Stephane

@All: wow, thank you guys for nice comments. @By-Tor: do you have the same mvt in yours ? I've never seen this one before. Is it the standart Asian 21J ? Cheers Stephane

Dear All, I am very proud of posting a pictorial/review of a legend: The one and only NoobMariner About the deal After quite some deals with TTK now, I can't see any reasons to comment this one If you still don't know him, I'd suggest you discover this collector as soon as possible. Why get one more Submariner Well, it's simple. As a Newbie you need a NoobMariner. Everyone is the Noob of someone so, being a Noob is a permanent state somehow When I was a total Noob here, there was no Noobmariner available, at least not TTK's one. The real reason why I wanted this one is since I discovered RWG, I read tons of great things about TTK's NoobMariner. I wanted to own a piece of the legend. So when he suddenly put it back online in his collector's section, I couldn't resist and jumped on it. The watch According to some members, with valuable opinions of course, this watch has the best Submariner dial and best bracelet out of the box. It's powered by an Asian automatic movement. And it costs…80€ / 110$ which puts this watch in competition with our CN collectors cheapest ones. I would not go for a 119$ or 129$ dollar one now that I've seen the NoobMariner in person. Not even with an Eta CN build movement! Ziggy told us all that Asian movements were not bad ones after all. So why would we worry? Personal impressions I will not comment everything but only what seemed obvious or surprising to me when I unpacked it. Yes, the bracelet is fabulous and accurate. Everybody knows this: it's very light and the noise of it gives a cheap feeling. It's a hollow mid link and solid end link one. I personally do not like that "light feeling" but must admit, that it is impressive. What is fabulous is the shine of it. I wish I could word this but I'm afraid my froglish hurts here. It "glows" like "super lume" although it's a only a cheap brushed one of course. See what I mean? Even touching it is sweet & much smoother compared to the bracelets of my other 16610. And this without even oiling it, by the way. Out of the box. The movement is quite a surprise to me. Ok, it's still an Asian, but don't you think it looks pretty with these blue screws and silver parts? I expected one of these ugly ones rounded with a white plastic circle. Nope, it's nice looking in my opinion. Of course, when setting up the time or date, the feeling is nowhere close to an Eta. I don't have that "fragile feeling" like I have with one of my Asian Omega for example though. This one is more than pleasant to deal with. I really wonder what movement it is in fact. The Crown Guards: why the hell can't we have these ones on all Subs to start with. I'm not saying they are perfect but they look damn good compared to some Ultimate/SCP/BeginMariner or whatever… This too was a surprise to me. Almost as good as an MBW. The almost invisible laser edged crown on the crystal is a positive thing too. You really need a loupe to see it. And you know what, it's even almost centered under the 6 o'clock position. Date magnification is quite good too. Pity that the font is not correct but that's such a habit. The dial: The minutes markers are correct around the Swiss Made. Small as per genuine. I guess this is what makes the difference with an MBW, right? Conclusion Well, I am so happy to own one of these legendary watches. Submariner wise, it's a very cool one and I would recommend it to everybody. Now, having said that, do not expect to find a correct 16610 or any other Rolex 1:1 right out of the box. It doesn't exist. Your choice is simple: - A NoobMariner for a 100$ - A MBW for 350$ If you want to start mods though, and you have enough budget, take both and mix them up. By-Tor's original Noobmariner review is here Cheers Stephane The Pictures Please do not reply quoting the pictures as there are 22 and it would mess the speed of the thread and the forum. Thank you. My god, these Crown Guards are not bad ! The bracelet is not bad either So, what is inside ? Oh, and do not forget to remove that stupid green sticker

Narika, we do not know each other but I would like to send you and your familly my best thoughts. Sorry for my late reply, I was travelling. Warm regards, Stephane

Stamps How do one mod stamps Our babies are much more fun

@RCKH: you must be a little "rep" depressed But don't worry, it will not last for long. @Pug: you are very "phylosophe" today! But you cover it all and said it so well Come on boys, let's post more threads Even if YOU think it's not interresting what you have to say, others might like it very much

No thread crapping man, we all want to learn

Only 5 I need 3 Congrats for your Comex. It looks terrific.

Looking at your collection...I'm afraid it will not end Delta, congratulation! The selection you made is very tasty. Straps too. Bravo, Cheers Stephane

The engraving of the serial is a quite good though. I wish I had that on mine

I'm not sure I will wear anything else but these ones for the moment: And

@Flav: thanks for the input. As I'm not looking to fool anywone...I'll kepp this mvt

And it's me (BTW & Once again) Thanks for installing those wheels Pug.

