Should I Buy an "Authentic" SS Smurf

[NukeMan]

Originally Posted by Token74

The Frankenwatch debate is such a curious one and frankly some of the attitudes towards Frankenwatches are nuts (I include myself in the Nutty camp btw!), it just makes no sense in the real world.

By swapping out the dial and bezel, assuming it is a genuine Rolex dial and bezel, then you are not compromising the quality of the watch, it is still Rolex design and Rolex quality.

Rolex don't like people doing this because they want customers who buy precious metal watches to be able to be easily distinguished from cheaper SS models; largely I suspect, because Rolex believes this is important to those that buy the more expensive watches (it's probably not important to the WIS folk that come on here, but to the average Joe, it probably is important). To object to this type of mod, is potentially just bowing down to the Rolex machine that owns us.

Lot's of folk on here like their cars, and there is a similarity.

I have had a couple of cars with bodykits; genuine OEM kits but not factory fitted. The first was a Porsche 911 S4 which had a GT3 kit fitted to it, and the second was a Range Rover Vogue Diesel which had a Supercharge kit fitted.

A friend of mine had no issue with the Porsche because the badges were never changed so it said 4S rather than GT3 on it; it improved the look of the car, it was an OEM kit, but the badging didn't pretend it was something it wasn't.

The same friend had a massive issue (and still moans about it now, 10 years on) with the Range Rover because it had the Supercharge badge added; it improved the look, it was an OEM kit, but the badge meant in his view it was pretending to be something it wasn't (although the exhaust gave it away, and obviously the sound!).

I bought both cars as they were and bought on asthetics alone, I didn't care what anybody thought. I didn't go to the trouble of removing the Supercharge badge, but neither did I replace the 4S badge with a GT3 badge.

So, do people on here really object to modifying a watch? Or do they just object to a watch being made to look like a more expensive watch?

If I changed my 16600 bracelet and clasp for a modern one from a Sub (assuming they fit), is this ok because I have undoubtedly improved the watch but not tried to make it look like something better?

I like Project X stuff but ultimately I can't bring myself to wear a modified Rolex...so I am one of the nutty ones. But I can accept it's a bit silly.

Very well written Vince, you bring up several good points! I especially agree on the "bowing down to the Rolex machine" part. Heck, its our money and we do decide ourselves what we want to do with the things we've bought for our hard earned money, as long as it doesnt hurt anyone else. A modified watch being re-sold I would want to see it restored to original shape before it is sold as there is always a risk that someone will be deceived further down the line, and that is obviously not acceptable.

[zion_rasta]

Never. Trying to make something look like something is not...is your subconscious trying too hard.

Stay original, stay real. No shame in the original black sub.

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by zion_rasta

Never. Trying to make something look like something is not...is your subconscious trying too hard.

Stay original, stay real. No shame in the original black sub.

Speaks wisely this one does.

[beshannon]

[QUOTE=z16marine;4888330]Should I Buy an "Authentic" SS Smurf /QUOTE]

If you want one, then yes

[Jocke]

Sometimes you have to do it but you have to use the Rolex original parts, I think.

I'm just saying: What is there to say that Rolex is always right when it comes to color and material?

Sometimes I just had to step in and take command.

[Jake B]

Just get the black watch & wear a nice blue shirt from the Gap with it while you save up for the real deal.

[NAVY]

Replies the King of Mods

Originally Posted by Jake B

Just get the black watch & wear a nice blue shirt from the Gap with it while you save up for the real deal.

[Jack T]

The pleasure of wearing an authentic Rolex, even my simple SS black bezel Sub, is more satisfying than any fake upgrade.

[Danny83]

Since you like the blue dial get a two tone blue sub they are around 10k.

[Duey]

Well here you go if you want one from DavidSW

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ghlight=116610

[Token74]

Originally Posted by Duey

Well here you go if you want one from DavidSW

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ghlight=116610

You can get the new SDC for that!

