TeeJay

Huh?

i obey to the crown..

Why the confusion? Blue Sphere said:

Why would you want to take apart a GEN anyway?

As if there was absolutely no rational reason why someone would dare to compromise a gen watch (for the reason it's a gen!!!1) to which I replied:

I'd guess for the same reason that I take apart reps, or why people modify cars: The fun of customizing/model making etc

While I object to paying gen prices due to economic principles, if I could afford to buy a load of gens to build my own fantasy watch, I'd do it, just for the sake of doing it. At the end of the day, rep or gen, they're just watches, not religious ikons

At the end of the day, they're all just watches. Some just cost a bit more than others. But. Depending on the depth of one's pockets, cash ceases to be an issue, so it would then simply be a case of modifying something away from manufacturer's specification, and that's something which folks do on a regular basis, with all manner of products, from cars and computers, so just because something is 'gen', that in itself, is not enough to render a watch (or other item) safe from modding

Looking good, bro, looking really good

is that how rolex did to the movement in the 14060?

by simply taking out the date wheel nd thats it?

Personally, I'd just stick a no-date dial in the case. I wouldn't even bother removing the date wheel from the movement, it's just extra work, and totally unnecessary. I got a no date vintage sub from a dealer a while back, and when I took the dial out, the movement had a date wheel. In terms of simply not wanting to mess about with a movement unnecessarily, I'd suggest just transplanting a new dial. Saves you the extra time, and cuts the potential for the movement to be damaged... Best of luck with your project

I have a 14060 but it doesn't have a 3035 movement.

Question though....why do you want ot make the watch a no date?

I can understand the desire, as I have to admit, although it can be helpful to have a date on a watch, on an aesthetic level, I prefer the symetry of a no-date dial, and, on a totally lazy note, it does save having to correct the date

Why would you want to take apart a GEN anyway?

I'd guess for the same reason that I take apart reps, or why people modify cars: The fun of customizing/model making etc

While I object to paying gen prices due to economic principles, if I could afford to buy a load of gens to build my own fantasy watch, I'd do it, just for the sake of doing it. At the end of the day, rep or gen, they're just watches, not religious ikons

If you dealer can get a Discovery in this price range:

I read something about this before but just can't find it. I'm looking at an Ebel 1991 and the price difference ranges from $40 to $150. All the pics and descriptions look and read the same. I have a trusted dealer who I've purchased from beating all the dealers I've looked at. I figure I would go with the best price. Any input would be most welcome.

I'd be very interested to buy one

You and your crazy wach modding ideas.

Just kidding...

I guess I'm just a fan of 'custom'

Some yellow gold versions of early GMTs had all-black inserts (with gilt numbers), so you could probably get away with it.

I'm not normally one for gold, but, I have to admit, I do like the sound of that

Yes & no. Like the gen, the insert is essentially a clear piece of plastic with the colors & numbers added through the backside. As I mentioned, the numbers are set deep into the plastic & then the blue/red is painted on top of the entire backside of the insert. Then, they overcoat the blue/red paint with a darker layer of paint, which seals the colored layer making it opaque

I suppose you could sand off the 2 colored layers of paint (polishing the roughened texture left by the sanding) & then repaint it. What are you ultimately trying to do?

Thanks for explaining It was just an idea I had, as if it would have been possible to strip the blue and red away, then repaint it black. I really like how the insert is looking, and it looks like it adds another quality to the tactile nature of the watch, but with the GMT inserts, I prefer the all black, as that way, when the bezel is rotated, it is only the numbers 'that change', the overall color and balance of the insert stays the same, where with the coke/pepsi variants, once they're set to another timezone, the off-set of the color halves is quite noticeable. Just a crazy idea I was mulling over

No. Rolex never, to the best of my knowledge, produced a watch in a blackened case (with matching bezel).

Sorry, I was meaning the insert, rather than a PVD bezel itself Is this kind of bezel insert 'colored' by having the back surface painted with the appropriate color rather than the actual plastic being colored?

Yes. I took the 2nd picture because that more accurately depicts the insert's colors (including the fonts). The 1st set of pics was taken outside in the sun, which brightened the colors. In indoor lighting, the fonts on the new insert are actually a closer match to the color of the lume on the dial & hands than the old insert, which was a bit darker & yellowish.

Also, when looking at the 1st set of (outdoor) pics, keep in mind that the left side of the insert was out of focus, which makes the fonts look wider/thicker than the right side, which was the part of the insert I had in focus. So I would only use the fonts on the right side of the insert in those 1st pics to compare to the gens.

