Pre V

After a long hiatus from the 44mm Panerai scene, am back all day Easter with 5218-201/A..... Going back to 38mm Paul Newman Cosmograph (joining Ubi on MC's cousin) on Gator Bund for the rest of the weekend....

It just seems that yesterday when Steve M. on VRF ousted Yuki as being the owner of 9 other sites catering to manufacturing of cases - identifying an actual name by the initials of T.F. --- this post was subsequently taken off by the mods/admins over there. Now, it is no surprise that this is continuation of what predecessors are still doing in the world of Rolex vintages. Dealers from Europe are still buying from Vietname suppliers, bear in mind this, these Viets are supplying full modifications, redone dials of course but with actual genuine movements, almost 1:1 engravings on the cases, and vintagized cases. From a 6542 which cost these dealers like 3500-4200 usd, once in the EU region, these are peddled for up to 18,000-25,000usd --- see the Math, margins and numerios umberto. Why not? Why yes? Collectors have a tendency to get sick of mass-produced modern pieces and retro-grading back into the world where timepieces are no longer manufactured. This phenomenon, in itself, spells more Motivated Suppliers wherever they may be. Long ago in the early 1980s, there were already variations of 6538 Big Crown dials coming out from Tuscany - closed family stirring up redone dials, even now in the possession of James Dowling. Still, these varieted dials are peddled off by renowned figures in the game, and passing them off as the genuines. What gives? Who knows? Who really really knows? He said, She said, lots of details get skewed, intertwined all over like tons of "seconds" needles in a haystack of hours and minutes. Back to Yuki, he's an individual who's introducing the "masses" to the market by means of price competition - no doubt businesses are good but in time, the genuine forums will notice but does anyone really care? Scary to some, then some better do some homework. It's all about striking a balance in knowing both realms, for one is able to distinguish - for the better or worse in efforts of safeguarding your hard-earned dollars, or perhaps redefining your replicafrankenisticals to another near-to-perfect level. To sell a replica and passing it off a gen, in hopes of accumulating market pricing, this I am against. But who's to say for others? Isn't this a world of number game to all? The incessant need to accumulate more wealth than one can actually achieve - the dollars are the driving force of this game. Each to his own - your preferences may not be in sync with mine, but its mine to behold anyways....The clear fact of the matter is that: Genuines and Replicas have co-existed for a long time, and will continue in the next 1000 years. Trust me on that...ain't no bloody patent, copyright laws aint' gonna do horseshit to a dimension that is so cement in our lives.

What a beautiful story! Totally enjoyed every bit of your articulation on the DRSD! Enjoy your timepiece! Love the beautifully taken pictures....the water droplets...a total enhancer to the slow-beating heart in there.

Freddy, all 3 watches are beauties!! Look at the Bakerlite Insert on that gilt 6542 Does it glow still?

What a story to grace The Rolex Forum here at RWG! The simplicity of what a kind gesture has transpired into the work of art by RWG's Rolex Resident - Ubi! Enjoy the 5517 Milsub Kurt! I am sure this one will be glued indefinitely to your wrists for the rest of 2010 Having read Ubi's chronological events couple of weeks back never cease to amaze me. Brilliance, sheer Horological Synaesthesia ....hands down.

Vintage Glit Love - Navitimer Cosmonaute 809 [a friend's family heirloom]

Raising the dead and springing such a finished project to life, that's an amazing feat Ubi! Justasgood: In all its glory, I reckon an online standing ovation is much due! Beauitful, splendid Milsub right there, hands down!

Are you looking for an Oyster or Jubilee?

a 66'er 1675 in Shanghai Winter

Lovely watch, and another generous gesture by Ubi! RWG - More than a Watch can Buy!

Amazing piece! Yet another Prevendome in the completed works....am expecting more to spring up for the year 2010! A notable project that's for sure...love the PVD finish btw...very gen-like.

On genuine 5513, 1680 or 1665 inserts - considered Vintage inserts, the Pearl is usually affixed by Glue. This is One way to identify gens from supposed reps.

I have been looking out for some "Bunds" lately.....

Agreed on the clarity of gen tropics. I am contemplating on getting a gen T19 too, as the gen T127 on my 1680 + T21 on my 6263 really does make a huge difference!! Thanks Lani, too bad WSO does not ship to where I am....any idea on the fitment of WSO's T39 flat?

