Been reading alot but there mix informatio

[FitScience]

Hi legends,
So, I've been diligently do my research, but there still so much more I wanted to ask before buying my first rep for casual wear (aiming to get either a 126500 black with DD4131 if latter not vaible, or a 126506 ice blue with stick marker to do platinum plating)

My research progress.
I have found this amazing guide for Who make the best? Saying CF make the best daytona, with VSF not even in the NWBG department.
But in recent post, and comparison, VSF is said to have better crystal, and movement. But CF with deep crystal can improve the crystal quality closer to gen.
I have also found that DD4130 is the best clone, which for the 126xxx line then it would be DD4131 (Did i research this correctly)
There are many comparison post for Panda but quite limited for the black, and the platona.

Narrow down options
I found Andiot a trusted dealer site, and also with his advice so here is the narrow down list:

Black daytona
- 2023 Daytona 126500 Clean 1:1 Best Edition 904L Steel Black Dial on SS Bracelet DD4131 (He advice to go with a deep crystal upgrade)
- Daytona 126500 VSF 1:1 Best Edition 904L Steel White Dial on SS Bracelet DD4131

Platona (I think both release quite recently like 8 month ago?)
- Daytona 126506 904L SS Clean 1:1 Best Edition Ice Blue Dial Sticks Markers on 904L SS Bracelet Super Clone Asian 4131
- Daytona 126506 904L SS VSF 1:1 Best Edition Ice Blue Dial Sticks Markers on 904L SS Bracelet Super Clone Asian DD4131

Why I'm seeking advice?
Firstly, How close is the VSF to the gen actually, for both Black 126500 and platona 126506. And when compare to the Clean with deep crystal?
Secondly, does both of the clean daytona need the deep crystal to compete?
Lastly, I really like the colour of the Platona and the open back, but understand it is made out of SS and not platinum. Not really worry about the weight, so just want to see how easy it is to get it platinum coated later down the line. I'm Based in Australia so what are my options.

Only have budget for 1 watch for every occasion (This will also be my first watch ever) so kinda anxious.
Again thank you guys so much for this amazing forum and people.

 

[FitScience]

Sorry the VSF is also Black dial.

 

[Karbon74]

My advice is that you are overthinking this.

Just buy a CF 126500. It’s a great watch OOTB.

Live with it for a few months, wear it and get to know the watch.

It will always be time to upgrade the crystal later ( there is a high chance you won’t bother )

Then you can upgrade or sell it

Also with the rep hobby, logic goes out of the window, same for money . It won’t be your last one.

 

[FitScience]

My advice is that you are overthinking this.

Just buy a CF 126500. It’s a great watch OOTB.

Live with it for a few months, wear it and get to know the watch.

It will always be time to upgrade the crystal later ( there is a high chance you won’t bother )

Then you can upgrade or sell it

Also with the rep hobby, logic goes out of the window, same for money . It won’t be your last one.

Thanks you so much for the reply, maybe I'm overthinking this too much.

 

[RDRoss]

Alrighty. Let’s start with the facts. CF makes a heck of a great watch. Yes there are a few issues. The crystal being one of them. But out of the box you couldn’t ask for better. If, say after six months of wear the crystal, or hands , or crown bother you, swap them out. Go Gen or deep on the crystal, Gen hands are an amazing upgrade, and a Gen crown is an easy swap.

Set your expectations, live with it for a bit and see how you feel. I can tell you that my Daytona upgrade was a moving from a bracelet to a strap for comfort and that was it.

Best of luck.

 

[FitScience]

Alrighty. Let’s start with the facts. CF makes a heck of a great watch. Yes there are a few issues. The crystal being one of them. But out of the box you couldn’t ask for better. If, say after six months of wear the crystal, or hands , or crown bother you, swap them out. Go Gen or deep on the crystal, Gen hands are an amazing upgrade, and a Gen crown is an easy swap.

Set your expectations, live with it for a bit and see how you feel. I can tell you that my Daytona upgrade was a moving from a bracelet to a strap for comfort and that was it.

Best of luck.

Will do thanks you so much, where can i do these upgrade on a rep?
This is one of the answer I didn't reach during my crusade for information.

 

[Jossé]

Will do thanks you so much, where can i do these upgrade on a rep?
This is one of the answer I didn't reach during my crusade for information.

For example, you can contact one of the watchmakers you find here:

Service and Parts Providers

Hire Modification Experts, Watchmakers, Parts Suppliers, and more.

forum.replica-watch.info

 

[Karbon74]

Will do thanks you so much, where can i do these upgrade on a rep?
This is one of the answer I didn't reach during my crusade for information.

There is no straight answer to this. You being in Australia complicates things as I am unsure there are many modder members from there.

Basically three options:
1. You ask one of the official RWI watchmakers (see relevant section)
2. You find a modder who accepts the commission (but be careful of scammers and hacks)
3. You learn to do it yourself as some of us did

In all cases, you will have to also source the parts yourself.

