cobra8272 Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 Hi Guys New member here and i've got the usual Newbie questions. My next purchase will be a Rolex Datejust SS white or silver dial with stick markers and jubilee bracelet. I have been searching the Forums here and RWI for the last 3 days for information on the SS Datejust Reps - but with little result. Is there any recommended better SS Datejust rep's or dealer who has a better quality model than others. Just bought a PO - the ultimate 5th gen. Is there something similar with Rolex models ?? All the Replica sales sites seem to be Gen photo's. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Also i read somewhere that there are no more Swiss ETA movements available, all i made in China- yet Replica sites are offering their Datejusts with Swiss ETA's. Is this correct or are they mis-guided?? Any help very much appreciated or if you can direct me where to search, and i apologise for asking obvious questions. Thanks Cobra
rek001 Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 The DJ reps are all the same quality, pretty good actually. Just go with a trusted dealer. As for the ETA question thee has been much debate, some say IF you get a gen ETA movement it will be old, dirty, recycled from another watch.
ubiquitous Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 The simplicity of the DateJust makes it a fairly easy watch to replicate in an accurate manner. The only change I would make to the actual watch itself is to put a genuine crown on it as the rep crowns are usually junk. A few years ago, it was pretty cost effective to just build a DJ frankenstein using a genuine case and dial with an ETA inside; the total cost was not much more than some of the old TW Best reps. But the cost for gen case kits has gone up. Still doable, just more expensive...
Tom Hawkes Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 Wow, that's beautiful Ubi.. Sell it to me!
ubiquitous Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 I would if I could Except it was a gift to my Dad sometime ago. But that doesn't mean it couldn't be done again. If you don't mind vintage, some of the 1601 and 16013/4 cases can be had for pretty cheap. Add a gen dial and an ETA... Easy project for sure
automatico Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 "A few years ago, it was pretty cost effective to just build a DJ frankenstein using a genuine case and dial with an ETA inside; the total cost was not much more than some of the old TW Best reps. But the cost for gen case kits has gone up. Still doable, just more expensive..." For sure! About 5 or 7 years ago I bought a few tutone DJ with ST6 movements and the cases would take genuine DJ 16200 crystal gaskets and crystals. Maybe you can find a similar case. I installed gen spec crystal gaskets, sapphire crystals, and case tubes from Star Time on a couple along with a used genuine crowns and they did not leak at 100 psi (6 or 7 atm in my water tester)...Bergeon 5555/98 with a Shrader valve on the cap so I can put air in it from a small air tank. These cases are 'no hole' cases (sapphire crystal models) and I ruined one trying to drill the lug holes out but a 135 acrylic crystal will also fit. I put a couple together with the ST6 replica dials and eta movements and they looked just like a genuine case except they do not have any numbers on the case between the lugs (one had 'fuk u watch co' stamped in the caseback showing they had a sense of humor). The ST6 had 9mm offset dials and date wheels so I cemented the dial to the eta 2836 calendar spacer and the ST6 date wheel to the eta calendar. They also make good sapphire explorer cases if you can find a dial...and no date wheels etc to worry with.
ubiquitous Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 They also make good sapphire explorer cases if you can find a dial...and no date wheels etc to worry with. Absolutely yes! An old one from several years back...
kbh Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 The good old days when you could put them together for about $400 - $500 plus the cost of a gen bracelet. A nice all gen but the movement Datejust was less than $800.
cobra8272 Posted July 17, 2011 Author Report Posted July 17, 2011 Wow ! seriously nice DJ,s. So what would it cost now to build a SS DJ with a white or silver dial?? Ubiquitous, your first post pics look amazing. Lucky guy your Dad, nice gift! I can pick up a good gen for $1500 to $2000 , is this about right? Thats why i'm thinking Rep for now and a Gen for June next year for my birthday.
Dizzy Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 This is the second one that i did.... 16030.. All gen with ETA2836 and ETA Datejust hands. Not sure about the clasp. I bought it as a gen off ebay but I dont think it is. It looks good enough for me so I used it. Its a beautiful watch and the most comfortable Rolex there is. Easy to build once you get all the parts together.
ubiquitous Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 Ubiquitous, your first post pics look amazing. Lucky guy your Dad, nice gift! I can pick up a good gen for $1500 to $2000 , is this about right? Well, there's the big thing to really consider. Used gens can absolutely be had in the range you mention above, but that's usually for the 160x (1570 caliber/acrylic) and 1601x (3035 caliber/acrylic) models. The newer 162xx (3135 caliber/sapphire) models are generally in the $2500 - $5k range. Of course, those are all +/- a few hundred in either direction, but not all DateJusts are the same. With this in mind, it depends on which particular model you are after to determine whether building a frankenwatch or simply buying a replica makes sense. Buying a rep gets you a pretty close piece for a small fraction of the cost.
1680 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 Is there any replica of a vintage Datejust with plexi? Thanks
kbh Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 Is there any replica of a vintage Datejust with plexi? Thanks No....... I tried before settling on frankens.
ubiquitous Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 A 160x (caliber 1570 with acrylic crystal) is easy enough to build.
indyberetta Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 What movement ring is everyone using for doing these frankens? Are you using an ETA 2824 or a 2836?
ubiquitous Posted July 18, 2011 Report Posted July 18, 2011 Depends on the model being built. 16200 needs a 2824, whereas 1600 needs s 2836 or 2846.
indyberetta Posted July 18, 2011 Report Posted July 18, 2011 What movement ring would you use for a gen case with an ETA? I have one of the 162xx and two 16xx cases. Depends on the model being built. 16200 needs a 2824, whereas 1600 needs s 2836 or 2846.
jmb Posted July 18, 2011 Report Posted July 18, 2011 A 160x (caliber 1570 with acrylic crystal) is easy enough to build. I've found that on all of the rep cases I have the rehaut will accept the plexi crystal and the only difference is the bezel. The "plexi" bezel has a slightly larger ID and is not as tall. This watch was made from a 2824 rep case that originally had a sapphire crystal. The Clark crystal and gen bezel were a direct fit.
watch.aholic Posted July 18, 2011 Report Posted July 18, 2011 The simplicity of the DateJust makes it a fairly easy watch to replicate in an accurate manner. The only change I would make to the actual watch itself is to put a genuine crown on it as the rep crowns are usually junk. A few years ago, it was pretty cost effective to just build a DJ frankenstein using a genuine case and dial with an ETA inside; the total cost was not much more than some of the old TW Best reps. But the cost for gen case kits has gone up. Still doable, just more expensive... This is simply stunning.....even though I am not a fan of dials with stick markers, this one is jumping out right at me....The color of the dial and the sunburst effect is just great....
cobra8272 Posted July 18, 2011 Author Report Posted July 18, 2011 Hi This is a pic of the one i have in mind - either white or silver dial. 160x or 1601x would be fine . Can the sapphire glass be fitted to these ? Are the newer movements that much better ? I'm not that particular if it was gen - i think.
Robaer Posted July 19, 2011 Report Posted July 19, 2011 How about this one from TT? It looks close but not perfect. I've never seen a DJ rep IRL so I don't know how good they really are.
cobra8272 Posted July 20, 2011 Author Report Posted July 20, 2011 Yes that ones on my wish list but they all seem to be Gen Photos What do the reps actually look llike???
Robaer Posted July 20, 2011 Report Posted July 20, 2011 (edited) I believe that the photos at TT are the actual reps. Where did you find the photo you posted? Edited July 20, 2011 by Robaer
cobra8272 Posted July 22, 2011 Author Report Posted July 22, 2011 just googled datejust and found a pic without copyright.
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