Can reps be even better than gens?

[ddc]

I just came back from lunch form the mall. I went to a local Oris shop and looked at some watches. Man, I saw 2 that had terrible QC issues with fitting and finish. Especially at the rubber straps.
This got me thinking.... Since we obsess so much about the little details in a an attempt to get our reps as "perfect" as the gens...I am sure that some of those high end Frankens out there have even better fit and finish than some gens...Could I be right??
Yesterday I came to a similar conclusion while I was spending 2 hours filing, sanding, bending and modding the SEL fitting of my UPO... I turned around to see my gen speedmaster, and the fit was WORSE!!! I couldn't stop laughing at myself!

 

[civic4982]

Depends on the brand and price range of the watch. Sure if you compare to lower end watches I think it's possible.

As for as the more popular Pams and Rollies and APs the short answer is no.

An amateur hobbyist versus a professionally train watchmaker whose sole job is to create perfection in his horology...

I'm sure you cam find a worn out and beat up gen that looks like shit but I guarantee you that a well cared for and serviced gen will outshine a rep any day of the week.

We won't even get into the fact that the movements are built to a higher specification and standard especially in those with in house movements.

 

[Q5?]

Can reps be even better than gens?

For the money.....yes! :lol:

 

[bigdeal]

versus a professionally train watchmaker whose sole job is to create perfection in his horology...

While I certainly agree gens are better quality than reps in virtually every instance, Rolex workers are just employee's like any other... more likely than not, they don't really give a shit...


.

 

[BADWIN BING]

While I certainly agree gens are better quality than reps in virtually every instance, Rolex workers are just employee's like any other... more likely than not, they don't really give a shit...


.

Sad but probably true. Never really thought about it like that......fair point.

 

[J.Prime]

Yes, not generally yes but in some cases, members are putting together amazing watches. Imagine a mirror image of a 15 year old Panerai with a fully serviced swiss movement, maybe a gen dial or CG... That watch may be in much better shape that it's gen counterpart. There are plenty of issues with high end watches, Panerai for instance have recently had issues with the QR mechanism popping out of the lugs. Then they pull this off with the 318:

High end gens or not, there are some amazing reps on wrists!!!

 

[exeekias]

While I certainly agree gens are better quality than reps in virtually every instance, Rolex workers are just employee's like any other... more likely than not, they don't really give a shit...


.

That's true I'm sure, to some extent, but Rolex and all other high end watchmakers market and sell precision, quality, and craftsmanship (as well as exclusivity, etc.) so the onus is on them to produce products made to the standards they have set.

 

[ALE7575]

Please bear in mind:
- movement
- reliability
- finishing
- guarantee
- customer service
- repairs service
- Spare parts
- ........

Perhaps in some low grade gens it is possible to have some rep (not all rep of the same model) with smiliar look or perhaps better.
But usually it is not possible for many reasons.

 

[Pakz]

While I certainly agree gens are better quality than reps in virtually every instance, Rolex workers are just employee's like any other... more likely than not, they don't really give a shit...

.

Very true.
The main difference is in the quality of the materials used, the quality of the equipment the guys work on, and the amount and quality of supervision.

Result is that the quality level is usually more homogeneous in gens. You (almost) never see complete crap where the movement dies out in two days. On the other hand, the variance is large in reps. Some die in a few day, exhibit large flaws, big problems, but some (luck of the draw) are truly amazing at plenty levels...

Most of my reps have (small and hardly noticeable) aesthetic flaws but some are quite amazing on that count. Some have horological "quirks" but some (I thing of my sub-c in A-2836 or my 5th gen PO in 4813) are well within COSC specs (once I re-regulated them). Same for water-tightness. After re-checking some are tight as oysters... others, well, let's say that rain might not be their best friend .


Keep in mind, however that some of the "micro brands" gens do offer amazing fit, finish and quality for the money... My Steinhart Ocean Vintage GMT is one of my best finished watches and keeps an astounding +0.1 to +0.2 s per day... Water resistant to 300m, very very nice sapphire... for a fraction of my "big name gens" prices (around $500)

 

[ddc]

Please bear in mind:
- movement
- reliability
- finishing
- guarantee
- customer service
- repairs service
- Spare parts
- ........

Perhaps in some low grade gens it is possible to have some rep (not all rep of the same model) with smiliar look or perhaps better.
But usually it is not possible for many reasons.

I am not talking about movements OF COURSE gen movements will be better. Even a Swiss 7753 will never compare to a p.9000 for example or a PAM tourbillon masterpiece. I am talking of everything else... Like my speedmaster! It's a 5000€ piece, nevertheless there is a 1/2mm gap between the case and the SEL!

 

[ddc]

Mad please, bear in mind that I am not talking about reps out of the box... I am talking about highly modified pieces...

 

[jmb]

Personally I would much rather have my Franken Air King (all Rollie except for movement) than the gen since I can fix it reasonably myself instead of getting bent over by an RSC...

 

[olworthers]

Personally I would much rather have my Franken Air King (all Rollie except for movement) than the gen since I can fix it reasonably myself instead of getting bent over by an RSC...

This is one of the main reasons I'm so impressed with frankens as a concept!

OW

 

[aksingh]

The more I see of gens and super reps the more I am favouring the super reps as mvmnt aside the fit and finish are so close to the gens now I cannot justify paying ten to twenty times more on the gen.

I put aside two to three grand each year to buy a gen and the same again to buy ten reps, but I am thinking more and more about buying a few more reps and spending less than two grand on something like a used gen Omega PO or SMP.

 

[Bonesey]

I'm stuck in a feedback loop over some reps. I would say that I would be happy with the gen 111. Wear it often, have loads of straps for it. And then I look at my rep. And I think. It's 99% the same why would I even want the gen.

 

[honeybear]

The more I see of gens and super reps the more I am favouring the super reps as mvmnt aside the fit and finish are so close to the gens now I cannot justify paying ten to twenty times more on the gen.

I put aside two to three grand each year to buy a gen and the same again to buy ten reps, but I am thinking more and more about buying a few more reps and spending less than two grand on something like a used gen Omega PO or SMP.

Any examples of the super reps which make you feel this way? Just seeing what might be worthwhile buying.

 

[wat44]

The Pam Ferrari is one

 

[olworthers]

I've got a PAM 005K which is so close to a gen I could never justify buying the 'real thing'!

 

[Q5?]

I have a Gen SMP. If there was a fire, after my family was safe, and I could grab a watch, I'd probably choose my FrPO.

 

[rol_man]

BK's TW Best Submariner.