TeeJay

Vintage Racing: Test driving my McQueen on prototype racing nato strap:

Wow, awesome themed work there, that strap really sets off the 1655

Flashing black plastic means big pimpin, right?

Oh, that's right, credit cards

Hehe, Teej. This subject is one of your favourite to discuss isn't it? Theres a million variations of people and attitudes around reps/gens.

The craziest thing I've read on a gen forum recently is: "People who buy fakes won't ever buy the real thing anyway", given the amount of gens between us lot I think that says enough on its own!

I think for our community; owning reps is either aspirational and admirational for certain watch models & great designs. Or simply a try before you (in the future if I get enough spare cash) buy!

It's certainly one of my favorites To me, I think it breaks down the people who are 'into watches', and poseurs just looking to add a few inches to their wang

To be fair, I would (personally) agree with that comment, as I buy fakes and wouldn't ever buy the real thing. For me though, it's a case of I cannot justify to myself spending the gen pricetag, when a rep will provide all that I really want from the watch (something which looks nice, won't flood if I get it wet, will glow in the dark, and most of all, keep good time ) Of course, everyone's different, and to each his own, I guess I was just taken aback by someone being genuinely interested in what I was wearing, and not then trying to act the Big I Am, because he was wearing a gen (He did say that he had a rep Daytona as well, but had lost it )

Great post, thanks for sharing your story. My thinking has always been that I enjoy the "Look" and function of a watch, not a name on the dial.

I owned the watches because of the sum of all the parts. The finishes, the size, the colors....whatever struck me about the overall design. Would I pay the kind of $$$ being asked for new and vintage watches? Hell no. Do I have a problem wearing a rep either stock or modded? Hell no. I don't hide my watches. I have worn them into AD's, in suits, at the gym, family dinners. They are watches. Never tried to pass one off as real and in fact, I love having conversations with gen owners who are clue-less about the quality and accuracy of today's reps.

Many Gen. owners ask if I can source watches for them. I rarely do, unless they are very good friends of mine.

Strip away the printing on the dials and what you are left with is a choice based on Appeal, design, color and function.

As always, reps are "Justasgood". Is it a gen? Yep, it is a genuine watch

Thanks, K I figured as people often worry about getting called out, I thought it'd be nice to share a positive experience between a rep and gen owner You're absolutely right, it'snot about the name on the dial, it's about everything else which makes the watch 'what it is', and just right for each individual's taste As you say, yes, it is a genuine watch, and definitely "Justasgood"

it really depends on who you are talking to. People that buy expensive watches just to show they are successful and have no real appreciation for watches would probably frown on reps. People that really enjoy watches have a tendency to appreciate all kinds.

I too find it laughable that people that own expensive watches most time know very little about them (other than it needs a battery or not). It's like buying an expensive car without knowing what it can do.

It would seem the hotel/bar owner really appreciate good timepieces and would benefit from the introduction.

I too don't care about where I'm wearing my watches (reps or gens). I normally pick them based on occasion, attire, etc.. This is such an specialized hobby that most people can't go past the "nice watch" comments.

I think you're right there, it's that difference between someone appreciating a watch, or just wanting a status symbol to show off... Indeed, he certainly seemed to be someone who was just interested in watches, which is always nice to see

Elitist Douche - You couldn't have put that better, TJ!

Just calling it as I see it

Good story, TJ.

I find Timezone forum utterly boring compared to this place, the knowledge, energy and excitement embodied in franken projects here is truly something.

Also, I was struck by the thing you said about this guy being told NOT to wear a Sea Dweller, of all watches, in the shower! And this guy believed that!

Thanks, and absolutely, this place is occupied by people who genuinely love watches, not just worshippers of The Brand, for example, Ronin's Soxa-Mod watch is absolutely fantastic, but not a brand label in sight Absolutely, I explained to him the differences between the Subs and the Sea-Dweller, and pointed out the water resistance, so hopefully it'll be getting a bit wetter in the future

TeeJay - The problem is that the vast majority of people who spot your rep will never say anything to you. Instead, they will just think to themselves (or say to their friends), 'What a cheap poser.'

Possibly, but that's their right to hold that opinion, and if they choose not to ask further, well, that's up to them Personally, any time I see a gold watch, I think that the person is being a poser, (cheap or otherwise) so again, it's all just opinions and personal tastes. Heck, if I was bothered about what others thought about my watch, I wouldn't enjoy wearing my plastic Submariner as much as I do

[Edit to add]

Let's not also forget, that many people seeing someone wearing a Rolex (rep or gen) are also going to just think "That's got to be fake, what a poser..." simply because of the name on the dial, and it's synonymity with fakes. A good line from Tilly Bagshawe's Scandalous sums it up perfectly: "sporting a mid-Atlantic accent as fake as his gold Rolex". Doesn't matter if it's real or fake, it's still a Rolex