Alrighty! The verdict is in! It's the Nineteenth Century Tropical for this 5513 Boy! Thanks for your input!!

Greetings RWG'ers! Just acquired an oldskool MBW 5513 and can't wait to begin work on the modification. First thing on the list is the Tropic replacement. Planning to go with Clarks. Question for those old hands: 1) 5513 as well as 1680 have a thinner metal bezel construct, will a T39 SD look overkill on a 5513? on a 1665, the Superdome looks amazing as the thicker metal bezel construct balances the height of the T39 out. 2) Personal preference question: Will you go for a T19 or T39 Superdome on a 5513? Appreciate your inputs!

Amazing work Ubi! Such illustrations really puts my attempts to shame... BTW, does the MBW 5513 have the old skool Polex Registered Design engraving? What are your thoughts on the construction on the Metal Bezel? comparing to the previous ones from 2005-06? Have recently gotten one in hand, and am going to start on Reshaping the CGs really soon, once my Proper tools arrive.

The weather was hovering in the range of 25-26 degrees celcius (80 odd degrees Fahrenheit for our friends in the Western hemisphere) tonight. Well, I was late, admittedly attributed to my time spent at the safe scrambling to pack my precious ticking metals into my little black bag. Decisions, decisions, and the more I contemplated on my choices, the lesser time I had with the great guys who came together to kickstart this passion of ours at the Red Dot. Time waits for no man, now ain't that true in all aspects? Red Dot is an open-air concept bistro where they brew their own distinctive beer - in assorted colours (yes even Green ones) and although the lighting was kinda dim to capture the sought-after details we all love savouring to, the ambiance was filled with chattery voices in different languages. Very nice chillout place to hang out for those who are destination-Singapore bound. When I approached the guys, mind you, there were already numerous timepieces safeguarded by towers of beer on the table by each and everyone of the very fine gentlemen whom I am meeting for the 1st time (in person and away from the keyboard that is). Already, the conversations between them were intensifying, with familiar phrases relating to this passion of ours. Grabbed a seat and started to blend into their current topics, and an introductory to members of all Tri-Rep-forum States (namely RWI-RWG-RG) was in session. We have Unregistered, Takashi, Perry, Sean and Alvinado all very engaged to the "in's and out's" of the world of replicas pertaining to our favourite brands of Officine Panerai, Rolexes, IWCs, AP....etc. The night progressed very nicely to the distinctive stories told by everyone pertaining to their respective collection. It was my first time seeing an actual whole Little Hero PAM 111H in person, and I must say that it was pretty impressive. FGDs were certainly in the house, with a mix of up-close and personals with the comparisons! Highlight for me is that our passion does not only restrict to the rep-world but also and truly, the genuine spectrum. One can safely speculate on the term "NeitherWorld" for its the knowledge of both worlds that keeps us at bay with what is to expect, differentiate and choose based on detailings. After all, with so much going on within a stainless steel case, its only natural why we are on this exploration and journey together. Much thanks goes out to the organizers, and it was pleasure mingling with you kind folks + your Beautiful timepieces! Here's an ambient-flavoured shot composed and taken by Perry: Ok, just for you Panerai lovers, can someone make out what case is below the Davidsen's?

Can someone PM me "unregistered"'s real name so I can Dempsey'fy the Red Dot while Brewing my Reps to looking like Genuines?

Update: By the generousity of R_Squared aka Rep Racer from RepGeek, I will soon have a MBW 1680 Caseset with backcase which will be going to this project by Lanikai. Looks like this project is progressing at an accelerated rate! Master of Puppets, time to get this Metallica kicking to the Block Rockin' Beats of what is to become a worthy project with just 22 days into the 2010! Once again, big appreciative thanks to R Squared aka Rep Racer for his extraordinaire generosity !!

Please don't say that R! Its all good man, just glad it arrived! No worries for reciprocation The insert is pretty beat up, but the Nato is in great shape! I reckon I will donate the G10 first, and then the insert later. Laterz!!

Great gesture! I am in!

Alrighty, I will donate a Faded Insert or a G10 Nato Strap! BTW R, did you recieve my care package yet? Generous gesture indeed!

Hey guys, Great advice on the glue options. I had a pearl dropped out of my insert. Which option should I go with ? Rubber Cement, GS Hypo-cement ??? Appreciate your inputs! Greetz!