, you can always find me better here.

Hi ojciec, welcome to RWG! State of the rep Daytona hasn't changed in years. It's still the same seconds at '6 timebomb as it was before. This post has everything you have to know about it. I once sent a pm to Joshua an said that a reliable "Killed stopwatch" version with only running seconds at '6 would sell a lot, he answered that factories sell thousands of the seconds at '6 versions so they simply don't care. I think the only realistic chance of getting a better one is the new tricompax subdial modification, which could make repping the El Primero model possible. It would probably sell a lot... but so would a great 1675 rep but there are none. They never produce decent OTB vintage models for some reason.

That's a nice original v2! I still don't understand why they had to downgrade the lume sticks on v3.

Yes Pete, I totally got what you meant. And didn't try to say you're wrong... we never know what the technology will bring us. My point was that our automatic wristwatches are already representing something that we "shouldn't" have anymore. They're from the old world and they use ancient, unpractical technology which doesn't make any sense financially (or technically). We don't have electronic typewriters anymore, we don't have those dial-up phones, or those car phones that weighed a ton, etc. but mechanical wrist watches are still here, doing very well. Because they represent something that can't be explained with common sense. That's why predicting what happens to luxury wristwatches is difficult... they might as well survive who knows...

Maybe this guy has something to do with it. He probably posted his 1.000.000th post and that was just too much for the forum software.

Thanks man. But I don't have the v3 graphite anymore. A few weeks after "flipping" it I kinda regretted it... but then again I'd like to have one of these numeral ones. Let's see if PT has any in stock.

Terrible pictures but I don't see anything suspicious about it. I wouldn't buy it with pics like that though. But I'm pretty sure the pics are of a gen, which of course doesn't guarantee anything. PS: Hockey any day over baseball! Too bad what happened to Bruins... that was heartbreaking!

PAMs look much better on a bracelet, just imho. But then I'm a steel man. Congrats on the purchase!! PS: Is could be my first post ever in the Panerai subforum?

The dials look definitely good, ie. = gen. Not sure if there's anything that we can use in our current reps though. Experts chime in!

Yeah you could be right... never really tested that. But I thought WM9 v2/v3 use genuine super luminova. I can test the lume durability tomorrow. It has never been that important to me.

Holy crap, call the Bobbies, I've been scammed!

WM9 v2 lume 99% like the gen. Here it is next to my gen 16710. Personally, I think application of the lume (smoothness) is much more important than the actual luminous abilities. Most reps fall short in that department.

Hehe... just a wristie.

Hehe... I loved the TT Navi. But when I took that picture the blood flow on my wrist was almost stopped. The bracelet fitted only a bit bigger than '7 wrist properly. I have a '8 wrist and I literally had to trade it away. But I agree with you, it's a great TT rep. Probably the best I have seen. Many times I wish I still had it. This is the review link. Damn, it's been 4 years since I wrote that... amazing how the time flies... Cheers!

This old favorite.

KC rules!

It's weird how people say that they can never go back to smaller watches after wearing the bulky 45mm ones. I haven't noticed that at all. My Rolexes feel just as nice as always, even after the thick brick Skyland. Interesting. Most of your watches were Breitlings... are you bored with Breitlings or watches in general?

@cougaree: Nothing beats the gen dials. Especially on a watch like BCE. Too bad there aren't many frankens around for me to buy... So... I'm just curious about that particular rep because from a quick look I don't see anything blatantly wrong with it.

It's not just Rolex who's asking ridiculous prices. Breitling charges $600 - $700 of some of their stainless steel bracelets. That must be Swiss best steel for sure. Swapped a crystal for my gen Fish in the AD = 380 Euros installed. Yeah I'm a moron but having a perfect AR & glass = priceless.