By-Tor

I once made this photo composition. White Explorer II is synonymous to winter.

Yes, that's a decent Sub. Doesn't compare to WM9 but it's ok, that rep has good old "Noobmariner" case. See my section for a review. However it has the rehaut engraving which isn't very accurate. The watch is quite pricey too.

You can find the Noobmariners with Asian movement for around $100. Joshua is a trusted good dealer... so not a bad choice if you want to pay extra for the Rolex-type movement.

Good luck!

Morning from Europe!

Still wearing my new one.

I have a feeling that if we were to add up all of the movie critics in the world (those that actually do it for a living and publish their findings on well known media outlets), we would not come up with a number large enough to impact Hollywood if all those movie critics never went to see a movie again. However, what they say and write does impact the movie industry greatly. They shape perceptions and push the industry to evolve. I think we work in a similar way.

The truth is that most folks that buy a replica on the street, or off a site, probably have no idea about most of the details we labor over. In fact, most customer service reps at most ADs throughout the world don't know the level of detail that many of us take for granted on any number of watches. I should know: I have been at ADs in Japan, Quatar, Dubai, New York, Florida, South America (various countries), etc. So, if we are not that consequencial, then why has the rep industry evolved to where it has now, particularly since 2006? The answer is likely that the little bit of knowledge that leaks out of here makes it to all kinds of mass media and social media over time. After a while, the word spreads and a lot of people find out a little of this and that. But, since the rep manufacturer does not know what the next customer will demand (one guy, a better bezel pearl, another AR coating, another a correct font on the date wheel, etc.), they are just better off replicating the item as close as possible to the real thing. We may not the best, nor the most lucrative customers. But, collectively, I bet that we do have an enormous impact on the rep industry, whether we realize it, or not.

Very well written. I mostly agree.

The way I feel it... high end reps represent very small market (globally). 99% of the reps sold on the streets are junk. Stuff like WM9 and best and expensive "ultimate" versions are directed at WIS on the Internet. I doubt we are as insignificant as the previous posters think. Tens of thousands members combined (in all forums).

Do you believe that an average Joe would pay $300 for a fake watch? Or $500 because the better fake has nicer crown guards? Please! And A7750-powered watches aren't as cheap to manufacture as many people think. Remember that one guy on TRC who posted the China replica reports... it was VERY difficult to even find these watches from the replica capital of the world, Guangzhou.

Congrats man!

Me and Dluddy welcome you to the club!!!

Actually yours is nicer than mine. I don't have gen hands.

PS: Where did you find the old Noob case?

Deniz,

I use Unipol metal polishing paste and bicycle oil.

You only need a piece of canvas. Place the paste on the bracelet surface and rub as strongly as you can. Repeat the treatment 3,4 times over and then soak the bracelet into oil. Let it be there for 10-12 hours.

Oiling is the most important. Bend the stif links as much as you can (when it's oiled). It can take 10-15 minutes to "smoothen" them.

Then clean it up and use car wax to create the silky feel on the bracelet surface. Others have different methods that might be as good but this works for me. Rep bracelets aren't good when they're new but this kind of treatment makes a GIGANTIC difference.

Wow the lume on yorus is very good. What version is that if your dont mind and from which seller did you purchase.?

I got mine from RWG's own Breitling guy, Importr. He picked this one up from a dealer who was willing to send him a picture of the actual watch. Yes, 1,2 and 4 lume dots aren't perfect (they never are) but it can only be seen in huge macro pictorials. With naked eye you can't see any problems, the application is top notch.

I definitely wanted v2 and that's what it is.

@Henrik: About bracelet. I really spent a lot of time with it... first 12 hours in oil, then metal polishing paste (Unipol) with some HEAVY rubbing, then more oil, more polishing, then clean with hot water -> Car turtle wax on the surface. Huge difference. HUGE. Not as nice as my gen Steelfish Pro bracelet but still nice.

