Budget friendly DSSD - warning for modems lotsa pix

[jmb]

I have just received the latest fruits of my experiment into unauthorized dealers to see if there are really any that can deliver what is promised. This DSSD came from a seller who I was not real happy with on my first purchase but admitted their mistake and agreed to send me whatever else I wanted (at a substantial discount) in order to make amends. I chose a Deep Sea/Sea Dweller as I didn't have one and I really have not paid that much attention to them.

The example I received came with the usual rep Rolex box, passport holder, hanging tag, and other literature. One of these days I'm going to figure out why every rep box seems to come with a Datejust manual! Although I have not opened it up yet it "seems" to be very well made, nicely finished, and feels quite substantial at 156 gm, 14.92 mm thick, bezel diameter of 42.45 mm, and a crystal diameter of around 31.59. The only glaring flaws that my very untrained eye can see is that the crown needs to be chucked in the lathe and reshaped a bit, and the bezel and hour markers don't quite line up so I'm thinking the bezel assembly was installed a little off. Another flaw is that it does not have the correct clasp I have seen on the higher priced reps, but it might be correct for the model this is based on.

This particular example had a "list" price of USD $63.60 plus EMS shipping which put it into the "mid-range" of this sellers prices for DSSD reps. Just from looking at on-line pictures of other reps this seems to be a very good deal as I think it compares favorably to copies costing quite a bit more than this.

Here are a few hi-res pics for your critique and brutal appraisel:

You can see how the bezel is not indexed properly in this shot:

Someday I want someone to explain to me why it seems like most low priced reps have a Submariner sticker on the back!!!

I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming already in progress...

 

[highalpha26]

Did the stated price include the box???
But overall, for that money it´s a pretty darn decent looking watch. Guess perfection can´t really be asked for those $.

 

[jmb]

Yes, that included the box and other stuff. I'll take a snap of the "accessories" and post in a bit...

OK, this is all what came with it:

 

[coop]

No ceramic bezel, and incorrect bracelet. But a decent looking watch. I have seen these as low as $40 and as high as $110.

 

[coop]

No ceramic bezel, incorrect bracelet.
I have seen these go for as low as $40.

 

[coop]

No ceramic bezel, incorrect bracelet.
I have seen these as low as $40.

 

[jack_bauer]

Just from looking, and I"m in no way A rolex or DSSD expert, but the bezel isn't ceramic or engraved, the case looks like a regular SD case (too thin), and like you mentioned, no glidelock clasp.

 

[coop]

Very incorrect DSSD. Wrong bezel inset, wrong bracelet, wrong case.

 

[jack_bauer]

Oh, and the center links should be brushed, not polished. Looking at the crystal again, this is definitely an old SD case. The crystal should be a lot more domed

 

[jmb]

Yeah, seems to be the box and "documentation package" that gets send with everything. Were/are all of the DSSD equipped with ceramic bezel inserts? I guess I'll have to "find" a cheapie somewhere...

 

[jmb]

The brushed center links should easily be accomplished... Looking at it from dead-on the edge it is domed, but maybe not enough. It's obvious when looking at it in person that it's not flat, like a Sub...

 

[nowsthetime]

Thats a very good deal - got a link to the website you purchased from ?

 

[jack_bauer]

Yes, all DSSDs should have the engraved/ceramic bezel. T4D has one for sale but the price of the bezel plus shipping is probably as much as you paid for the whole set. If you're not anal, wear it well and don't listen to the haters.

 

[jmb]

I have pretty thick skin and and as an experiment I have been buying super-low-end reps to have some things to play with/experiment on that won't make me feel too bad if I totally hose 'em up!

Jack, I really enjoy your exploits on FOX, I can only hope we have "real" operatives like that!

 

[jmb]

Damn double posts... >:-|

 

[Spirit]

"...They see me rollin´.. They hatin´..."

lol

Cheers,
Spirit.

 

[Spirit]

>_<

 

[mbjoer]

Thanks Justin for taking a risk with a dealer and daring to tell us here.

This watch may not be the best rep around, but the price is very attractive. You may decide that you like it so much that you get an Ulitmate V5 (or 6 or 7....) one day, but at least by then you will know for sure if the watch suits you.
In the meantime I hope you have a good beater which will make you happy by telling the time and looking good enough for 99% of the population.

I understand why you have not memtioned the name of the dealer so far. The kneejerk reaction here is to scream out when anyone does, but I think you should.
The forum benefits from knowing of alternatives to the trusted dealers.

Having people like you trying and testing and letting us know will eventually lead to some new dealer becoming trusted as well.
Perhaps when and if you do, you can also tell us how the transaction went and if there are any guarantees (in particular customs).

 

[pcsam]

throw away the watch or give it to a blind friend :crazy: keep the box as that's OK ish

the watch looks like a bit of sub a bit if a gmt a bit of a ssd
but for the price its OK mate ........................ its like a bad haircut .good deal at the time but will cost more to fix :shocked::crazy:

 

[jmb]

mbjoer, thanks for looking at this piece through the filter of what the original intent of the experiment was.

For this experiment I bought 8 super-cheap reps (this one being the most expensive) and was really pleasantly surprised that I received 8 watches that, although incorrect in many ways, arrived on time, were well packed, worked right out of the box, and actually kept time. I never expected to stumble across a $50 super-rep but wanted to satisfy my curiosity (and possibly the curiosity of a few others) regarding what to expect on the super low end of the price curve. Don't get me wrong, I really admire the reviews of several hundred dollars reps that are posted by their proud owners and enjoy looking at what can be accomplished at a fraction of the gen price. On the other hand, somebody "right off the street" looking through all of these great reviews might conclude this is a hobby for somebody with tons of disposable income laying around to play with and decide they had better "just say no".

I've caused enough "mouth frothing" and "gnashing of teeth" by just having the nerve to post pictures of these sacrilegious artifacts and I'm afraid if I posted sources it would send some people straight to their shrink! If anybody PMs me I'll be happy to provide source details with the usual disclaimers concerning quality, reliability, etc. I have a pretty thick skin, wear Nomex drawers, and generally don't give a rat's a$$ about much and really get a hoot out of some responses.

All-in-all I thought this was supposed to be a fun hobby and when it turns into an obsession with perfection then quite often it ceases being fun. I'm gettin' too freakin' old to not have fun!! ;-)

'Nuff said, experiment is over and I have a bunch of junk to play with, grind on, and generally torture knowing that if I trash something it's not gonna break the bank or cause me to loose any sleep.