TeeJay

Teejay,

I am very happy with your advices. I learn a lot of thing just by this post. I hope this watch will be good. It is not for me but for my Dad. He love the submariner style.

Where did you purchase your replicas ? Did you have problems with customs since you are in UK (I am in France).

It's no problem, I'm happy to help I've bought mine from various dealers over the years, depending on financial commitments. This is a link to the dealer who I bought the GMT Master II from, which I recently reviewed and modified, and it will allow you to view not only their goods for sale, but also feedback from their buyers. I don't think they have the 2010 Submariner which you are interested in, but they do have a nice range of budget watches, which, while not perfect, are certainly good value for money I have never had any customs problems with watches at all

Hi,

Thanks for all your explication, it clearer now. What I am expected is not more than having a watch that work corectly (not having to wind it every day when iti is worn) and being enough resistant to not having 300 $ drop away.

When I see my analog casio that cost 90 $ and its quality and resistant, I can't understand why for 300 $ (that can be a mensual revenue in china) watchsmith cannot realize a certain level of quality with good movement.

here you can see that the watch is 316 L

http://www.watch-international.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_29&products_id=743

So relying on your scientific tests, it is not 316.

How don't know how I can know if it is genuine or not but I don't want to have a watch that had its case with silver metal going away and have the case yellow after some years.

If I send you some pics of my purchase, will you be able to tell me if it's a good choice or not ?

Thanks.

No problem, I'm glad to be of help. Things like dealers saying that a case is 316L, falls under the category of what is described on this forum, as 'Little White Lies'. In some instances, it is just marketing hype on the part of the dealers, in other instances, it can be where a dealer is not an expert in watches, but is literally just a person 'selling a product', so if their suppliers tell them that the case is 316L, they believe what the supplier tells them... (Not the best business practice, but that's simply the nature of the game ) Even if the case is not 316L, it will still be Stainless Steel, so it will not go yellow with wear. When I (and many others) have artificially aged cases for vintage projects, it has involved sanding them and striking the cases with sharp things and drilling through the lugs, and that has always just revealed more stainless steel, not yellow metal, so the cases are not plated to look silver, they are just not the same grade of stainless steel as would be used in a genuine Rolex.

Looking at the watch shown in the link, I think you will wind up with a good quality watch, which will not need winding daily, and with the correct periodic servicing (which all mechanical watches require), it should last a lifetime

I think you found the perfect blend. Too often, people end up with watches that look BRAND NEW but abused, not the 40 yr old look they were going for. The minor aging is so much more realistic.

Great Job!!

Thanks I know what you mean there, a few dings alone isn't going to make a watch look old, it's the hairfine scuffs from the Scotchbrite buffing and the areas which are polished shiny by friction (which don't really show up in those photos) which give the aged effect

It is really amazing what minor aging can do for the character of the watch.

Indeed, the look I was going for, was to give the watch just enough character to say it's been worn, and is not brand new, but not enough to make it look abused

I tell you what though, if a customs officer wanted to keep a watch of mine as i always carry a tool kit, he would not have a wearable watch!

That would teach him

thats a real nice watch my friend

i realy like it and im sure your friend will also

all the best

Thanks, bro, I'm really happy with how it's come out If he doesn't like it, I'll keep it for myself

Yes the problem was that I admitted it was counterfeit.

But then I didn't want to pay the import tax on watch the estimated at 45,000 Euros either.

Well I am over it by now, I just feel bad for my friend who is now just getting an empty wooden box ...

That's a rough situation... I guess the only option would be to refuse the import tax, and let them confiscate it without admitting it was counterfeit, but that still means losing the watch. One thing's for sure, I'll now only ever take the watch I'm wearing abroad with me, rather than one for everyday, and one for 'dressing up' formally...

Hi,

Watch international told me that the Bezel is ceramic and not plastic.

They also told me that the movement will be ETA 2836-2 will be genuine and new.

They might mean that the insert is ceramic-coated metal, not plastic. Ceramic-coated, while being more durable than the painted metal insert of older Submariners, will still not be 100% scratch-proof. Without destroying the insert, you are not really going to be able to tell either way if it is truly solid ceramic or just ceramic-coated...

All replica seems to have their case 316 L no ?

As in my previous reply, there was a discussion a while back where replicas have been scientifically proven to not be 316L. If a dealer is advertising this, chances are they are lying.

Why are crown are not solid on replicas ? I bought a replica but after some months, the crown was broken. This point is very important for me, like genuine movement.

