Bidle

I thought Rolex would be more appropriate, seen the affection on this forum, but Minerva it is. ;-) First up two old Minerva's with a cal. 48 and cal. 49. Both designed by André Frey who has a great place in the watch history. He designed the famous Venus 175 caliber and later start working for Minerva and there he designed the cal. 48 which is famous for the design. He based it on the Golden Ratio. Later he even became the owner of Minerva. This is a model from the 50's I came across and couldn't resist buying. It has the cal.48 Here a later example with the cal.49 As it has a central second. And I like the original 'glass' as it has cracks all over but only shown within a particular light angle. It gives it the charm of vintage. Than my 'André Frey trio',... well as I like to call them. Some took me a very long time to find. I'm literally talking about years,... as when they came out I didn't knew them or just didn't had the funds to acquire them. First a Pythagore Grande Applique. It houses the cal. 48 but with a nicer finish. Second the 140th anniversary with a pocket watch movement from Minerva and refined to celebrate their 140th anniversary. Only 134 were made and 6 with a movement which was already finished. Third, which I found not so long ago and my favorite of the Minerva's. It was limited to 300, but only ~94 were made. It houses a Venus 175, which was designed by André Frey before he start working at Minerva. They used NOS movements to complete these watches.

octopussy

I agree this the case for most of us, but do know some collectors who buy soley for an investment for some years now. Personally I mostly buy because I like them or because of the history of a watch. Like some Minerva models.

If you like sure! I already posted them on many fora as photography is also a hobby of mine. Most of my watches I have on photo. My collection varies from vintage to modern in different 'classes'.

I want to thank you all for your nice and honest comments. It was helpful and now I can understand your passion for reps a bit better. Especially the chase to try and create a watch which looks like the 'real deal'. StilI a rep or a Franken wouldn't do it for me, because I know it is not the real deal. To be honest I even dislike fakes. I might be a bit of a freak as I, for instance, also dislike service dials ed. This feeling won't change and hasn't changed the past 20 years as an active collector. I do respect all other opinions and try to understand it. Of-course I'll remain a member as this is, even for me who dislikes reps, a true source of good information with kind members! Maybe sometimes can even contribute some. Only I'll stick with my original examples. ;-) Again thx!

Nice restoration and pictures!

I agree and understand, but why not restore a nice vintage watch,... or are they not your taste of design? Or maybe even built a new unique watch wit it's own design?

No I can't but than I'm not a car enthusiast, but nice input. Still I would probably leave it with the poster on my boys-room and not drive a kit-car. Only because I would know it is not the real thing From my dreams.

Sorry to read life got in away with work, but also good to read you rediscovered your passion!! I can imagine it is a nice time spend to work on a Franken. Maybe in a later state you can try to restore a nice vintage watch! In the mean time good luck with the TAG.

Yes of-course, that's why I'm asking for their reasoning out of interest. :-)

Hmmmm, yes I agree on a particular level. And even the new Panerai movements which are manufactured at ETA. Which are so called manufactura!?? The old ones with unfinished Unitas are indeed unbelievable, but still original. Indeed overpriced, but so is IWC and manny other brands. On the other hand when is it 'worth it'? It has a lot to do with emotion and for some people just to pay more than a $100,- for a watch is not worth it. It's just a luxury article. I also can understand someone would like the challenge to built a replica.

Also like the Omega; nice choice! But as you mention there is a definite difference in quality! Why would you settle for a rep if it looks like it? Especially if you can afford the 'real deal'!?

Snake

Thx, do agree there is some valuable info on this forum. That's the reason why I became a member.

Thx, I understand. Indeed recent history showed us a drop in value for most vintage Rolex models. Also it is a kind of a myth we all believe in. Probably most steel Daytona's are just laying in a safe. I do like watches but never looked at them as an investment. Maybe also because I buy to wear and not planning on sell them. Of-course Sometimes I do sell a watch, but not as often as my other half wishes. ;-)

Thank you for your answer! So if I understand correctly it is a matter of price?? If you could afford a real DRSD you would buy the real thing? And if you weren't able to buy a DateJust you would buy a rep/frank. Why just not buy both reps,... most won't notice the difference. You might even also be able to built/buy a rep vintage Milgauss. Or is it because you know it is a rep. Maybe a 'stupid' example,... but when I own a nice vase and there is a small crack in it. I don't want it anymore. Even though I can't see it as it is on the backside.

Thx for your answer, You are right it is a personal opinion and everybody has the right to have one! I'm just interested in the opinions in this particular case! Why did you decided to buy reps and mix it up?? Was it so you are able to change the watch you wear more often?

Thx for your answer!! I totally agree with "a Gen is a Gen"! The way you look at the reps makes more sense to me. Sometimes it just seems that members put the reps and gens on the same 'level' Which I can't understand if people own both reps and gens.

Nothing wrong with Selita! For the record even IWC uses these movements. 35110 =SW200

So I'm a rather new member. I'm more a reader, but,.... still have a question to some members. I noticed that a fair amount of members also have 'expensive' genuine watches!!!?? With 'expensive' I mean a genuine watch which costs at least a $1000,- or even more. Why would you still buy a 'expensive' genuine watch if you are also into replica's/franken? Somehow it just doesn't make sense to me. For the same amount of money you would be able to buy a dozen of nice replica watches. Or if you do buy a genuine why buy a replica on the side and just save up for another genuine? Because it seems to me you are happier with a genuine watch than a replica? Thank you for your reply and please insert in your reply if you indeed own a 'expensive' genuine watch. For the record; just wondering and not to offend people,...

King

Thx for your answer, it indeed looks shocking real on this photo.

Is the Ebel also fake??

There are many and from all qualities. From €10,- on Ebay up to over a 800,- Only one tip; Before passing the customs put your watch in a travel-bag. So it won't be damaged in the little tray! Sometimes they want to look through the tray and can make a scratch on it, or worse on the other side your watch is gone! I travel a lot for my job and always have everything ready and secured.

Very nice watch I saw it multiple times at the AD. They even wanted to give me a good deal, but still I had to pass. ;-)