Installed a used gen insert (note scratch at 3rd tic) and sanded crown guards. The bottom one needs a little work still :roll:
Next week "Noob" dial.
- Chris
My Latest Acquisition:
Ok, so I was moderately skeptical regarding WM9’s “new†Z series sub. I read may post comparing him/her? To the likes of the so called perfect Swiss A+, Swiss Grade A, Grade A+A+A+ or what ever they claim. I was still intrigued, but in no way was going to spend the now $579.00 asking price. So back in April I posted a thread entitled “anyone tired of their WM9 submariner†on their web site. I received a few enquiries, but they were for the “special VIP addition†which from what I can tell is the “noob†along with the same FXXXX serial number. Then in late May, I was contacted by an owner of the new “Z†series with the new bezel design. He admitted that he was happy with the watch, but in the end was not a Submariner fan. We traded emails and photos and agreed on a price. I am not embarrassed or ashamed to tell you that I paid $370.00. This included PayPal fees and certified shipping from the UK.
My Impressions:
I am not a Rolex guru; I’ll save that title for the likes BK1234 and ByTor and the others whom I greatly respect. I am however, someone that has owned several Sub reps including VIPmariner gen one and two, TTK’s Noob and Andrew’s perfect sub circa 2005 which I believe to be TW Best. So with that said here we go.
Rehaut Depth: From what I can tell in comparing pictures of the gen, this is damn near spot on and was one of the major factors for my purpose. Every owner has their pet peeves’ and for me it is rehaut depth.
The VIPs’ were too wocky and the Noob although better, was too shallow. My TW Best was better, but not good enough. There has been some speculation that the case is based on either a MBK or the TW Best. I believe it’s the latter. The bottom of the crown guards have the tell tell swoop just like my TW Best.
I believe the rehaut depth has been achieved as a result of positioning the movement further back. I have not opened the watch up yet to confirm. The crown tube is further back and is slightly protruding past the bottom of the case.
Also, the date, although appears to be about the right magnification, seams to be further back in the Cyclops as if the movement is set further back from the dial. I will confirm this weekend when I open it up.
Dial: The dial sports the classic “flat S†as do all other WM9’s I have seen. Honestly I do not notice it unless I take a macro shot of it or look at it through a loop. In any event, it is disguisable when on the wrist. Dial print is crisp and clean.
Crystal: The crystal is supposed to be 1:1 and interchangeable with the gen. It does not reflect the time indices like the TW do and the rehaut appears to have a Gen like thickness. As it is now, it has the overly emphasized etch crown at 6:00.
Bezel and Bezel Insert: The insert already sits below the bezel. Font on the printing looks a little fat. The pearl is………………well Iyou know.
Crown Guards: Typical rep., however better than my others were before modifying.
Band: Incorrect solid mid link. I immediately swapped it with the band from my Noob.
In my opinion, I received and excellent watch for the same cost of a unmoded MBK.
Now for the fun stuff:
Proposed Changes:
• Swap the crystal with a Clark replacement I picked up on eBay. I bought it because it does not have the etched crown at the 6:00 position. My feeling is that the gen is all but unnoticeable. If some has my watch in their hand and they are trying to see the crown, at that point there are a million other discrepancies that scream rep. Besides, my budget can not afford a gen.
• Crown guards. That’s a given.
• Gen bezel insert that I picked up somewhere down the road.
• I have a “Noob†dial, but I am not sure if I am going to swap it. I don’t think the dial is that bad? Again, if someone is looking at it that closely, then they will be able to spot that it is a rep (my 2 cents anyway)
Any way I hope you appreciate the review. Only you can decide if the WM9 is right for you and I am in no way promoting their product. These are my personal feelings. I am 100% satisfied with my purchase. With Father’s Day this Sunday, I hope to have some “me tim†and will try to carry out all the mods. We will see. I will update with pics when complete.
-Chris
Next week "Noob" dial.
- Chris
My Latest Acquisition:
Ok, so I was moderately skeptical regarding WM9’s “new†Z series sub. I read may post comparing him/her? To the likes of the so called perfect Swiss A+, Swiss Grade A, Grade A+A+A+ or what ever they claim. I was still intrigued, but in no way was going to spend the now $579.00 asking price. So back in April I posted a thread entitled “anyone tired of their WM9 submariner†on their web site. I received a few enquiries, but they were for the “special VIP addition†which from what I can tell is the “noob†along with the same FXXXX serial number. Then in late May, I was contacted by an owner of the new “Z†series with the new bezel design. He admitted that he was happy with the watch, but in the end was not a Submariner fan. We traded emails and photos and agreed on a price. I am not embarrassed or ashamed to tell you that I paid $370.00. This included PayPal fees and certified shipping from the UK.
My Impressions:
I am not a Rolex guru; I’ll save that title for the likes BK1234 and ByTor and the others whom I greatly respect. I am however, someone that has owned several Sub reps including VIPmariner gen one and two, TTK’s Noob and Andrew’s perfect sub circa 2005 which I believe to be TW Best. So with that said here we go.
Rehaut Depth: From what I can tell in comparing pictures of the gen, this is damn near spot on and was one of the major factors for my purpose. Every owner has their pet peeves’ and for me it is rehaut depth.
The VIPs’ were too wocky and the Noob although better, was too shallow. My TW Best was better, but not good enough. There has been some speculation that the case is based on either a MBK or the TW Best. I believe it’s the latter. The bottom of the crown guards have the tell tell swoop just like my TW Best.
I believe the rehaut depth has been achieved as a result of positioning the movement further back. I have not opened the watch up yet to confirm. The crown tube is further back and is slightly protruding past the bottom of the case.
Also, the date, although appears to be about the right magnification, seams to be further back in the Cyclops as if the movement is set further back from the dial. I will confirm this weekend when I open it up.
Dial: The dial sports the classic “flat S†as do all other WM9’s I have seen. Honestly I do not notice it unless I take a macro shot of it or look at it through a loop. In any event, it is disguisable when on the wrist. Dial print is crisp and clean.
Crystal: The crystal is supposed to be 1:1 and interchangeable with the gen. It does not reflect the time indices like the TW do and the rehaut appears to have a Gen like thickness. As it is now, it has the overly emphasized etch crown at 6:00.
Bezel and Bezel Insert: The insert already sits below the bezel. Font on the printing looks a little fat. The pearl is………………well Iyou know.
Crown Guards: Typical rep., however better than my others were before modifying.
Band: Incorrect solid mid link. I immediately swapped it with the band from my Noob.
In my opinion, I received and excellent watch for the same cost of a unmoded MBK.
Now for the fun stuff:
Proposed Changes:
• Swap the crystal with a Clark replacement I picked up on eBay. I bought it because it does not have the etched crown at the 6:00 position. My feeling is that the gen is all but unnoticeable. If some has my watch in their hand and they are trying to see the crown, at that point there are a million other discrepancies that scream rep. Besides, my budget can not afford a gen.
• Crown guards. That’s a given.
• Gen bezel insert that I picked up somewhere down the road.
• I have a “Noob†dial, but I am not sure if I am going to swap it. I don’t think the dial is that bad? Again, if someone is looking at it that closely, then they will be able to spot that it is a rep (my 2 cents anyway)
Any way I hope you appreciate the review. Only you can decide if the WM9 is right for you and I am in no way promoting their product. These are my personal feelings. I am 100% satisfied with my purchase. With Father’s Day this Sunday, I hope to have some “me tim†and will try to carry out all the mods. We will see. I will update with pics when complete.
-Chris
