I have seen a lot of question about this one lately and not many people seem to have a lot of answers. So in taking one for the team; here is a brand spanking new Date Just II, size 41 mm, for your viewing pleasure followed by what it looks like when torn down.
I think you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was with the quality of this right out of the box! I purchased this particular specimen from Timesshop.
Queue the intro from 2001 a Space Odyssey...
I was afraid that the blue dial wouldn't have a lot of impact because the images of it online were a bit faded. Well, you be the judge but I think it looks terrific!
The rehaut has engraving, and to my surprise it aligns with the markers! Bonus :thumbsup:
R's align on the left side markers while X's align on the right..
V Series Serial ( engraved on rehaut and between lugs)
The Crown
Lume shot: Lume is eh... well, rep lume. Good not great. I will replace it when my superluminova comes in. I can not confirm this as of yet but I hear that the stick markers should be blue and the hands green. The Arabic Dial is this way on the Gen.
The Clasp:
The clasp has an extension that folds out to give you a bit more length. Un-snapping it reveals a spring bar that allows you to adjust it further via holes drilled on the insde of the clasp.
Pull the bracelet back to un-snap the half link...
Now the bracelet can extend out a bit more revealing the hidden spring bar. If further adjustment is necessary fit can be fine-tuned by moving the spring bar end to the additional holes pictured.
Clasp engraving:
Ok, so it isn't 18Kt... Just ignore the 750. Besides, if you have this in all stainless how can anyone tell just by looking, right? White gold looks the same when polished...
SEL engraving:
Serial between lugs at 6 o'clock:
Model number between lugs at 12 o'clock:
Let's peak inside. This watch is on the RWI special list. It ships with an ETA Clone 2836-2. I ordered two of these. One appears to have a genuine ETA in it, or at least has Gen ETA parts.
Note the nicely finished spacer ring. The dial attaches to this as it is larger than a standard dial. The spacer ring is held to the movement via two screws and the ring itself clamps to the case with two screws and clamping tabs. The dial feet (you can see one at about 10 o'clock) have small screws that come in from the outer edge of the spacer ring to hold the dial firmly in place.
The Rotor:
The Wheels:
Regulator (adjuster):
See the single divot on the perimeter of the jewel? (Indicates that this is a clone movement.) The genuine ETA will have three of these at 120 degrees apart. Also notice teh spring loops (the gold thingy), The are more pointed on an ETA 2836-2. Clones have a more rounded point.
Rough stampings are also found on the clones. Genuine will have much sharper engraving and logo.
After a slight adjustment it was keeping good time:
OK, now for the fun part...
Here is the case disassembled:
Look inside the crown... is that silicone grease??? It came that way! The tube gasket was greased too.
The nekkid Case.
The construction is nice. The Crystal retainer is easy to align and presses down over the flange (rehaut).
The Fluted Bezel:
The back side of the Bezel:
The Crystal retaining ring has a nylon gasket on the inside with the crystal attached.
Inside view...the visible portion of the gasket presses down over the rehaut until the retaining ring is flush with the case.
Crystal centered and aligned. I use the stem and crown to align the cyclops from the top and side. Once aligned simply place it in the press.
Crystal pressed:
Placing the bezel gasket on the base of the retaining ring; the Fluted Bezel will press on over this gasket.
Nylon gasket in position.
Pressing the Bezel:
And Done! I tested this case to 12 ATM or 120 Meters which 20% over rating of the genuine Date Just which is 100 meters and it passed without issue. I left it in the tank at pressure for an hour and all I did was grease all the seals before testing.
Conclusion:
It is a great looking watch with great construction. The SEL fit is right and tight. It feels really good on the wrist and I love the larger case and dial. It's great for those with larger frames as the 36mm DJ was always a little anemic IMO. I pulled the bezel off the second one I have and will make a mold to cast some in 18kt gold, just for fun. It would be nice to have a two tone version of this watch me thinks. This is the perfect dress watch, I tried to wear it the other day while in shorts and a t-shirt and it just didn't look right...I felt unworthy! :facepalm:
Given the bang you get for your buck with this watch how can anyone not own one of these? And who cares if the case and bracelet have 18kt stampings...who is gonna know?
