Would you buy a low-profile Daytona 1165xx case for $139?

[freddy333]

2 weeks ago, I ordered a 'rol12584' (Rolex Daytona Chronograph Automatic with Black Dial) for $139 (including world-wide shipping) from Idolreplicas.com to see if it was still possible to get the low-profile cases for Daytona 116520s like the rep I got 4 years ago. This is the watch that is now pictured on Idolreplicas

This is the description of rol12584 on Idolreplicas.com

Top quality Japanese Automatic Movement (21 Jewel) with Smooth Sweeping Seconds Hand

Fully Functional Chronograph Pusher at 2:00 starts/stops Chronograph Pusher at 4:00 resets Chronograph

All Correct Markings and Engravings exactly like the Authentic.

Free Shipping on all Orders Worldwide.

The Pictures you see are of Actual Watches taken at the Studio of IdolReplicas.com, You will get exactly what you see in our Pictures.

This is the watch I just received from Idolreplicas

Although Tony, the operator of Idolreplicas, assured me, repeatedly, in separate emails that the pictures & descriptions on his website were the actual watch I would receive, as usual, such was not quite the case. The good news is that the watch I received does have the same low-profile case that my original 116520 rep has (typical rep on top, Idolreplicas on bottom)

The not-so-good news is that the movement is neither a chronograph nor 'Top Quality', as Tony describes it on Idolreplicas. The pushers on idolreplicas' watch advance the date & day in the subdials at 3 & 9, respectively (this is not correct for a Daytona). In fact, the 1st time I pressed the stem back in after setting the time, the watch remained in time-setting mode, so I already know that the movement requires keyless works servicing.

There are no engravings between either set of lugs on the idolreplicas rep (my original Daytona rep has correct markings)

Although the crystal does have a gen-looking laser etching at the proper location (at 6), it is slightly lower profile than most other current Daytona reps. So the crystal does not sit quite as high above the bezel as it should (compared to most other Daytona reps).

Finally, the case back is actually a bit lower profile than the case back on every other secs at 6 Daytona rep, which helps the watch to present a lower overall profile when the watch is sitting on your wrist. But since this watch contains a standard movement (not a 7750 -- I have not opened the case, but its lack of chono functions makes that pretty obvious), I do not know if it will fit if you swap the POS movement for a 7750 (until I hear back from Tony, I did not want to crack open the case).

So the bottom line is that if you have a working secs at 6 Daytona rep, but are bothered by its too-thick case, you can get a proper low-profile case from Idolreplicas. Just mod the CGs on this case & swap the existing POS movement for the 1 in your watch, along with its dial & case back & you will end up with a more accurate looking Daytona 116520.

[rodwc]

Thanks for that Freddy, is this the same TonyXKF as on CQOUT and Ioffer ?

As I have just ordered a watch from him and had all sorts of payment problems.

[freddy333]

Thanks for that Freddy, is this the same TonyXKF as on CQOUT and Ioffer ?

As I have just ordered a watch from him and had all sorts of payment problems.

The pics on cqout look different than the pics on idolreplicas & the cqout seller is based in Singapore. The watch I received came from Hong Kong, so I do not see much of a connection. However, TonyXKF's 116520 Daytonas looks like the same low profile case model (with the same 'fantasy' rotor design) that Idolreplicas is pitching on their site & that I purchased on cqout (from another seller) 4 years ago.

[rodwc]

The pics on cqout look different than the pics on idolreplicas & the cqout seller is based in Singapore. The watch I received came from Hong Kong, so I do not see much of a connection. However, TonyXKF's 116520 Daytonas looks like the same low profile case model (with the same 'fantasy' rotor design) that Idolreplicas is pitching on their site & that I purchased on cqout (from another seller) 4 years ago.

