rolex sky dweller - any good?

[monstaaa156]

Just wondering I know there a lot of good submariner VSF reps, but in terms of the sky dweller....seems to be less?

any advice on this

 

[dpd3672]

The movement is a lot more complicated than the simple 3 hand+date movement on the Submariner. There's also a lot less demand for the Sky Dweller than for a Sub. A Sub rep will work with pretty much any movement that will fit in the case, a Sky Dweller...to be accurate...would need a gen movement, or a rep movement that doesn't exist at the moment. As a result, there are some reps that look pretty good cosmetically, but nothing that has the correct functions of the gen.

If you can live with a watch that doesn't work like the gen (as many Daytona rep owners have done for years), there's some offerings. But no truly good reps exist at this time.

 

[monstaaa156]

The movement is a lot more complicated than the simple 3 hand+date movement on the Submariner. There's also a lot less demand for the Sky Dweller than for a Sub. A Sub rep will work with pretty much any movement that will fit in the case, a Sky Dweller...to be accurate...would need a gen movement, or a rep movement that doesn't exist at the moment. As a result, there are some reps that look pretty good cosmetically, but nothing that has the correct functions of the gen.

If you can live with a watch that doesn't work like the gen (as many Daytona rep owners have done for years), there's some offerings. But no truly good reps exist at this time.

thanks for this.

aside from the sub, what other models have the movements close to a gen?

 

[dpd3672]

thanks for this.

aside from the sub, what other models have the movements close to a gen?

It depends on how you define "close to a gen."

Most better reps use an Asian clone of a Seiko (usually NH35) or Citizen (usually 8200 series) or ETA movement (usually 2824 or 2836). These are proven to be very reliable movements, although the reps often use copies that can have QC issues.

The benefit is the design is good, parts are readily available, most watchmakers will work on them, and in the worst case scenario, you can swap in a new replacement for as little as $20. Some of these are decorated to look more like genuine movements with better finishing and gen branding on rotors and plates.

Some gens actually use modified movements made from the same base (for example, older Tudor Submariners used modified ETA 2824 movements, reps use nearly identical movements).

Many reps use these (or other) movements with further cosmetic modifications to look more like gen...lots of Omega reps do this. It sacrifices some reliability for cosmetics, but that's an acceptable compromise for many.

Some reps use a true cloned movement, where parts will even interchange with the gen...like many higher end Rolex reps. The 3XXX and 4XXX Rolex movements are a good example of this (Submariner, GMT, and Daytona reps, for example).

With reps, there are usually compromises made between price, quality, reliability, and cosmetics. For example, cheap rep Rolex Daytonas can come with very reliable, very cheap quartz movements, but the cosmetics are off quite a bit. Better ones come with an Asian 7750 movement, which works well in gen, but can give problems if you get a bad one...they're also a bit more expensive and a bit less accurate in dial aesthetics. Some 7750 movements are modified to be thinner, and to rearrange the subdials for more cosmetic accuracy, but at a cost of reliability. The best Rolex Daytona Reps use cloned movements of the gen 4130 for more cosmetic accuracy and reliability...but at a significant cost.

Based on what I assume are your reasons for asking, it's probably best to decide on the model you're interested in, then research feedback on what model and/or movement is advised. IMO, for a Submariner, the cosmetics of the movement aren't as important as the reliability, since it has a closed case back. For an Omega with a display case back, cosmetics get a bit more important. You have to find the sweet spot for your own tastes, budget, and needs. For some, a Canal street "shitter" is good enough. For others, it's a mid-tier replica. Some only want the best and newest and shiniest reps, and still others aren't happy until they have a Franken with mostly genuine parts.

 

[TESLA760]

Many of us have chimed in on this multiple times. Plenty of pictures as well so you can be the judge. A little bit of research goes a long way around here.

 

[monstaaa156]

The movement is a lot more complicated than the simple 3 hand+date movement on the Submariner. There's also a lot less demand for the Sky Dweller than for a Sub. A Sub rep will work with pretty much any movement that will fit in the case, a Sky Dweller...to be accurate...would need a gen movement, or a rep movement that doesn't exist at the moment. As a result, there are some reps that look pretty good cosmetically, but nothing that has the correct functions of the gen.

If you can live with a watch that doesn't work like the gen (as many Daytona rep owners have done for years), there's some offerings. But no truly good reps exist at this time.

thanks for this.

aside from the sub, what other models have the movements close to a gen?

It depends on how you define "close to a gen."

Most better reps use an Asian clone of a Seiko (usually NH35) or Citizen (usually 8200 series) or ETA movement (usually 2824 or 2836). These are proven to be very reliable movements, although the reps often use copies that can have QC issues.

The benefit is the design is good, parts are readily available, most watchmakers will work on them, and in the worst case scenario, you can swap in a new replacement for as little as $20. Some of these are decorated to look more like genuine movements with better finishing and gen branding on rotors and plates.

