I've been a really big participant in the gen watch forums since 2007. Always been interested mostly in technical aspects of watches, especially movements... really interested freesprung balance wheels, breguet overcoils, competition chronometers etc. but all with a student budget. Started off in the Seiko world, then really got into Japanese vintages, then Swiss vintages. This eventually allowed me to get some high end movements in my collection for dirt cheap. Movements like Omega 56x, Mido 917, Cyma 480, Seiko 52xx, JLC bumper winds, and so on have made it into my collection.
Before I learned of the rep forums, I always thought of it as people who didn't really care or know too much about quality, and just wanted a brand name on their watch. I thought that there are so many homages, and a variety of styles in less expensive brands, that what's the need for reps?? You guys proved me wrong though.
When I finally made it here, I was really impressed with some of the stuff you could get for a low price. Sapphire and domed acrylic crystals, interesting solid link bracelets, signed crowns, cool casebacks, a few Asian 2892 movements, and so on. Hard to get stuff with some of these features in say, the Seiko or the Swiss vintage world at the same price point. I do think reps could use more interesting movements, but then again, there's always room for mods
So I decided that my first priority would be to get the rep of the old 37mm VC Overseas with the numerals on the dial; alllllways wanted 1 of these! Instead, someone offered me 1 with the metal stick hour markers, so I took it. I STILL want the one with the military numeral dial, but this one is also growing on me! Here it is:
Beautiful textured dial, perfectly sized logo, amazingly shaped hour markers, bordered date.. the only thing I 'think' is different from the gen, is the lack of white border around where it says Vacheron Constantin Geneve, and possible the lack of accent on the e. Gorgeous nevertheless.
The caseback on this thing is absolutely unreal! This sold me. The detail is tremendous!!!
Fantastic screw-down crown. Look at this though, the logo aligns with the case, just like on the gen. They don't even have that kind of attention to detail on a lot of other gens.
The bracelet design was a masterpiece on this watch, and I'm surprised they managed to replicate it. The bracelet was 1 of the letdowns though. The little clasp thing doesn't hold down all the way too well, so will need modding. Also, the screws are soft as butter! I kind of wrecked a couple of them (I have extras from all the extra links, but I'm too scared to try replacing them given how soft they are).
The only other complaint I have is the sharp edges that are on the caseback and part of the buckle. I'd love to take off the caseback so I could see the movement, and file down sharp edges... but I'm scared of dealing with the screws!
Other than that, this has been a great starting point for me in the rep world. Still after this watch with the mil numeral dial though
Before I learned of the rep forums, I always thought of it as people who didn't really care or know too much about quality, and just wanted a brand name on their watch. I thought that there are so many homages, and a variety of styles in less expensive brands, that what's the need for reps?? You guys proved me wrong though.
When I finally made it here, I was really impressed with some of the stuff you could get for a low price. Sapphire and domed acrylic crystals, interesting solid link bracelets, signed crowns, cool casebacks, a few Asian 2892 movements, and so on. Hard to get stuff with some of these features in say, the Seiko or the Swiss vintage world at the same price point. I do think reps could use more interesting movements, but then again, there's always room for mods
So I decided that my first priority would be to get the rep of the old 37mm VC Overseas with the numerals on the dial; alllllways wanted 1 of these! Instead, someone offered me 1 with the metal stick hour markers, so I took it. I STILL want the one with the military numeral dial, but this one is also growing on me! Here it is:
Beautiful textured dial, perfectly sized logo, amazingly shaped hour markers, bordered date.. the only thing I 'think' is different from the gen, is the lack of white border around where it says Vacheron Constantin Geneve, and possible the lack of accent on the e. Gorgeous nevertheless.
The caseback on this thing is absolutely unreal! This sold me. The detail is tremendous!!!
Fantastic screw-down crown. Look at this though, the logo aligns with the case, just like on the gen. They don't even have that kind of attention to detail on a lot of other gens.
The bracelet design was a masterpiece on this watch, and I'm surprised they managed to replicate it. The bracelet was 1 of the letdowns though. The little clasp thing doesn't hold down all the way too well, so will need modding. Also, the screws are soft as butter! I kind of wrecked a couple of them (I have extras from all the extra links, but I'm too scared to try replacing them given how soft they are).
The only other complaint I have is the sharp edges that are on the caseback and part of the buckle. I'd love to take off the caseback so I could see the movement, and file down sharp edges... but I'm scared of dealing with the screws!
Other than that, this has been a great starting point for me in the rep world. Still after this watch with the mil numeral dial though