I understand that but as the heading on idolreplicas.com states;

"We have updated our system and programme, exchanged old website www.watch-ebay.net to www.idolreplicas.com. "

As there are tighter export restrictions on reps. from Singapore the watch which you received from Hong Kong could well have been sent through an agent, as I know for a fact ,certain Chinese "collectors" here use agents to ship from HK. Even one of our best known "collectors" spends 6 months of the year in Singapore, and all his watches are shipped from Guangzhou.

Also the prices on all 3 web sites vary greatly.

Sorry if this is all a bit off topic, but they could very well be connected.

[freddy333]

I understand that but as the heading on idolreplicas.com states;

"We have updated our system and programme, exchanged old website www.watch-ebay.net to www.idolreplicas.com. "

As there are tighter export restrictions on reps. from Singapore the watch which you received from Hong Kong could well have been sent through an agent, as I know for a fact ,certain Chinese "collectors" here use agents to ship from HK. Even one of our best known "collectors" spends 6 months of the year in Singapore, and all his watches are shipped from Guangzhou.

Also the prices on all 3 web sites vary greatly.

Sorry if this is all a bit off topic, but they could very well be connected.

I know that watch-ebay & idolreplicas are the same, but I just do not see anything on idolreplicas that refers to Singapore or connects them to TonyXKF on cqout other than the fact that they both display pictures of the 1st gen Daytona rep (which is not the watch that Idolreplicas is shipping out anyway, so that is mostly a moot point to begin with). And since the prices are in fact different, I do not see the connection. But who knows?

[freddy333]

A word of caution for anyone considering purchasing a watch from Idolreplicas

This guy is either pathologically inept or crooked -- like alot of rep sellers out in the wild, most likely, a combination of both. I had a number of email exchanges with Tony prior to purchasing the watch shown above wherein I pointed out, conclusively, that some of the pictures on his website were of different watches. But Tony was adamant that I was mistaken & that the watch I was guaranteed to receive was, as he loves to point out repeatedly, exactly the same watch pictured on his website. Of course, I went ahead with the purchase knowing full well that he was full of warm crap. But I was willing to risk the $139 in the hope that at least the case would be correct........which is precisely what happened. Of course, as soon as I verified that the watch is not the 1 pictured or described on his website I sent Tony a brief, but very detailed message with pictures that left no doubt that I had been taken for a ride, as I had expected (though I did not tell Tony that part). To be honest, I fully expected our communications to end there.

But just minutes ago, I received a response from Tony. Make of this what you will --

Thank you for your feedback, I'm sorry about this case, our new staff

upload the wrong information. It's japanese automatic movement, it's

not working chrono funtion. I have the swiss 7750 movement with stop

watch function, its item number is rol12356, but it's price is higher,

it's $399. The japanese version is $139, just like the one you

purchased. The 3 subdials of your watch isn't for stop watch function,

they are for calendar function. I'm so sorry about the mistake. you

can ship back the watch to exchange to swiss version, u just need to

pay the price difference. If you don't mind and keep the watch, i will

give you some discount in your next order, also i can send you extra

green sticker along with your next order. I will provide you the

factory address if you want to ship back.

Best wishes,

Tony

[Guest Sql_pl]

An extra green sticker? For free? Wow! Wonder if they also have some with TRLs...

[freddy333]

Note that he is now offering a 'Swiss 7750' Daytona for $399. Right. What do you wager the chances are that anyone actually receives a watch with a Swiss 7750 beating inside it? No, wait, let me answer that -- 0.

If you want a low profile Daytona case, $139 is a good deal, but beyond that.......Buyer beware.

[rodwc]

This was my reaction to your first post, and also after viewing idolreplicas.com

OK, we don`t know if this "Tony" could be "Tonyxkf". but the written English bears unbelievable resemblence to the written exchanges that I had with "Tony xkf".

How many Chinese put `. , in the correct place in spelling, and also use capitals in the correct places ?

I have bought a watch for very similar reasons, (not for the actual watch, but for the parts I want.)

Do you have this "tony`s" name , ie, the written English version, for his Chinese name?

Will keep you informed.

