Rolex Turn-o-graph, A Review

[310jag]

I was going through some old word documents I had on the computer, and I found a review of the Rolex Turn-o-graph that I adore so much. I thought I'd post it here, as I really have posted much here for one, but also to let those of your who haven't seen it read it. It was posted on the old RWG, who knows if it's still there.

I'm sorry about the quality of the pics. The black dial/polished SS combo is tricky for me to get a good picture of. Enjoy!

>>

Hey gang,

A few days ago I received my third watch from joshua.. A ss/black ("charcoal" dial) Turn-o-graph. Now, if you remember my last couple posts about my trips to a local AD, you'll recall that this watch was the one I had the most hands on time with. I liked it so much there that I rushed home and placed an order for one. I patiently waited for it's MUCH cheaper counterpart to arrive and my door, and sure as clock work, it came. Once removed from it's very thoughtful packaging, I was speechless. That's the only word I can think of. Speechless. Of course, I had an ear to ear grin on my face, but I was speechless.

This is simply amazing. I'm at a loss for words right now to describe it, so I'll let the many pictures do that for me. Please forgive my lack of photography skills. I tried my best to capture the details, but some were a bit too elusive for my amateur lens.

As for the watch, it's damn near as perfect as one can expect. The weight is spot on. The bracelet is virtually indistinguishable from the gen. The tightness and finish of the links is perfect. The clasp is just as tight and solid and the gens. All the markings and engravings are spot on as well. The back of the links are smooth as silk, and it doesn't even feel like it needs oiling. The bezel is wonderful as well. It operates just as the original. It rotates smoothly with no clicks, and is nice and tight. The crystal is nice, and sits only a 1mm or so below where it should. The cyclops has the appropriate mag, don't let the pics fool you. I can assure you that the mag is perfect. The crystal itself, however, is rotated about 1-1.5mm CW. The laser-etched crown is the best I've ever seen. You will not see it unless you are looking for it. Even with a 10x loupe, it's a little tricky to find, but it's there. The rolexrolexrolex engraving around the inside of the dial/crystal is my favorite feature about this watch. It's perfect. Yes, I said perfect (and of course, I'm sure someone will call me out on that). But having handled the gen not long ago and now this rep, I can say with 100% confidence that it is perfect. The pictures don't really do it justice however. The engraving should be just that... only an engraving. On some reps I've seen the engravings filled with a black enamel... this is incorrect. The words should only be engraved, and much the crown, only visible if you're looking for them.

As for the dial, it is 98% accurate. The 6 oclock lume dot is a bit off to the right. It almost touches the "made" in "swiss made". The 8 oclock marker is a hair off, but not too noticeable (not enough to really bother me). The text and font look good, no real complaints. The hour markers are identical to the gen, with regards to size and shape. One of my markers (1 oclock), however, has a fingerprint/smudge on it. It's only a nusience, and is an easy fix. I'm going to let one of our mod gods take care of it (along with rotating the crystal, relume, and waterproofing). The lume now isn't bad, but isn't good.

I did get the ETA model, and it feels tighter and smoother (when winding/adjusting) than any other ETA I have. It just feels great. The second hand is smooth as silk, and would fool even the most discerning eye.

As a matter of fact, no one that's seen it had questioned it. As some of you know, I work at a rather prestigious jewelry store. We have owners of gens come in all the time, and I often end of chatting with them about their watches (Rollies, for the most part). We also have a local watch maker come in every week to pick up/drop off repairs, and he noticed my TOG today.

"Hey, is that one of the new Rolexes?" he asked. I said yes, that it was a TOG. He pointed out that if it ever needs a crystal it has to be sent to Rolex, because of a new vacuum assisted sealing method they use. I thanked him for the advice, he said something along the lines of "nice watch," and went on his way.

That was the kicker for me.. If a watch maker couldn't tell from 2 feet away, then it must be a damn good rep.

Enjoy the pics, and let me know what you think.

Addition: Since writing this, I've noticed something I hadn't noticed before. The numbers/engraving on the bezel are thinner than on the gen. The gens are slightly bolder. Just thought it was worth mentioning.

Edited December 3, 2007 by 310jag

[By-Tor]

Nicely done review. Thanks for taking time for doing this for the forum!!!

Glad you like the watch... looks like a good rep.

[DuDro]

Thanks for the nice review! I had my doubts about the new bracelets, but you have enlightened me. I will be considering one of these in the very near future...

[Star69]

thank you very much !

nice review and perfect watch

think i need this 1

[Linder]

Very nice write-up and a great watch.

Thank you for the enjoyable read.

[yt74]

Thanks for the great write up! When did you buy your TOG rep?

[Johnkaz]

Nice review and pics, and another accolade for Joshua.

