By-Tor

I've owned some amazing and not-so-amazing reps over the years. I have traded or gave away most of them. Not because they had flaws or annoyances but simply because they never received enough wrist time in my watch rotation. Here's a few of them (and a few thoughts about them). Actually I'm a bit embarrassed how loopsided and "mainstream" my past and present watches have been... not much variation or imagination.

Actually I have owned many, many more (50+ reps actually) but these are just something that I found from my Photobucket album.

Most of these watches have been reviewed in my section (click my signature).

Rolex Yacht-Master

I owned a budget version of the excellent "Noob" YM, from Narikaa. One of the best purchases I've had, the value was amazing. I gave it away to Takashi because he worked on my rep GMT. I dunno, YM simply doesn't do it for me. Beautiful watch but in the end of the day it always felt like just a "gay Submariner". Sorry. Of course the WM9 version Yachtie is in the league of its own but the Noob version wasn't too shabby, either.

Tudor Military Sub MBW

This came from an old school seller, Watchmaster/Kenzo. It was a Tudor Snowflake dial installed on a standard MBW 5513 case. Pretty nice and I guess this was the first snowflake rep owned by a forum member. Nothing compared to the incredible frankens that some members have built recently, but nice watch anyway. I traded it pretty quickly as I'm not a huge vintage Rolex guy. Call me crazy but I simply don't like the plastic protruding crystal.

TAG Link Chronograph 7750

One of my most popular rep reviews. According to one major dealer, this particular model sold sh*tloads. Loved this watch, and especially the bracelet. But the lack of AR made the dial extremely reflective. Old gen Link doesn't have AR, either but the dial was so reflective that it was actually difficult to read time occasionally. But one of these days I'm getting myself a new generation gen Link... as I said the bracelet is superb.

TAG Aquaracer Chronograph Day-Date

My favorite chronograph, rep or gen. I sold this because I got the gen. As you can see the SEL on my watch wasn't too stellar. I managed to fix it (partially) later though.

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow Venus

One of my all time favorites. This belongs to my brother now so I see it at least every month. Loved this rep and I wish it was still available. Not the most accurate one, but has lots of "spirit". I still get PMs about this watch from new members occasionally. Funny.

Rolex Submariner WM9 v1 aka "Perfect Sub" by Precious Time

Sold this excellent replication because I upgraded to v2. Actually this is one the few reps that I regret selling (at least a bit). Loved the "Flat S" dial and it had the best SELs I've ever seen on a Rolex replica. I installed WM9 v1 SELs on my v2 too. Much nicer.

Rolex Submariner "TW Best"

This was "hot stuff" when Phil Collins still had lots of hair. Yes compared to WM9 it's pretty horrible but many considered this the best OTB modern Sub rep in its day. You newbies are spoiled, lol! Too bad I can't find photos of my old CN versions. But then again maybe it's better that way...

Rolex "Noobmariner"

Actually I owned both ETA and Asian versions. The cheap, original $100 Noobmariner without the terrible, misaligned rehaut engraving is still very, very decent Sub for the money.

Rolex Explorer II CN version correct hand stack white

Easily forgettable. Maybe the worst and the most disappointing rep I have owned. There is nothing good to say about this POS. The CHS movement stopped a few times every hour (seconds hand got stuck) and the horrible light grey hour markers truly pissed me off. Fortunately the good dealer agreed to take it back. Good riddance. BEWARE: Some dealers still offer this piece of junk... I wouldn't take one for free.

Rolex Explorer II CN version correct hand stack black

Actually the dealer swapped my whitey to this one. Much, much better dial, and a working CHS movement. Great crown but cyclops/date positioned too right just like on all CN versions. But still, this is a half-decent rep actually.

Rolex Explorer II "Noobfactory" version black WHS

The best OTB ExpII replica there is/will never be, and definitely among the top-5 Rolex replicas ever. The one without infamous, horrible Noobfactory rehaut engraving (do I repeat myself, sorry). Stunning. Traded it quickly because I collected funds to my PP for a gen purchase. This didn't get enough wrist rotation. The watch on the picture has gen crown installed, default crown is terrible.

PS: I told everyone to get this watch for $200-something when it was still available. But did they listen? Of course not. Now they're buying these from the member sales section for crazy, inflated prices. Morons.

Rolex Day-Date

Of course the gen is made of white gold and the rep is laughably light in comparison. The blue dial was off too (what a surprise). I never owned it, a dealer sent it to me for a review as I was curious to see it.

But when I put it on I felt almost embarrassed how small it looked on me so I asked my girlfriend (now wifey) to pose me a few review wrist shots.

