Shundi

Ah, just checked the Rolex website, my error thanks AD!

Hey guys, thanks for the comments! There's also a school of thought that things like the CG's, dial font, etc are intentionally screwed up on Rolex reps as part of an "understanding" between Rolex and the rep world... I've read that some feel that the moment GZ produces a true 1:1 Rolex case, dial, etc CG's included, that Rolex would end up hitting the roof and taking them down with an armada of lawyers... Either way, it's interesting, I didn't know the bridges issue had been discussed prior to this thread (sorry to beat a dead horse with that particular example!) but it's one of those things where I saw it and went "Now why would they include those bridges?"

Keep in mine the dial font on this is totally wrong...should be white as per the gen...

Congratulations!

I can do both... takes a second for it to click. Left and right brain ? Neat experiment though

Beautiful!! Thanks Lani!

Check out the link Here near the bottom

Hmm must have been before my time Pug but I'm glad someone else noticed it...

Freddy, I totally see your point regarding super reps and I agree that for the price point they are excellent "values" in the watch world... I guess my point is that even though the recent GMT and Seconds@6 movements were fiascos, I personally feel that if the Chinese have begun to step up movement production standards... I can only speak from experience but the last few "Asian ETA" movement I've received from various sellers have been of phenomenal quality with quiet rotors, smooth sweeping seconds hands and of the 5 I've received recently, 4 have been at or near COSC standards with the 5th being slightly out @ around +-9 per day. Also telling, I have serviced Asian movements which have remained within fairly tight tolerances for the last two years or so and, as per RobbieG's aforementioned topic, a good watch movement can not only be adjusted to COSC specifications but it can STAY at COSC specs due to tighter manufacturing standards and QC. I understand and am aware of the "factory" misnomer and I apologize for using it in a general fashion in my original post, however while I understand that the final assembly may take place in a kitchen, the movement parts and pieces (of which manufacturing precision and finishing is essential for a great movement) must be produced at some sort of factory with CNC technology yes? My point is that, much like Hyundai, those factories might well start off manufacturing "throw away" products or "poor quality" products and then, as technology improves and becomes cheaper, such companies can offer highly finished final products that easily outshine former output (Like the new Genesis in North American Markets, for instance). I honestly think we're going to start seeing that in rep movements- at the very least I think we're going to see an improvement in the timekeeping ability and reliability of Asian copy ETA's... Interestingly enough it turns out that this is how parts of the Swiss industry worked for hundreds of years... crazy huh? Imagine some Swiss family assembling a Patek in the dining room The difference must be the QC and training, not to mention the superior Swiss produced parts.

Freddy, I agree- the seconds @ 6 movements and recent CHS GMT were, by nearly all accounts, disasters waiting to happen (save for a few- which I seem to have been blessed with! My Daytona runs perfectly) but while they've been crude, I feel the Chinese are being cautious and testing the waters here... Also, I'm not sure of the assembly process but is it possible the GMT modification was performed by technicians or workers who were not associated with the original movement factory? In other words, were these movements mickey moused together after the fact as opposed to being created "in house" at the same factories where the Chinese build the Asian ETAs? It could be an important difference...what if a movement manufacturing company such as Seagull or Millionsmart got into the GMT game in a big way or designed some sort of seconds @ 6 movement that just happened to be a chronograph? Do you think there'd be a major difference in the quality or would you chalk it up to the technological superiority of Swiss movements vs the current available technology across the board in China. Also, great pictures of the bridge (since I see him reading) on the 3135 can be found in RobbieG's recent post on the differences between the ETA 2892 and the Rolex Calibre 3135... found Here

We've all seen Asian movements get better over the past few years- most notably in the past 6 months with the recent Asian ETA clones. From some accounts they are getting really, really close to the quality and appearance of the true Swiss ETAs. Keeping this in mind, take a gander at Josh’s new addition to the PAM line at http://www.joshwatch.com/0141-p-5206.html . Now, the watch is an obvious “fantasy” model and has the wrong font, date wheel, and the gen is hand wound vs. automatic but take a look at the automatic movement: Notice anything? Look at the bridge for the balance wheel… I’m not sure if this is currently on Chinese automatics but that looks an awful lot like the balance bridges on a Rolex Cal 3135 We’ve discussed it before but am I the only one who feels that now that the Chinese have become very proficient in producing 1:1 cases and (in some cases) dials that the next big battle is going to be movements. Case in point, the new Tag Aquaracer… I believe TAG has included a display back on their new model to “showcase” the movement. Companies like VC and Patek have also rolled out designs showcasing the movements as the movement is an obvious tell for reps with in-house or well-finished movements. My Millionsmart tourby from Homer has (I assume) non-functioning Microstella-esq screws on the balance wheel...why couldn't the Chinese add these to the rep 3135? I’ve always thought that the next two to three years in the rep world will be marked with improvements on movement reliability and accuracy not only with regards to time keeping but with regards to aesthetics as well. The pictures of that PAM just brought the Cal 3135’s balance bridges to my mind and I’ve seen rotor replications and even maroon click wheels on some Asian DG movements… if the Chinese manage to combine these and add perlage and gold script…they’d have a pretty close representation of the 3135… Rolex manufactures most movement parts using standard CNC technology, there’s really no reason the Chinese couldn’t figure out how to manufacture such movements at our price point within the next few years… especially if they’re already purchasing gens to make 1:1 cases and bezels… Thoughts? Disagree? I just found the pictures on Josh’s site interesting and I’d love to know what others think about the future of rep movements…

I also echo YM... I disagree with the statement that it's the funniest comedy in America though, I'd say that honor goes to either The Office or It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (for you loyal fans, www.begreenman.com <--- my Halloween costume )

By the way...I'd just like to point out again... the TAMPA BAY RAYS, worst team in baseball, are in the world series. Wow.

I brought one of these for the living room...awesome for the price point: http://www.y2incusa.com/sonygrandwegakds-6...ectionhdtv.aspx

WOW! Great snag Nanuq! Enjoy vacation!

Jesus that's scary man...good luck!

Panerai then? I'm not a huge fan of them but if you could find one between 40-42mm no one would probably look twice with the Panerai on the dial...

Rolex sport is pretty young...I'm in my mid 20's and I pull it off just fine...if it's a question of affordability you could buy something like the rep vintage submariners, do a little project work and just say you inherited it or something like that if believability is the issue... I'd say something like a VC or IWC Ingy but if you don't think you could pull off a Rolex a VC is def. out. I'd also say check into the for sale fantasy Pam (@40 MM) that MickyPadge is selling in the for sale section of the board...looks pretty good, DSN, Superlume etc and unless you know some PAM experts most people won't call you out at all... Hope that helps!

Superb...upgrade and check the GGG threads

Welcome aboard!

Sorry to hear that man... who did you order from?? I also highly recommend checking the member trades and board area for some great deals (also, you know what you're getting and have a chance at recourse)

Great stuff, thanks Pug!