archibald

That can't be the sole reason. Look at the "mistakes:" Many remain the same throughout the entire production, no many how many versions come out. What, rep makers haven't figured out by version 87 of the seamaster that the HE valves are too low? Or that the A's are wrong on most panerais? Or that the word Rolex does not begin with the letter P? Some flaws are surely just dumb mistakes--but the more blatant and persistent flaws have to be intentional. The real question is why? My personal theory is that a 95% rep provides the chinese government with semi-plausable deniability when the trade rep over at the embassy comes over to [censored]--"Replicas? What replicas? The word "Replicate" means to make a copy These ain't no copies..." Something like that.

Pretty interesting thread. I agree that the people who say I wear a Sub rep purely because it's such a fine time piece are kidding themselves. For the price of a modded MBW sub, you can choose from several hundred watches that are better timepieces than any rep. They just don't say Rolex on the dial. On the other hand, I think that as long as you accept the fact that nobody will think your rep is real if you couldn't or wouldn't sport the gen. I think the OP has it 100% right--at least 75% of rep believability has nothing to do w/ the watch. Even as a rep WIS wannabe, I know some people who, if i saw them wearing a decent rep, I'd just assume it was real without giving it a second look; and people who, if I saw them wearing a genuine Rolex, I'd just assume it was a rep w/o giving it a second look.

IMO, the easiest lange to rep would be the new Richard Lange, but rep makers should check out the Sea Gull movement Gran found and build a nice Langematic...

Someone should tell him about RWG--he can replace his collection in a couple of weeks!

Tonneau cases should be represented as well:

Good luck finding out these anwers--my guess is that it depends on the watch, that some flaws are intentional, some are money saving measures, some are just mistakes, some are intended to ensure sales of later versions, and some reflect the fact that if an initial run is successful more than one factory, with varying degrees of competence, manufactures them.

Ofrei has the reputation for charging top dollar for parts. Anyone seen any PO parts for less money?

That's great news--it seems likely--although far from definite until someone does it--than an OEM dial and bezel can be made to fit. The querstion then would be: is $400 bucks too much to pay to have the only on-the-wrist flaw be the He placement.

Add this to the list of The Zigmeister Classics! Thanks, Rob!

I suppose he could, but since I wouldn't buy a dime from paul for a nickel, I probably won't ask him.

This is the great mystery: There is some uncertainty apparently about the size of the 4th gen. If the case is 42.5 w/o crown a gen dial might fit. If it is 40mm, fuggetabotit. We'll have to wait for a difinitve measurement.

IMO, the logo is the least of the worries--I'll pay all my RWG cash to anyone who will measure their 4th gen w/o the crown. If the watch is 42.5 w/o crown, and if you succesfully buy from paul you can have the PO w/ an OEM dial for 80 bucks more than buying just the rep from andrew. If the watch is too small it excludes any possibility for mods except for hand, crown, and He valve, all of which are pretty good on the rep. I'll pull the trigger on the PO in half a second when they put out a corectly sized case w/ the he valve in the right place.

Is there a gen w/ a black dial and round markers, or did i dream seeing that?

I've been sitting this one out, but bashing The Zigmeister and palp is just too much. It's laughable that joe is threatening not to post any how-to's. Reality check: The Zigmeister posts 5 thorough, clearly written, and non-self-promoting how-to's for every one of joe's impossible to read, vague, advertising-copy-masquerading-as-a-how-to "how-to." Not to mention that The Zigmeister was both servicing watches and answering questions on RWG before joe ever touched his first sub rep. When Palp took a breather from the board after his mom passed, he set an example that Joe should have followed, but apparently didn't have the class to do so--he let his customers know he'd be gone for a while, did the work he was able to do when he was away, and then announced his return. BTW, you can add to joe's shipping profit his "consulting fees" of $45. if he did the "consulting," holding, and return shipping thing 50 times that's $3500 in his hands w/o ever touching a dremel to steel. This is a forgiving place: it's still possible for joe to get back 100% w/ the members here, but if he ever hopes to do so he should come clean by fully answering the following questions: Why does he expect to make a 400% profit on shipping of watches he agreed to mod but did not in a reasonable amount of time? How many watches does he currently have backlogged? What is the time frame for the return of these watches? Has this kind of thing ever happened before? For example, has he ever been banned from another replica watch board? If so, why? Does he intend to either support with evidence or recant his accusations of other members?

Mullers, hands down...like 3-1 over any other watch I own. Second is my brown Monaco. PAMS get a few comments, most negative about size or the crown guard. I am a certified PAM addict, but we have to face the facts: most people find our beauties...well...ugly.

The Asia 7750 b1 is [censored] in its out-of-the-box state and for Andrew to say otherwise is flat out dishonest--like every dealer, he knows exactly how bad they are. The upside is this: if shell out the dough to have them competently serviced (I just figure any asia 7750 watch I buy is going to cost $40 more than the dealers price) they work just fine. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an asian 7750 powered watch--I just know i'll have to go through the time and expense of servicing.

Great catch on that solid Ti-back rep--can you post a link to the ioffer auction? Since you are looking for a Ti back, I assume you are building an automatic watch. I'm almost done w/ a similar project--I guess it makes sense to buy both a good 36 rep and the rep w/ the solid back, then put the movement, dial and sapphitre back from the 36 on the "ioffer" case, and sell that as a 36, keeping the solid back to put on the ex-36 which is now a very accurate titanium automatic. Even better, how about the factories take the near perfect 36, build a ti back, and make some sweet Ti automatics.

If that were a rep, it would be most accurate yet.

Schweeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!

I want a rep Charlize Theron. Here's a pic of the gen:

I hope the Chinese don't agree w/ you...no comparison, IMO. @ chronomat: Never try to figure out the mind of the repmaker--everybody's got 3 page lists of beautiful and easy-to-rep watches and then the rep makers promptly put out......another version of the 1950.

LOL!I did the same thing....then I found out that Abay's pics all print out at actual size....or at least they used to.

I see both OEM and the Rep dials used on the TW best on Ebay pretty often. OEM Maxi dials seem to go for about $200-300, and the better rep dials for about $50-100.

@ Finepics: Neil is exactly right--I don't think there is a particular color of "Gold" Ti PVD--in fact, looking through my Watch Time Buyers' Guide, it looks like 99% of the gold plated watches made by the big boys--Cartier, Montblanc, etc.-- are using PVD for their gold plate. Eberhardt has a rose gold and white gold, Cartier a yellow gold, Erard a pink gold, and Montblanc has platinum and red gold. What would most interest me is whether or not your folks can do white gold--in the actual "warm" white gold color, not rhodium, which is what electroplaters use. Rhodium would be fine for reps of watches that actually plate their white gold pices w/ rhodium to make them "whiter" but many watchmakers (e.g. Muller, AP) do not plate their white gold watches in rhodium, preferring the color of natural white gold. As you point out PVD plating is light years better than electroplating. @Niel: If your sources are correct, that's excellent news. If you do find out which gold reps are PVD'd please do post that information in a thread of it's own!

Read the Wine News review, and passed on the movie. I think serious wine drinkers will always be able to source interesting bottles...My main beef is the "New World" trend in wines has the potential to rob your average restaurant goer of great meals because they have a preconcieved notion of what wine is supposed to taste like. It's just a matter of time before great Rhones start getting sent back because they don't "taste right"