Rolex TT Sub Noobfactory ETA

Still the best and nicest TT Sub (after the WM9). And I've had the CN version, the TW version and the MBW version. I love TT Subs in pictures but when you put one on, it's just well... too much.

Rolex TT Submariner MBK

Expensive rep with sloppy finishing and details. Look at that nasty glue crawling under the insert! On top of that it had that terrible rehaut engraving. Very nice tone on the blue dial though.

"Reduced" Venus Speedmaster

I bought this one from a member sale. It was dirt cheap back then when members still didn't have nerve to ask dealer prices for their old beaters. Mostly a fantasy model but quite nice at that. I mean, those transparent Venus casebacks can't be beaten. Love 'em! Actually I didn't even remember that I had owned this one. Damn you can make revelations when you scroll your old Photobucket.

Ultimate Planet Ocean "UPO"

Very nice rep, even by today's standards. Initially I liked it but the honeymoon turned out to be quite short. Lack of 2XAR and the overall clumsy wrist presence didn't do it for me so I traded it rather quickly. I have owned a few big 45mm watches but this wore the biggest. I'm a Omega fan through and through but UPO is not for me. It could have worked with the rubber strap but the rep strap came after I had traded mine.

See how big it looked, even when I was 270 pounds and lifting "monster heavy" back then. Crazy how small people can wear this one. On a bracelet it was the most "unbalanced" watch I ever had. Wears much better on a rubber though.

Planet Ocean 4th Generation 42mm

Loved this but the bracelet was very low quality. I was actually able to bend the clasp metal with my fingers! The rep was nice but SEL and pearl were off and there was no AR. I just recalled that I owned the 3rd Generation PO too... but I couldn't find the pics anymore. I guess they got buried with the original RWG1. The "base rep" is nothing special but it's possible to build a fantastic franken around this model. Ubi and Dluddy (and I recall Lani too) have amazing versions. During my hiatus they had released a new 42mm UPO. If I ever buy another replica watch again, that will be the one.

Omega Seamaster Black GMT

This one I loved. It came with Asian 21J movement and I bought it from Wackobirdkeeper for $95. Total bargain and surprisingly accurate rep. On this photo I have it on a Bond bracelet (that's what the early black GMT's came with). Eventually I traded this too but I don't remember why. Some kind of impulse move I guess... I wanted the improved ETA version that never came.

Old School MBW "Red" Submariner 1680

When I came to rep forums, everyone was raving about MBW's and "how amazing they are and how difficult they are to source". MBW was almost mythical figure. Palpatine aka "Palp" was a good forum friend of mine and he got one for me straight from Maria. He did amazing work with the hour markers and "vintagized" it. But then I learned more about the vintage Sub and realized how completely and utterly inaccurate the red version replica is. The dial is just totally off. These watches are incredible franken-bases though... but their reputation as "amazing replicas OTB" is just as outdated as last month's newspaper. If you want a good vintage Sub, avoid the red version, that's my advice. And as stated earlier, I'm not a huge vintage Rolex guy anyway...

Rolex GMT Master II "TW Best"

I had a long and desperate chase to find the "perfect GMT". I should have bought the gen immediately and not waste my time with reps. Not that the 16710 reps aren't good... no, I had many decent ones. But when you have a "grail watch" it's only frustrating to seek perfection from the Chinese wonders. This one for starters... it was the "TW Best" model. Very nicely built watch but not terribly accurate... and expensive to boot. I also had a two "CN" versions of the 16710 but couldn't find the pictures.

"Retro" GMT Master II from Joshua

This watch had flaws too, but like the TW version, it possessed extremely good quality feel. I traded it to a good forum friend. This was the best there was (before the corrected "Noob" version came out".)

Noobfactory "BK" GMT Master II

This is still the best one out there. The initial versions had Explorer II sized ROLEX printing & coronet on the dial but when it was fixed I had to get one. Best case and best base for a franken without a doubt. I still can recommend this model to everyone. Great rep, I owned four (yes FOUR) of these. One was with correct hand stack and it eventually broke. I gave the POS to my mate Mystery Modder. Maybe he managed to use some spare parts from it.

Rolex GMT Master II "Ceramic"

Nice rep and everything. Very popular model. Not that I disliked it but as Neil once put it "it was boring like a rainy afternoon in Belgium" (sorry Stephane). I traded it pretty quickly. Good riddance.

Ebel 1911 Chronograph Quartz

Now this one brings back some memories. One of my first reps, purchased from Richard Lawton's endless collection. Very, very nice quartz rep. Of course the gen sports an inhouse Modulor movement and cheapy quartz can't compare... but flaws don't really matter on lesser known brands that much, imho. I have always loved the classic 1911 chronograph and if there was a two-tone version of this rep available, I'd buy it without hesitation... even today.