[Guest Sql_pl]

Freddy remember that these guys usually call every 7750 a "swiss" - even though they are all asian 7750s. It was similar with asian lemania clone using reps - they were also called "swiss", even at King's site.

[bertieng]

Do they have a low profile 116509?

[Stephane]

Ok, well, as already said Freddy, thanks for having taken the risk and share the information with us.

The remaining question is would a 7750 fit the case.

If so, then maybe some of us would like to buy that TonyDaytona for the case only.

I'm pretty sure we can get a very low price if we have 10 or more interrested parties, what do you think guys?

Cheers

Stephane

[rodwc]

How many times in the past 6 months, have I heard, "pick your dealer, then pick your watch ".

Since no one is prepared to listen to me ( apart from freddy`s 1/2 belief ),

I can now tell you for a fact that "Tonyxkf" at CQout and Ioffer is the same person as "Tony", watch-ebay/ idolreplicas.com

Chinese name Xu Kefei.

Whether your watch was shipped from HK, or anywhere else, also shows that he dropships.

I am not prepared to state where this information has come from ,and am not stirring the pot, but you really should believe me about this .

[rodwc]

Maybe Tee-jay should come in an clarify this?

[Dizzy]

Ive got two of these cheap faux chrono thin cases and they are definatly thinner than the noobfactory sec@6 case. I have no idea what the movement fitment is like though.

dizz

[arminvanbuuren]

rehaut looks very wrong tho..

[doc savage]

How many times in the past 6 months, have I heard, "pick your dealer, then pick your watch ".

Since no one is prepared to listen to me ( apart from freddy`s 1/2 belief ),

I can now tell you for a fact that "Tonyxkf" at CQout and Ioffer is the same person as "Tony", watch-ebay/ idolreplicas.com

Chinese name Xu Kefei.

Whether your watch was shipped from HK, or anywhere else, also shows that he dropships.

I am not prepared to state where this information has come from ,and am not stirring the pot, but you really should believe me about this .

It's definitely Tonyxkf. The guy has ridiculously bad/inaccurate descriptions for his watches, and the prices on the website are almost double what he charges on the auction sites; but he is very reliable and does take his own photos. You would have to be pretty green to think you were going to get an A7750 for $139--in fact if you had asked for the IOffer price you could have got it for $90 or so, just like every other Asian non-chrono he sells.

If Tony was to drop his website prices to the same ones he charges on the auction sites and fix his movement descriptions, he would be unstoppable as a low-end dealer. As things are now, you have to guess what movement is actually in the watch and email him for a good price--letting him know that you've seen his stuff on CQout or wherever so he cuts you a deal.

[bong]

.............

But just minutes ago, I received a response from Tony. Make of this what you will --

Thank you for your feedback, I'm sorry about this case, our new staff

upload the wrong information. It's japanese automatic movement, it's

not working chrono funtion. I have the swiss 7750 movement with stop

watch function, its item number is rol12356, but it's price is higher,

it's $399. The japanese version is $139, just like the one you

purchased. The 3 subdials of your watch isn't for stop watch function,

they are for calendar function. I'm so sorry about the mistake. you

can ship back the watch to exchange to swiss version, u just need to

pay the price difference. If you don't mind and keep the watch, i will

give you some discount in your next order, also i can send you extra

green sticker along with your next order. I will provide you the

factory address if you want to ship back.

Best wishes,

Tony

@ Freddy

So would you think his $399 Daytona is the watch you have?

And second, knowing it is only the asian 7750, do you think it is woth it ?

I want to do the same project as you did, I have a gen dial and want to put it the slim case.

But I don`t know which way to go. Buy the $139 Daytona and source a used 7750 Daytona,

or buy the $399 version and just change the dial with the gen (if it fits).

Regards

bong

[freddy333]

@ Freddy

So would you think his $399 Daytona is the watch you have?

