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Clean new GMT-II ‘Black/Grey’ 126713 comparison with GEN
- Thread starter CTime
- Start date
- 13/9/15
- 548
- 424
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I’d still like to know, but I have been playing and have managed to lighten it to a much better look, it wasn’t bad before but indoor light it could look a little too yellow, but not all that far away from a normal gold plate I compared against, using very light passes you can use silvo wadding and a soft toothbrush to help with the jubilee inners using the fluid left from the wadding, the trick is being very gentle and do a little at a time, the bezel is best done off the watch and the crown but the crown is not so bad. It looks much better now. It will have removed a light top coat of the surface but not all that much depending on how heavy or many times you try it.
If it was a daily wearer then a fresh plate would be worth it although the plating used nowadays is far better than days of old so less likely to wear if kept clean from greases and other contamination.
The only part I’m not sure on is the insert as I think it’s too dark but pretty close to the gen which I think is too dark also
If it was a daily wearer then a fresh plate would be worth it although the plating used nowadays is far better than days of old so less likely to wear if kept clean from greases and other contamination.
The only part I’m not sure on is the insert as I think it’s too dark but pretty close to the gen which I think is too dark also
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- 15/2/20
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I’m planning to have Popup (RC Studio here on RWI) do my plating. He is a parts vendor here but also sells watches. Two-tone is a hassle but Chinese platers don’t seem to have a problem with it. Cheaper labor, and they can use less gold for the same price.
If someone is interested in a plated Franken 126713:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/th...nr-clean-arf-gen-parts.10982082/post-11796606
https://forum.replica-watch.info/th...nr-clean-arf-gen-parts.10982082/post-11796606
Hi
Has somebody brought this watch and if so how does the 'gold' behave after a long time use?
My dealer advised me not to buy this because it will fade and oxidize.
Has somebody brought this watch and if so how does the 'gold' behave after a long time use?
My dealer advised me not to buy this because it will fade and oxidize.
- 13/9/15
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Yes I have and whilst not a daily Ive bought one to see if its me, I luv the watch but Im just not sure if a gen in TT is for me but Im so close! I keep it as a weekend one and the gold still looks really good, and when put against a mates gen bluesy or her indoors gen two tone Tag Heuer 2000 (which is only the same thickness of plate from the yr 2000) it looks spot on, the Tag is worn in places but the colour is a great match after my little silvo trick!
Only buy the gold plated watches for special occasions. The are not good for daily wear.
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That said plating is essentially plating, her indoors Tag is 25 years old and its plated and aside some wear on the bezel and some other high wear areas its held up very well. Bear in mind that was 25 years ago when it was plated and it was still over Stainless steel most likely 316. the plating done on the reps these days will be pretty good, its really only the colour that is the issue these days.
The modern reps even have started to plate the edges of the mid links on two tones and the end links, which was always a dead give away. The only thing that might better it was if the mid links on jubilee at least were polished on the edges, that said even on a gen the shine fades on these parts as the move against the rest of the bracelet!
Anyone got a pick of a recent Two Tone or full gold model with wear? If it was in daily use and in an environment that is quite harsh like sun tan lotions or being scuffed under a lot of heavy clothing or surfaces I could see wear coming through maybe but it would take a while as most plate is 5 microns or more that should hold up fairly well.
Over 4/5yrs or hard use I would expect some fading or scratching though but its a rep so just gran another one or if it were a gen would you punish it as hard in the same way.
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Just for a few before and after on the silvo wadding light polish to lessen the yellow hue. this is very light so as not to remove any real plate material, tape of the stainless edges and the just lightly wipe in a single direction trying to curve the bracelet around you fingers to get and even swipe and to get as much of the link surface as possible, there will be some residue left over and if you have a really soft bristle brush (and I mean soft bristle softer than a tooth brush (i used some jewelry polishing ones).you can use the residue to help get into the harder to reach sections.
Then lightly buff of with a microfibre and wash under warm water and soft soap as you would normally wash the bracelet.
The colour comes out just that little bit lighter and less brass or inian gold and looks much close almost the same as the gen colour, bear in mind each smelt RO do will have slight differences as ive noticed over the years with trying on gens in store, from the same age and from different years, so its imperfect. It is just that some of the clean models looked a little too yellow in certain lights but at the same time maybe that is because we all look for the flaw more than most!
Here is a side by side compare,
Pic 1 only the link was polished as a test
Pic 2 is same just a little closer
Pic 3 is the whole bracelet and bezel edges done with the first link as the reference
its a bit tricky getting the right light but the completed watch looks great in all lighting without that cheese hue to it.
Then lightly buff of with a microfibre and wash under warm water and soft soap as you would normally wash the bracelet.
The colour comes out just that little bit lighter and less brass or inian gold and looks much close almost the same as the gen colour, bear in mind each smelt RO do will have slight differences as ive noticed over the years with trying on gens in store, from the same age and from different years, so its imperfect. It is just that some of the clean models looked a little too yellow in certain lights but at the same time maybe that is because we all look for the flaw more than most!
Here is a side by side compare,
Pic 1 only the link was polished as a test
Pic 2 is same just a little closer
Pic 3 is the whole bracelet and bezel edges done with the first link as the reference
its a bit tricky getting the right light but the completed watch looks great in all lighting without that cheese hue to it.
