Greystash

Hey Guys,

I joined the forum a few days ago, i've been looking at reps very closely and instead today I decided to bite the bullet and go Gen..

I picked up this '95 model Submariner up on eBay for $5300

How can I tell if its not a rep? It seems like a reputable dealer with papers, if I take it to a rolex dealer can I get them to verify its real?

Let me know what you think

Ps. Did I get an OK deal?

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.

One I wish I hadn't posed, as now I think I'm going to have to build one, but don't have the spare cash to do so, so it'll be something which is going to keep bugging me

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.

Ahh, yes, you're quite right there. In daylight, the black/sword is definately the winner.

Thanks TeeJay.

I wonder how a Planet Ocean would look with sword hands...

And that's a good question.

^^^ Definitely agree about Omega lume. Omegas always have incredible lume.

It's funny you find the skeleton hands not as visible as sub hands, as I find the complete opposite Particularly, at night, as there is more lume down the sides than there is on a sub's hands

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.

I assume this is purely subjective as it would be difficult to hold up your argument with everyone having varying tastes.

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.

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*** 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).

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Cheers

It's also chunky, but not good chunky.

I don't like this watch........

At all

Yep.

Though I am as aware as most people here of the myriad flaws in that watch, it is worth noting that the VAST majority of posters at TZ didn't notice - and one guy who OWNS a gen is saying he doesn't see the problem with it even after others have called it out. This reinforces me belief that most people, even gen owners, generally don't spend hours, days, and weeks analyzing the tells of fake versions of their own watches. There are a few people who will spot these things - and they are WIS's, suspicious by nature, AND have the benefit of a frozen target blown up about four times larger than life to analyze.

Well said, JohnG.

I believe rep owners have a much enhanced appreciation of gens.

WM9 and Tribal

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

Something seems off here...

Fleabay Subs

No, it's a REALLY good rep. Amazing, isn't it?

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...

Thanks, fellers! :snip: As for the 16610... T'is new You like?

Yes I like. Tell us a little about it.

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

I guess was not clear in my comment. I was not going to ask the guy if his watch was real or a rep. i was just going to ask to get a closer look. I have never asked someone if their watch was real and never will ask. I just wanted a closer look as i have always flirted with the idea of buying a gen all gold President some day.

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.

This leads to my question: Are there some watches that you see in the wild that you do not question whether or not they are gen? I guess I'm at a point where I question all watches now.

Thanks!!!

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.

Great topic and shots!!! Thanks for sharing it!

x2 - That's excellent work lazarini.

Cheers

I'll post some scans once it arrives. I owned one a couple years back and sold it to fund a gen PO. I actually prefer the SMP to the PO and feel it is one of the best preowned bargains for the money.

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.

I've been thinking about buying a two tone sub for a long time..

Which do you prefer the Black Dial or the Blue Dial?

Thanks...

It

Thanks guys. Very helpful.

I miss the little buttons we use to have to say same.