Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS2 HeLp...

[nycreplica]

I'm about to pull the trigger and purchase my first rep. I was doing a long and extensive research of dealers, and I found a few dealers that appear to be the most recommended in this and other forums.

The watch that I plan to purchase:
Leather Strap: http://www.hontwatch.com/productdetails_101
Rubber Strap: http://www.marvellousreplica.com/Product_Detail.aspx?ProductID=201008292353

Few questions that I have, and hopefully you will be able to help me:

1. I'm surrounded with people that own and know a lot about watches, is this rep very close to the gen? Do you know what the differences are?

2. How do I know the quality difference between dealers? Do they make them all in the same factory?

3. What is the usual life expectancy of reps?

4. Can I purchase a gen leather strap and attach to the rep?

5. What are the top watches that are so close to gens that nobody can tell the difference (unless you open it)?

Thank you so much for your time!

 

[shandroid]

nyce, go away and ask yourself why you're here. The answer to that question will be the footing for either a very enjoyable new hobby, or an array of extremely embarrassing situations involving red-faced explanations and excuses....

Be careful my brother....

In any case, there are obviously some reps that are very close to 1:1 and others that are fantasy models or just bad replications... The Grand Carrera 17 & 36 are not in the first (1:1) category. If your friends know watches, you'll get called out before long, and it will be embarrassing if you're trying to pull it off as gen - and by the sound of your first post, that's your intention.

All of your questions could be answered by having a look around the forum and doing some research, but I'm not opposed to a noob asking questions. So here are some answers;

1 - rep is thicker than gen. Sunken datewheel. White lettering on caseback to name a few

2 - Generally no, there are different factories. You know the difference by researching the watch you are looking at. However, most 7750 GC's i've seen have been of similar (good) quality

3 - Varies... weeks to years, depending on movement and how you maintain your watch. For A7750 movements, I'd recommend a service straight up. Or, look for reps with Swiss ETA movements from the factory keeping in mind that these movements will often respond well to a service also.

4 - Of course

5 - Ugh - a hard one to answer. there are quite a few super-reps out there. Check in the different Manufacturer sub-forums for a thread ([usually by by-tor) on the best out of the box reps available of that particular manufacturer. It really depends what you want to spend as there are number of modders that can build you a custome watch that is almost indistinguishable from the gen!

Good luck....

 

[ugoderosa]

+1 on shannon's points.

Also, keep in mind that it costs a bit more to service the 7750 Grand Carrera, than your typical 7750 watch. The reason for this is that modifications had to be made to the 7750 for the Grand Carrera, making it a more complex, and thus more expensive movement to service.


It is not a 1:1 rep (no rep is, they all have flaws), but it is real nice.

 

[shandroid]

It is not a 1:1 rep (no rep is, they all have flaws), but it is real nice.

Absolutely agreed!!!! I didn't mention it in my first post, but usually do when talking about GC reps.... They may not be 1:1 - not even close really - but they are BEAUTIFUL watches in their own right and the build quality on all the reps that I've seen has been fantastic...

 

[I am Sam]

I would suggest you take deep breath and look at the issues related to this watch (my favorite) and 7750 movement, there are handful of lucky individuals who are enjoying the movements without servicing or repair, rest have either sold or returned the merch with dead movement. Some may argue that you need to service right away which I don't dispute but when the movement is dead even after that, that's where my concern grows. Hope you understand!

 

[shandroid]

I would suggest you take deep breath and look at the issues related to this watch (my favorite) and 7750 movement, there are handful of lucky individuals who are enjoying the movements without servicing or repair, rest have either sold or returned the merch with dead movement. Some may argue that you need to service right away which I don't dispute but when the movement is dead even after that, that's where my concern grows. Hope you understand!

This could be said for any a7750 powered watch though... My advice to anyone is to stock up on some spare movements for backup and parts...

 

[ugoderosa]

One of the trusted watchsmiths here on RWI charges $225 to service the 7750 Grand Carrera, so budget acccordingly. But again, this is a beautiful watch.

Myself, I was just about to pull the trigger on the 7750 version, but then did just a bit more research and I realized that this watch is really a $600+ investment once you considered the needed servicing. Not a problem per se, as 7750's need servicing as shannon mentioned.

I ended up buying a couple higher end quartz GC models, which are not quite as accurate, but still look pretty "decent" on the wrist, but not great. I think the higher end Cal.17 quartz looks a bit better than the higher end Cal.36 quartz, due only to the finishing on the silver bits on the dial.