Cheers Johnkaz.

[310jag]

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. I've had the watch since early January, and it's still keeping great time. It's received more wondering eyes and wows from everyone (customers included ) than any other watch. I never hesitate to pop it off my wrist and hand it over to someone. Of the dozens of people who have handled it, no one has ever raised an eyebrow at anything. I think the combination of the wonderful feel of the watch along with the reasonable attainable-nees off the watch (i.e., it's not an all gold diamond Day-Date or anything) make it quite believeable.

[Time Keeper]

I was going through some old word documents I had on the computer, and I found a review of the Rolex Turn-o-graph that I adore so much. I thought I'd post it here, as I really have posted much here for one, but also to let those of your who haven't seen it read it. It was posted on the old RWG, who knows if it's still there.

I'm sorry about the quality of the pics. The black dial/polished SS combo is tricky for me to get a good picture of. Enjoy!

>>

Hey gang,

A few days ago I received my third watch from joshua.. A ss/black ("charcoal" dial) Turn-o-graph. Now, if you remember my last couple posts about my trips to a local AD, you'll recall that this watch was the one I had the most hands on time with. I liked it so much there that I rushed home and placed an order for one. I patiently waited for it's MUCH cheaper counterpart to arrive and my door, and sure as clock work, it came. Once removed from it's very thoughtful packaging, I was speechless. That's the only word I can think of. Speechless. Of course, I had an ear to ear grin on my face, but I was speechless.

This is simply amazing. I'm at a loss for words right now to describe it, so I'll let the many pictures do that for me. Please forgive my lack of photography skills. I tried my best to capture the details, but some were a bit too elusive for my amateur lens.

As for the watch, it's damn near as perfect as one can expect. The weight is spot on. The bracelet is virtually indistinguishable from the gen. The tightness and finish of the links is perfect. The clasp is just as tight and solid and the gens. All the markings and engravings are spot on as well. The back of the links are smooth as silk, and it doesn't even feel like it needs oiling. The bezel is wonderful as well. It operates just as the original. It rotates smoothly with no clicks, and is nice and tight. The crystal is nice, and sits only a 1mm or so below where it should. The cyclops has the appropriate mag, don't let the pics fool you. I can assure you that the mag is perfect. The crystal itself, however, is rotated about 1-1.5mm CW. The laser-etched crown is the best I've ever seen. You will not see it unless you are looking for it. Even with a 10x loupe, it's a little tricky to find, but it's there. The rolexrolexrolex engraving around the inside of the dial/crystal is my favorite feature about this watch. It's perfect. Yes, I said perfect (and of course, I'm sure someone will call me out on that). But having handled the gen not long ago and now this rep, I can say with 100% confidence that it is perfect. The pictures don't really do it justice however. The engraving should be just that... only an engraving. On some reps I've seen the engravings filled with a black enamel... this is incorrect. The words should only be engraved, and much the crown, only visible if you're looking for them.

As for the dial, it is 98% accurate. The 6 oclock lume dot is a bit off to the right. It almost touches the "made" in "swiss made". The 8 oclock marker is a hair off, but not too noticeable (not enough to really bother me). The text and font look good, no real complaints. The hour markers are identical to the gen, with regards to size and shape. One of my markers (1 oclock), however, has a fingerprint/smudge on it. It's only a nusience, and is an easy fix. I'm going to let one of our mod gods take care of it (along with rotating the crystal, relume, and waterproofing). The lume now isn't bad, but isn't good.

I did get the ETA model, and it feels tighter and smoother (when winding/adjusting) than any other ETA I have. It just feels great. The second hand is smooth as silk, and would fool even the most discerning eye.

As a matter of fact, no one that's seen it had questioned it. As some of you know, I work at a rather prestigious jewelry store. We have owners of gens come in all the time, and I often end of chatting with them about their watches (Rollies, for the most part). We also have a local watch maker come in every week to pick up/drop off repairs, and he noticed my TOG today.

"Hey, is that one of the new Rolexes?" he asked. I said yes, that it was a TOG. He pointed out that if it ever needs a crystal it has to be sent to Rolex, because of a new vacuum assisted sealing method they use. I thanked him for the advice, he said something along the lines of "nice watch," and went on his way.

That was the kicker for me.. If a watch maker couldn't tell from 2 feet away, then it must be a damn good rep.

Enjoy the pics, and let me know what you think.

Addition: Since writing this, I've noticed something I hadn't noticed before. The numbers/engraving on the bezel are thinner than on the gen. The gens are slightly bolder. Just thought it was worth mentioning.

Hello, I am new to this forum and have not yet officially introduced myself but felt compelled to ask you where you got your TOG and for how much. I look great except for your noted flaws which is minimal. I am so ready to get one but am worried about scammers and poor quality product. Thanks for your response.

