My new Bluesy

[TheBigJS]

I picked up this yesterday, it not here yet but I have a couple of thoughts/queries.

The main reason for the ask is despite the fact this is at least 3rd hand the bracelet has never even been unwrapped so it strikes me replanting it is a good place to start improving the watch with a view to going down the frankin route.

But some people are saying the VSF gold plating on the bracelet "bleeds" and that cannot be fixed, even with replating what does this even mean?
Apart from that I think the VSF is considered the best of the reps so if I was considering improving it would a Clean (or even a gen ) bracelet be the route rather than replating a bracelet that probably can't be fixed.

So I'm thinking I should just unwrap the bracelet, wear the watch and if I don't like either the finish or (quite possibly) the fact it's blingy gold take the small hit on it's value and pass it on. Or then if I do like it, take it from there, not worrying I may have used the bracelet and made it unplateable cause it always was.

Opinions from those wiser than me appreciated.

 

[wubsub]

too much hassle to plate it especially if theres bleed ... wear it, if it gets too scuffed up consider replacing with a clean one for $158... i dont see the point upgrading to a gen one for 2.5-3.5k...

 

[TheBigJS]

So. Got this now. Can anyone explain to me what bleeding is on the gold plate and why is the VFS bracelet not rated well. It looks perfect to my crappy old eyes.

 

[TheBigJS]

Also, I note that with the gold center the maxi case "heft" all but vanishes.



That's the new 41mm 12xxxx shape with the wider bracelet on the left.

But in pure steel the 11xxxx look like huge blocks of metal.



In fact. Looking at that pic. Is this bluesy Maxi case?

Surely there's the earlier 5 figure Subs, then the 11xxxx models are the maxi case, then the 12xxxx are the 41mm body and the 22mm endlinks?

 

[McDuck888]

So it does. I'm glad you're a fan of the new watch! Looks fab

 

[TheBigJS]

It does look amazing. But it's also next level ballsy to try to pull off (if we're claiming to be wearing the gen).
Some people don't even notice a steel sub with a black dial.
But gold with a sunburst blue dial? It pops from across the room!
Gold on a man stands out a mile off anyway.

Funny. We'll see. Maybe I'll love it, maybe not but I'm going out in town. Mid summer on a red hot day, nice tailored shorts, Ralphy polo shirt and this. Looking fucking loaded!

 

[serumdiesel]

I have the same watch and love it. I did get mine plated, though. Sans that, I've been reading some talk around these parts about how using a silvo polishing cloth on VSF gold will improve the color. Not sure if it's worth a try or not -- that's for you to decide if you even care.

Regardless, enjoy the watch. Cheers.

 

[eldarium]

I've hesitated when I bought my VSF two-tone LN, with this bluesy in 41mm but as you said, I don't think I could pull it off, it's already hard with the LN, but man, it's just a beautiful piece.
Nice catch, anyway !

 

[TheBigJS]

Wore it out in the local (ish) town last night, it's the nearest place that has half decent nightlife, and my friend owns a bar there so I know for sure I'll have at least one person to talk to (they only open Fri,Sat,Sun eve and he's always there and never really working).
Got two comments. One from the same pretty barmaid I saw check out the Tudor (so she has some level of interest) "lovely watch" and one from a large probably steroid taking bloke about 35 or so y/o with a two tone Tag (I think) "fuck me, that is fucking gorgeous"

 

[TheBigJS]

Before and after Silvo

 

[serumdiesel]

Before and after Silvo

That is fucking nuts.

What the shit is VSF putting on the surface there???

 

[Pinion Minion]

Before and after Silvo

Good gravy that's impressive.

 

[TheBigJS]

obv the top pic is as it looked after being worn a bit
but it really has changed, you can see from the face and the crown still looking the same
that pic is the same location (note the hair on the sofa!), at night, same room lighting, same camera, about 15 mins (if that) apart.
It is notably nearer the soft gold colour 18k gold should be.

For £8 and about 10 mins I'm more than happy.

 

[wubsub]

nice, but time will tell how long that plating coat is durable for

 

[Geonor]

obv the top pic is as it looked after being worn a bit
but it really has changed, you can see from the face and the crown still looking the same
that pic is the same location (note the hair on the sofa!), at night, same room lighting, same camera, about 15 mins (if that) apart.
It is notably nearer the soft gold colour 18k gold should be.

For £8 and about 10 mins I'm more than happy.

I'm amazed every time I see this silvo trick on VSF gold and it always looks unbelievable. This is as you said at night with the same indoor lighting, that's crazy improvement.

 

[TheBigJS]

nice, but time will tell how long that plating coat is durable for

Yeah, I realise that's a potential issue, after all it is just plated. The (ex) Mrs has loads of cheap "gold" jewellery that has worn through.
I don't think they can ever be daily wearers like the Cermit is (for me), every time you feel the clasp touch something you know you're doing damage.
Then again if that was a solid gold Rolex coronet on the clasp the same would be true of it then. 18k gold does not wear like 904L stainless steel.
It's a posey Saturday out in town in summer watch really.
But it looks a little nearer the real deal now.
Time will tell if it returns to it's somewhat orange colour or if the Silvo has removed something and that is the colour of the plating underneath.
Cause it definitely did remove something, the cloth I used to polish the Silvo off is black, that's metal being removed along with the polish.
I'd not polish it again with anything abrasive if I can avoid it cause obv the plating is thin.

So, if any RWI supporter (or higher ofc) wants a couple of sq cm of Silvo wadding, PM me your address and I'll drop you a bit wrapped in clingfilm, no charge, I can run to a stamp, it's all you need!

 

[McDuck888]

Looks grand.

 

[TheBigJS]

Just a follow up report on the VSF "gold" issue, this is three weeks later, I've worn the watch out and about probably 5 or 6 times, it's not been "polished" again with anything more than the dry bottom of my teeshirt.
So the Silvo definitely removed something cause it's still night and day from what it was, maybe lost a little of it's sliver Silvo colour (look at the steel as well, that's notable lighter in the original before and after pics ****edit, maybe not, maybe just the difference between my phone and the laptop****) but still looks pretty good IMHO.


You still wouldn't say that was a nasty dull orange VSF "gold" bracelet.
Obv when I bump into someone in a real two tone Rolex I'll do a comparison photo!
Actually I do know someone (at a place I do some work at) who's brother has a 2 tone GMT (or maybe he has a replica, who knows?), he's HELD this watch and obv at some time his brothers and he didn't question it. I'm the external IT contractor there and I play golf with the owner of the firm so as far as he's concerned I'm fucking loaded.