"The "Wrapped" Gold Sub Guide"

[2470f2.8ii]

Thanks so much for your work man.

This really shows that the whole "wrapping" business is a big sham I wouldn't put too much hope into any progress so I think it is much better to buy the regular plated versions plus a gold plating setup a la @Thehitman

BTW I really adore your franken it is the most beautiful build I have seen so far! If you ever consider selling it, let me know

No problem, I was looking for this thread when I was deciding to buy mine. At least now we've got some concrete evidence. Those pesky salesmen over in China :evil:

Thank you for the compliment on my watch. It was put together by @Rick914 - he did an absolute stellar job. Genuine Rolex bezel, crystal and crown.

I'll let you know if I ever do decide to sell but it's probably going to be with me for a very, very long time. I love this watch! Cheers!

 

[Versaceboy54]

First off thanks for doing this bro. Unfortunate news indeed.

I know I said it before but I’m going to say it again because now more then ever I believe this statement to be the truth.

What ever the materials and process they are using for the “Wrapped” versions. I can tell you first hand is different then the standard plated versions of the same watches bc I had both to compare side by side. The texture and color of the links are completely different and more accurate to gen for the “Wrapped” versions.

Their for you should only buy these “wrapped” versions if extremely accurate gold color is what you are after and forget about gold content completely.

Yes these are extremely expensive. You just have to be willing to pay a premium if accurate gold color is what you are after and Some people will but most wont and that’s ok. Who knows maybe in time prices will come down a bit now that the truth is out but I doubt it lol!


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[d4m.test]

Well it would be too nice if it was real gold in it.
I was also thinking about buying the gold wrapped daytona for 1400$ but if there is no gold in it i guess i will not buy it


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[2470f2.8ii]

First off thanks for doing this bro. Unfortunate news indeed.

I know I said it before but I’m going to say it again because now more then ever I believe this statement to be the truth.

What ever the materials and process they are using for the “Wrapped” versions. I can tell you first hand is different then the standard plated versions of the same watches bc I had both to compare side by side. The texture and color of the links are completely different and more accurate to gen for the “Wrapped” versions.

Their for you should only buy these “wrapped” versions if extremely accurate gold color is what you are after and forget about gold content completely.

Yes these are extremely expensive and you have to be willing to pay a premium if accurate gold color is what you are after, Some people will but most wont and that’s ok. Who knows maybe in time prices will come down a bit now that the truth is out but I doubt it lol!


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Well put. For the record; the first place I went into was very high security & legitimate. I had to give my drivers license at the entrance of the building, then get buzzed into the actual shop. The lady I dealt with ran the whole place. She was skeptical but unsure until actually rubbing the plating off.

If the factories can fool the experts for a somewhat reasonable price, I guess they're doing a good job.

I'm still not a fan of the 18k gold claim, that is simply not true.

 

[Parabuteo]

@2470f2.8ii Outstanding!

Much thanks from myself and also the many forum members following this and waiting to see if the BP fell into the same category as the Noob.

I know I left a little door open as to “striking gold” with the BP, that said any who followed this thread knew the prospect of that in my mind was very dim. Completly unsurprising results.

Going forward- armed with this knowledge members can make a informed rather than uninformed decision on purchasing any “wrapped” replica, whatever factory- so goal achieved.

And MAYBE the dealers/factories will take notice and prices will become more in line with what you are getting, I would love to have a TD hold forth in this thread at some point but not holding my breath LOL...

@Versaceboy54 has some very valid points. There is one issue though I would like to explore further- if it is currently the case the tone/color of plated VS wrapped BP Subs are different.

I have no doubt this was the case in the past since I have seen it in pictures posted, particularly the “Nick James” wrapped BP, where the color was exact to gen which was not the case with the plated at the time, which was much darker.

My latest model BP plated’s color though looks spot on to 18k gold to me, but then again I have no wrapped model to compare it to...

I have been in conversation with @Versaceboy54 over sending him a link of my plated model to compare, he was totally onboard with the idea, but he only has a DD wrapped right now...so what I would like to do to put this minor issue to bed is to do a apples/apples comparison, a side by side pictorial in different lightings to see how the latest plating compares to the wrapping.

This would tell us if more accurate color is indeed a characteristic of only wrapped Subs or if BP has upped their game recently in plating across the Sub models, and there is no difference in tone/color now.

If there is a difference, then all the more reason to spring for a wrapped model if you are after color accuracy, if not then it seems the sole remaining advantage to wrapped is more resistance to scratches showing thru to the base.

To that end-and in the interest of an apples/apples comparison with a wrapped FG sub that has been shown to have Gen color/tone, I am going to try and track down the owner of the “Nick James” wrapped Sub and see if I can send them a link and get that comparison done. PMing a couple members....will keep y’all posted.

 

[Jason241]

What a rip-off.....especially the BP at a $1000 which so many members were praising before for it's accuracy to the genuine. I prefer to spend the extra money on a preowned TT if the rep is fake gold.

 

[Pontus]

I can just say welcome to the rep game everything is fake.


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[2470f2.8ii]

What a rip-off.....especially the BP at a $1000 which so many members were praising before for it's accuracy to the genuine. I prefer to spend the extra money on a preowned TT if the rep is fake gold.

still pretty accurate & has a "swiss movement"

1k compared to 13k is a pretty hefty discount

 

[stupidsexyflanders]

Alright gentlemen, the moment of truth is upon us. It took two pairs of pliers but I removed the gold part from the stainless steel.

I took the link first to an estate jeweler. I just told them I was looking to see what this link was made out of. The lady wasn't too sure at first, examining it with a loupe for a few moments.