-DA
I think you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was with the quality of this right out of the box! I purchased this particular specimen from Timesshop.
Queue the intro from 2001 a Space Odyssey...
I was afraid that the blue dial wouldn't have a lot of impact because the images of it online were a bit faded. Well, you be the judge but I think it looks terrific!
The rehaut has engraving, and to my surprise it aligns with the markers! Bonus :thumbsup:
R's align on the left side markers while X's align on the right..
V Series Serial ( engraved on rehaut and between lugs)
The Crown
Lume shot: Lume is eh... well, rep lume. Good not great. I will replace it when my superluminova comes in. I can not confirm this as of yet but I hear that the stick markers should be blue and the hands green. The Arabic Dial is this way on the Gen.
The Clasp:
The clasp has an extension that folds out to give you a bit more length. Un-snapping it reveals a spring bar that allows you to adjust it further via holes drilled on the insde of the clasp.
Pull the bracelet back to un-snap the half link...
Now the bracelet can extend out a bit more revealing the hidden spring bar. If further adjustment is necessary fit can be fine-tuned by moving the spring bar end to the additional holes pictured.
Clasp engraving:
Ok, so it isn't 18Kt... Just ignore the 750. Besides, if you have this in all stainless how can anyone tell just by looking, right? White gold looks the same when polished...
SEL engraving:
Serial between lugs at 6 o'clock:
Model number between lugs at 12 o'clock:
Let's peak inside. This watch is on the RWI special list. It ships with an ETA Clone 2836-2. I ordered two of these. One appears to have a genuine ETA in it, or at least has Gen ETA parts.
Note the nicely finished spacer ring. The dial attaches to this as it is larger than a standard dial. The spacer ring is held to the movement via two screws and the ring itself clamps to the case with two screws and clamping tabs. The dial feet (you can see one at about 10 o'clock) have small screws that come in from the outer edge of the spacer ring to hold the dial firmly in place.
The Rotor:
The Wheels:
Regulator (adjuster):
See the single divot on the perimeter of the jewel? (Indicates that this is a clone movement.) The genuine ETA will have three of these at 120 degrees apart. Also notice teh spring loops (the gold thingy), The are more pointed on an ETA 2836-2. Clones have a more rounded point.
Rough stampings are also found on the clones. Genuine will have much sharper engraving and logo.
After a slight adjustment it was keeping good time:
OK, now for the fun part...
Here is the case disassembled:
Look inside the crown... is that silicone grease??? It came that way! The tube gasket was greased too.
The nekkid Case.
The construction is nice. The Crystal retainer is easy to align and presses down over the flange (rehaut).
The Fluted Bezel:
The back side of the Bezel:
The Crystal retaining ring has a nylon gasket on the inside with the crystal attached.
Inside view...the visible portion of the gasket presses down over the rehaut until the retaining ring is flush with the case.
Crystal centered and aligned. I use the stem and crown to align the cyclops from the top and side. Once aligned simply place it in the press.
Crystal pressed:
Placing the bezel gasket on the base of the retaining ring; the Fluted Bezel will press on over this gasket.
Nylon gasket in position.
Pressing the Bezel:
And Done! I tested this case to 12 ATM or 120 Meters which 20% over rating of the genuine Date Just which is 100 meters and it passed without issue. I left it in the tank at pressure for an hour and all I did was grease all the seals before testing.
Conclusion:
It is a great looking watch with great construction. The SEL fit is right and tight. It feels really good on the wrist and I love the larger case and dial. It's great for those with larger frames as the 36mm DJ was always a little anemic IMO. I pulled the bezel off the second one I have and will make a mold to cast some in 18kt gold, just for fun. It would be nice to have a two tone version of this watch me thinks. This is the perfect dress watch, I tried to wear it the other day while in shorts and a t-shirt and it just didn't look right...I felt unworthy! :facepalm:
Given the bang you get for your buck with this watch how can anyone not own one of these? And who cares if the case and bracelet have 18kt stampings...who is gonna know?
-DA