Ebel 1911 BTR Quartz

There was no BTR rep so the membership was getting anxious. Narikaa had a cure for the disease. A cheapie quartz version. Inaccurate as hell and way too slim, but I actually liked it a lot. For a few days. Rep collecting can be fun too... it's not just an obsessive journey to find the most accurate one. Sometimes it's fun to buy some cheap shit. This is another watch that I had completely forgotten about though.

Breitling SFSO Blue from the initial batch

Here's a bit "overcontrasted on purpose" artsy photo of my old favorite. Superb, superb replication. I sold it because I thought I had a sealed deal on a gen.

Breitling SFSO Black

Couldn't find a gen immediately so I had to get another rep SFSO to cease the pain. Superb replica just like the blue version. Then I eventually found the gen and traded it (just recently).

Breitling Navitimer Old Asian 7750, Serie Speciale old rep version

When I came to rep forums I didn't like the Navitimer at all. But tastes change and I purchased this one through a member trade. Nice one but had some fundamental flaws, like polished case and bracelet (for starters). The bracelet with all links intact was small and tight enough to stop my blood flow so I gave it away (I think).

Breitling Navitimer "Tricompax" two-tone

Now this one I loved. Truly a beautiful piece and still the best gold rep I have owned. I traded it because it simply didn't fit my wrist, plus was too lazy to start searching for the extra links. And like all gold watches that I've owned it had the same destiny: They're just "too much", you know... but definitely a lovely rep.

Omega Seamaster "Bond"

Now this is my most worn rep. I wore it weekly for 4 years and loved it. This is from the old batch and had the superb bracelet. Traded it because I eventually bought the gen. Bond Seamaster is just... well... perfect.

Audemars Piguet Seven Sails

I think this was a fantasy model. But PT was selling this for a discount so I grabbed one because I wanted to see how I like AP. I was in two minds about it, and since I'm not a strap guy so I traded it too.

Breitling BCE 7750 v3

All that rave about how great the BCE replicas were. I wasn't too impressed. The lume markers were like chewing gum and the overall quality wasn't that "great". And BCE was too much of a "pimp watch" for me anyway. Flipped it quickly.

Ebel BTR 7750

The best quality replica I have owned (built quality wise). Period. Incredible bracelet, incredible finish and details. Yeah the subdials are off, etc. but who cares. This is highly recommended if you want an impressive watch, rep or gen. Traded this for a gen purchase. I still do love this replica and it's among the only reps I regret selling. A stunner... amazing!

Breitling Skyland v2

This was a great watch but it never got any wrist time so I decided to give it a go. I traded it to a good member but it was stolen by the post office workers. The first watch I ever lost in transaction.

White franken Explorer II

This had a genuine dial and the very old, initial Noobfactory case. I loved it, I really did. But Explorer II was a bit too small for me and eventually it didn't get any wrist time. So I traded this too. Crazy me... it was insanely accurate franken.

Breitling B01 Chronomat

Now this watch never become very popular among the members but I really liked it. Much more than the old BCE. Weird. But then again I never wore it, either so I decided to scrap it. But overall I think it hasn't gotten the recognition it deserves. Excellent, high quality replication.

Thanks for looking. I will add more entries later.

Truly great review. I will add this new entry to the TAG Guide asap.

Your junior looks very much gen to me, though! Funny how those little kids look wise. Maybe they are?

Thanks man.

Oh yeah, they ARE wise. Actually kids are much wiser than grown-ups. That's why they learn everything super fast. There is scientific data behind that as well... we have most brain cells when we born. Those braincells reduce every day. You can even see the pattern here. Most members come here for nice watches but eventually find themselves buying Panerais, etc. Experience helps a little though.

@Mickey: Yeah I remember that... such a great piece.

@deniz: Not a gen dial, just gen insert.

@red: Thanks man!

Thanks Gentlemen.

@matt: Does the gen bezel fit just like that... you got the click and everything?

Nikki is a great man... get well soon mate!

If these were your first, I can't imagine how the 10th look like.

Great photos!

Maybe not quite as accurate as Watchers Sub, but close.

Gen dial

Correct hand stack

Old "impossible to source" Noobfactory case

Just an update: This kid is amazing. He already controls his neck (only less than 5 weeks old) and is trying to move forward in every occasion. Hektik but very healthy little man.

And when he's not hungry (rarely) he's constantly smiling.

It's amazing how fast they change.

Here on dad's shoulder... sending greetings to the RWG gang! No watch yet though.

Good early morning (to Europeans).

Starting the week with my Fish.

