I realize my mini-reviews are not nearly the quality of most. But when I get a new one, I like to take some pics and make some observations. This watch is not modded in any way, and should be available by request from most dealers. Here ya go...
I have been waiting to purchase one of these for quite awhile. There have been several versions available, most completely incorrect, some correct, and this one which I cannot find fault with... Well, there is one thing, but its minor.
This correctly marked 116264 is the black dial stainless steel with 18kt white gold bi directional rotating bezel. It has the correct color and length red second hand and one of the most perfectly centered all red print date wheels Ive seen. There are several versions of this watch without the rotating bezel, and with black date wheel and even one with alternating black and red date wheel. This configuration is proper for a 116264.
The bezel is very smooth and then shine of the fluted areas is incredible. They even got the brushed surface that the engraved numbers are on right.
The dial is very sharp. One thing that I noticed that they got right, and it amazes me sometime how the get the strangest things perfect, and other things so wrong... The black dial with white gold stick markers is the ONLY Rolex Turn-O-Graph dial that has the lume applied directly behind the stick markers. The lume literally touches the stick marker and is more of a 1/2 circle. On ALL OTHER Turn-O-Graph dials, they are applied away from the stick markers and are round. They got it right here... The lume is appied in the correct location, and its pretty bright.
The things that I have noticed and are most impressed with. All of the letters around the rehaut are perfectly placed and of the correct font, color and size. I rad an interesting article the other day that explained why ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX is arranged the way that it is. Each letter should line up with a minute marker. All of the ROLEX on the 6-12 side should begin on a 5 minute marker, and all of the ROLEX on the 12-6 side should END on a 5 minute marker. This leaves the correct space at the top for the coronet and enough space at the six for the serial number.
The engraving between the lugs is spot on, correct in font, content and size. Here is the ONE issue that I have. The serial number is an R series serial, and from the best that I can tell that would date the watch to 1989... which is well before this configuration was available. If I decide to keep the watch, which is likely... I will have a different number engraved.
The crystal is perfectly aligned and the coronet seems to be the quality of the Noob ones. I did not see the coronet on the first couple attempts to locate it.
The bracelet that JS included is not the original bracelet for the watch... BUT, it is correctly engraved as a 72200. Which matches the Stainless steel with white gold bezel Turn-O-Graph. The bracelet has a beautiful comfort link extension and spring loaded thumb lift. I did have to massage the end links in order to get perfect alignment so that genuine spring bars could be installed. But it came out well, and I am very pleased.
I opened the watch to check the movement and it is a very clean and the correct 2836-2 SWISS. The case back is all correct, spelling and everything!!!
I greased the seals and sealed it up... now I will time it and see how she is running.
I have read that this watch was originally purchased from KING, and I am the third owner. I cannot for the life of me see what would have convinced the previous two owners to sell it. I think its an incredible replication of a fairly rare watch.
Here are my rather poor pictures, sorry but Im in a little hurry. I leave for Wash DC in less than 2 hours.
T
I have been waiting to purchase one of these for quite awhile. There have been several versions available, most completely incorrect, some correct, and this one which I cannot find fault with... Well, there is one thing, but its minor.
This correctly marked 116264 is the black dial stainless steel with 18kt white gold bi directional rotating bezel. It has the correct color and length red second hand and one of the most perfectly centered all red print date wheels Ive seen. There are several versions of this watch without the rotating bezel, and with black date wheel and even one with alternating black and red date wheel. This configuration is proper for a 116264.
The bezel is very smooth and then shine of the fluted areas is incredible. They even got the brushed surface that the engraved numbers are on right.
The dial is very sharp. One thing that I noticed that they got right, and it amazes me sometime how the get the strangest things perfect, and other things so wrong... The black dial with white gold stick markers is the ONLY Rolex Turn-O-Graph dial that has the lume applied directly behind the stick markers. The lume literally touches the stick marker and is more of a 1/2 circle. On ALL OTHER Turn-O-Graph dials, they are applied away from the stick markers and are round. They got it right here... The lume is appied in the correct location, and its pretty bright.
The things that I have noticed and are most impressed with. All of the letters around the rehaut are perfectly placed and of the correct font, color and size. I rad an interesting article the other day that explained why ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX is arranged the way that it is. Each letter should line up with a minute marker. All of the ROLEX on the 6-12 side should begin on a 5 minute marker, and all of the ROLEX on the 12-6 side should END on a 5 minute marker. This leaves the correct space at the top for the coronet and enough space at the six for the serial number.
The engraving between the lugs is spot on, correct in font, content and size. Here is the ONE issue that I have. The serial number is an R series serial, and from the best that I can tell that would date the watch to 1989... which is well before this configuration was available. If I decide to keep the watch, which is likely... I will have a different number engraved.
The crystal is perfectly aligned and the coronet seems to be the quality of the Noob ones. I did not see the coronet on the first couple attempts to locate it.
The bracelet that JS included is not the original bracelet for the watch... BUT, it is correctly engraved as a 72200. Which matches the Stainless steel with white gold bezel Turn-O-Graph. The bracelet has a beautiful comfort link extension and spring loaded thumb lift. I did have to massage the end links in order to get perfect alignment so that genuine spring bars could be installed. But it came out well, and I am very pleased.
I opened the watch to check the movement and it is a very clean and the correct 2836-2 SWISS. The case back is all correct, spelling and everything!!!
I greased the seals and sealed it up... now I will time it and see how she is running.
I have read that this watch was originally purchased from KING, and I am the third owner. I cannot for the life of me see what would have convinced the previous two owners to sell it. I think its an incredible replication of a fairly rare watch.
Here are my rather poor pictures, sorry but Im in a little hurry. I leave for Wash DC in less than 2 hours.
T
