TeeJay

+1 I fully accept that having the R Word on the dial is the most likely to attract attention to the watch, and potentially get the dreaded "Is that real?" question, but, I must agree with Freddy's comment that every watch enthusiast should have at least one classic Rolex as part of their collection. I started off with a modern Sub, which I soon substituted with a 42mm Planet Ocean, before getting pulled into the lure of Panerai, but in the end, my interest returned to Rolex. Not so much as a brand, but more a case of the range and variety available, of both the models available, and the historic variants available within those model lines. There really is something for everyone, whatever their requirements or tastes may be

I agree, but only so long as the best available model is a requirement What would a gen 6200 cost? Upwards of $10K? Upwards of $20K? I simply couldn't ever justify spending that much money on a watch, on general principle, even if I had so much cash that the amount itself was not an issue. I think the gen option only really comes into play if someone would never be satisfied with the best modded rep or franken, but that is when I wonder, how much of it is a true love of The Watch, as opposed to a love of The Brand... I have a friend who I bought a very plain AP as a birthday gift, who works in a video store. He once said (actually, at the time I took the photo, the day before my wedding ) that someone did once ask him if it was real or not, but it sounded like they were genuinely interested in it as a watch, rather than trying to call him out about it. Of course, he could buy a gen (or rep) Sub and wear it to work, and constantly be asked if it's real or fake, simply because it's a Rolex... I could put a $50 Sub and a gen Sub in front of him, and chances are, he would not (nor would anyone else he would come into contact with) be able to tell the difference between the two, so that's when it becomes a matter of perspective and perception: Of course, one watch is real, the other is not, but, if no one really cares either way, and the only goal is a 'similar aesthetic', then it ceases to be an issue, and to me, that's when getting bang for the buck, is more important [Edit to add] As a little bit of trivia, the bracelet and dial of the GMTSub I'm wearing in that photo, are the bracelet and dial of my 6200 project (after considerable vintaging to the bracelet, and a complete re-finishing of the dial )

You're not the only one, I totally agree with you I'll preface my little rant by saying that this is not aimed at anyone here. When I say 'you', I mean the generic 'you', not you/anyone personally 1. While all the watches I bought when I was younger, were gen, they were all mostly of easily affordable brands, Accurist, Casio, Timex etc. To be brutally honest, gen watches bore me to tears in terms of discussing them. Sure, they are nice watches and look great, but perfection is inherent in them, there is no need to modify or build for improvement, only personal taste, so very little to actually say about them, other than 'nice watch'... I suspect that many would not customize a gen watch (ie Rolex, Omega etc) for fear of devaluing it... I find much more pleasure in looking at photos of a $50 Submariner, than a $5000 gen, as the anti-consummerist in me knows that the cheaper item was actually value for money, where the expensive one simply is not. If value is all you care about, sell the watch, and buy the equivalent amount in gold. That will never devalue, and at least someone else will use the safequeen in the way in which its designers and manufacturers intended... I remember seeing the photo a while back of a safequeened SeaDweller which was so flawless, it looked fake. Not a scratch, not a scuff anywhere on it. It saddened me that the watch had never been worn as intended, and when I mentioned it to a friend who appreciates watches, but is not really 'interested in them', she just said "What a pathetic waste..." If I was to ever buy a gen, it would have to be because I had won the lotto, had a ludicrous amount of money to spend, and then, I would be buying the watches to use as parts donors, not as 'out of the box' wearers. Never having enough money my entire life has taught me the value (or more accurately, the lack of value) in 'prestige brandname' goods. Winning a load of money (or earning it, for that matter) would not erase a lifetime's conditioning to always look for the best value (not necessarily the cheapest item, but the item which is the best value for money. The best 'bang for the buck', as is the expression in the US) Besides, who would ever dream of thinking that the guy who won the lotto and lives in a replica of Tony Stark's Malibu Mansion is wearing clothes from the supermarket and wearing fake watches? 2. I don't believe there's a branded gen which would make me want to drop the cash on it. I had something of a 'moment of clarity' while browsing a sales site a few days back... I was mentally re-visiting my idea of maybe getting a PP Nautilus when I can scrape the cash together to do so. (Money is still as low in income for me as it was a year ago, but I have at least got rid of my creditors, so there's less stress, and what little I do get in, I can actually use to live on, not just hand over in repayments. This is not a sypmathy 'send me some cash' plea, I accept my circumstances, and live within my means: See the concepts of giri and the greater jihad for my mental acceptance, I am simply pointing out that my income is certainly not the healthiest it has ever been) Anyway, I was looking at the various color variants, and thinking they were nice, but not really my cup of tea, when I suddenly thought "I might as well just get a white-dialled DateJust..." I don't consider a Nautilus functional enough as a diver's watch, and certainly would not meet my requirements for use as a daily beater (must have timing bezel and diver's extension on the bracelet) and in terms of a 'smart watch', I'm not overly struck on the case design, I think a DJ has a more elegant case... The point of this little mental ramble? I mentally rejected one thing thinking "I might as well just get..." I believe that even if I had the cash to afford a gen, I would still mentally reject it thinking "I might as well just get a rep, and put the rest of the money towards something else..." People see 'Rolex' on the dial and automatically think Rolex = Fake. As Fakemaster's signature says, people are more likely to think a gen is a rep, than to believe a rep is a gen, so why waste money on something to try and impress strangers who most likely do not care anyway? The rep will do the same job just as well, and look just as nice on the wrist, so to me, that's the best value for money. Many may argue that their gens 'just feel better'. I'm sorry to disagree, but given how someone went ten years thinking their rep was a gen, that just shows that that "just feels better" mystique is nothing more than personal perception, based on a person's personal connection to a watch (ie as a gift received, a gift purchassed with bonus pay, won in a competition, etc etc) it is the experience itself which makes that watch seem that little bit better, not some alchemical process of its manufacture which imbibes it with that little 'magic extra'. The first time I tried on a gen Sub, I was so underwhelmed by it, I decided to go out and buy a rep. I've tried on a gen white EXP II, but was so unimpressed by it, I practically tore the thing off my wrist. Of course, the next guy who walked into the shop probably thought it was the best thing since sliced bread, bought it without a second's hesitation, and probably thinks that it feels 'soooo much better than any cheap rep' simply because it is a gen... Nothing more than perception. Perceptions differ from person to person and perceptions change, and of course, opinions change as well, but I would believe that people's 'core values' would remain constant... 3. I think my above musings answer that question, but to summarize, as long as there is a rep available of a watch I want, I don't think a gen would ever 'be worth it' in my opinion, in terms of making me want to part with cash. Received as a gift, is a different matter, but in terms of actual purchasing one, it's just not going to happen, and, additionally, if there's not a rep available of a watch I might want, chances are there's a rep available of something which I would consider a satisfactory alternative Thanks for reading, sorry for the rant, I'll get off my soapbox now and sit back in my corner To paraphrase Carl: I'm not being judgmental, it's your money, your hobby, and your watch, so enjoy it your way