You have to be careful though if you go the quartz route. The less expensive quartz GC's look absolutely dreadful!!!

 

[nycreplica]

I really want to buy this watch. I'm just wondering if it has any easy tells or any tells you can help me with. Thanks!

 

[shandroid]

I really want to buy this watch. I'm just wondering if it has any easy tells or any tells you can help me with. Thanks!

:facepalm:

Did you bother reading the thread....?

 

[nycreplica]

Yes I did. It appears that this specific model is not a super-rep but I love the watch so much so, so I probably will compromise on some minor tells, not sure what they are

 

[levelmanroger]

Ok. Here are the minor flaws you'll have to live with:
The case is too thick, the datewheel is sunken, the date font on some is wrong, the AR is way off from gen, the caseback lettering is wrong, and the watch may be dead a week after you buy it.
Other than that, you're good to go!

 

[shandroid]

Post # 2

1 - rep is thicker than gen. Sunken datewheel. White lettering on caseback to name a few

 

[nycreplica]

I guess I can live with that, since nobody I know owns this watch, so it'll be incomparable

Sorry for my ignorance:

1 What happen if the watch dies on me after a couple of months or years, who will be able to replace the movement in the US? Any ballpark $ figures?

2 When I purchase a rep what is the best movement I can find under $500?

Thanks.

 

[shandroid]

You will be doing well to buy a 7750 version and service for that money.

Lay is a much loved dealer around here... This is his offering,

http://www.replicamake.com/product_info.php?cPath=131_266&products_id=1310

A service is going to cost you somewhere in the vicinity of $200... And both the purchase price and service price exclude postage, so factor that also...

Personally, I'd go with Tony on this one though, given the price difference. He's not a trusted dealer here, but I'd definitely recommend him to anyone.

http://www.asian7750.com/cn/product_show.asp?big_pid=&ps_id=92&P_id=1032&ti=

Or on rubber;

http://www.asian7750.com/cn/product_show.asp?big_pid=&ps_id=92&P_id=1844&ti=

Are you set on the RS2? Because, this model is mor accurate to gen, and less glary, so less chance of being called out IMO...Also has one less tell as the lettering on the case back is correct. I'm not aware of AR problems with this model as the gen is bluish also, but I could be wrong...

http://www.asian7750.com/cn/product_show.asp?big_pid=&ps_id=92&P_id=325&ti=

 

[slimslim]

if you service it as soon as you get it- it will be reliable. it's not cheap 200-400usd. but if you want a 7750 to last it's a must. you may want to talk to a watchsmith before you buy. so you know what you are getting into.

 

[ovidiu71]

what exactly does a servicing do? I have about 40 reps and 20 gens, about 25 a7750 and had very few problems with only 2 being repaired and serviced his amountfor way less than this amount.

 

[slimslim]

it's a teardown/rebuild by an experienced tec. you don't have to do it. if you have confidence in the movement; save your money

are they swiss 7750's or asian btw?

 

[nycreplica]

if you service it as soon as you get it- it will be reliable. it's not cheap 200-400usd. but if you want a 7750 to last it's a must. you may want to talk to a watchsmith before you buy. so you know what you are getting into.

What will happen if i'll not service the watch and it dies in two years? How much will it cost me to replace the 7750 movement?

What is the 7750 movement life expectancy if I don't service it?

Thanks.

 

[ugoderosa]

You could roll the dice, not service it, and just deal with it if it breaks down (buy a replacement 7750, or service it). The 7750 will not cost a bunch to buy new, but you will have to pay a watchsmith to swap out the movements and those combined costs will add up.

There is no way to predict the life span of any particular movement. It might last you 1 day, it might last 10 years. The quality control on these movements vary wildly. Some are not lubricated at all and are very dirty when they are "new". These are assembled in less than ideal conditions and it is all about profit. It is purely luck of the draw what shape your 7750 will be in when you receive it.

My first rep, a Panerai, I bought in December of 2003. It is a 21J. Never serviced it. It still runs, but you have to wind it manually. I am sure it is going to die any day now. Of course, the 21J is a much, much simpler movement than the 7750. I have my 7750's serviced. I don't have my 21J's, 6497's or Seagull Autos serviced (I will wait until they fail, then replace or service the movement on those), but it is all up to you.

 

[Chrissej]

Here is my gen rs2, biggest tell imho is the case finnish, to glosy on the rep....