For the simple reason that they are replica parts, so not made from the same grade material as genuine Rolex. I have a replica nearly two years old where the crown is as good as the day I received it. I used to have an Omega Planet Ocean replica which had to have the crown and tube replaced as the threads had stripped. Many things about replica watches can be 'luck of the draw'. Crowns and tubes can always be replaced with genuine parts, but this requires either the skills to do the work yourself, of contact with a good watchsmith or watch builder who can make the switch for you.

By Rolex check control, I mean, having the a serial number engraved, the sticker,.... Not the quality of Rolex but the things that make it looks like a genuine Rolex.

Ahh, I understand. Some watches have a serial numbers engraved, some do not, it seems to be pretty much the luck of the draw as to what stock is available. Same with the sticker... Sometimes it is holographic, sometimes it is just a green sticker. Price is not an accurate gauge in this matter... I bought a replica 5517 Submariner for about £30 which has serial number and model number etched between the lugs. I bought a replica GMT Master II from the same dealer, for a similar price, which does not have a serial number or model number etched between the lugs. However. The GMT Master II does have the correct bracelet and clasp, rather than having the bracelet and clasp from a Submariner installed, which was what happened with a previous GMT Master II I bought (and have since converted into a Tudor 79190).

To be perfectly honest with you, Asian movements can be adjusted to keep just as accurate time as a Swiss movement, there is no need to pay the additional cost for a 'Swiss movement' (which will probably only be an Asian clone) This also saves on repair costs... A mechanical movement requires servicing appx every 5 years. While many watchsmiths will not work on Asian movements, if you can install the movement yourself, it would be cheaper to buy five new asian movements (at least) compared to the cost of getting one serviced. As before, I think your expectations are unrealistic considering you are buying a replica watch. Unless you plan on dismantling the watch and observing it daily, it really does not matter if the watch has serial numbers, a sticker on the caseback or a swiss movement. Besides, it says Rolex on the dial, so anyone seeing it will believe it to be fake regardless of how perfect it is, because in the minds of many, Rolex = Fake (because the brand is so widely known to be copied) As others have said, if that really is the level of detail/perfection which you must have in the watch, buy the real thing. People will assume that is fake as well (because it also says Rolex on the dial) If, on the other hand, you simply want the best replica available, then I'm sure you will be happy with your purchase

Let me get this right, so if you arrive at your airport with a gift on your wrist, or in your luggage - for example - you need to have a freaking invoice? Do they do the same with laptops, clothing, or other consumer items that are replicated every day all over the world? Or, it's just Panerai in France? I feel bad for this happening to you. I mean, I travel with several watches on my travels (usually as carry-on) and I've never encountered this. In the US I get interviewed every time upon arrival, but it's because my name is real common and matches that of someone they've been after for some time.

I believe Rolex's official policy, is that a person may carry one Rolex by hand into the US without any kind of proofs. Also, and I may be wrong on this, but I believe I've read that ownership of any kind of replica goods is illegal in France. It might not have been a case of it being a watch, just that it was 'counterfeit' which was the issue... I find it strange that such a heavy fine (which makes sense) could be reduced so drastically.

If he did, that is the best aftermarket crystal I have ever seen. And by leaps & bounds.

On Wednesday, I saw the gen up close (was not able to actually handle it ) & he even got the gen's slightly opaque crystal dead on. That is quite a feat if he made it himself.

I guess that's the thing, when someone has the skills and tools to actually make a piece themselves, they can make sure the dimensions are 100% as they want them, rather than aftermarket 'close enough is good enough' QC... I bet that was a fantastic experience to be able to see the original that close, I would have loved to have attended something like that, but of course, being the wrong side of the pond tends to be a bit restrictive

Where did you find the dial & crystal?

I'm not sure about the dial, but if I recall, VDBroucke custom-machined the crystal himself

I've highlighted the ones which're unrealistic.

-Submariner black with date (highest quality grade 1)

-2010 Model with genuine dimensions (If you cann tell me if it's 41mm or 40mm and which Tickness ?)