Thanks for the clarification, it really does look great Out of curiosity, is this kind of bezel ever available in solid black?

Looking good, my friend The color of the numerals on the last photo looks much more in keeping with the color of the dial markers. Is that how it appears to the naked eye, compared say, to the first photo, where the numerals appeared much lighter?

It sure is a fantastic project

I'll be wearing this for the foreseeable future... I did 'something' to my GMTSub, and now the movement has died on me Oh well... Future work will involve a new movement, new dial, new hands and a new strap

I tried this one on a few months back, and it was probably the most comfortable braceleted watch I've worn, but I don't know if I really like it enough to spend on the Swiss version (which to me, would then require status as a daily beater) It's nice. Really nice. I just don't think it's right for me...

How good is the comment on the Rolex owners

Just the kind of smug, snarky and self-righteous comment I'd expect from Clarkson The man is nothing if not consistent and predictable

He he... Yes they'd probably refuse to sell it to him. The ADs think that Joshua is a big time collector. Which actually is a fact as apparently this is what got him into the

Interestingly, every time he has picked up a watch, he has said he is picking it up on behalf of the manufacturer. I guess they all share the initial cost and then reap in the profits.

Imagine... Pick up a gen for 20k.. Spend another 10k for repping(which is extreme).... Cost of manufacturing perhaps $150. Watches sold for $500+. Do the math as to how many they need to sell to break even. And don't forget, the gen gets sold back again in the market.

That would definitely be an interesting conversation to listen in on

If they sell the watch back to the used market...it's a fraud industry...you can be sure they are remanufacturing whatever seals required to make the watch appear un-opened. They might even sell it as brand new for a 15-20% discount...and who wouldn't snatch it up if it's less than what the AD would charge?

People keep thinking that repping these things means taking them entirely apart. There aren't that many pieces to take apart...and most people who have worked on watches here...could do what needs to be done. You only need to take apart:

1. Bracelet
   
2. Clasp
   
3. End links
   
4. Buckle (if required)
   
5. Case
   
6. Caseback
   
7. Bezel
   
8. Crystal
   
9. Cyclops (or measure off the original)
   
10. 6 Hands
    
11. Dials
    
12. Datewheel
    
13. Bezel insert
    
14. Pearl
    
15. Pushers and crown
    
16. Tube
    
17. Box set and documents
    

That's not a lot...low risk of damage...and probably takes <1 hr to disassemble AND put back together. The movement is what takes time...but they aren't touching this.

Just the parts which make the whole watch

I think that often members of this and other forums think that the WE are the only clients these dealers have. I dont know how many watches they sell, but Im sure its alot more than they sell here.

To be honest, I wouldn't be so sure about that. When this topic has been mentioned in the past, folks have pointed out that, not only does it take quite some time for a particular dealer's site to appear on a Google search, but they are also quick to post on the forums to inform people of changes in their web addresses. That would indicate that these forums contribute, maybe not all, but certainly a key part of their business...

And in the end, who really cares... They are getting better, and isnt that all that is important?

You're not wrong there, my friend Better product can only be a better thing, particularly for those who plan to keep the watches for a length of time, rather than treating them as utterly disposeable

alright lets say that a gen IS used as a sample,

that doesn't mean that they were actually bought, maybe those dealers have connections with the people from the ADs, like underground sh*t!

or maybe some of the owners would rent them out or somethin! u never know!!

just my theory!

Owners, yes, that wouldn't surprise me, but I wouldn't think an AD connection would be involved. Given the length of time mentioned that the UN MMD was 'under examination' for, there's no way someone in an AD could 'make one disappear' for that long. All it would take would be a random stock-check, and it would be discovered... Interesting idea, but personally, I can't see it working in the long term...

Of course all of these are "Made With A Genuine Watch As Example" and to question the intent of this statement is ludicrous,, you know exactly what he wants to portray with this statement.

Of course they are using genuine watches... would they ever lie to us or stretch the truth? nah... never.... Trust every word that is said.

But this is by far my favorite "Made With A Genuine Watch As Example" ....

So.. the next question is ... how long do you tolerate it and at what point will we see "Made from 1/2 Genuine OEM Parts!" ?

I think this is definitely one of those 'little white lie' scenarios... It might be true for some of the watches, but certainly not all. Indeed, the question is how long do folks tolerate it, and the answer, from what I can see, is longer than one would expect...

Why does everyone automatically assume that the watch needs to be pulled to pieces?

The makers aren't copying the movements they just want to make the watch look cosmetically the same, maybe in some cases this may require pulling the bracelet apart but all other measurements should be able to be taken with the watch intact.

