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BP Re-Releases 5-Digit Submariners with VR3135

Snil

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Good evening gents,
maybe I've missed it, but did someone checked the water resistance of this BP 5digit sub ootb?
It’s the same as any other rep watch, assume it’s not and get the gaskets checked/greased up as well as pressure tested before jumping in the pool.
 
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nickelodeon

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It’s the same as any other rep watch, assume it’s not and get the gaskets checked/greased up as well as pressure tested before jumping in the pool.
sure, this is common sense to me.
But, on the first page was the assumption "Crystal gasket is crazy short in height" like the previous BP release had and I'm curious if this is true with that iteration and maybe affects the water resistance at all?
 

mrsullivan

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Good evening gents,
maybe I've missed it, but did someone checked the water resistance of this BP 5digit sub ootb?
I'll test mine when it lands but I always grease seals before doing so, and assuming crystal is properly mounted with correct gasket.
OOTB it's always a bit of a lucky draw.
 
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Nur-Uhr

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Dear members,

I want to make a short sum-up and comparison regarding the latest BP Submariner 16618 "bluesy" model.

Thanks to @Mr.Swackhammer who has sold his model to me. :D
We wrote in the past, that I am interessted in the 16618 with blue dial... cause I wanted to see how the latest version looks like.
Some Spoiler = I bought it only to make some comparison ;) So it would be sold the next days here in M2M
Also thanks to @johnlogan for generating curiosity for BP 5-digit Subs again ;)

Some premonition: the next post will show some pics to show details like
Gold color / shape / dial color / hands
THE BP 16618 model is the "GOLD COLORED Submariner 16618 with blue dial"


Here my personell thoughts about this especially BP 16618

>> Gold Color
BP did a real amazing job. The color is amazing. It is a real nice gold tone as BP did this already in the past with their Day-Date models.
Color tone and "warm" gold tone - top notch

>> Dial (blue one)
The dial is much better than BP made these blue dials in the past.
I compared it with a Tritium "Swiss T<25" dial, so there can be more variation, cause the BP dial is more like the "Swiss Made" dials.
Here we all know, that Tritium dials are aging with the years and can "fade" the dials.
The blue color of the BP is great. It is not to "purple" which would be totally wrong for a "Swiss Made" dial.
It has a nice and luscius / deep tone. Also the print is crisp and good looking.
Rolex dials vary also in the print from "year to year" - when you look or compare to other GEN 16613/16618 "Swiss Made" dials, these BP dials are now really accurate.
This is a big improvement to older BP versions.

>> Insert (blue one)
Pearl on this one is good centered. Pearl overall is nice aligned and looks really nice.
No need to change the insert. Color tone and print is overall good.
Please note, the insert I have compared is also already bit faded (but in good condition)

>> Case

Color - see above. Great.
The caseshape, Lugs, geometry = it is a nice case this BP model.
The total thickness is 12,6mm (from caseback to crystal)
Case weight is 75 gr. (total watch is 139 gr.)

>> Hands
The hands are nice, not this "3D effect" but in my opinion the hands on the BP are better than on other reps in the past.
Quality of the hands are well cut. I have seen ARF/RAF hands in the past which were not such as good as on this one!

>> Bracelet
Engravings for the 16618 are wrong (but this was clear) and is not any problem in my opinion.
It is a solid 93250 bracelet with clasp. Nice look and feel and good plated. There are no visible "unplated" areas!
They made here also a great job and BP made a brilliant job on this.
Weight of the entire bracelet is 64 gr. (total watch is 139 gr.)

>> SEL
OK they are not sooooo good on this one = not so good means, not so recessed
But when you look on other pics here in this thread - the BP's have overall good SEL's
>> Bezel/ Bezel click
= great and nice feeling. The sound of the click and also feeling is really nice.
I did not disassemble the bezel assembly ot something (cause I bought the watch only for comparission, cause I was so curious for this BP)
Also the bezel itself is in my opinion much better than on older BP models like 2-3 years ago.