So you have a long long road in front of you.
That’s why the advice is to get a ootb rep like the CF.

Some newbies tend to get lost in the minutae of the forum watch nerds and macro shots of « flaws »…then theocraft the « perfect » rep and create impossible expectations for themselves

Get one now, take the first step. Live the life and learn as you walk the path.

Right now you sound like the wannabee trekker who stays behind his screen looking at zillions of hiking&survival gadgets, instead of going down that goddamm trek

 

[FitScience]

For example, you can contact one of the watchmakers you find here:

Service and Parts Providers

Hire Modification Experts, Watchmakers, Parts Suppliers, and more.

forum.replica-watch.info

thanks you thanks you thanks you

 

[FitScience]

There is no straight answer to this. You being in Australia complicates things as I am unsure there are many modder members from there.

Basically three options:
1. You ask one of the official RWI watchmakers (see relevant section)
2. You find a modder who accepts the commission (but be careful of scammers and hacks)
3. You learn to do it yourself as some of us did

In all cases, you will have to also source the parts yourself.

So you have a long long road in front of you.
That’s why the advice is to get a ootb rep like the CF.

Some newbies tend to get lost in the minutae of the forum watch nerds and macro shots of « flaws »…then theocraft the « perfect » rep and create impossible expectations for themselves

Get one now, take the first step. Live the life and learn as you walk the path.

Right now you sound like the wannabee trekker who stays behind his screen looking at zillions of hiking&survival gadgets, instead of going down that goddamm trek

Wise word, ok time to step down the track.
Thank you so much!!
I'll remember this faithful day

 

[Jossé]

thanks you thanks you thanks you

Several of the TDs also offer installation of the Deep for an additional fee, so you can buy one from Clean and have the Deep installed by them if you don’t want to buy a stock one and make the swap later

 

[Karbon74]

Last word
Only use the links and contacts of the TD here

Don’t google

 

[P..DR..D]

Wise word, ok time to step down the track.
Thank you so much!!
I'll remember this faithful day

Plenty will happily take your money with a smile for 'upgrades', but it's your call as to whether they are ones you yourself will notice.

Some of them are pure nonsense IMHO, like the emperor's new clothes at times, but everyone's different.

You're the one wearing it, you're the one paying for it, so ultimately it's your decision.

Personally, I agree with the above, buy OOTB, enjoy it for a bit, then decide if you want to pour more money into it, for sometimes a near negligible difference.

The best advice I could give, FWIW, is not to overthink it, don't be too keen to overspend & have fun exploring

 

[FitScience]

Plenty will happily take your money with a smile for 'upgrades', but it's your call as to whether they are ones you yourself will notice.

Some of them are pure nonsense IMHO, like the emperor's new clothes at times, but everyone's different.

You're the one wearing it, you're the one paying for it, so ultimately it's your decision.

Personally, I agree with the above, buy OOTB, enjoy it for a bit, then decide if you want to pour more money into it, for sometimes a near negligible difference.

The best advice I could give, FWIW, is not to overthink it, don't be too keen to overspend & have fun exploring

Sound solid I'll go for it, keep it simple.
Thanks you so much.

 

[abat]

Ask yourself why you want upgrades beyond the base watch. Why does it need to be 'better' or closer to the gen? I'd stick to the out of the box for a bit and go for upgrades later if you feel you need to. I have clean panda and it is great, admitedly the white dial needs the upgraded crystal less.

 

[moopsy]

a lot of good advice already in this thread. Every option mentioned here is “really good”. Allow me to give you a little perspective:

[PENDING] - FRANKEN Ceramic Daytona 116500

Hello Guys, Up for sale is my Franken Black 116500 Daytona, This is one of them sales that I will no doubt later regret letting go of. The gen dial is something special the way the Subdials glow in the light is something no rep dial can achieve. I had my Watchmaker do the build work and carry...

forum.replica-watch.info

This is the older 116500, not the 126500 you’re thinking about, but this is the exponential price gap between “really good” and “getting closer to perfectly gen”.

You seem to have done a good amount off research and honed in on Andiot as the TD of choice, so just order a deep crystal upgrade from Elliot with your 126500 and call it a day. You can decide later if you need the other upgrades. I’d wager you will be amazed and quite happy with you initial purchase for a while. Good luck.

(If you’re worried about the plating on the Platona already, just order the black dial 126500)

 

[Karbon74]

a lot of good advice already in this thread. Every option mentioned here is “really good”. Allow me to give you a little perspective:

[PENDING] - FRANKEN Ceramic Daytona 116500

Hello Guys, Up for sale is my Franken Black 116500 Daytona, This is one of them sales that I will no doubt later regret letting go of. The gen dial is something special the way the Subdials glow in the light is something no rep dial can achieve. I had my Watchmaker do the build work and carry...

forum.replica-watch.info

This is the older 116500, not the 126500 you’re thinking about, but this is the exponential price gap between “really good” and “getting closer to perfectly gen”.

