Seeking Advise

[JayDub]

Hey all. I have posted before when I was looking for a good dealer and about to make my first purchase. Well, after trusting Trusty Time (with two purchases now), I still have a lot of questions and need a good amount of advise.

Like most things I get into (obsessed with ), I like to learn as much as I can about the subject. Now, after my own research I was under the impression that even though some dealers are better than others, at the end of the day, you are getting a watch from the same few factories. This being said, I was both impressed and disappointed with the quality. Let me explain that and then let you know where I am seeking advise.

After my first purchase, the watch came. It was a Rolex Day-Date with the Presidential band (36mm). As most fake watches I have seen in the past, the band just did not feel nice. After some suggestions, I oiled it up and it felt a lot better. Upon speaking with Andrew, he told me that the new 41mm watches have solid mid links and that I cannot expect a replica of a solid gold watch to feel that close, since gold is denser and will feel nicer. I took his word and ordered a 41mm Roles Datejust with Oyster band. I would also like the note that the first purchase fell apart also. The pins bent easily where the band connected to the face and the latch stopped functioning. Making the watch impossible to wear as a result of two problems, not just one. Nevertheless, I ordered the new Datejust. The watch came and felt nicer and this time I didn't oil the band, I simply cleaned it as suggested for genuine Rolexes. The band feels good, but there was something that bothered me. Although, upon letting people see my watch, they really thought it was real. And these were the same skeptics that spotted the last one right away.

So I should be happy, right? Well, not really. Upon opening the watch, the pin move and the latch fell apart. Thankfully no one was around to bare witness to my embarrassment. but it happened nonetheless. This makes me very worried something like this will happen if someone asks to see my watch. Or even worse, if I am out with a girl. Anyway, I spoke to someone I made friends with on here and they suggested maybe I hold the quality of a genuine a bit too high and maybe that is true for the band. But I know for damn sure a genuine would not be falling apart.

Now here is where I want advise:

What kind of changes can I make to my replica to increase the quality?

Should I change the pins to the type authentic Rolexes use?

Is it worth it to purchase an authentic band and use it?

Here is a big question I have. Am I getting the best replica there is? I read other sites that say they use 440 steel and all authentic screws/pins. Is this just a selling tactic as there are no replica factories that don't cut costs?

Can anyone recommend a better Rolex dealer where they are ridiculous quality (I am willing to spend a bit more for a replica band that is ON POINT)?

Thank you all so much for your help. I am sure others are as intense as I am in subjects that peak their interest. I just hope someone more knowledgeable can help me become a pro.

[gran]

Am I getting the best replica there is?

You can get the best replicas here. Best bet for you is to buy a franken when offered by a member. But dont forget replicas are fake watches.

[TeeJay]

First off, regardless of what the site says and what a dealer will say to you, the watches are not 440 Stainless Steel. This was proven some years ago when a member with skills in metallurgy performed destruction tests. It is Stainless Steel, but a lower grade than 440. With regards improving your watch, when you say the clasp is not working, do you mean it is not closing properly/popping open easily? That can be corrected by making the curve of the clasp leaves less pronounced so there is less tension/spring when the clasp is closing If the bracelet is coming away from the watch head, it might be that you need to replace the spring bars which are holding the two together. Another option, is to replace the bracelet with a leather strap If you're really not satisfied with the watch, request an exhange with the dealer, and send it back for replacement (you will have to pay the return shipping, that's just how the game goes) As above, and as Andrew has told you, a replica will not feel 100% like the real thing, so it's a case of either accepting them as they are, replacing as many parts as possible with genuine parts, or simply buying the real thing

[JayDub]

First off, regardless of what the site says and what a dealer will say to you, the watches are not 440 Stainless Steel. This was proven some years ago when a member with skills in metallurgy performed destruction tests. It is Stainless Steel, but a lower grade than 440. With regards improving your watch, when you say the clasp is not working, do you mean it is not closing properly/popping open easily? That can be corrected by making the curve of the clasp leaves less pronounced so there is less tension/spring when the clasp is closing If the bracelet is coming away from the watch head, it might be that you need to replace the spring bars which are holding the two together. Another option, is to replace the bracelet with a leather strap If you're really not satisfied with the watch, request an exhange with the dealer, and send it back for replacement (you will have to pay the return shipping, that's just how the game goes) As above, and as Andrew has told you, a replica will not feel 100% like the real thing, so it's a case of either accepting them as they are, replacing as many parts as possible with genuine parts, or simply buying the real thing

Yeah, I mean, like I said--I am willing to accept that. But I would like the thing to function and be wearable. I have accepted the fact that the gold ones will not come close to the feel and even stainless steal will never be spot on, but the band on the new one I got feels fine. It is just that the pin that holds it together easily fell apart. There is even a dent in one of the working ones.

I have gone to a jeweler and asked him to put Swiss Spring Pins in, but he said the ones for the clasp do not fit. I spoke to Andrew and he said authentic Rolex pins will be too thick (who the hell knows why they wouldn't size it correctly). So I am going to purchase after-market Swiss Pins from a reputable site that I have heard a lot about: http://www.ofrei.com/

I really think putting really good pins in will increase the quality and even the feel of the replica. A lot of pieces are attached by cheap pins and even changing to one that is not as good as Swiss helped the feel. Although, the clasp did fall apart with the new pin and the jeweler fixed again for no charge. The jeweler mentioned getting Swiss also saying it is a lot sturdier and tight.

I was looking for tips on what to get for replicas that can increase the quality and make it feel more like the real thing. Something like getting an authentic band really makes a difference, or changing pins but I guess only trial and error will account for my satisfaction.

