TeeJay

Thanks, and absolutely, it's had quite a journey, a lot of history already for one 'fake' watch

Perfect donor parts for an accurate Rootbeer GMT project I must admit, I have a real softspot for the vintage reps like this, simply because they're not as easy to acquire anymore. Quite some time ago, I saw a fantasy Rolex posted, which I thought was a really nice watch in it's own right: After seeing it, I decided that I would really like an 'obvious fake' for my collection, as it wouldn't be about how accurate it was, or if someone might think it was real, but a joke about it being an obvious fake, so in the end, I put a modified Rolex dial in a black plastic Submariner case As silly as it might seem, I've worn this watch pretty much solidly over the last few months, as it's always made me smile, and always reminded me not to take life too seriously, and to enjoy things for what they are

Absolutely, this would absolutely be a fantastic purchase. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice chrono that didn't mind a quartz movement That's interesting to know, thanks for the info I think it's funny how the optional NATO strap has the springbars through the strap, rather than just threading through the lugs like a regular NATO

Thanks J, I'll be sure to give it a good home and plenty of wrist time I would definitely recommend the watch to anyone. I think for what it is, it's a fine replication of the THC, and it certainly wouldn't be hard for the factory to do a V2 to boost this into SuperRep territory

Thanks for the link

Always happy to be of help If the 44mm PAMs aren't a problem, the diameter of the DSSD shouldn't be an issue That's looking like a very nice strap, am I right in thinking that's originally a Panerai strap?

You're very welcome, I'm glad you like the review, and many thanks again

From what I've read, I believe that it is the glidelock clasp which provides the balance for the watch on the wrist, having now had the Tudor Heritage on my wrist for a few hours, I would stand by my belief that a 22mm bracelet would better suit the aesthetics of the DSSD, and make the watch look less 'oversized' on the bracelet As long as the lugs don't hang over the edges of your wrist, then the watch is not too big Of course, you might be put off by how tall the watch stands from the surface of your wrist, but that's something you could only decide after trying one on As for good and cheap, I would say WatchEden is probably your best bet there, with this being the cheapest option, and this being a slightly more expensive, but more accurate version

Thanks We all all look at watches with different perspectives, and I just wanted to share mine Personally speaking, I love the watch, although I would acknowledge that a 7032 would be 'more subtle' on the wrist. I would say to anyone who's tastes run toward the DSSD rather than DateJust end of the Rolex-Spectrum, this would be the watch for them

Fantastic As nice as modern reps are, there is something charming and fun about the older and obviously 'fake' reps

Today, I became the proud recipient of a Tudor Heritage chrono. Not just any Tudor Heritage Chrono, but The Tudor Heritage Chrono originally ordered by JMB, and reviewed here, before it became available via Forum Dealers. I'd had my eye on doing a 7032 project for quite some time, and I initially wondered if the dial and movement from the THC might be transplantable into a Daytona case, for a 7032 of sorts. Of course, the dial is quite a bit too large, so no such desecration can take place I had considered making JMB an offer on the watch, when I saw that it had found its way into the possession of the equally esteemed Justasgood. After a conversation, as to if Justasgood might have been prepared to sell the watch in the future, we settled on a trade, of a PAM 111, and some straps, for the THC and a Red12 strap. I'm now on tenterhooks, as although I have received the THC, Justasgood is still waiting on the arrival of the PAM, so please, Mr Postman, get that parcel to it's destination! The PAM was itself a very generous gift from the awesome Maxman (with the express instructions that I could trade/sell/part out the watch should the need arise), so thanks must also go to Maxman, as without that watch, I wouldn't've had the goods to make the trade. I was so impressed by the watch, that I felt the need to review it, so I shall post a few notes to complement JMB's initial findings on the watch Case and overall build All I can say, is 'impressive'. This watch is easily the heaviest in my collection (possibly heavier than the PAM traded for it) and that weight is coming primarily from the case, as the movement is quartz. The case is nicely finished, with no sharp edges. As JMB mentioned in his review, the crystal is about 3mm too short. Not an issue which detracts from the watch, but still a flaw in replication. The crown does not screw down, but the watch has twice gone under a running faucet with no hint of fogging or flooding, and indeed, on WatchEden, the watch is advertised as water resistant. The knurling on the crown, pushers and bezel is crisp and neat, but not at all rough. I am not sure if the knurled sleeves on the original watch are screw down protectors like on the Daytona, or simply decoration, but on the replica, they are only decorative. The rotating bezel is easy to grip, and operates smoothly, with gently muted clicks. The font on the bezel is correct, but the numbers and markers are too short, as the numbers should fill the entire width of the insert, and the markers should reach to the inside edge of the insert. The bracelet is an interesting mix, as while the primary links are accurate to the original, the clasp itself, is not. However, I would personally rate this clasp as an improvement over the original for two reasons. One, the original clasp has the same welded leaves as the clasps on the GMTIIc and DSSD, which have been reported to fail, and secondly, the original clasp has a triangular end, which would eventually rub on the bracelet, where this clasp is flat. Not a perfect replication, but in my opinion, certainly an acceptable alternative. The bracelet itself is very comfortable, and balances the watch well on the wrist. As per my recent musings, I think that a 22mm bracelet like this would have been a better selection on the DSSD, than the current 20mm bracelet. Dial and hands: Not only does the case of the watch convey a huge impact, the dial itself is also incredibly eye-catching, even if it is not a 1:1 replication of the original. As mentioned by JMB, the subdials do not replicate the precise function of the original, instead, providing a 24 sweep hand, and a 60 minute counter. Also as mentioned in JMB's initial review, there is no running seconds hand anywhere on this watch. While maybe not an issue for some, and certainly a familiar sensation for anyone wearing a Base PAM, seeing a watch with multiple dials and hands, and none of them visibly moving, is a pretty disconcerting feeling, and makes me consider running the chrono all the time, just so I can see a hand move Don't let this observation put you off the watch, as it either might not bother you at all, or, you might just get used to it All lettering on the dial is flawlessly printed, and the tangerine 5 minute markers on the outer track, are truly gorgeous. There are also two distinctly different matte textures between the grey primary, and black subsections, which, in addition to the concentric rings on the subdials, make for a visually interesting dial. The homeplates allow for easy reading at a glance, although, they are one of the more noticeable flaws in replication. On the original dial, the homeplates appear to be white plastic, rather than white gold outlines, as on Submariner dials. This would actually be a relatively simple modification, assuming one can decase the movement and dial, and it would simply be a matter of layering white vinyl stickers (maybe 4-5 layers) and then using a craft knife to cut the homeplate shapes. The date window is higher on the dial than the original, but this is obviously due to the movement being used. The coffin-shaped primary hands are incredibly easy to read at a glance, and rather than being flat, have the same central ridge as the original. The orange second hand... Well, that really is one of the iconic features of the 7032 and the Heritage, is very eye-catching, and when left running, provides a happy indicator that the watch hasn't stopped On the wrist: As mentioned above, this watch has an incredible presence on the wrist, which is almost entirely down to the thickness of the knurled bezel. Of course, the 42mm case makes for a large watch, but it is the bezel which makes it 'stand tall'. The bracelet felt fine upon arrival, and I don't know if JMB or Justasgood applied any lubes while the watch was in their care, but I gave the bracelet the same treatment of sewing machine oil as I have my other bracelets, and it is butter-soft, and extremely comfortable. Despite being a large watch, the THC is very comfortable to wear. While this is a thoroughly Masculine watch, it is not an in your face 'over-compensating-tough-guy' watch. Surprizingly, unlike other large watches I have owned, this has no problem going under a long-sleeved cuff of a buttondown shirt, so while certainly possible to wear in the office, this watch is definitely better suited for jeans and T-Shirt, while engaging in some kind of rugged, manly pursuits. I would not be surprised if this watch was to get admiration and comments from observers While not without its flaws in replication, this watch definitely has an appeal, which I think elevates it above those flaws. Sure, anyone who knows what a THC looks like, and the key features, would be able to identify this as a rep from 10 feet (the position of the datewindow being the most observable and identifiable giveaway) but, to the untrained eye, this will just look like a nice watch, and likely only attract complements Thanks for reading, but most of all, a huge thankyou to JMB, Justasgood, and Maxman, who have all contributed to me now being the proud owner of this fine timepiece. Mucho gracias, amigos :drinks: [Edit to add] Just to add, an acceptable NATO strap for the THC is available here (third of the way down the page) Ignore the yellowish color in the posted photos, in the flesh, the orange stripe is a perfect match to the second hand

