GMT II 116710 - Should I mod it?

[rupert]

Hello guys, this is my very first post.

I came into the world of reps a couple of weeks ago thanks to a gift from my brother. I'm really happy about the watch, I didn't know much about replicas but it seems to be very well done.

Then I discovered this forum and now I really wish to make this watch even better.

I'm just writing to ask you guys if you think it's worth to mod this watch or if you think it's better to leave it as it is, maybe because I can find better replicas out there.

Here's what I wish to do.

1 - I've never opened the caseback (at the moment I don't have the tool) so I don't know which movement the watch is using; all I can say is that the rotor is VERY noisy, and the sound seems to be actually quite "cheap".

Moreover, the watch "runs" a little bit, and it's about 20/25 seconds faster every day. So this lead me to decide to change the movement and maybe buy a quite good one, an ETA maybe.

I want to use this watch every day, so I'm looking for something reliable.

2 - Maybe the pictures are not very clear, but the dial is not very well done. It seems that the overall quality of the watch is superior than the quality of the dial.

It's very "glossy" and you can see that somehow it gets a little bit "convex" below the indicators. In addiction there's no lume at all.

By the way the case, the bezel and the bracelet seems to be very close to the original.

I just shot a few pictures, next days I'll shot some more of the details.

I have to say I have no experience in opening watches and work with them, so I don't know how hard it might be to change the dial and the movement.

I'm open to any suggestions, thanks a lot for your answers.

r.

[Monito1975]

Nice watch, an eta 2836-2 would be ok just make sure it has the GMT feature, I would paint the bezel markings as the original one is made with vaporized platinum, BMW pearl Aluminium color is a good match, put a date wheel overlay ( BK could do that for you), and a AR cyclops or/ and an original or Clark's crystal, oil the bracelet overnight and it will look amazing.

Enjoy your new beauty

[rupert]

Thank you Monito! What about the dial? Do you know where can I get a nicer dial that can fits the Eta 2836-2?

Thanks again!

[Monito1975]

I personally find the Dial to be ok in most of the GMT IIC replicas, there is always the issue with the non aligned coronet with the 12 o'clock mark, but this can be fixed during the relume process. I have not seen any aftermarket dial for this model and a gen Rolex dial would be around 400-600 usd plus you will have to cut the feet and glue in a non permanent way to the dial( pretty risky on a GMT movement).

Edited October 30, 2012 by Monito1975

[Monito1975]

Here are some pics of mine, I still have some work to do but it will come together. ( Sorry about the pics they were taken with my iPhone ;-). )

Edited October 30, 2012 by Monito1975