Some gens actually use modified movements made from the same base (for example, older Tudor Submariners used modified ETA 2824 movements, reps use nearly identical movements).

Many reps use these (or other) movements with further cosmetic modifications to look more like gen...lots of Omega reps do this. It sacrifices some reliability for cosmetics, but that's an acceptable compromise for many.

Some reps use a true cloned movement, where parts will even interchange with the gen...like many higher end Rolex reps. The 3XXX and 4XXX Rolex movements are a good example of this (Submariner, GMT, and Daytona reps, for example).

With reps, there are usually compromises made between price, quality, reliability, and cosmetics. For example, cheap rep Rolex Daytonas can come with very reliable, very cheap quartz movements, but the cosmetics are off quite a bit. Better ones come with an Asian 7750 movement, which works well in gen, but can give problems if you get a bad one...they're also a bit more expensive and a bit less accurate in dial aesthetics. Some 7750 movements are modified to be thinner, and to rearrange the subdials for more cosmetic accuracy, but at a cost of reliability. The best Rolex Daytona Reps use cloned movements of the gen 4130 for more cosmetic accuracy and reliability...but at a significant cost.

Based on what I assume are your reasons for asking, it's probably best to decide on the model you're interested in, then research feedback on what model and/or movement is advised. IMO, for a Submariner, the cosmetics of the movement aren't as important as the reliability, since it has a closed case back. For an Omega with a display case back, cosmetics get a bit more important. You have to find the sweet spot for your own tastes, budget, and needs. For some, a Canal street "shitter" is good enough. For others, it's a mid-tier replica. Some only want the best and newest and shiniest reps, and still others aren't happy until they have a Franken with mostly genuine parts.

got it! - thank you i appreciate the in-depth reply.

Looking at getting a rep sub next, but will defo do some researching into best movement // best cosmetic reps versions available.

The high end rep world seems to be much more complex and well thought out than I originally thought. Really amazing

Which is your model/watch of choice currently?

 

[dpd3672]

thanks for this.

aside from the sub, what other models have the movements close to a gen?

got it! - thank you i appreciate the in-depth reply.

Looking at getting a rep sub next, but will defo do some researching into best movement // best cosmetic reps versions available.

The high end rep world seems to be much more complex and well thought out than I originally thought. Really amazing

Which is your model/watch of choice currently?

Currently, I'm at work, sporting a gen Omega Seamaster chrono from the 70s (basically, a Speedmaster with a different model on the dial), but finding myself more and more buying, building, and wearing vintage reps and gens.

This hobby is like a black hole...once the gravity gets you, it just sucks you deeper and deeper, lol.

 

[KJ2020]

Noob made an acceptable Skydweller rep

New Release: Noob Skydweller

Just noticed this new release by noob of the Sky Dweller. According to the description you can change the month indicator with the bezel which is a nifty feature, unfortunately not gen in any means... i like it from first glance, dwo seems thin...

forum.replica-watch.info

There is also a new ZF model out recently with a clone 2824 that looks decent.

 

[TESLA760]

Noob made an acceptable Skydweller rep

New Release: Noob Skydweller

Just noticed this new release by noob of the Sky Dweller. According to the description you can change the month indicator with the bezel which is a nifty feature, unfortunately not gen in any means... i like it from first glance, dwo seems thin...

forum.replica-watch.info

There is also a new ZF model out recently with a clone 2824 that looks decent.

Wonder if they will make the green dial. I saw it in person last week and that color is absolutely gorgeous

 

[monstaaa156]

@dpd3672 do you happen to know if the clean factory yatch master is any good movement wise?

 

[dpd3672]

@dpd3672 do you happen to know if the clean factory yatch master is any good movement wise?

Not as knowledgeable about movements as many others here, but generally speaking, CF uses good quality movements.

 

[Hec]

I have always liked this watch, I understand the complexity of the movement for the replica although I am seeing some that look very good.

Is anyone planning to order one?

 

[monstaaa156]

I have always liked this watch, I understand the complexity of the movement for the replica although I am seeing some that look very good.

Is anyone planning to order one?

let me know if u find anyone with one :0)

 

[Martycus]

I have the ZF and prior to that, the Noob which has been sold. The ZF, IMO, feels much better over the Noob - bezel action is tight and not loose, date change can be done via quick set, advanced hourly as well as full 24-hour wind.

@hurk @TESLA760 -- difficult to tell in the pictures but the green is slightly muted and not bright like the Hulks or the AP 15720 divers.

 

[monstaaa156]

I have the ZF and prior to that, the Noob which has been sold. The ZF, IMO, feels much better over the Noob - bezel action is tight and not loose, date change can be done via quick set, advanced hourly as well as full 24-hour wind.

@hurk @TESLA760 -- difficult to tell in the pictures but the green is slightly muted and not bright like the Hulks or the AP 15720 divers.

they always seem to get the green a touch off unless its the subs

 

[Jnkay1]

I concur with Martycus. It’s a good-looking rep with the most interesting and unique dial of any Rolex IMHO.