Sticking with undersea operations, the Oris ProDiver collection is an interesting one, given that Oris is one of the few watch companies that remains actively engaged in dealings with commercial divers. More specifically, Roman Frischknecht is a commercial diver that has been an Oris ambassador for some time, and rather than simply being an ambassador in name, Roman has played a crucial role in the development of the ProDiver collection ahead of its launch in 2009.It was his insight that led to the creation of the brand’s bezel locking system, known as a Rotation Safety System. Given the level of safety and security protocols involved in his line of work, Roman knew that if he was to be using a conventional dive watch in a modern dive environment, there could be absolutely no room for error, thus a locking mechanism (as seen in other divers like the Omega Ploprof, among others) would be mandatory.Although the roots of the Yacht-Master II relate to activities on the water’s surface rather than deep below, its unique functionality is perfectly suited to this category. After all, the Rolex Yacht-Master II is what is often referred to as yachting timer – a countdown chronograph that can be used to properly measure the start time of a regatta, also known as a sailing race.Arguably the most complex watch in the present Rolex collection, the Yacht-Master II uses an interesting combination of bezel position, crown position, and pusher action in order to set its countdown duration between 1 and 10 minutes, with the chronograph capable of flyback (or fly-forward) functionality to the pre-set time with a single activation of its lower pusher. While many Yacht-Master II wearers are unlikely to ever use this highly specific function for its actual intended purpose. being able to run a countdown like this isn’t shy on practical daily-life applications… grilling timer, anyone?
The GMT Master II ref. 16710 is one of the most iconic and influential examples of the brand’s multi-time zone pilot’s watch. It brought an upgraded case and movement to the line, making it a huge success and leading to its impressive production run of almost twenty years. The ref. 16710 was then replaced by the ref. 116710 in the late 2000s as a completely new generation of Rolex GMT-Master tool watches began to make an appearance with a brand new case and bracelet design, improved materials, and a new movement.Rolex developed the GMT-Master in the early 1950s at the request of Pan Am Airlines. Its release came during the dawn of international flight. The famous air carrier required a dual-time wristwatch to issue their pilots, and the GMT-Master was born. The GMT-Master II was released a number of years later in 1983 with the ref. 16760, and brought with it independent hour hands that allow the wearer to read two time zones on the dial and a third on the bezel.The first GMT-Master II ref. 16760 featured a bulkier case and is often referred to by avid collectors as the “Fat Lady” or “Sophia Loren.” In 1989, Rolex would release a refined variation of the Fat Lady GMT in the form of the sleeker reference Rolex 16710 with a thinner case and movement. The ref. 16710 was well-received among collectors for its upgraded case and movement, and it would go on to become one of the most successful GMT-Master II models, remaining in production for nearly twenty years.A completely redesigned version of the stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II was introduced in 2007, which meant the discontinuation of the long-running ref. 16710. The Rolex 116710 is similar in design as its 5-digit predecessor with an all-steel finish, a perpetual movement with independent hour hands, and a bidirectional bezel; however, that’s where its similarities end. The ref. 116710 is almost an entirely new watch and boasts a redesigned bezel, case, bracelet, and dial, as well as the newer Caliber 3186 perpetual movement.
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 crown logo on the buckle is not as good as gen. Movement and Crown Brand-new original ETA 25J movement, the replica Rolex Yacht-Master can be equipped with 2824 or 2836 movement, its daily inaccuracy is less than 5 seconds.SuperLume Dial and Hands The lume color has no difference between hour markers and hands.Having introduced several pieces of vintage Rolex replica watches here, and some has won the praise, especially the Daytona Paul Newman. This time I will share another vintage Rolex here, it is Milgauss 6541 replica. Genuine watch was published by Rolex in the 50s, although not as popular as other vintage models like Paul Newman, GMT 1675, Submariner Vintage 5510 and other vintage PAMs. My watch supplier told me that all vintage Rolex models in our market are manufactured by the same factory, including this Milgauss 6541, which has attracted me due to its special dial details.It is not a replica that should be called a super clone like other replicas made by Noob, J12 and V6, but I love it just because of its retro style and some special symbols. Case is 38mm in diameter, black bezel has a big triangle mark in orange color at 12 o’clock, there are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 digits and triangle markers all in white. The bezel could be unidirectional rotating. Dial is black and has special patterns, all hands are in silver tone, unique lighting second hand has a red tip that is very eye catching. Three-dimensional silver triangle marker at 3, 6 and 9, other hour markers are all yellow dots. The word “MILGAUSS” under Rolex Crown Logo is in orange color, which exactly matches the orange triangle bezel marker. I can not check how close the replica is made to genuine, but I already has all necessary features of those vintage Milgauss watches produced in that period. If you are a collector of vintage Rolex and hard to find a genuine Milgauss 6541, this one could become a perfect alternative.The replica uses a clone ETA 2836-2 automatic movement, here I made a movement test, see the result on the photo below, it said that there is only one second error each day, and the beating frequency is also the same as genuine ETA 2836-2 movement, which is 28800vph. In a word, this replica not only does well in acting as a vintage Milgauss 6541, but also offers the wearer accurate timing. It is worth buying.Today, I am about to introduce one Panerai replica watch that is engraved with Florentine motifs. Yes, it is the latest Luminor 1950 Firenze 3 Days, with a reference PAM 972. This is not the first PAM which Panerai published with Florentine motifs on case and movement. We know that PAM 604 and PAM 672 also have these special engravings, but these two PAMs are Radiomir limited editions. For PAM 972, it is absolutely the first Luminor watch with Florentine motifs. Now, in Panerai watch family, PAM 972 is also the only one Panerai Luminor watch with such unique engravings. Based on the traditional PAM 372, Panerai made this engraved version PAM 972. The replica PAM 972 Firenze here is made by V9, which is a new factory. It is said that this V9 factory now makes the best Rolex Submariner replica watches, but I do not think so. However, this Panerai Luminor Firenze PAM 972 replica made by V9 has a good quality.I do not know why Panerai makes these special engraved PAMs, whatever, the main purpose I think is to show respect to Firenze, which is the design inspiration of early Panerai watches. Actually the design concept of many modern Panerai models is also coming from this old Italy city.
However, the dials of the gold Sub were not the standard black dials of their stainless steel counterparts.A few years later, around 1971, Rolex offered another colorway of the yellow gold Submariner featuring a bright blue bezel and dial. The yellow gold Submariners in blue also has the same “nipple dial” design. Particularly intriguing with the blue gold Submariner 1680/8 models is how the dials have transformed into different colors over time including lighter blues, vibrant purples, and rich reddish brown (also known as “tropical dials” in vintage Rolex terminology). Comparing the Rolex Submariner to the GMT-Master II.Two watches, perhaps the two most well-known in Rolex’s sports watch lineup, have amazing similarities, and one can be forgiven for confusing them at a distance. These two watches are, of course, the Submariner dive watch (ref. 116610) and the GMT-Master II (we’ll call it the GMT for short, but we’re talking about the current ref. 116710).The Submariner GMT Master Comparison .The individual histories of the Submariner and the GMT are well documented elsewhere, so let’s compare and contrast the two current models.First, the similarities. The Submariner and the GMT-Master II are luxury watches. Both watches are currently housed in the 40mm diameter so-called “super case” with a ceramic or Cerachrom bezel insert. This case, done in 904L stainless steel, debuted in 2007 with the GMT (the Submariner received the new case a year later). There are minute differences in the two cases, but you need to set them side by side and look very closely to see them.Both watches buckle to your wrist with the current Oyster bracelet.