And sorry guys, not selling this one unfortunately. BCE didn't do it for me but Skyland is pretty amazing (when you see it in the flesh). And I doubt I could find another example with as nice dial. I wanted a bling Breitling and this fills the gap nicely.

I try to make a full pictorial tomorrow.

@P4GTR: Thanks for the tip of the bracelet screws. Will check them.

Ronin, is that Doxa a new purchase? Congrats man that's a classic!

PS: Quite a few Doxas on RWG lately, huh?

I'm wearing my new Skyland.

The rep came out 2 years ago. Took me quite a while to "get warmed" but eventually I did.

First studio photo. Enjoy!

Received this from my mate Importr. v2 Skyland, the best one... and what a great example it is. Even the pesky lume at '4 is pretty good.

I gotta say that I'm positively surprised of this watch. Pictures don't do it justice... I'll try to shoot some decent ones during the weekend, was running out of light outside today (rainy day).

Explorer II orange hand is officially pulled. It WON'T appear this year.

Some speculate that it might have been a direct competitor to Explorer I and they decided to postpone it for a year. Looks like the watch was ready to go already. Not that it was any different technically, just maxidial and that orange hand. Not a big loss, imho.

Here's another new terrible Rolex for you. You know, that plain ugly and boring new blue dial (the one that they used to replace the beautiful 16613) with diamonds. All in white gold... add an unbelievable price tag and you'll get the picture. Great purchase if you have too much money and no taste at all.

For me this watch is like Seawolf. A great looker and I sure like them both, but why buy them because Steelfish X-Plus is absolutely perfect watch. Breitling can never top that design, just mho.

BUT... I gotta admit that this watch looks much nicer on a bracelet.

What was the guy wearing? Grand Carrera on a strap?

Very cool "triplets". How do you like the SA?

Actually I always thought it's a bit silly watch because of the size but actually I'm beginning to like it (kinda). (Let's hope Dave123 isn't looking).

From the reps I've owned (60-70 best ones) the absolute best ones (build quality wise) have been Breitling Steelfish Superocean and Ebel BTR. Actually BTR tops my list, it's so amazingly well built rep. Not the most accurate because of the subdial spacing flaw but definitely the most impressive. The bracelet is amazingly well done.

This excellent review has been added to the TAG Guide. Thanks for the contribution again.

Now added to the TAG Guide. It got a little better again.

Thanks for this contribution. It's appreciated.

Wearing my Discovery today.

Great comparison R.

Two questions:

Is this the only available SM300 rep out there?

Is the different '12 hour marker on the rep replicated from another model variation, or just plain wrong?

I'd like to add this to the Omega Guide but I haven't followed the replications much at all.

the 15 date sits high in the date window? photo distortion?

Actually date window sitting high on ETA-based watches occasionally is very typical. ETA movements in gens aren't any different from their rep counterparts.

You can use Tinyurl.com to link long Ebay address strings here:

http://tinyurl.com/ydgrhxy

That looks like a stolen factory photo.

Arthur,

keep in mind that most Rolex buyers are tasteless nouveau rich people. They want gold, diamonds and garbage like that. They don't care about the brand history, legacy, traditions or anything. They buy Rolex because they want to show how much money they have. They have never heard of Steve McQueen Explorer II, white dial PanAm GMT Master or Newman Daytona.

Collectors and Rolex WIS in the watch forums are a different breed. At least I want to believe in that.

PS: Come to think of it... they might even use the same case for the upcoming Explorer II (if they ever plan to "update" it in similar fashion). That'd reduce the cost... I mean, they could produce 3 different watches in the same production line.

Amazing news!

Congrats for the marriage my friend. And you couldn't have picked up nicer Seamaster. The Electric Blue is just

I wonder if GMTIIc and Sub use the exact same case and crown? If so, the old characteristic differences between models (shorter rehaut, slimmer case, different cgs, twinlock/triplock) are gone as well.