I would've posted this a few days ago, but I had a lot on my mind, so not much in the mood for talking. All's well now though, so don't worry about me Anywho, the other day, my father in law and I were doing an investigation in a bar/hotel, and the owner owned a Sea-Dweller. He actually bought up the topic as we were packing away, as he'd noticed my Tudor sub during the evening (I was only wearing a T-Shirt, so not flashing it about at all) and he was curious as to what it was. I explained that it was a self-built project as I was interested in watches, and had noticed his own Sea-Dweller. He explained that he'd bought it several years ago when a property deal he'd done left him with the spare cash, and just wanted to treat himself to a nice watch, as his dad had always worn an Omega. Now of course, I'd fully explained to him that my watch was not a genuine one, but one I'd built, yet he still insisted on trying it on, letting me wear the Sea-Dweller as well. He was totally blown away by the quality of the parts, surprized, even shocked, that the diver's extension worked (and had the Rolex logo on!) The funny thing, was he was so concerned that he'd somehow bought a fake himself, he kept asking people (like his watch smith ) if it was genuine! Of course, it was, the sweep of the second hand was enough to give that away, but it was funny, as he had been told not to wear the watch in the shower (I think what sowed the seeds of doubt in his mind) I told him a bit about why I'd built a vintage piece, and he admitted that it was the dome which had caught his eye, as he knew Rolexes came 'with magnifier and without magnifier', but hadn't seen a vintage dome before, but I then also told him about the DSSD, and a bit about our hobby, which he was fascinated by, and not at all dismissive or condescending of (He demanded that I bring my plastic sub to show him next time, because he thought it was an awesome joke ) So I guess all I'm trying to say, is don't be afraid or ashamed of wearing a rep, it is not a rep, it is your watch, and meant to be on your wrist. Anyone who puts it down, or criticizes, is just being an elitist douche

Nice to see a little customization Personally, I can't recommend these straps highly enough

If you're gonna get mugged for your watch, they will take it whether it be an old timex or a 100K AP.

Basically don't be a numpty and wave your arm around wildly pretending to not show it off, don't flash to all and sundry at the bar and you should be ok.

Thieves do know a lot more about watches then ever before, there has been such a massive push on them in the last 5-10 years that people know whats what now.

Like most things in life, don't be a d1ck and it won't come back to bite you in the balls!!

Sixx

That's good advice, bro

Hmmmmm, that's an interesting one Where did you find it?

Thought about one of these:

But settled on this piece-O-crap:

The inhumanity :

ha ha ha!

I would start at 2 seconds... let it sit for 3-5 seconds then pop the cyclops off with a flat head screwdriver and a LIGHT tap from a hammer. Case knife might work also.You just need to soften the glue. Doesnt need as much heat as you would think.

Thinking about it, you're probably right with the 2 seconds rather than 4 I've used a pocket knife with good effect, but of course, just a case of getting the glue to soften first

I'm removed cyclops' in the past with the heating method, and it does work. If not removing the crystal from the case, I would suggest heating the cyclops gradually and trying to remove the cyclops after each application of heat, rather than simply holding the flame to the crystal for 10 seconds... I've done that before, and the expansion stress cracked the crystal So either remove it and heat it, or leave it in place but heat for 4 second intervals followed by a removal attempt

When you say paint mod, do you mean painting the numbers, as people do with the GMTIIc? If that's the case, many simply use a piece of cloth, like a T-Shirt, to wipe away the excess, rather than thinners... As for the watch being 'fantasy', don't worry about it, the Ceramic Sub was 'fantasy' until Rolex released their version last year

An old favorite today

Nice to see you mate ( really need that beer now.. :-)

I hope all's good with you I definitely think it's Beer O Clock

Welcome back, George

I don't know why, but the hands look totally wrong to me

Interesting Teejay. Does that say Quartz on the dial?

It does indeed, funny, seeing as how it's definitely a mechanical movement

I'm wondering if it might be worth re-dialling it somehow

Something a little different from me, as I'm regulating the movement

Very nice work indeed

Andei3000,

You better keep some penicillin handy :-)

This one before it ships to a member for a special project. Hmmm, wonder what he's gonna build?

I wonder...

:thumbsupsmileyanim:

Sorry for lowering the tone...

Fakes aren't water-resistant, right?

Have a great weekend, amigos :drinks:

Good to see you back, and glad to see things're better for you

Thanks T! It's a Gen insert, another reason why I'm still in shock!

You're very welcome That would explain the colors

Well, this Friday is an extra special wristie!

The search is FINALLY over, this watch has had a nice journey around the world and has been in the hands of 3 of my friends, which makes it even more special! From the US to Scotland to Germany to it's final home here in Canada...The last BK GMTII Transformer!!!

Big thanks guys, have a great weekend everyone!

Wow, that is a beauty The depth of color in the insert is incredible

Always good to keep your options open

I've chopped the cyclops off a plexi crystal before, it's a cakewalk, all you need is a sharp knife, suitable small file and sanding papers, and a steady hand