View attachment 87045

Then she took it in or a scratch test where it rubbed off onto the sand paper looking box. The color my link left behind was white. There were a few other pieces that had been scratched leaving gold on the bar. She told me it was plated due to the fact that white rubbed off but still tested it for gold. Both applications proved there to be no gold content. It's thick plated at best.

View attachment 87046

You can see the steel showing through here. I still wanted to get some more information so I called a local pawn shop that told me they could test the actual material.


After getting to the pawn shop, the guy used a loupe and could already see the steel showing through. He told me it was plated. I offered money to get a legit breakdown of the alloys inside but he didn't have the tools to do so...not sure why they said they could on the phone. He recommended a jewelry shop but I decided to end the search here.

Looks like it's just very thick plated, not sure with what but it's certainly a better option than the stock plated.

Wether it's worth the money for a bracelet is up to you, I'm still satisfied with my franken but will keep my eyes open for a suitable replacement bracelet.

View attachment 87048

Best,
2470f2.8ii

very interesting information. how long have you had the watch and do you wear it often? Any signs of the gold rubbing off? thanks

 

[2470f2.8ii]

very interesting information. how long have you had the watch and do you wear it often? Any signs of the gold rubbing off? thanks

I got the watch initially at the beginning of August. It had the standard plated bracelet. By Sept the plating was worn off and it looked fake to me. Too much if a contrast between the gen bezel and the paleness of the cheaper bracelet.

I ordered this bp gold "filled" bracelet as a step up. I've had it a few weeks. Still looks great. I wear it everyday all day except when in the gym. Hard to say at this point if it's wearing off.

It's certainly much heavier than the first one I had. And it shines gorgeous in the right light.

For the record I bought the cheap bp two tone, had franken parts put on then bought the expensive bp bracelet from trusty.

Also when putting on the more expensive bracelet...I had to use a 1.5mm X 19 mm spring bar. What comes standard is 1.8mm X 20mm. The stock spring bar wouldn't work, I spent hours trying many methods.

 

[d4m.test]

Look at the first couple pages of this thread, they dissect the noob. Noob is just a type of metal foil wrapped around the ss. The bp was rumored to be gold all the way through, guess not. Also I did have it tested for gold content, if there is any; it's too small to be detected. I assume copper and some others but it's just speculation.

Let's be realistic, if its gold all the way though it wouldnt be just a $1,000 for a rep watch. Taken in consideration the mark up, the cost of the gold watch could be $500 or even $250. Cant expect solid gold SEL and case.

 

[Skägg]

Its sold as wrapped and its plated.
Got my Noob this week. Looks good, but it does not feel ok.

 

[d4m.test]

Its sold as wrapped and its plated.
Got my Noob this week. Looks good, but it does not feel ok.

Can i see it


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[Skägg]

https://imgur.com/gallery/KcAVs

 

[2470f2.8ii]

Let's be realistic, if its gold all the way though it wouldnt be just a $1,000 for a rep watch. Taken in consideration the mark up, the cost of the gold watch could be $500 or even $250. Cant expect solid gold SEL and case.

Righto. Still the midlinks of the expensive version was stated to be gold colored all the way through.

 

[Versaceboy54]

@2470f2.8ii Outstanding!

Much thanks from myself and also the many forum members following this and waiting to see if the BP fell into the same category as the Noob.

I know I left a little door open as to “striking gold” with the BP, that said any who followed this thread knew the prospect of that in my mind was very dim. Completly unsurprising results.

Going forward- armed with this knowledge members can make a informed rather than uninformed decision on purchasing any “wrapped” replica, whatever factory- so goal achieved.

And MAYBE the dealers/factories will take notice and prices will become more in line with what you are getting, I would love to have a TD hold forth in this thread at some point but not holding my breath LOL...

@Versaceboy54 has some very valid points. There is one issue though I would like to explore further- if it is currently the case the tone/color of plated VS wrapped BP Subs are different.

I have no doubt this was the case in the past since I have seen it in pictures posted, particularly the “Nick James” wrapped BP, where the color was exact to gen which was not the case with the plated at the time, which was much darker.

My latest model BP plated’s color though looks spot on to 18k gold to me, but then again I have no wrapped model to compare it to...

I have been in conversation with @Versaceboy54 over sending him a link of my plated model to compare, he was totally onboard with the idea, but he only has a DD wrapped right now...so what I would like to do to put this minor issue to bed is to do a apples/apples comparison, a side by side pictorial in different lightings to see how the latest plating compares to the wrapping.

This would tell us if more accurate color is indeed a characteristic of only wrapped Subs or if BP has upped their game recently in plating across the Sub models, and there is no difference in tone/color now.

If there is a difference, then all the more reason to spring for a wrapped model if you are after color accuracy, if not then it seems the sole remaining advantage to wrapped is more resistance to scratches showing thru to the base.

To that end-and in the interest of an apples/apples comparison with a wrapped FG sub that has been shown to have Gen color/tone, I am going to try and track down the owner of the “Nick James” wrapped Sub and see if I can send them a link and get that comparison done. PMing a couple members....will keep y’all posted.

This sounds like a great idea as I’m curious now myself if the plating has improved. If you can track down the owner nick James sub to compare that would be ideal. If not my offer is still there and your welcome to send me a link to compare with my DD Wrapped bc the color and process should be the same. Let me know how it goes


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[2470f2.8ii]

https://imgur.com/gallery/KcAVs

I think it looks alright, maybe get some good natural light on it.

Here's a wrist shot from this morning View attachment 87355

 

[Skägg]

I think it looks alright, maybe get some good natural light on it.

Here's a wrist shot from this morning View attachment 87355

Looking good!

 

[maxelmen]

I think it looks alright, maybe get some good natural light on it.

Here's a wrist shot from this morning View attachment 87355

Which version is this mate? Looks awesome

 

[Natas78]

Awesome guide, thanks OP!


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