Ken

From RobbieG's description of events regarding the UN MMD, it certainly sounds like the watch was dismantled, rather than a close visual inspection and measurement

For a selected few models ... They do buy gens. I have communicated with Joshua a couple Of times when he was @ a watch showroom in Singapore picking up a gen or Pre-ordering it. I was communicating with him when he picked up the UN. He has also picked up another watch recently for repping. This watch costs in excess of 26k sing$. We can expect the reps rolling out in about 9 months. As such he is also pretty knowledgeable about watches and gets deep discounts from most AD's In Singapore.

I am not defending anyone here and it's true that most watches are made from pics or are reps.

All said ... The quality of so called made from gens is still better than regular reps.

You mention that Joshua gets good discounts from the ADs, so he's obviously known to them as a client, I wonder if any of them actually realize what happens to those watches

It's been stated that Joshua provided the UN MMD for the use in production of the rep. That's not to say that a gen is always used in every reproduction, but it a certainly not an impossibility for many watches, given the amount of sheer currency that they accumulate

I was just browsing the site, and wondered if anyone had used them? Any feedback, positive or negative?

A heat-dried enamel should be permanent. I've already hit this thing with cloth, soap & water, and windex (ammonia) multiple times and no sign of any wear whatsoever.

Fantastic, that's interesting to know

Fantastic work, both on the watch, and with the review itself, thanks for taking the time to share it

Out of curiosity, how durable will the paints be on the insert and caseback? Should they be lasting, or might they need re-applying after a while?

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Dude.. you go to some of the coolest spots !!

ok white exp. II it is then

mahalo TJ !!

Aguillas is an awesome coastal town in SouthEast Spain. Awesome restaurants (Dolce Vita is a favorite) plenty of beach-front shops for all manner of goods (and awesome shoes) great shops in the main roads leading away from the beach, and, on the beach itself, there is exercise equipment dotted about, so ideal for a workout session, followed by relaxing watching the world go by at the beach cafes

Glad to hear the Exp II won out I definitely think it's the right choice for the location and occasion

Peace be upon you, my brother

Ok, still not clear....

I like beef and I like it rare ?! Does this make sense

I like rare beef as well Lani was meaning that I can't eat pork, as it is forbidden to Muslims Pigs might be 'off the menu' for me, but, there are some very tasty vegetarian 'bacon-like' products available which are still very tasty

I think you'd enjoy the Turkey since the suckling swine is not your thing

Ok.. it is now between the White Exp. II white dial and this .. FL

I see the most genuine Pam's here .. usually fiddy's .. (Asian tourist) so the Exp's would be a great choice.. now which one TJ ??

this is the reason I love buffet's .. and wearing more than 1 timepiece per day ..

and thank you for the regards to ma folks !!

Turkey, you say... In that case, I'd probably go with the Lamb... I'll eat turkey, but always found it a rather 'dry' meat (compared to chicken) I like the swine, it's just 'off the menu' That said, the lamb certainly seems to have been the most popular on the day

FL or Exp II.... I'd still say Exp II, for the same reasons... Elegant, and understated... The FL is elegant, but the coke bezel is a little more eye-catching than the all-black variant...

Here're some photos of the town I mentioned

No problem at all, your folks are my folks

@ TeeJay: what a killing look !!!

Thanks, my friend While we were there, it was announced that there was going to be prizes for the best costumes. I didn't win, but, to be fair to the winner (a guy dressed as Robin Hood) his costume was good. Also, if I removed the patches, vest, and pulled my pants out of my boots, no one would even have thought it was a 'costume', where 'Robin' couldn't hide his costume if he tried It was all in good fun

Taking Mom~Dad to Sunday Brunch for their Anniversary .. this will be our view

I think I'll just pull up ma chair to the best table in da house

A little bit of desert to finish the meal.. Home made Kona Coffee ice cream .. and a little bit of EVERYTHING

the choice of what to put on ma wrist is more difficult than what to eat..

maybe this ?

Or this

Or maybe??

An awesome venue, brother It reminds me of a town in Spain called Aguillas If the 'middle meat' is lamb, I'd be having some of that, but if it was beef, I'd probably go for the chicken instead No one seems to be digging the Swine I'd also be up for some of those deserts as well

As for the watch... I'd go for the Explorer II. Elegant and understated. It won't draw attention Best regards to your parents

The simplest solution is to remove the crown guard and file down the feet a little so it rests closer to the case. Has anyone tried it?

Yes. It solved the problem