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I've been meaning to share these photos for quite a while. In fact, I snapped them way back in October.
Here, I am comparing an RC Studio plated 126713 with a stock CF. In most photos, the plated watch is on the left side.
So how does it compare to stock? Well, there is definitely some difference. The stock CF is a lot more bronze in color than the plated watch.
But does it stack up to the gen? I have tried on a gen 126713 several times now at ADs, and my opinion is that even with the plating, the color isn't quite right in some lighting.
Whenever I see silvo photos, the pale hue is much closer go gen. My advice would be to save your money and use some silvo.
Here, I am comparing an RC Studio plated 126713 with a stock CF. In most photos, the plated watch is on the left side.
So how does it compare to stock? Well, there is definitely some difference. The stock CF is a lot more bronze in color than the plated watch.
But does it stack up to the gen? I have tried on a gen 126713 several times now at ADs, and my opinion is that even with the plating, the color isn't quite right in some lighting.
Whenever I see silvo photos, the pale hue is much closer go gen. My advice would be to save your money and use some silvo.
- 25/9/22
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Silvio is literally removing plating on the surface, if you want the watch to last don't do this. Silvio will make sure your watch plating won't even last 2 years.
Agree about the Clean gold color. Idk what they're doing but recent models have not been that close.
Agree about the Clean gold color. Idk what they're doing but recent models have not been that close.
- 13/9/15
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Yes it is taking a very small amount off the surface but very little in the grand scheme of things though its does depend on how how harsh you are though.
It's really only to adjust the colour on the models that might need it. Some I believe have a different colour to others so I guess its all down to who did the plating for the batch.
The Bezel and crown are not so noticeable, its mainly the center links on the bracelets of the two tones. It would look much worse on a full gold version but then they are much easier to get re plated too.
I dont think a gold plate watch of any style rep or gen will last indefinitely as far as the plating wearing off, and it does also depend on you too, some peops have quite sweaty and acidic skin which will speed up wear (if you where out the letter on keyboards you have that type of skin, or dont wash your hands!)
Also if wearing it in swimming pools they also depend on the PH levels of the water etc... there are lots of external factors that can speed up the wear factors for sure and its not just reps that will be effects its any plated item.
In the real/gen world many with gold versions will have a selection of watches with a stainless versions as the daily beaters to keep the gold model nice for special occasions anyway, which makes for a great opportunity to get 2 watches!
The polishing I have done is minimal and the watch is not used as a daily either. Be interested to see pics from some yr old gold models and see how they have faired.
- 25/9/22
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Depends on your environment. Here's my review of Clean Pikachu that didnt even last a year.
Gold Plating Durability 1 Year Review - Clean Factory 116518 "Pikachu" (Spoilers : I don't recommend it)
So I decided to make this post for gold plating durability. First of all, to clarify the environment and wearing condition. It is important to set the baseline, because it varies person to person : I am well versed in gold for replicas, I wear the watch once every 1-2 weeks, in total, i...
forum.replica-watch.info
- 13/9/15
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Yeah I guess Ive had the 126713 GRNR as a weekend treat sometimes down the boat or out with the dog and this is the one in the pictures I posted where i gave it a light tickle with the wadding to tone it down. It does sit in a watch box sometimes or just out on my office desk under a MF cloth and seems to have held up ok.Depends on your environment. Here's my review of Clean Pikachu that didnt even last a year.
Gold Plating Durability 1 Year Review - Clean Factory 116518 "Pikachu" (Spoilers : I don't recommend it)
So I decided to make this post for gold plating durability. First of all, to clarify the environment and wearing condition. It is important to set the baseline, because it varies person to person : I am well versed in gold for replicas, I wear the watch once every 1-2 weeks, in total, i...
I wonder if the plate on the two tone is over the initial stainless and perhaps the full gold models are over a different grade stainless perhaps. Never seen a full gold model n the flesh aside a cheapy Daydate Ive got and even that hasn't shown signs of wear (but it is just a house watch for a giggle)
Are the all gold models only plated externally or as they fully plated to mimic a gen?
Just had a look at that post and yeah that look quite bad almost as if it like the plate has delaminated, or as if its plate over and existing plate and the top surface hasn't bonded to the previous layer.
Ill tray and grab a pic of my super cheap day date that has not been polished, cleaned etc... It looks a little too yellow to me but not having anything else to compare with makes it difficult
Here you go a Cheap DHgate junker bought it to qualify for free shipping on some stuff for the boat!
It's pretty poor but I guess from a distance those not in the know might glance over and think its not from a cracker.
I'm probably being harsh its not that bad and in all fairness it keeps time quite well! and will take a shower without leaking too!
The gold whilst maybe a little too brassy has held up well considering its never been polished or cleaned, it will be a very cheap gold plate as gold plate is really not that expensive at all based on the gold content used.
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I have seen this brought up whenever silvo is mentioned, but I have yet to see anybody post a photo of their watch rubbing down to steel as a result. I guess time will tell, as it seems to be a "trick" that I see being mentioned and used more and more.
I love my rep 126713. I was considering the gen until I got this rep, but it isn't versatile enough (and a bit too flash) to be my first gen Rolex. Those polished gold center-links really draw attention!
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It not rubbing down to steel, it's stripping a layer of protection making it more prone to tarnishing and pitting!!!