No. The watch I received is 1 of the $139 'Top Popular products' Idolreplicas has listed at the bottom of the $399 Daytona page. The difference, he said, was that the $139 version had an Asian chronograph movement instead of a 'Swiss' movement. I doubt that any of his Daytonas actually contain anything Swiss, least of all a Swiss 7750 movement. The watch I received is the typical 'Canal Street' type of junk that is sold on the street corners of many cities for less than $50. It is the lowest quality & an obvious fake. However, it does have a low-profile case. It is not the same low-profile case that my original 116520 rep has -- it may actually be even thinner than my case, but it does not have any engravings between the lugs.

And second, knowing it is only the asian 7750, do you think it is woth it ?

I think you are missing the point here. The watch I received does NOT contain a 7750 -- Swiss OR Asian -- or any other type of chronograph movement; it has a cheap, standard Asian 3-hand movement with day/date functions in place of the chrono functions. Contrary to Tony's guarantee that 'The Pictures you see are of Actual Watches taken at the Studio of IdolReplicas.com, You will get exactly what you see in our Pictures', the watch I received is VERY different from the watch described/pictured on Idolreplicas.com.

I want to do the same project as you did, I have a gen dial and want to put it the slim case.

But I don`t know which way to go. Buy the $139 Daytona and source a used 7750 Daytona,

or buy the $399 version and just change the dial with the gen (if it fits).

bong

Assuming you receive the same watch I got, the only part that is usable is the case. My guess is that the $399 version is the same thing I got, but with the Asian (not Swiss) 7750 movement that is pictured on the Idolreplicas site. But, based on my experience with Tony & Idolreplicas, I would not be surprised if the $399 version is the same as watch that I got.

Idolreplicas is NOT a reliable rep seller.

[bong]

Thx Freddy for you answer.

Concerning the $399 Daytona you got me wrong. (my fault)

I refered to this thread:

You Can Build a Nearly Perfect 116520 Daytona, A simple, albeit somewhat expensive (and risky) procedure

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=67092

The watch that you named as No 2 , is the watch , which I think is the same that is offered by IdolReplicas for $399 .

bong

[freddy333]

Concerning the $399 Daytona you got me wrong. (my fault)

I refered to this thread:

You Can Build a Nearly Perfect 116520 Daytona, A simple, albeit somewhat expensive (and risky) procedure

http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=67092

The watch that you named as No 2 , is the watch , which I think is the same that is offered by IdolReplicas for $399 .

IF you actually receive the watch that is described/pictured there, then you are correct. The problem is that Idolreplicas has now proven that the watches described/pictured on their website have NO relation to the watch you may or may not receive. If you get the watch pictured, then you are very lucky. But if you get a different watch, then I can only say that you have been warned.

[TeeJay]

Maybe Tee-jay should come in an clarify this?

What would you like me to clarify?

Yes, that is all Tony. The guy I buy my watches from. If an error was made by staff, then, I would make this point: Would a 'forum trusted' dealer be given the opportunity to 'make things right', or would they simply be accused of scamming?

From the response Freddy posted, I'd say that Tony offered a very reasonable solution: Either return the unwanted watch, for the wanted watch, and pay the difference (pretty reasonable, and, in all honesty, no reason why such a difference in price shouldn't be met by the client, as it is a considerable amount, and, the other watch would never have been sold for the lower price, so that must be accepted as clearly an error somewhere, by someone) or, keep the watch, and get a discount on future items (as 'forum recommended dealers' also offer to retain clients.) As for the sticker... Well, if I had the option of putting a sticker over the back of that Daytona case (I actually do have one, just not from Tony) then I'd do it, if just to coverup the engraving, so yes, a sticker can be of some use. I'm not sure about US law, but, in the UK, if something is advertised on a shelf at the wrong price, the retailer does not have to honor that price. (Despite many buyers thinking that they actually do have the right to insist on the retailer accepting the lower price) They are well within their rights to simply withdraw it from sale, and re-price the item. Not sure how that applies here, but, just to say, those are the 'price rules' I'm used to dealing with, and have worked under, in my days as a retail wage slage. With regards the issue of ordering the Swiss watch and not receiving it, I suggest that until someone actually orders that watch (ie now Tony knows that there is an issue) and still does not receive the Swiss watch, that he be given the benefit of the doubt, that it was a legitimate mistake. 'Forum dealers' are given the benefit of the doubt, for no reason other than they pay to deal here. That brings no other guarantees about their practices or services. As mentioned by myself and others, CQout dealers have to maintain positive feedbacks, or they are removed. Take a look at Tony's CQout feedback. Personally, I think that speaks for itself. I will agree, it is irritating to receive the wrong item, but, when the dealer offers to correct the issue, if the client chooses not to accept that offer, than that is no fault of the dealer. I believe that if Freddy was to order the Swiss Daytona and pay the difference, he would receive that watch (especially so now that Tony is aware of the issue).

