Greystash

Yeah my SS 16610 has the lug holes. That's good advice from Cats about the cheap ring sets. Mine was cheap and it was a little difficult to remove the back. I had to push the ring down quite hard to stop the ring from slipping. Then again the movement hadn't seen the light of day in 12 years, so I guess I did just fine. If you do have a rep, you won't want to wait too long to open a dispute. A report from a Rolex Service Center (RSC) is also very good advice and carries the appropriate authority. Actually, what are we talking about...whip the bacelet off the Six O Clock side and tell us what's engraved between the lugs

Hey FB, Their nice watches alright, I really like the black TT's. I know where you are coming from with the purchase. I bought a gen 95 W serial 16610 off the bay in Jan this year. I did a ton of homework, including asking our esteemed hawk eyes here, to make sure it was all original and genuine before I bid. Having said that though I still wasn't %100 relieved until I unscrewed the back and gazed upon the 3135 movement with mine own eyes. It was there alright and in perfect condition. I bought the proper ring tool for specifically removing Rolex case backs off the bay also. I cost me about $20 I think, but the peace of mind was well worth it.

Well when you get around to it...this is what you'll have to look forward to. What do you think TeeJay? Man, this is bound to upset someone.

Thanks TeeJay. And that's a good question.

Yeah, I know this sounds crazy Ztech but I can see where I am walking around my home in the dark off the fully charged lume.

I'll conceed that point for sure. I was not aruging about lume in the above, only daytime viewing like in the below. For simple clarity, the black/sword SMP takes it. The omega's have fabtastic lume.

It's about good simple design, not taste. Line up the three watches (Skelehand Blue Bond SMP - Sword Hand Black face SMP - and the traditional 16610 Sub) and analyse the design of the three different hand/face combos. The Skeleton hands do not stand out as well as the Sword hands and the Sub hands. And the Sword hands stand out more than the Subs hands because they are wider. The combination of the simple Black SMP's markers and sword hands, makes for a very clear read. I've got both the gen 16610 and 2254.50 and don't get me wrong, I wear the Sub, BUT I know which one is the easiest to read when I glance down at my wrist. In terms of a one glance read the Black SMP 2254.50 kicks ar*e. I would also argue on the grounds of the Sword hand design simplicity, that they are clearer than the large, but arrowed hands of the Planet Ocean. The sword hands are in a way boring and uninterersting. Simpicity however is very often better when it comes to fuctional design.

Like them or not, in my experience those sword hands make for superior readability. For clarity as a purely tool watch, the sword hands beat the SMP skeleton and classic Sub hands by a mile.

The old blue Bond SMP is a true Bond classic now. The new black bond PO is yet to become a classic. It may take on that classic kind of status in the coming years...or it may not if Bond dosen't sport it for a few more films. I'd say buy the gen you have idolised the longest. I always wanted a gen 16610 and I've never regretted buying one.

After spending so long looking at the new Deep Sea. It's funny how this new SS Sub now looks less removed from the original dimensions.

Great post. It's no good though...this quality rep looks far too gen to pass as the new Sub.

Nick Hacko, Posted this today in Australia; it's great. I hope it hasn't already been put up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Case polishing Restoring or refinishing a stainless steel watch case is not as difficult as may be thought. Unfortunately most watchmakers are either not interested in doing it properly or were never taught how to do it. Those few who have mastered the skill of hand-polishing would rather die then to revel their secret of the trade! The trick in obtaining mirror-like finish is simple : a/ to use correct polishing medium and b/ to master polishing skills by following the correct procedure. This tutorial is aimed not only at watchmakers, but also at watch dealers and collectors wanting to familiarize themselves with the process of hand-polishing. The procedure shown below was passed to me by my father (an to him by his brother Mihajlo Hacko, Master Watchmaker since 1948. who still does his own watch repairs!) Please go to Nicholas Hacko - Case Polishing I guarantee you'll love it! (And for those of you who are members of other watch forums: feel free to forward the above link further). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cheers

It's also chunky, but not good chunky. Yep.

Well said, JohnG. I believe rep owners have a much enhanced appreciation of gens.

That has the distinct air of a gen Step... wow

Something seems off here... Fleabay Subs

I'm pretty sure that is the exact same picture twice. Shadows and image noise can't be %100 identical in two different pictures. I mean even the stitching in the leather bands are exactly the same...

Yes I like. Tell us a little about it.

Good effort Ubi, can't wait to see your pictures when you get warmed up...

Actually sorry Gil. I knew that's what you meant and I tried to touch on that when I wrote "picking up on your point" but I think I should have written that response more clearly. I know what you are saying... Are there watches out there that when you see them, you don't think (for even a second) that they are reps. My answer is I can't really think of any...like you I assume most of the classics have been repped at some stage in SS or Gold. I like checking the net to find out though.

Because it's part of the fun and I don't know every watch that has ever been repped, I question every decent watch I lay my eyes on. However I never question the wearer; picking up on your point above, I don't believe it's in good taste.

Yep, thats the one. A very cool and understated design that will only appreciate in value.

x2 - That's excellent work lazarini. Cheers

Look forward to the pics. That watch is a future classic for sure and in my view, is going to start increasing in value at some point. I wear a SS Sub, but I'm still not selling my 2254.50.

It