OI812

Talk to caruwe, I think he has some.

Only has a few left for his projects...

Talk to caruwe, I think he has some.

Thanks! Will do....

Bought from 2 different sources so far and they are all to small and the magnification is obviously nowhere near 2.5x.

THANKS!

Dude, this ia an obvious scam from moment one. Odds are that the best case you end up with a fake and if you do the face to face bit you get mugged for the cash. Craig's list is a harbor for con artists and this guy is an obvious amateur. Do yourself a favor, IF you want a genuine just do your due diligence and watch TZ/WUS/VRF/TRF and be PATIENT. You'll find one eventually that will work for you. NOBODY sells a Rolex for substantially UNDER market unless they're a helluva' friend to the seller. They are simply WAY to EASY to sell as there are WAY too many buyers itching to purchase.

Just begging for a folded link Oyster IMOP.

I think it looks great! I have a pretty good Exp II sitting in my watch drawer....hmmmmm

While the costs are obviously not comparable, neither are the reps and gens in the overwhelming majority

of cases. One thing I haven't seen mentioned so far is reliability. A pretty large % of my reps have had some issues

especially with the movements breaking. Sometimes within a few weeks. I have a pretty big gen collection besides the reps

and I can say that there's NO comparison on that end. Even when a rep is visually very impressive, they usually don't work the same.

For ex. I have a modded APROO I bought from a member here. It looks almost gen (I put a OEM rubber strap on it too). The watch however

runs like [censored]- 3 min fast/day (after 4 adjustments by the watchsmith). I doubt that would be the case with the gen. Of course I wouldn't spend 20K

on a SS watch with a rubber band either!

Then find a quality movement and replace the junker and your good to go for a LOT less $$$. Problem solved...

I think TJ hit on the topic a bit better than anyone else here.

To me the question was...'remove all branding and lay a rep and gen down beside each other'

This means all production, advertising, delivery and after sales cost are irrelevant.

In the end the gen will still be the better watch and the one actually worth more but it will be a lot closer than the true price tags suggest.

Ken

Yep, what he said 100%..

Let's take Rolex as an example....yes they are 904, yes it's an in house movement in the latest versions (and a darn fine one), yes the fit/finish on the latest are really good (not so on the older versions), etc. etc. etc.

HOWever, I've seen some watches frankened by some guy's on here that are right up there with genuine. Plop a genuine movement in them and they would be practically INdistinguishable from genuine. (IF they are distinguishable) There was a thread running on VRF awhile back in which some of the dealers on there were warning guy's how good the frankens were getting. They listed several examples of how hard it was for them to determine if a watch was "fake"....especially with the vintage stuff they deal with a lot. IF those guy's are having a difficult time determining if a watch is genuine at times then imagine the average AD, much less their staff. To me that's the ultimate example how good SOME replicas have become today.

I can tell you this from personal experience. I've owned/own many fine watches over the years, including every SS Rolex Sport model other than the YM and Daytona, and I have SERIOUS reservations about EVER buying another. (unless it was THE "deal" of all deals ) The primary reason (other than the outlandish price tag now days) is I'd feel somewhat ripped off knowing that the Chinese can manufacture and sell a watch with comparable components for $400.00 (and turn a tidy profit) while Rolex wants 7k USA for, more or less, the same SS watch....and yes, I'm MORE than aware about 904 vs. 316, COSC, long term resale, quality of a Rolex movement, etc. etc. etc.

You could also substitute Panerai/Omega and several other brands in place of Rolex.

Obviously, what one does with his own watch is his own business. looking ahead however, it boggles my mind that someone would do that to an iconic watch like the 1655.Surely to a collector PVD coating the 1655 would destroy its collector value. The price they are asking is right up there with a really nice condition collectible 1655 ,of which it obviously is not any longer. Of the two, it does look the best. the first one looks like a cheap mall watch that was painted. There are so many 2nd tier homage watches that are available, why would someone want to do that to a genuine Rolex, or for that matter a genuine anything!

If you want to see some action, post that thread and link over on the Vintage Rolex Forum =@

LOL.....I THOUGHT about it, but, as a long time member there I wouldn't want to blow my cover. After a few days it would probably be an interesting thread to read.

I'm 100% with you on the 1655. I CANNOT believe somebody would do that to such a classic Rolex, much less expect to sell it like it were a prime example of a 1655. Man, just take a Steinhart/Avier/MKII homage and have it pvd/dlc, but, not a 1655.

http://www.messinajewelers.com/rolex-explorer-16570-used-p-1632.html

IF you like that one you'll really like this one....a sacrilege to do this to a true classic...

http://www.watchguru.com/WatchFiend/Watch-Details/Rolex/Explorer-II-Orange-Hand-PVD/12463

I like PVD/DLC as much as most, but, man to do that to a 1655 is beyond me....

I think it's pretty funny they don't really know WHO they are going after other than they are probably Chinese - too funny. Oh, it looks like idolreplicas is back in business as idolreplicas.net so the whack-a-mole anology works for me!