Rod, if you had payment issues with Tony, ask if you can use his system for direct CC payments on his own site, that might solve your issue I used it friday to order the 187 (ish), and, although it is a few pages of info to fill in (name, address, card details etc) the process itself was flawless. I got my tracking number tuesday, and, god willing, will have my watch in a week or so (I didn't pay the extra for EMS shipping, so it could be more than the 7 working days EMS has always taken thus far)

With regards drop-shipping, I've never actually asked Tony if he does drop-ship. I will say this on the subject though. To date, I have never received an incorrect watch from Tony. I have only received two, which had manufacturing issues, but those were immediately replaced without any kind of resistance or argument. When I ordered my Planet Ocean (at the time, Tony was selling two versions on CQout) I asked if the version I ordered, could be fitted with the bracelet from the other version. He said that wouldn't be a problem, then, a few hours later, I received an email saying they bracelets didn't fit, asking if I still wanted the watch, and, if so, offering to throw in the rubber strap for free. At the time, I took that to mean he'd tried to fit the bracelets. It could, equally, have meant that he'd passed the order to his supplier, who tried, then emailed him back. If Tony does drop-ship, he clearly has a better guy working for him, than the blindman who 'checks' Silix's orders.

[rodwc]

Rod, if you had payment issues with Tony, ask if you can use his system for direct CC payments on his own site, that might solve your issue I used it friday to order the 187 (ish), and, although it is a few pages of info to fill in (name, address, card details etc) the process itself was flawless. I got my tracking number tuesday, and, god willing, will have my watch in a week or so (I didn't pay the extra for EMS shipping, so it could be more than the 7 working days EMS has always taken thus far)

Now that is a helpful and informative answer ( for my case anyway ). I never knew that this existed , or was possible.

At this stage, I have absolutely NO issues with Tony, my description to what actually transpired with CQout was a totally different issue.

Thanks Tee-jay.

[sssurfer]

Ouch, I missed this very interesting thread until now.

First of all, thanks Freddy for your awesome review!

So it seems that all is left to know is whether the 7750 fits into the new case.

If you try it, please let us know the outcome. I think I would take the case @ $139 in order to get to an almost perfect Daytona.

About Tony, I went under the impression that he is a good seller that suffered from enlarging his sales by putting on his own website and using other people. So he aligned descriptions and prices on his website to the unreliable level of so many scam websites around, and he is now dropshipping a larger part of his watches.

Most times, you get replied by a guy of his staff who just tries and give you reassuration, working just as a rubber wall.

But if you keep your point and show that you know what you are talking of, then the sooner or later (quite the sooner, on my limited experience) you get replied by Tony himself, and he always comes through.

Before he opened his website, I got several watches from him and I had a 100% satisfaction rate -- all watches exactly as described, all they perfectly working, better prices than elsewhere.

After he opened his website, I got only one watch from him -- the Daytona I posted here -- and I had to send it back as it was not as described. What I got back was an even better watch than I originally ordered.

So Tony keeps a high rate on my personal book. Unfortunately, I had to lower my orders with him as I now don't know what to expect after his unreliable descriptions. As seasoned rep lovers/buyers, we can take hints from price (often still unreliable, though), pics, and some details in the description. But it became a trouble... what it was not on CQout.

