Looks-wise, the watch that comes the closest to an all-steel model is now the ref. 116509, which is cast in solid 18k white gold and has the price tag to prove it.That means a delve into the archives is the only avenue still open should you want one, and it is the previous generation that is proving the most affordable. The ‘Zenith’ Daytona ref. 16520, powered by the fabled El Primero, is still the gateway into steel Cosmograph Daytona ownership.Of course, the word ‘affordable’ is all relative. Prices start at around the $20,000 mark, which is a hefty slice of anyone’s money. Yet beyond being one of the most handsome and capable models ever made, any Rolex Daytona represents perhaps the surest investments watch collecting has to offer.It’s a tough call, but the starkly austere Explorer might well be the watch that has changed the least (visually) over its 70-year run. That is even for a manufacture that updates aesthetics at the glacial pace that Rolex does. Every reference, from the prototype Pre-Explorer ref. 6150 from 1952 up to the last of the ref. 114270s in 2010, have been simple three handers, with the beautifully legible white on black 3/6/9 dials, housed in a 36mm case.Then along came the ref. 214270, identical in the detailing but the first example to grow beyond the dimensions in 58-years, measuring 39mm. It increased in size for the same reason as the Datejust – fashions demanded it – but unlike that watch, it became the only option available.That is no bad thing. The Explorer is perhaps the last of the true tool watches in the Rolex catalog. There is nothing about any iteration of the watch that is designed to look flashy or draw attention to itself, and a few extra millimeters doesn’t change that. The new Explorer is basically the old Explorer, and whichever you choose will come down to whether your wrist size suits one or the other.Its strength has always been in its simplicity, and it remains one of the best value for money prospects on the pre-owned Rolex market. $5,000-$6,000 is the buy-in point for a well set up example of the ref. 114270 or, if you fancy going the real vintage route, the celebrated ref. 1016 (personal timepiece of James Bond author Ian Fleming) starts at a little over twice that. Tough, elegant and perfectly built, the Explorer has always stayed true to Rolex’s roots.
The case is made of 316L stainless steel and then has 18K rose gold coating plated, the gold coating is thick, which is almost 5 mils. You must concern whether the rose gold coating will fade or not, I must say yes, even gold coating on genuine watches will fade, but on the replica, it will keep its gold tone after two years of wearing, that’s enough for us. The case has a very big diameter, which is 46mm, even though the case is brushed very well, but check its case edge, it does not feel as smooth as replicas made by ZF. The back is see-through crystal, which uses sapphire like the crystal on the front.The dial is in blue color, looks very charming. Amazong all IWC Le Petit Prince models, the one with blue dial is the most popular. Like the case, hour markers and hands all feature rose gold edge. Both subdials have refined circles, the small second hand is runniong on subdial at 9 o’clock. The subdial at 3 is an indicator that is displaying the remaining power reserve. It is marked with 7 DAYS, but the replica has 3-day power reserve. At 12 o’clock, there is a fan-shaped indicator that features three small windows, which displays month, date and week separately. The Annual Calendar function just works the same way as genuine watch. To get a better readability, the replica not only has big hour markers, it also has genuine Swiss lume material applied on markers and hands.
After in stock again, let’s check the most important place that has been improved on this replica watch. It is the 8500 movement. The replica uses a completely new movement, which took V6 factory one year to research and produce, it is not based on Miyota or Asia 2824, it is just a brand-new movement that was independent designed by V6 factory, according to genuine Omega 8500 Caliber. Now this re-made movement works completely same as genuine, such as real hack feature and independent adjustable hour hand to adjust hours and date. The movement not only looks the same as genuine in appearance, it also functions like real.About other details, they are as accurate as older edition. Dial is sandwiched and the bottom plate is applied genuine Swiss Superlumed material, top plate has skeletonized hour markers, and there are 3-6-9 Arabic numeral markers. Silver hour and minute hands are cut very well and full of angular sense. The Omega Logo and “OMEGA” word are not printed, they are stainless steel made in silver tone, raised from black dial, just like the 3-6-9 hour markers.
There are also other dial details that tell this Sea-Dweller from others, that is its hour markers are unique, they are oval-shaped, expect a triangle at 12 and other two bar shapes at 6 and 9. All hour markers are a little yellow not white. Minute scales are thin sticks in white. There is a date window positioned at 3, black date font in white background. “SWISS – T < 25” at 6 instead of “SWISS MADE”.Black bezel is bi-directional rotating like genuine. The case back has special engravings curved, including Rolex Lgo, and words of “ROLEX”, “ROLEX PATENT . GAS ESCAPE VALVE . OYSTER”. The case back is also screwed down like modern Sea-Dweller, you can see there are some digital numbers engraved on the back side of the bracelet, I do not know what meaning. The replica 1665 is equipped with an Asian clone ETA 2846 movement, it has 17 jewels and beats at 21600 times per hour, I have done a movement test, like the picture said, only 7 seconds inaccuracy each day.Specifications: Movement: Asian Clone ETA 2846, 17 Jewels, 21600bph Case: 40mm*13mm, 316L Stainless Steel, Bi-directional Black Bezel Crystal: Plexi Plastic Dial: Black with Dot Hour Markers Bracelet: Solid Steel Oyster Bracelet with Diver’s Extension Water Resistant: 30 Meters In recent times, I have written a lot about Rolex watches and most of them are vintage Sub and Explorer, they got a great response on my blog, many readers asked how to buy it and encouraged me to written more things about those vintage watches. Yes, I will keep doing my work to introduce more fantastic replica watches, besides, all advice I have given to you is honest, there are a lot types of replica watches in the market, each type varies in quality, I just hope you to get the most high-end ones.