The whole deal is laughable at best. Unless the Chineses GOVERNMENT R E A L L Y cracks down (doubtful) then all of this is like screaming help in the middle of the Yukon.

Love the band, hate the fans, and not too crazy about the new albums, either!

Likewise, from my experience exchanging PMs, the guys I chat with on the rep forums are more pleasant, and much more knowledgeable/eager-to-learn than their incurious, gen-owning counterparts.

Amen brother....

I'll see what I can do. It may be absolute junk in person...

I'd take one too...what tha' heck, if it'll keep time it'd be a decent turbo-beater....

I've owned/own a bunch of them, and they aren't... Especially with the older, more vintage, Rolexes.

Had one, paid $600.00 for it about 6 or so years ago. Nice watch, reasonable fit/finish, chrono operated flawlessly, but, it's just too small and that's why I sold it. As for an 8k retail....LOL

SO sorry to change the subject of the thread....

Then there's the old Coke story- put a tooth in a glass of Coke and it will be gone in the morning.

I second the 5513/1675 recommendation. IF your patient and perform your due diligence you'll realize a reasonable return if and when you sell it. Same for the Tudor Chronograph. IF you buy new from an AD, no matter the brand, your more than likely seriously underH20 immediately and, with some of the recommendations listed, you'll stay there. Totally depends on whether your CERTAIN your going to keep the watch for the duration, etc.

BTW, I had a Cal. 861 Pre-Moon and it is a great watch...

I personaly think that you will always get your money back on them most proberbly a bit more

I second the 5513/1675 recommendation. IF your patient and perform your due diligence you'll realize a reasonable return if and when you sell it. Same for the Tudor Chronograph. IF you buy new from an AD, no matter the brand, your more than likely seriously underH20 immediately and, with some of the recommendations listed, you'll stay there. Totally depends on whether your CERTAIN your going to keep the watch for the duration, etc.

Yeah, I have to admit, it's not looking promising, but, early days yet, there's always a PP dispute of nothing arrives, and as above, I've seen people rolled for more, so not too fussed. I made the purchase knowing I could afford to lose the money if it didn't work out, so no-one to blame but myself if it doesn't work out I wouldn't buy genuine anything (at retail) on principle alone, but have been watching for the dials on eBay as they do come up from time to time

I sure hope it all works out for you. I just have my doubts, but, if they do deliver something to you I'd LOVE to see it. I spoke not long ago with a member who'd built 2 VERY nice frankens based on genuine dials. I cannot for the life of me remember who it was??? In fact, I'd love to remember so I could find out what Daytona version he used for the builds. I can tell you this they were VERY nice builds....

"If it's too good to be true...yada, yada, yada".... I hope it works out for you, but, I'd be terribly surprised if you receive anything from this transaction.

Tudor Chronos are GREAT watches and I've own/owned a lot of them. Just buy yourself a genuine for 2k +/- as they are well worth it, or build yourself one using an authentic dial, etc.

Roger that. I posted some photos over there of an all-original, single owner DRSD with the original band even, and they shot it down because it had the "wrong hands and bezel."

Pfffffft. Let 'em stew in their own juices, sez me.

I've been dealing with guy's like them for many years. Here's my summary of what you'll find....

- Some are very good people with a VERY serious love and appreciation for vintage watches. These guy's are wonderful to deal with and are 1st class individuals. They own some of the most beautiful watches you'll ever see and are very, very knowledgeable.

- Some are spoiled 2nd and 3rd, etc. generation silver spoon brats who have never earned a nickel on their own. They love to brag about their collections and are very often the first to criticize, etc. etc. etc. Most of this group have next to zero TRUE knowledge, but, are the first to fire up their piehole.

- Some are dealers who love to help the silver spoon crowd spend daddies/grandpa's $$$$....

- Some have owned/own 1 or 2 high end vintage watches, but, are very serious about learning as much as they can from the truly knowledgeable members, etc.

- Some are just serious WIS who could never afford to own the watches they love, but, are very passionate about Horology, etc.

I could go on and on and on, but, the moral is they are a pretty diversified group and that's why you get the wide ranging reactions/opinions about this particular watch auction. (and any other subject you throw at them.. )

I for one am VERY proud for ole' Bob and hope he enjoys the 60k! Having passed an email or two with him I have no doubt that he will!

I think my hands look okay.

Having owned/own BOTH of the geniunes I can attest that you've done a MARVELOUS job Nomad! Congrats and well done!

I bought my V2 from Marty and after a few weeks the clasp began to slip pretty badly. I simply took my Dremel and CAREFULLY deepened the teeth (which I think he'd already filed a bit) and it now locks tight. Looks and, most importantly, functions exactly like a genuine clasp now.

So sorry to hear of the job loss and, most importantly, the loss of your father. I lost mine in 05' and I think of him EVERY single day. Fear not, it WILL all work out in the end.

Hang in there!