I love the riveted ones TTK ! These Hollow's are only giving a "cheap" feeling to the entire watch... After all, what are the probabilities that a say 40 years old watch still has it's original bracelet ?!

Ah. So that was the ! Well Kruzer, I wish I could say because an artist allways deserve his signature on the paint in my opinion. But again, I think this very nice member has his own reasons to stay anonimous, and I will respect that, forever. Having said that, let's avoid fantasies and fairy tales! Do not imagine he is "new - unknow - out of this board - Rolex retired watchmaker - ..." I am in no way promoting a future business here. Only respecting what he asked me. Sorry Stephane

Genuine maybe ???

Hi PP, Well, yes I guess I could want to change some parts one day. But, remember, I'm quite new to mods and a lucky bastard that some expert modder helps me out. 6 months ago I thought my ugly 16610 of eBay was the queen of reps Let's say: I have a SD trilogy and want to make them as perfect as possible in the long term. But, right now, I do what I can budget wise Putting around 1.000$ in total for a watch is quite a pain. So, adding another 3 or 500 is probably something that will have to wait for another 3 months unfortunately. Now, I really appreciate your input aswell as everyone else's. Therefore, I thank you (all) very much. Please keep posting Cheers Stephane

Out of the box, my Puged 3717 or my SFSO Asian. Modified, 1680 RED and 1665 GW. At this stage of my learning, all needs some mods, even very light ones. Cheers Stephane

Oh. That is the good news then.

How could I wear anything else from now ?

My god Crys! Sorry to hear that Good luck though

@ all: thanks for all these informations. I think I will ask my favourite MM to change the cannon pin for Xmas As for the mvt, you guys seems to say it's a great one: super swiss from switzerland and all without any Asian piece. No one will ever see it when on my wrist except my kids I not stupid enough to show off with these watches. Ok, the straps ? So we have two option a black (superb indeed after some though) and vintage... Maybe 1950 should mean vintage after all. Ok, I get exited now...stop. I'll finish my other projects first. Thanks & Cheers Stephane

Looking at the global bill (from which MM work is a share only of course), I will not go for anything like gen mvt or gen hollow mid link bracelet But, yes, the hollow mid link seem to be the one needed with 558 end links according to Tribal. The riveted is stunning but not accurate. It's my favourite option though. A gen that would match a 1665 or 1680 could be found but not for less than 400 to 700 $ Are we really trying to have a 1:1 rep ? No of course, it's impossible. Only a Franken with 100% of gen parts might be but would probably cost the price of a ...genuine Lonnie is right: only experts could spot the differences between ours and gens. In example, for a 30 to 40 year old watch, you must mod the dial and make the Tritium "not so perfect", have scratches and smooth edges. As it comes out of the box, an MBW is much too much "clean" and screams fake.

Hi Lonnie...thanks for your nice comment. No the other ones are not done yet. The SR is almost done but waiting for the Super domes to arrive from down under. As I am leaving for a couple of weeks, it will only be finished in august Then, MM will start the DR. Cheers Stephane

Thanks SSSurfer. Black strap is not my favourite color but I must admit yours looks great. As for the mvt, I have no idea what is accurate or not. So you say, this one should be in there Is it one I could keep for another Pam ? What mvt should I put in that Fiddy ? I have so few time to read Pam literature as I try to keep my knowledge updated with Rolex. It's a pity days aren't doing 48 hours Cheers Stephane

Dear All, This is a pictorial and review of the current state of my Fiddy. I originally got it from Kelster and that was a good deal What was done on that watch: It was the right case and a nice looking Fiddy but the movement was Asian based. Some work was needed and here is the list: A true 100% Swiss movement was installed. Super Luminova applied. Case refinished to get the genuine finish (still scratches remains, but again, it's an old watch). Crystal, bezel, everything was reseated. O-Rings greased. Movement was serviced (disassembled, cleaned, checked for damage, oiled and reassembled) Crown Guard was installed correctly, so it seals better now. A new seconds hand has been installed as the old one broke because of its poor quality. The old hour hand has been kept after cleaning it, scratches are only very subtle and do not bother me. Newly added capped minute hand. Dial has been reassembled correctly. Dial surface repainted – surface is absolutely neat now, perfect and very nice structure. Your opinions are welcome First I got this ugly one back a year ago Panerai 1950: my ugly rep Then I got Kelster one Fiddy: Kelster'one before mods Now I have the one pictured here under… If you think some other things should be done, please feel free to shoot. Conclusion Well it was quite hard to finally put my hands on a decent Fiddy. I'm happy it's here now as I have a splendid genuine Panerai Box for it Still, I have no idea which strap I should buy. For the moment it's a BOB Honey one. More than happy to receive some suggestions from experts! Cheers & Thanks for reading. Stephane