You seem to have done a good amount off research and honed in on Andiot as the TD of choice, so just order a deep crystal upgrade from Elliot with your 126500 and call it a day. You can decide later if you need the other upgrades. I’d wager you will be amazed and quite happy with you initial purchase for a while. Good luck.

(If you’re worried about the plating on the Platona already, just order the black dial 126500)

Nothing better than a 6000 AUD slap in the face to get someone back to Earth

 

[FitScience]

a lot of good advice already in this thread. Every option mentioned here is “really good”. Allow me to give you a little perspective:

[PENDING] - FRANKEN Ceramic Daytona 116500

Hello Guys, Up for sale is my Franken Black 116500 Daytona, This is one of them sales that I will no doubt later regret letting go of. The gen dial is something special the way the Subdials glow in the light is something no rep dial can achieve. I had my Watchmaker do the build work and carry...

forum.replica-watch.info

This is the older 116500, not the 126500 you’re thinking about, but this is the exponential price gap between “really good” and “getting closer to perfectly gen”.

You seem to have done a good amount off research and honed in on Andiot as the TD of choice, so just order a deep crystal upgrade from Elliot with your 126500 and call it a day. You can decide later if you need the other upgrades. I’d wager you will be amazed and quite happy with you initial purchase for a while. Good luck.

(If you’re worried about the plating on the Platona already, just order the black dial 126500)

That’s crazy build wow

 

[tkingjr]

Hi legends,
So, I've been diligently do my research, but there still so much more I wanted to ask before buying my first rep for casual wear (aiming to get either a 126500 black with DD4131 if latter not vaible, or a 126506 ice blue with stick marker to do platinum plating)

My research progress.
I have found this amazing guide for Who make the best? Saying CF make the best daytona, with VSF not even in the NWBG department.
But in recent post, and comparison, VSF is said to have better crystal, and movement. But CF with deep crystal can improve the crystal quality closer to gen.
I have also found that DD4130 is the best clone, which for the 126xxx line then it would be DD4131 (Did i research this correctly)
There are many comparison post for Panda but quite limited for the black, and the platona.

Narrow down options
I found Andiot a trusted dealer site, and also with his advice so here is the narrow down list:

Black daytona
- 2023 Daytona 126500 Clean 1:1 Best Edition 904L Steel Black Dial on SS Bracelet DD4131 (He advice to go with a deep crystal upgrade)
- Daytona 126500 VSF 1:1 Best Edition 904L Steel White Dial on SS Bracelet DD4131

Platona (I think both release quite recently like 8 month ago?)
- Daytona 126506 904L SS Clean 1:1 Best Edition Ice Blue Dial Sticks Markers on 904L SS Bracelet Super Clone Asian 4131
- Daytona 126506 904L SS VSF 1:1 Best Edition Ice Blue Dial Sticks Markers on 904L SS Bracelet Super Clone Asian DD4131

Why I'm seeking advice?
Firstly, How close is the VSF to the gen actually, for both Black 126500 and platona 126506. And when compare to the Clean with deep crystal?
Secondly, does both of the clean daytona need the deep crystal to compete?
Lastly, I really like the colour of the Platona and the open back, but understand it is made out of SS and not platinum. Not really worry about the weight, so just want to see how easy it is to get it platinum coated later down the line. I'm Based in Australia so what are my options.

Only have budget for 1 watch for every occasion (This will also be my first watch ever) so kinda anxious.
Again thank you guys so much for this amazing forum and people.

You are over thinking your purchase. No Rep is perfect but unless your friends are watchmakers nobody knows the difference. Most people don't know much about watches. Buy the watch and enjoy then find your next watch.

 

[Maximillian]

Ask yourself why you want upgrades beyond the base watch. Why does it need to be 'better' or closer to the gen? I'd stick to the out of the box for a bit and go for upgrades later if you feel you need to. I have clean panda and it is great, admitedly the white dial needs the upgraded crystal less.

@FitScience , This is an honest question. Why do you feel the need to upgrade it right away? Why not get it first, enjoy it for a while, and only consider upgrades later if you really fall in love with it?

I’ve upgraded most of my reps over time, some with gen parts, others with higher-end aftermarket bits. But truth be told, not every one of them ended up being the one. And selling a modded rep can be a pain, since not every buyer will appreciate or even want the upgrades. You’re left with a pricier rep you don’t actually love.

So my advice is to wear it first and mod later. For Daytonas, Clean is a safe bet. Their crystals are consistently subpar, not just on the Datos but across the board. Still, the pros outweigh the cons. Even with weak crystal game, they’re solid reps. You won't go wrong with Clean.