Nice selection How about an IWC 'Slevin'?

I have a few food and drink related photos [Edit to add] I just remembered that this photo was taken while we were out a while back. Makes me wonder if I should invest in another Y-M when I can spare the cash...

I'm going to suggest a Rolex DateJust... Dive watches like the Submariner or Planet Ocean might look okay with a suit, but at the end of the day, they are intended as tool watches, not fashion items... A DateJust on the other hand, is a much more understated watch, and is ideal for wear with a suit, and also looks good with jeans

+1

No worries, best of luck with your surgery There's nothing as satisfying as performing a mod or repair and having it come out as planned

That looks fantastic, first class workmanship indeed

Ah, I've heard of springs sometimes failing in the clasps, but other than getting the spring repaired/replaced, or sourcing a new clasp, there's not really much which can be done...

I still think the biggest irony, is how I (and others) used to complain about the oyster clasp being 'cheap and flimsy', and that Rolex never truly innovated in their designs, and now they have done that, and come up with an (otherwise) awesome clasp, it fails in a way which an oyster clasp never could

Very nice

Very tasty indeed Not so taken by the UN phone though...

Is the diver's extension properly folded under the retainer? If that isn't closed properly, it can result in the opening of the main clasp, which you've described...

I wouldn't count on it... This strikes me as the kind of watch a factory might produce, but only as a 'standard line', rather than the more popular lines which get improved versions released. I'm actually getting more and more tempted to buy one just to see how bad it is what it's actually like

What's up with it, are the chrono dials only day/date indicators? It wasn't one I was planning on buying, but I have to admit, I thought it looked like a pretty nice rep

Available for [url=http://www.cqout.com/item.asp?id=5490234]under

I'm sure I've seen someone else post about a Rolex clasp failing in this way... Not sure if it was a glidelock, or just the new GMTIIc-style, but it was the exact same point of failure. I guess this is an example of why people shouldn't wear a bracelet too tight, and a bit of an irony that the old oyster clasps wouldn't fail in such a manner, the metal would simply stretch

That was a really enjoyable read and pictorial, thanks for taking the time to put it all together

I just put on Firefox to check, and Eastwood is wearing the variant with the Jubilee bracelet. It also looks like there is either a significant crack in the crystal, or it's catching a reflection from the room... It's interesting how with this watch, the GMT hand is completely un-painted I can see why it's not everyone's cup of tea (I doubt I would wear one myself) but it's certainly interesting from an observational point of view to how it differs in comparison to say the Pepsi variant

Congrats indeed, it's scary how quickly post counts can climb just through participation in the community

I guess it might be an affect which naturally only occurs when the watch is exposed to certain conditions, but the one I mentioned the other day, the crystal work really was the icing on the cake

Damn,sorry to hear that Take it easy, bro, and get better soon

Some truly beautiful pieces here, amigos I wouldn't dare list any of mine in this discussion

I think just a single coat of spray would work well Indeed, marker pen on the inside of the crystal. I forget who's project it was, but it was an aged military Sub. Really looked the business, so I'm sure you can get the same effect with the stain