peterpanda

Phong does

Fantastic thanks a lot!

Are there any dealers that accept Bitcoin as payment method? I have tried on many occasions to purchase reps from dealers but payments have always been blocked from my bank accounts high security measures. Bitcoin would be perfect with no risk of chargebacks/fees for dealers...

I have tried on numerous occasions to buy from the key sellers but am never able to make payment.
My bank immediately cancels the transactions and when I try to make them again they still fail.

Are there any sellers that accept Bitcoin as payment? It would make it all soooo much easier.

Thanks!

I too considered getting the v5 versus other PO models. In the end I decided it was too costly to get the v5 up to snuff- new crystal AR, crown and tube, possible lume job. Although the LMPO doesn't really speak to me I'd buy it if they got the dial issues in order. Looks like a solid piece.  

It is indeed a shame about the dial - I will be observing the QC for closely!

In saying that, the rest of the piece is so good that it could probably even make for a good v5 fraken? Just genuine dial/hands and perhaps change the caseback and it would be there

I'm in the same boat as you. sold off all my Rolex Franken-reps, going for some Omegas now.

 

I am not impressed with what the newer reps of these have looked like, so I am after some of the older versions of these two (V5 42mm PO, or an older SMP300). There is one older version of the SMP300 that is supposed to be very close to authentic, and parts to franken these are easily found....

Agreed - I was torn between the V5 42mm PO and the LMPO 42mm.

I have decided to go for the Liquid Metal as it is practically flawless providing you choose the right one at QC.

For the SMP:

 

Flaws/tells are mainly pearl (easy fix), case back, bezel numbers&indices (engraved, not flush as the gen and slightly thinner). Also the hour indices are not as flat as the gen. The rep is also slightly thicker than the gen. But except for the pearl, I'd say all those are passable unless you do a side-by-side comparison. 

 

Common errors I've seen are are bad bezels (uneven spacing - 12 and 6 markers don't line up) and misaligned date wheels.

 

Also currently they only come with "Swiss ETA", which is a bit of a lottery. Mine came with a movement that's either very old or very "franken" based on the looks of the regulator markings. But it works, so...

 

Apart from all that it's still a very nice watch, and my current daily beater.  

Very helpful thank you! I think if I am to purchase the SMP I'll fix the pearl and probably aim to replace the caseback and bezel if I ever manage to source the parts (may have to wait a few years though!)

This looks like a pretty good rep I'm considering getting one!
Another difference I spotted is the dial values thickness is incorrect.
You'll notice that on the rep they are actually about half the width of what they are on the genuine. (see comparison pic attached)

I think that and the back of it are instant tells. The pearl is easily repaired though which is something!

Does anybody know where I could purchase a genuine back/better rep of the back and the same for the dial?
If I could get those then this would be awesome!

EDIT: Interestingly the bezel is only different on the official website. When I look up the model number it's the same as the rep elsewhere online :\

Hi guys,

So I have been lurking for a while and am now down to 2 contenders (I think!).
I am considering the black ceramic 300m Seamaster Pro and the Planet Ocean 42mm.

Now I am torn on a couple of points that perhaps you could help with!

I read a review on the black ceramic SMP 300m which was pretty positive.

Cons: Backplate all wrong, weak lume

The PO 42mm is include in the "super reps" list and appears to be pretty good?

Cons: No waterproofing (as far as I'm aware?)

Have any of you purchased either of the above and are able to sway me in either direction?

I keep reading about a "noob factory" could somebody explain to me what that means? Is it a place where you can order different versions of the reps? Or do the standard dealers provide reps from the noob factories?

Thanks!

great work thanks for posting

I have been lurking RWG for quite some time but today I finally made an account.

I believe that I have come to a decision for my first rep purchase being the IWC Portofino Automatic SS Black.
I will probably purchase this from Andrew but before I do was wondering if anybody here as bought one of these before and can vouch for them?

Looks pretty spot on to me other than not quite as dark and the 12 is slightly off. This isn't the case in other pictures though?
pics of rep vs real: