mezzanine Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Saw a picture of a '78 white 1680 that I thought could be used as a visual reference for comparison with a rep that has been modded to try to emulate this specific Rolex watch. Here's the gen: Here's the rep: Unfortunately my photographic ability is sadly lacking, but it can give a feel for some of the differences and similarities. I feel that the insert, the crystal and dial are the key pieces in making the rep appear more like the genuine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carlsbadrolex Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I found this site awhile ago... not sure if it has previously been shared here. It is the best reference I have found for vintage Rolex pics and information. Almost every variation of dial is shown. hxxp://doubleredseadweller.xxx/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I am not sure about the date font (too much space between the numbers & font may be incorrect for this vintage) & if you trim the CGs (they cover a bit too much of the crown) & replace the crown/tube with a gen (the rep crowns are too wide), the picture would just about fool me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 The date wheel of the genuine has been changed in my opinion...looks like some of ours ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elprimerozen Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 The bezel insert of the rep..is "killing" the rep watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I have a simmilar shot pose of mine 1680 with mods now what a coinsidence my date is also on 20 th when i took the picture ... soo comments awy lads ... regards laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 The bezel insert of the rep..is "killing" the rep watch. im not the best one to comment but i thik my bezel insert is same one as on the gen ( installed gen bezel with insert ) .. or im wrong ? regards laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elprimerozen Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I think mezzanins bezel insert is only after market with a realy good pearl...just look how "fat" are the numbers on the bezel... Here is mine with an original bezel from Authorized Rolex service in my country...Look how sharp and slim are the numbers! Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Hi there ... i think we have the same bezel insert check the comparison shoot of the 1680 with the bezel in question and the unmoded mbw 1665 ... the bezel that is not instaled is the one that was removed clearly the same one as on not modded 1665 ... clearly seen that the numbers are more then half slimmer on the 1680 maybe picture before did not show this enough ... im pretty sure urse is same as mine In my eyes same as urse ... maybe someone else see the difference ? regards Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I think that the font of the inserts is not such a big deal on vintage. Rolex changed them often and they had fat or slim fonts. I remember having read that the older the fater... Here is one of mine, build by Edge: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elprimerozen Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Hi there ... i think we have the same bezel insert check the comparison shoot of the 1680 with the bezel in question and the unmoded mbw 1665 ... the bezel that is not instaled is the one that was removed clearly the same one as on not modded 1665 ... clearly seen that the numbers are more then half slimmer on the 1680 maybe picture before did not show this enough ... im pretty sure urse is same as mine In my eyes same as urse ... maybe someone else see the difference ? regards Laz Ooooooh!!! My mistake!! I thought i was answering to mezzanine,and not to lazarini....sorry again!Yes its obvius that your bezel insert is a gen!!! Sorry!!...im starting to loose my mind with all these MBW..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarini Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 No man all good happens to me on regular basis hehe ... @ stephane did not know that about bezel inserts and vintage models thx for clearing that up ! Aprriciated ... regards Laz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Well Laz, at least that is what I've been told. And it makes sense in a way. In 30 years it's unlikely that Rolex had only one supplier and never changed their font... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manuel Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 [censored]! I have to buy myslef a watch like this again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligoat Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 When I look at 1680 MBW reps, there are a few things which catch my eye- usually the crown guards are too thick- Pug shaved his on the outside as well as the inside to get closer to gen. Also, the lugs on a gen are thinner and longer than on an MBW. Crown also sits off the case slightly on the gens which still have the 24-702-0 crown assembly- ones w/ the 24-703-0 crown are a little tighter to the case. The serifs on the date font on Mezz's watch are wrong. But alot of gens still have the grey datewheel but it shows up as white in pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mezzanine Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Great that there's been some discussion out of this- laz, your watch was a big part of my inspiration, so it seems fitting that they're similar in this type of comparison. In terms of the issue of the fonts on rolex inserts- I'd been under the same belief that Elprimerozen was, that the thicker font inserts look less authentic, given how popular they are. So when I got the watch, I asked whether it was gen, and got a response that it's identical to one member's gen '78... When I re-visited the sales listing for the 1680 I bought, the creator indicated that he'd been able to get a hold of some vintage parts. So the insert, as well as the crown are supposed to be actual era-appropriate vintage parts. I think I like the thinner fonts better on the sub. That being said, the real trick to figuring out if the inserts are gen is to put them under a light source. What I've noticed is that the gen inserts will reflect the light as a charcoal type of matted reflection as opposed to the flat black that you see with the aftermarkets. I also think that the gens are 'painted', in the sense that there is some dimensionality to the inserts colour that isn't there on reps. Another thing I've noticed about the dial I've got in my 1680, is if you look along the very outside where the dial meets the case, you'll see some rust creeping up and staining some of white index markers along the perimeter. I'm guessing this might be a result of having the dial shaved down...? It's funny how you don't notice certain things except through pictures, and this is one of those things for me. I'd noticed some rust below the 6 o'clock marker, but no where else. After seeing some macro type pics, I saw that the line of rust runs longer than I'd noticed initially. I actually liked the 'character' it added to the dial when I thought it was more minor, but now I'm slightly worried about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted June 12, 2008 Report Share Posted June 12, 2008 dont u dare get rid of that rust!!!! haha if anything you should try to speed up its growth! I like my watches with lots of character Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
looseends Posted June 12, 2008 Report Share Posted June 12, 2008 The bezel insert of the rep..is "killing" the rep watch. That's what stands out to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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