subject: Longines Replica Watches GT 47mm Edition [print this page] Compared to this watch the rep dial suddenly doesn't look bad at all. The SUBMARINER text is still too big on the rep, which is the only dead giveaway. But keep in mind: this is the only 1680 example I've found which has even remotely similar dial with the rep. Could it be a redial? God only knows (and perhaps Randy and Nanuq too). But if nothing else, this is a good example that there's a lot of variation among the genuine 1680's. When it's about vintage watches nothing is carved on stone. This fact alone makes identifying a well modified fake very difficult. http://www.watchesfox.com
Modded MBW 1680 compared to another genuine: As you can see the crown guard shape on the replica is different. Modded guards can be close, but they're too "curved"... and therefore almost impossible to modify to look 1:1. Some people say there's variation in the gen 1680 crown guards, but I've never seen ones that are so curved. They're all straighter, "spiky"... and look like "chops". Check THIS reference picture to see what I mean. The other differences crown, pearl, datewheel and bezel insert are easy, standard mods. The hour markers can vary from "ivory white" to almost orange on aged watches.
Even the experts can't explain why the markers age differently. Antiquorum is the best place to look around and make comparisons. Conclusion: MBW 1680 is an excellent watch (in its own merits), but not terribly accurate replica in "out of box" condition. It requires lots of parts, modifications and money to become very close. And even after all this effort it won't be 100% indistinguishable from a genuine. As I have become more informed about watches in general (and because I don't possess the skill to modify the watches myself) I personally don't see investing $600-$1000 to a replica watch very tempting. But then again, modifying these watches is the whole fun for others. Does this all mean that I think they're not good replicas? No. Nothing could be further from the truth; I think they're amazing, convincing timepieces.
People in my country aren't aware of the high end replicas that our fantastic dealers bring us... for great prices. Red/black is my personal favourite - but I like the Pepsi version too. It's "sporty" and cool. For many Rolex hardcores Red/Blue is synonymous with GMT Master (although according to Rolex official catalog and numbering Red/Black is the original model!!!). I have only one watch but two whole bezels which are kinda easy to pop up and install back and forth when I need some variation. Bezel exchange makes the watch look surprisingly different. Picture of the red/black version: {quotes align=left}Explorer I and II leave me cold, DateJust is too small and wimpy{/quotes}Both of my bezel inserts were milled and modded by Palpatine and they fit perfectly. This is the *essential* mod for GMT Master. Most (if not all) replica inserts are complete junk. RedBigJoe does these insert mods as well. Palp and Joe are both trusted RWG/TRC watchsmiths. http://www.watchesfox.com/Longines_c46-b0.html
What I tried to achieve with this review was an objective approach, which, for some reason is often missing from people's watch reviews. And remember, all these observations require very trained "eye", lots of reading, comparing pictures and again more reading. If you're just a vintage Rolex lover who's not "anal" about small inaccuracies, I recommend you to just enjoy your beautiful, handsome MBW timepiece.