-Rolex engraved on Rehault with serial number

-Ceramic Bezel (not plastic & scracth resistant)

-Movement Genuine ETA 2836-2, swiss made, new and never used, not a copy,

-"Reserve of marche (the watch must work) at least 40 hours after being winded and without being worn

-Sapphire crystal glass

-Solid case 316L Steel and scratch resistant

-Solid and resistant CROWN (not pulling up after some years)

-All Rolex check control present on the watch like genuine

-Water resistant

You might be lucky and get 40 hours power reserve out of a movement, but getting a new and never used genuine Swiss made ETA 283-2, is unlikely. The bezel might be ceramic, rather than ceramic coated, but aesthetically speaking, it would make no difference. As for the 316L Stainless, there was a discussion about that some time ago, here's a link to the results. The crowns of replica watches (especially the Omega Planet Ocean) are well known weak points in the build quality.

If you want a watch with all Rolex check controls, buy a real Rolex, nothing else (in terms of replicas) will meet that standard of quality control and checking.

What is available to buy as a replica can be of very good quality, but they are not really to the level which you have described, and I think if you were to order a watch thinking you would receive those kind of checks/metallurgical make up/movement etc, you would be disappointed, and you might be better off trying to source parts to build the watch yourself, so you have precisely what you want Best of luck with your purchase though

HOW can they ask for receipt for a personal belonging? If I had a rep in my luggage I would say go [censored] yourself if they tried that! Do they really have the authority to do this stuff? Its almost nazi conditions.

This post got me really angry!

If you had a watch that you have owned for a long time and did not have a receipt for, and they said produce evidence that its real or else we confiscate it. I would get a lawyer and crucify the mofos!!

I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing. I guess it's because the item was 'in transit', rather than 'on the person' which gives them the leeway to ask, but it's crazy if people are going to have to start carrying receipts for every item of luggage they might be traveling with

+1 I know that feeling, my friend

I'm wearing these two...

The GMT, I'm still adjusting the timing, as I want to get it spot on accurate before I send it to my friend, and we're going to a friend's houseparty later, so I'll be putting my Tudor back on for that

Who are you planning on buying from? I'm sorry, but I think your expectations are unrealistic for a replica watch...

In the end, I decided not to customize the GMT Master II, reviewed here, for my friend. I couldn't see the point. He's not a watch enthusiast, so wouldn't appreciate it, and a non-standard color scheme would only draw attention to him wearing a 'fake', so I figured the safest bet was wabi-sabi camouflage. That's not to say he couldn't afford to be wearing a brand new gen, but if this watch was early 2000s manufacture, it wouldn't be 100% pristine. Unlike my previous vintaging projects, which involved some pretty serious abuse to recreate 50 years of wear and tear, this was much more restrained, and confined to some scuffing of the insert, and applying hair-fine 'desk diving' scuffs all over the case and bracelet with a Scotchbrite pad

Sorry to hear, bro, that's crazy. Interesting how they were able to reduce the 45000 fine to 100... I think you're right about the fate of the watch though

Like others, I'm in awe of such a fantastic project build

I'm still 'field testing' this for my bro Being 2000 vintage, I figured it needed a little gentle aging just so it wasn't looking pristine

I have to say that in my experience that both the metal BRACELETS and oldfasion buckle straps are the most comfortable on my wrist

My hypothesis: I suspect that true double deploymants are more comfortable than single ones are

I agree.

I'm not too keen on strap deployants which have the surplus strap on the inside of the strap, as I feel it holds the watch too firmly in place on the wrist, but that's just my preference to not have a watch too tight

Fantastic review bro I can't remember the last time I read a review by you!

Thanks, bro, it's certainly been a while I decided not to rate the watch, as it has a few flaws which, if put as a score, might give a false impression of the watch, which is actually really nice, and I think good value for money

Absolutely fantastic work, bro, that really is a first class example of how a home build can come out with the right skills and tools

I still 'need' a gmt, cheers for the review.

No worries, I hope you found it useful There're certainly better examples of the GMT out there, but I think this is acceptable for the price (and would probably be in the $108 bracket on many sites) and could certainly be nicely modified

Looks good, T. Was this a cq find? You at least got the correct band and crown - mine had a Sub band and a 7mm Trip-Lock! I like this insert better than mine, mines a bit more "vivid" and glossier, yours is ideal.

Thanks, J Yes, it was from CQout, and indeed, those parts are correct for this model, I guess I just think that all bracelets should have an extension on them The color of the insert is definitely something I'm pleased with, the colors are really rich. Looking at a review of a gen GMT, I'd say the blue is pretty much spot on, the red, I'm not 100% sure of, but I think without side by side comparisons, it's impossible to truly compare, although I'd certainly say the color is acceptable When the watch is 'modified' for my friend, I'll be keeping the insert