I will report back here when I put the new Swiss made pins in.

[TeeJay]

Yeah, I mean, like I said--I am willing to accept that. But I would like the thing to function and be wearable. I have accepted the fact that the gold ones will not come close to the feel and even stainless steal will never be spot on, but the band on the new one I got feels fine. It is just that the pin that holds it together easily fell apart. There is even a dent in one of the working ones.

I have gone to a jeweler and asked him to put Swiss Spring Pins in, but he said the ones for the clasp do not fit. I spoke to Andrew and he said authentic Rolex pins will be too thick (who the hell knows why they wouldn't size it correctly). So I am going to purchase after-market Swiss Pins from a reputable site that I have heard a lot about: http://www.ofrei.com/

I really think putting really good pins in will increase the quality and even the feel of the replica. A lot of pieces are attached by cheap pins and even changing to one that is not as good as Swiss helped the feel. Although, the clasp did fall apart with the new pin and the jeweler fixed again for no charge. The jeweler mentioned getting Swiss also saying it is a lot sturdier and tight.

I was looking for tips on what to get for replicas that can increase the quality and make it feel more like the real thing. Something like getting an authentic band really makes a difference, or changing pins but I guess only trial and error will account for my satisfaction.

I will report back here when I put the new Swiss made pins in.

Which pins on the bracelet are you referring to? The springbars which hold the bracelet onto the watch head, the screwpins which hold the links in place, or the fixed pins holding the leaves of the clasp together? Chances are your watchsmith will be able to fix it up for you, although I would advise against Ofrei, I have heard that they can be very difficult to deal with... With regards the sizing of the springbars, Andrew is quite correct, they are different, and the lug holes and the end of the bracelet would most likely need to be modified in order to fit them. Not too sure what else I can suggest, but it sounds like you were simply unlucky and received a faulty one, but I'm sure everything will work out

[paneraiguy]

Safe to say we have all been down this road.

Sent from SUNRAY MINOR

[JayDub]

Which pins on the bracelet are you referring to? The springbars which hold the bracelet onto the watch head, the screwpins which hold the links in place, or the fixed pins holding the leaves of the clasp together? Chances are your watchsmith will be able to fix it up for you, although I would advise against Ofrei, I have heard that they can be very difficult to deal with... With regards the sizing of the springbars, Andrew is quite correct, they are different, and the lug holes and the end of the bracelet would most likely need to be modified in order to fit them. Not too sure what else I can suggest, but it sounds like you were simply unlucky and received a faulty one, but I'm sure everything will work out

I am talking about the ones in the clasp leaves. Andrew also mentioned something about modding. I would like to get the Swiss Spring Bars then have it modded to fit. I really feel like with Swiss Bars, this this will be pretty damn durable.

Do you know the size of these pins and a good website to get them?

[sgtguk]

I recently had the same problem with a ceramic sub, the bracelet fell apart whilst out for an evening I was lucky that I found the pieces and temp repaired it! On getting the watch home I found that the pins holding the band pieces together were too short and had simply come apart, out came the loctite and problem solved for me!

My other issue was with the springbars when I first got the sub, I lubed the bracelet and cleaned the watch down etc(as per recommendations on here) and when I tried to mount the bracelet again it just would not fit properly, so after measuring the springbars (both different sizes) and replacing them with some I had sourced cheap on the bay they went in first time and the watch is tip top again in fact just been in the ocean with it for the umpteenth time and its still going strong!

The spring bars I used are ss316 20mm x 1.78mm, hope that helps buy them here http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10-T-BAR-SPRING-BARS-STAINLESS-STEEL-20mm-x-1-78mm-/220845149286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336b658c66

[JayDub]

I recently had the same problem with a ceramic sub, the bracelet fell apart whilst out for an evening I was lucky that I found the pieces and temp repaired it! On getting the watch home I found that the pins holding the band pieces together were too short and had simply come apart, out came the loctite and problem solved for me!

My other issue was with the springbars when I first got the sub, I lubed the bracelet and cleaned the watch down etc(as per recommendations on here) and when I tried to mount the bracelet again it just would not fit properly, so after measuring the springbars (both different sizes) and replacing them with some I had sourced cheap on the bay they went in first time and the watch is tip top again in fact just been in the ocean with it for the umpteenth time and its still going strong!

The spring bars I used are ss316 20mm x 1.78mm, hope that helps buy them here http://www.ebay.com....=item336b658c66

Those look like the Swiss Made ones I was going to get @ 20mm x 1.8. Although, with this watch, the band staying on the face wasn't the problem. I was able to take it to a watch repair guy and he changed out one of the bars that hold the clasp leaves together (as someone mentioned, those are the bars I was speaking of). It has since been wearable, but still... I wish the band felt more smooth like the genuine.

I will say this though, after cleaning the watch the band does feel nicely. But but band now seems a bit stretched. Almost as if the bar within the band aren't good. I am wondering if just bringing this to a jeweler and saying replace all the bars/screws with the best you have will fix it.

What lube did you use for the band?

[sgtguk]

I used 'White Lightning' a dry lube for bike chains, it's awesome stuff! Get a clean sandwich bag put the bracelet in and cover in the lube, rub it in really well then let the lube evaporate away a few mins then give it a good wash with some soap & water, rinse well then leave to dry, a quick buff and feels more like Gen. I have done the same to every bracelet I get works every time

I am not sure if by feeling stretched you mean floppy/loose feel to it but if so try putting the bracelet links in a vice or pair of grips to push the pins home fully to tighten it back up, only had to do this once and worked a treat, obviously only do it on the parts of the bracelet without screws and use something to stop any scratches happening!