[freddy333]

From the response Freddy posted, I'd say that Tony offered a very reasonable solution: Either return the unwanted watch, for the wanted watch, and pay the difference (pretty reasonable, and, in all honesty, no reason why such a difference in price shouldn't be met by the client, as it is a considerable amount, and, the other watch would never have been sold for the lower price, so that must be accepted as clearly an error somewhere, by someone) or, keep the watch, and get a discount on future items (as 'forum recommended dealers' also offer to retain clients.) As for the sticker... Well, if I had the option of putting a sticker over the back of that Daytona case (I actually do have one, just not from Tony) then I'd do it, if just to coverup the engraving, so yes, a sticker can be of some use. I'm not sure about US law, but, in the UK, if something is advertised on a shelf at the wrong price, the retailer does not have to honor that price. (Despite many buyers thinking that they actually do have the right to insist on the retailer accepting the lower price) They are well within their rights to simply withdraw it from sale, and re-price the item. Not sure how that applies here, but, just to say, those are the 'price rules' I'm used to dealing with, and have worked under, in my days as a retail wage slage. With regards the issue of ordering the Swiss watch and not receiving it, I suggest that until someone actually orders that watch (ie now Tony knows that there is an issue) and still does not receive the Swiss watch, that he be given the benefit of the doubt, that it was a legitimate mistake. 'Forum dealers' are given the benefit of the doubt, for no reason other than they pay to deal here. That brings no other guarantees about their practices or services. As mentioned by myself and others, CQout dealers have to maintain positive feedbacks, or they are removed. Take a look at Tony's CQout feedback. Personally, I think that speaks for itself. I will agree, it is irritating to receive the wrong item, but, when the dealer offers to correct the issue, if the client chooses not to accept that offer, than that is no fault of the dealer. I believe that if Freddy was to order the Swiss Daytona and pay the difference, he would receive that watch (especially so now that Tony is aware of the issue).

I am reminded of a story:

A traveler to a new city asks a cabbie if he knows a place where he can get screwed real good? The cabbie says he knows a place that is guaranteed to screw him good & tells him that they will take good care of him.

The cabbie drops the traveler off in front of a brothel & tells him to knock on the door. So the traveler knocks on the brothel's front door & a small panel slides open to reveal a beautiful pair of female eyes.

'What do you want?', the woman asks.

'I want to get screwed,' says the man.

'Ok, slip $20 through the slot', answers the woman.

The traveler slips a $20 bill through the slot & a metal token comes back out. Then the panel closes. A few minutes pass, but nothing happens. The increasingly horny traveler begins to wonder if the woman forgot about him, so he knocks on the door again. The panel slides open & the same beautiful pair of female eyes appear behind it.

'Hey,' exclaims the horny traveler, 'do you remember me? I want to get screwed!'

'Sorry, I forgot to mention that this is a private club, catering to the most discriminating men with exotic tastes & there is a $20 initiation fee. Please slip your token along with an additional $20 through the slot', answers the woman.

The traveler slips the token & another $20 bill through the slot & the panel closes. A few minutes pass, but nothing happens. The man is beginning to get angry because it appears that the woman forgot about him again. So he knocks on the door very loudly. The panel slides open & the same beautiful pair of female eyes appear behind it.

'Hey,' exclaims the angry traveler, 'didn't you hear me........

I WANT TO GET SCREWED!

'

'What?' said the voice, 'Again?'

Now, if Tony was an honest seller & there really was a mistake, at the very least........at the very least.........he would have immediately corrected the 'mistakes' on his website & updated it to reflect the actual Canal Street rubbish he is selling. As of 1 minute ago, the description (describing a working chrono) & pictures are the same. I do not know about anyone else, but when you advertise 1 thing & sell something else & then demand additional money to get the thing you advertised in the 1st place, that is called 'Bait & Switch' (aka GETTING SCREWED), which is NOT a mistake, NOT an accident, NOT an oversight & NOT acceptable.