Stephane Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Dear All, By-Tor recently posted a new Gmt Master II complete buying guide. His guide can be found here. It's been a while that I wanted to source a good dial for my MBW when By-Tor told me about this version. Although he pushed me to keep the MBW I decided to trade it and to go for a "Josh Retro". My intention here is not to review the watch of course, BT does it well enough I simply intend to give my personal opinion and testimony, and say how the deal was. About the deal It was my first time deal with Josh. I was very nervous with buying something that would be shipped straight from China to EU. I asked for registered mail, no EMS. Josh confirmed that he would not use EMS, replied all my mails very quickly, gave us a nice discount because of the shipping method. The watches arrived in less than 10 days. They safely landed at my reception desk marvellously packed in a carton box … full of Chinese writings! This seems to prove I am right when saying that EMS is inspected by customs but regular mail is not. I already received a second order from Josh since those GMT and it also came safely, although packed in the same kind of box. Josh, if you ever read this, I would recommend you take plain carton boxes to ship instead of these Chinese tagged ones. It will make it even safer for your EU customers. Anyway, I was happy to deal with Josh, so please fellows, no cartel blabla in my thread. The watch I will second By-Tor and say that this is a very nice watch out of the box. Wear it just like that, no one will spot the flaws while on your wrist. But, for anal people like some of us, it requires some mods to make it 99%. The insert is, to my opinion, not good at all and is certainly the first thing that must be changed. Font is too fat and some numbers are "longer" than others, thus do not align correctly. Look at the position of 6, 16 and 18. The bezel is indeed very sharp. Great point as changing an insert is easy but a bezel is not for most of us. The lugholes: well these are truly making this watch "retro" isn't it. So, of course, nobody could stand such wrongly placed lugholes. They really need to be drilled and positioned correctly. I hope it's possible. The crown and crown guards. Ok, this is not a surprise: the crown is not correctly placed. The crown guards are nice enough though, at least for me. A genuine crown should look nice probably, but the one that is installed works perfectly and is very smooth. The lazer edged crown is too visible maybe, but here you really need a macro shot or a loupe to notice it. The hand stack is not correct (which is good!) and of course it's an ETA 2836-2 that beats inside. Oh, and why not a lume shot? You like that, don't you? It shines, but does not last long of course! Thanks for looking, Cheers Stephane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docblackrock Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Very nice write-up, a tasty quick 'lunch' next to BT's 'four-course dinner' Great to see they've finally made a half-decent 24hr hand - if only I could get hold of one spare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Yes , me wants one great writeup as always S. Thx for sharing . regards laz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 wow! beautiful.. you guys and your vintage GMT's.... i can only resist for so long Lonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docblackrock Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 you guys and your vintage GMT's.... A touch of "ebay-itis" maybe? I think it's a bit early to be calling this model "vintage", even "retro" is pushing it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted October 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 A touch of "ebay-itis" maybe? I think it's a bit early to be calling this model "vintage", even "retro" is pushing it! Well Rolex doesn't make these anymore And, the retro has lugholes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Brilliant photos. Natural light shots have something that lightbox studio photos can never capture...no matter how "perfect" you get the lighting. I really love your pics. Needless to say the watch is lovely too. Funny, I didn't even notice the problems with the insert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted October 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Thanks BT. I wish I had you photo skills though. Well I decided to post mine because I know they are ...hum, mine. I mean, I will not become a photographer and have not the patience to set up a mini studio. So natural light is the only possible way to go for me and it gives a different point of view for others to look at. For the inserts, I didn't open yours so maybe it's mine only, but believe me, the printing is really completely off. Which again is not a big deal Bye for now, Stephane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Nice review Stephane. This is the only Rolex Sport model that I truly covet. Pity about the lug holes, though. They are the same as my TW Best Sea Dweller holes and I'm not sure anyone can risk drilling them. Ziggy owns my SD now and not sure if he has attempted to drill them Nice pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Carl Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 "I asked for registered mail, no EMS." Very wise, I think. It is a beautiful watch overall. I'm hoping to go even deeper into the GMT-Master past and will get it up when (and if) it arrives. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 I think it's a nice one Dial looks good to me,also the CG's and crown...... Lugholles seems to be a little off center.... But all in all a nice GMT... Congrats Stephane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrgod Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Thanks for the review! I am seriously considering getting a GMT-Master... But those off-center lugholes and the fat date font ruin the "retro-GMT" in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 The datefont thickness isn't even nearly as apparent as Stephane's pic shows. See ElPrimerozen's comparison, "Retro" vs. gen here. http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=25215 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eunomians Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 All in all, it's a very nice wath out of the box. Mer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted October 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Avec plaisir Monsieur Euno. A pleasure to see you back. My warmest regards to you. Cheers Stephane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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