jimbean Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) Greetings, Well after a week or two of browsing the forums, I finally caved and picked up an Ultimate GMT II Full Ceramic. Below are the pics and my comments. Feel free to let me know what you think of it and how it compares to the Gen and to other GMT IIc versions. Oh and thanks to all you fellow rep lovers for posting and giving me the knowledge base for a newbie like me. Enjoy and please critique my rep and comment. Please remember that I'm new to this hobby so don't take my word or opinions as you would some from some of the other pros on this board. Bezel, Dial, Hands, Cyclops, etc I think the face of the watch is very nice. It has a super smooth glass like appearance that really makes this watch a looker. It's constantly catching and reflecting light and looks really great on the wrist. I went to the AD to check out the Gen and I feel that the dial and hands are spot on via the naked eye. The cyclops on mine seems to do its job well and looks very similar to the Gen I checked out. The bezel is very glass like and very shiny. But I feel it does lack the depth of gloss that the Gen possesses. The numbers on the bezel are very good and the color seems accurate but it does not have the same subtle platinum shimmer that's on the Gen. The numbers also seem just deep enough to accurately replicate the Gen. The rotation on the bezel works well, is accurate and snaps into the correct position with each of the 24 clicks. But again, it's not the Gen and does not have the same smooth clicking action from the Gen. Seems like a little oil would help. Anyone know how to do this? Oh and it does have a little play when clicking it into position. Please note that the date is out of focus because I was shooting with low light and had to use an aperture of 2.8 causing the narrow field of vision. Rest assured it's in focus via the naked eye. The Side of the Watch, Crown, Bezel, etc Looks good to me. But what do I know. The bezel seems to be the correct thickness and the groves look Gen to me. The crown threads nicely and has the rubber o-ring. The CG's also look good. It looks nice on my wrist, that's all I know. The Other Side All looks good here. The Clasp The clasp looks really sick. It feels secure, tight and looks great. The Back Case It's clean and appears well made. From what I remember, it looks very Gen. The Engraving This is where the wheels fall of the wagon on my rep. The engraving is accurate but is no where near deep enough. Looking at is straight on, you can barely see it. For me, it's a dead give away. Also, the metal was not very well made and had visible pitting and not very clean. This is probably the worst part of the watch. Remedy? Don't let anyone see that part smile.gif Viewed from an angle, the engraving is more visible. The Movement and Feel of the Rep The movement has been working great so far. It keeps very accurate time and the adjustable GMT hand has worked flawlessly. The sweeping second hand is very smooth and to me looks like the Gen. Using the Gen as a point of reference, my rep is very close in feel. The only differences I found were that it was a bit lighter, the band was noticeably looser, but other than that it feels great! The Olive Oil Bath Out of the box I was very happy with the band. But after handling the Gen, I realized it needed to be oil to get that Gen feel. So I dipped it in olive oil for about 15 mins and then wiped it down. Not only did it feel a whole lot better, but it actually cleaned it up and removed a lot of dirt and grime. It also gave it a nice shine! In a bowl of Olive Oil During the Wipe Down (Note the grime on the paper towel) Thanks for looking and please comment on the accuracy of my particular copy and ask any questions. Also, does anyone have any other suggested hacks or mods? I'm particularly interested in mods for the engraving, tightening the feel of the band, and bezel number mods. Thanks in advance! Edited March 19, 2009 by jimbean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 I like it....these GMTIIC's are absolutely spectacular and I like them the most out of Rolex's new models... it's a great watch and you have a very fine example of an excellent rep! Wear it well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billywhiz Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Yes it's a good choice, I got one on my wrist now as well, For how reps have come along over the last few years, this really punches above it's weight as an 'out of the box' watch and ok its the ICHS model, but for the few hundred $$ it costs, it really cannot be beaten. Wear it well Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carlsbadrolex Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 DAMN YOU... Ive been resisting getting another one of these. DAMN YOU I SAY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billywhiz Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 DAMN YOU... Ive been resisting getting another one of these. DAMN YOU I SAY! ^^ You know it makes sense, resistance is futile ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asf Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 yours looks great! Ive been wanting one for a while now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkBachs Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Almost as nice as my new DSSD V3 The one thing that bothers me is how dark the engraving is on the rehaut, it shouldn't look like it's been filled in with black paint, but simply engraved... like my DSSD! Or am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmeister Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Welcome! Great review and excellent pics. Has me thinking about this one. Keep up the good work. Reviews are the lifeblood of a forum and an excellent review with revealing pics is always very much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
its_urabus Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 great review and pics. one word of warning, olive oil will "lube" your bracelet, but it is plant based and will start to spoil after a while. I have used mineral with success, and it does not spoil. wear it well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cib0rgman Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 This is a fantastic watch I purchased back on July from PT and no problems there IHS by the way. I can not believe that the factory has not fixed the bracelet flaw after all these months. I fixed my using a Noobmariner bracelet swapped the end links and polished to a mirror finish. Wear it well. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Great review thanks for putting all the effort in. Have to agree with its_urabus about the olive oil. I think it will go very sticky after a while, I suggest you clean it off with washing up liquid and repeat the process using sewing machine oil. Wear it well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
involt Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 The Engraving This is where the wheels fall of the wagon on my rep. The engraving is accurate but is no where near deep enough. Looking at is straight on, you can barely see it. For me, it's a dead give away. Also, the metal was not very well made and had visible pitting and not very clean. This is probably the worst part of the watch. Remedy? Don't let anyone see that part smile.gif No, I can't agree. This is the only somehow remediable flaw on the GMT IIc: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjfesq Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 DAMN YOU... Ive been resisting getting another one of these. DAMN YOU I SAY! Hey T DONT DO IT!!! all kidding aside I'm still obsessed --I picked up a used WHS here for 2 bills and love it!!! JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbean Posted March 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 No, I can't agree. This is the only somehow remediable flaw on the GMT IIc: How did you remedy the weak engraving? Thanks, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Fleischer Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 very nice first review, excellent pix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
involt Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 How did you remedy the weak engraving? Thanks, Mark With black modeller's enamel, enamel solvent and an ear cotton tip. Spread a thin enamel layer on the engravings, then gently wipe it with the soaked cotton tip. Don't exert any pressure; in this way, the enamel won't be removed from the grooves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbjoer Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Looks great. - Where did you get it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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