>> Date Disc
This is awful = too orange colored
But hey... a GEN one will fit the movement or you can do also the trick with a Raffles (rafflesdial) champange colored Datedisc for a 3135 mvt for approx USD 30,- and you have a fine result afterwards.

>> Crystal
There can be two different opinions here...
The crystal itself is nice. The cyclop is amazing - BP made here some AR on the cyclop which is really cool. Crystal is great.
BUT for me personally = the LEC is too visible. Most of you won't be bothered at all... but this is for me a thing I would defintely change together with the Datedisc.

>> Movement
In my opinion this is a milestone and a huge upgrade for these BP Submariner models.
Solid clone movement now inside and not the old A3135 which was really crappy.


>> OVERALL
= a fine and very very fair priced rep which is really a great deal !!!
Overall look and feel is nice. With the very accurate gold color and also a weight of 139 gr. it feels solid (note: a 1165xx SS Daytona has also a weight of approx. 140gr. is a quite solid/heavy watch)
A GEN 16618 non lug hole model (latest 5-digit YG Sub) with all bracelet links has a weight of 170 gr.



Pics (approx. 90pcs.) will follow the next post ;)
 

Nur-Uhr

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And here are now the pictures =
THE BP 16618 model is the "GOLD COLORED Submariner 16618 with blue dial"


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rockdaytona

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Would be curios for the experts to opine on if the two tone LN insert needs to be replaced by something like this:
 

bowtiefanatc

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I’m normally a “never full gold” person but dayum! That 16618 LB is gorgeous
 
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Dizzy

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I wish BP would fix the dial printing on these. It's way too dark and dull compared to a genuine dial. BP in the past has made some of the best 5 digit submariner dials so I’m surprised they put this one out like this. The bold printing on the black dial 16618 with the lug holes is beautiful And makes the watch look so much better.
 

flashu

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Dear members,

I want to make a short sum-up and comparison regarding the latest BP Submariner 16618 "bluesy" model.



>> OVERALL
= a fine and very very fair priced rep which is really a great deal !!!
Overall look and feel is nice. With the very accurate gold color and also a weight of 139 gr. it feels solid (note: a 1165xx SS Daytona has also a weight of approx. 140gr. is a quite solid/heavy watch)
A GEN 16618 non lug hole model (latest 5-digit YG Sub) with all bracelet links has a weight of 170 gr.



Pics (approx. 90pcs.) will follow the next post ;)

Awesome review and photos!! Thank you for sharing !
I couldn't pull myself to order the bluesy or full gold but im drooling each time I see one here :D
 
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watcher009

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If I wanted to replace the crystal on the BP, would i need to order a new gasket as well. Or could i use the existing gasket the BP came with? @KJ2020
 

johnlogan

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Amazing writeup by @Nur-Uhr

I’m aligned with your assessment but find the 16618 gold color to be a tad pale vs GEN. The TT however is perfect.

Anyway I like the blue BP dial so much that I have the GOLD COLORED Submariner 16618 with blue dial inbound as well.

Awaiting QCs
 

mrsullivan

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I wish BP would fix the dial printing on these. It's way too dark and dull compared to a genuine dial. BP in the past has made some of the best 5 digit submariner dials so I’m surprised they put this one out like this. The bold printing on the black dial 16618 with the lug holes is beautiful And makes the watch look so much better.
Agree, BP used to throw great dials.
Here my ARF based franken 16610LV with BP dial.
The R of "Oyster" well placed under the Rolex's R right leg, seems period correct for mid 2000s gen productions as far as I remember.



I'll see IRL what it's like on my TT LN when it lands but it does look a bit dull on pictures.
 

KJ2020

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If I wanted to replace the crystal on the BP, would i need to order a new gasket as well. Or could i use the existing gasket the BP came with? @KJ2020
These latest releases are showing a gen-spec crystal retaining ring so that means a full height gasket. The previous batches had a retaining ring that was built into the case with a very short height gasket.

With the older cases you have to use the stock gasket as it is proprietary. With the newer ones you can use the stock gasket if it's still in good shape or any gen-spec gasket that gives your new crystal the desired height and date mag.

Which crystal gasket should I use?