[FxrAndy]

A very enjoyable review, shame we have stopped doing more like that in the last few months, I really enjoyed the read

[310jag]

Welcome to the forums. I think you will be very happy with the TOG. To this day it is still my #1 watch, and receives more wrist time than anything. Mine came from Joshua, a very well known and respected dealer. Don't worry about being scammed or receiving a low quality product from any of the approved dealers this site endorses. That's the beauty of RWG. I honestly don't remember what I paid for this watch, but I'm sure it was around $200. Check out Joshua's website at www.perfect-clones.com .

Let us know what you end up with, and be sure to post pics!

PS.. I can't believe this thread was resurrected!

[Corgi]

The problem with these is that the bezel ceases rotation after a very short period of time.

My question is where I can purchase those hang tags and accessories.

[Falco]

I love reviews, Great work!

[310jag]

I pieced my box set(s) together from ebay.

Edited March 8, 2007 by 310jag

[Time Keeper]

Welcome to the forums. I think you will be very happy with the TOG. To this day it is still my #1 watch, and receives more wrist time than anything. Mine came from Joshua, a very well known and respected dealer. Don't worry about being scammed or receiving a low quality product from any of the approved dealers this site endorses. That's the beauty of RWG. I honestly don't remember what I paid for this watch, but I'm sure it was around $200. Check out Joshua's website at www.perfect-clones.com .

Let us know what you end up with, and be sure to post pics!

PS.. I can't believe this thread was resurrected!

I have been communicating with Joshua but he informed me that he is unable to find good quality SS TOG and therefore don't sell them any longer. He currently have the TT, which I try to avoid becuase of fading over time, but I want one so bad it hurts.

I currently wear my frankenjust which took me for ever to complete (I'll post some picture soon), and rep masterpiece.

[Corgi]

I have been communicating with Joshua but he informed me that he is unable to find good quality SS TOG and therefore don't sell them any longer. He currently have the TT, which I try to avoid becuase of fading over time, but I want one so bad it hurts.

Don't be afraid. "Fading gold" is sort of like an urban legend with regards to these reps... it sustains its credibility because it logically makes sense that a relatively thin layer of gold might dissapear... but believe it or not, it's not true. I own gold reps with the standard 18K "5mil" plating from Joshua and NONE have shown any fading. The only problem with gold is the weight, but if you can live with that, then it's more power to you.

I say again: don't be afraid of gold. Gold is your friend.

[Time Keeper]

Don't be afraid. "Fading gold" is sort of like an urban legend with regards to these reps... it sustains its credibility because it logically makes sense that a relatively thin layer of gold might dissapear... but believe it or not, it's not true. I own gold reps with the standard 18K "5mil" plating from Joshua and NONE have shown any fading. The only problem with gold is the weight, but if you can live with that, then it's more power to you.

I say again: don't be afraid of gold. Gold is your friend.

Thanks for your response, I will do some more resource on the topic and share my decision with everyone.

[Time Keeper]

Thanks for your response. As Josh explained it, 14k is a sheet of gold wrap on to the metal, and 18k plating is a chemical dip. Which of these two processes would say is more durable?

[Corgi]

Thanks for your response. As Josh explained it, 14k is a sheet of gold wrap on to the metal, and 18k plating is a chemical dip. Which of these two processes would say is more durable?

14K wrapping is thicker and good for daily wear, use and abuse, but the shade of the gold may or may not give it away under correct lighting and correct circumstances.

18K plate is great too.... you may see some wear on certain high-stress parts of the clasp of the full gold models but you're OK for two tone.

18K wrap: very rare, only available on two watches on Joshua's site. Said to be majestic and infallible in terms of both longevity and appearance.

[pitimany]

I just finished my vintage Turnograph,

[Time Keeper]

14K wrapping is thicker and good for daily wear, use and abuse, but the shade of the gold may or may not give it away under correct lighting and correct circumstances.

18K plate is great too.... you may see some wear on certain high-stress parts of the clasp of the full gold models but you're OK for two tone.

18K wrap: very rare, only available on two watches on Joshua's site. Said to be majestic and infallible in terms of both longevity and appearance.

Very informative. Thanks. I

[Time Keeper]

I just finished my vintage Turnograph,

Very nice. Are you using original case, crystal, dial, etc?

[310jag]

Just thought I would revive this thread as an example of the longevity of reps. I've worn this watch at least three times a week, all through our humid summers. I've had it two years now with *zero* timing issues, and only an occasionally reshaping of the folding leaves in the clasp to tighten it up. This is still the favorite of many of my friends.

Edited December 3, 2007 by 310jag