You've vintaged the original insert?

A few beers would definitely be cool sometime I just think it's a shame that they've lost their way and are just following the $$s, rather than focussing on making good watches I was nearly able to try on one a few months back in London, but wifey wouldn't let me go in the AD I have to admit, I think if I was to put one on, it wouldn't surprise me if I was to like it, I just think that aesthetically, they missed the mark by not going with a wider bracelet (same as with the Wide Lug Ceramic Subs) as it would just be a better balance with the size of the case. I only really noticed this since reading up on the Heritage, but once I realized the difference, I couldn't stop thinking about how a 22mm bracelet would better complement the DSSD I wouldn't go so far as to say that I hate the DSSD, I just think that Rolex didn't necessarily make the best design decisions for a truly practical tool watch I'm sure I'll get to try one on eventually

You said it, bro

I quite agree, Rolex really has lost it's way as a company, with too many blinged out and over-sized designs. Of course, they've been in the business of making money, rather than just selling professional tool watches for about 30 years, but recently they seem to have lost the plot altogether

I agree, and have always viewed the DSSD is just an over-engineered white elephant I mean, seriously, who needs 12000 ft water resistance? Certainly not the diver who's been pulped by the pressure, that's for sure There've also been reports of the welds on the glide lock clasps failing, which simply could not happen with either the older oyster bracelet clasps. I'm not 100%, but I believe the clasp of the Heritage is also of the traditional rolled leaf design, rather than the modern welded leaf design... [Edit to add] I've just seen that the gen Heritage uses welded leaves as well in the clasp

Nice collection

Having not tried on a DSSD, I can't say that I wouldn't love one if I was to try one on, but from a comparison based just on the photos, the bracelet of the Heritage certainly seems more in proportion to the size of the case, by comparison to the bracelet of the DSSD. Just seems strange to me that they would make one large watch and fit it with a standard size bracelet, and then make another large watch, and give it a bracelet which is more in proportion

If the Tudor Heritage has a 22mm bracelet, why does the DSSD have a 20mm bracelet?

Sounds good, can't wait to see the finished project

Very nice collection indeed Have you plans to diversify it at all, ie a more 'formal watch', or just sticking with the big four?

For an all day, every day SS watch, I'd vote for a black or silver dialed DateJust. Good with a suit, good with a T-Shirt and jeans, they're more versatile than subs, at least in my thinking

:thumbsupsmileyanim: :thumbsupsmileyanim: :thumbsupsmileyanim:

Wow, that's a beautiful restoration Kudos to Domi, and congrats on such a fine timepiece