Ah, I read your initial post sloppily and thought that WM9 v1 bracelet had that problem.

Not only it's too short, the SELs are also way too rounded. It looks terrible.

What happened to the original WM9 bracelet? That's the best one... why aren't you using that?

Damn... thanks for the correction chefcook. I thought they ceased the Root Beer years before the 16710.

Actually I should have known... the gen GMT booklet has that model pictures (along with Coke and Pepsi versions).

No... there isn't an accurate replica of the Root Beer GMT... there has never been.

Gens should be around $3400 or so... I've seen them selling for that. Like I said they're much cheaper than their steel counterparts. This is not very popular model.

Keep on checking TZ and WUS sales forums... I'm sure one pops up eventually.

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=threadt&frm_id=32

http://forums.watchuseek.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

This is probably the best there is. "Retro" Root Beer GMT.

That one has many flaws, like crystal profile and lack of rehaut thickness. It also uses full gold Submariner clasp. If I'm not mistaken all root beer GMTs came with the old type of clasp without fliplock. And of course they all used non-SELs, so that rep bracelet is inaccurate too.

But I guess it's "wearable" if you're not looking for a super-rep.

I'm a 1675 & 16710 enthusiast but actually I don't know much about this particular model. I don't even know when they stopped producing it. The root beer model isn't that desirable among the collectors... they seem to sell cheaper than the steel versions.

has anyone tried a noob bracelet on a wm9 watch? I tried one for size on the v1, and while the end link and lug meeting point were awesomely air tight the end link was simply not long enough to meet up with the case and left a gap between the case serial no. and the end link.

You must have received a lemon.

My v1 SELs were the absolute BEST I've ever seen on a Rolex replica, before or after.

Actually I wish I had kept the watch for the SELs only.

I have v1 SELs installed on my v2. They're excellent but not as perfectly recessed as on my v1. I guess it's bit luck of a draw and QC combined here... tolerances & luck.

And the panda dial Ebel that I can't remember the full name of?

Discovery.

Came out in summer, 2008 already.

2009 wasn't even nearly as great year as the previous two. It was actually quite slow year.

WM9 v2/v3 Submariner and WM9 Yacht-Master come to mind.

There must be others but I just can't seem to remember...

JJ,

that was a great story.

It's quite amazing how the reps lead to gens. I never thought I'd purchase many very expensive watches but reps are only a "gateway drug". Reps are absolutely perfect for a "test drive". If a watch has real long-term appeal and become a "grail", buy the gen... if you're just a "casual fan" of some model stick with the rep. That's my motto.

Even now, the reps haven't lost their appeal to me at all. If you think buying gens will end your appetite for reps, you're mistaken. In no time you're back buying and browsing for the latest releases.

Some old soap opera stuff (RWG1 and Blade-related)

http://www.replicacollector.com/members/index.php?showtopic=15062

I actually tried to sell this last year on RG. Had a guy from England tell me it was a piece of sheeit based on one of your reviews. I told him he was out of his mind...that I bought it BECAUSE of the review you did a few yeas back. I tried to explain to him and the others that jumped in with him but it didn't do much good. I finally just removed it from the FS section and told him to suck it. He is still doing the same thing over there and actually got me banned for sticking up for someone he jumped on in the sales section. These watches were masterpieces given what the makers had to work with yet only a handful of people realize it anymore. Such a shame.

Wow. That's quite a story!

Rep collecting is not only about being anal about the flaws, or paranoid about "getting called out" (which is quite ridiculous, actually). Enjoying cool watches can be fun too. I guess some people haven't quite understood it.

Actually I don't think I reviewed this bigger version. I think it was the smaller one (there were 2 different rep versions of the Moonie).

These aren't super accurate as the spacing is off and the wandering '6 subdial has to be freezed (if it bothers you). But on the other hand these have an amazing "spirit". Impossible to explain, they're just damn cool. And the build quality on these is very decent.

My brother owns my old white Broad Arrow version (technically the same watch as yours), which was one of my all time favorite reps.

PS: This is very good quality shot. I really like it.

Yes the watch in the picture is the old version.

Make sure that's the one you're going to receive. Dealers rely on their suppliers and it's not certain that the suppliers still can get this.

Good luck!

I've seen that dial all over canal street.

LOL. Yeah, the original Deep Sea.

Must be the fugliest watch ever produced. Actually small children shouldn't see that watch as it's so damn horrible.

That was a rep for sure. Rolex hasn't made this model. Some speculate that it's coming but they have speculated it since the day one.

I agree, it's damn impressive. I didn't like the design at first... I thought it was too radical but it has grown on me tremendously.

I would already own this but Zigmeister said the movement can't be serviced (if it breaks).