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Duey

Well here you go if you want one from DavidSW

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ghlight=116610

Interesting. I certainly wouldn't pay a premium for a modified watch.

[JohnBaker3]

And here is one where someone else has done all the work for you....

Non-ceramic bezel, but blue insert and blue dial. The price is just $5200.

Tough decisions if you just want a blue-blue Submariner....



http://www.perfect-timing.biz/product/16610-BLU/

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

And here is one where someone else has done all the work for you....

Non-ceramic bezel, but blue insert and blue dial. The price is just $5200.

Tough decisions if you just want a blue-blue Submariner....



http://www.perfect-timing.biz/product/16610-BLU/

Yes, except that is actually a fake dial and likely fake insert whereas the one DSW is selling is all authentic Rolex.

[Nycturbovr6]

I wouldn't do this

[5253Reynolds]

Go for it. It's your watch do as you please. As they say, nothing ventured nothing gained.

[Cc1966]

Spending 10K on a SS Smurf seems insane...however, it's been done and it's your cash.

[Pringle]

I would always prefer factory original but it does depend what you value. There are plenty of high quality tuning companies for cars and people don't seem to have an issue with these so perhaps watches are no different as long as they are done properly.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Pringle

I would always prefer factory original but it does depend what you value. There are plenty of high quality tuning companies for cars and people don't seem to have an issue with these so perhaps watches are no different as long as they are done properly.

I have a basic rule when I modify a Rolex. It should be possible to restore to original and if it change owner it will be as original.

[bparone]

Originally Posted by Jocke

I have a basic rule when I modify a Rolex. It should be possible to restore to original and if it change owner it will be as original.

This for sure.

[GB-man]

I don't like that it seems like your masquerading it as something it is not, even if that's not your intention. So I vote no.

[waQstar]

Well.. Blue is my favorite color so yes I would do it and am in the process of doing it, I have all the authentic parts sealed and yes very hard to source.

It is NOT a DIY and looks stunning, it is not to fake a WG sub and I understand where the WG sub owners are coming from but for those so us that would not wear gold, this is the next best option.

Same is the case for dials on the Daytona, WG Daytona dials much more appealing than the SS ones.

[mjclark32]

Gold or bust IMO, working on my Smurf fund at the moment and will thoroughly enjoy the day it comes along

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Gold or bust IMO, working on my Smurf fund at the moment and will thoroughly enjoy the day it comes along

X2
I promise, it is worth the wait:)

[AK797]

I would actually do it the other way as I prefer the black bezel and dial and I love gold, so not for me on this, but I would put a panda dial in the SS Daytona, but the chief difference is the actual base watch is obvious to a WIS on the Daytona, but will not be on the Subc if you have pcls and so the possibility of deception is disconcerting.

[AK797]

And using all Rolex genuine parts makes this a modded watch, not a franken, which has fake and gen parts hence the name, and certainly not a fake Rolex.

[A.Sharp]

There's nothing wrong with it honestly. I just ordered some aston tags for my ford. JK about that but i really dont think its a big deal if its your desire. I never loved that watch enough to want to save up for it in wg personally.

[mvmbles]

IMO, $10K is way too much for any stainless Sub C, where as the second hand prices for YG and WG Subs are much more reasonable.

[lig]

If you want to - go for it! :)

Admittedly my first reaction to all the losers who put M badges on their 318s and AMG badges on the C230 is pointing and laughing.

I'm a bit torn on the watch modding though because every once in a while I think about putting on a Panda or slate or black w/Arabics dial on one of my SS Daytonas but I just can't bring myself to do it.

[waQstar]

Originally Posted by lig

If you want to - go for it! :)

Admittedly my first reaction to all the losers who put M badges on their 318s and AMG badges on the C230 is pointing and laughing.

I'm a bit torn on the watch modding though because every once in a while I think about putting on a Panda or slate or black w/Arabics dial on one of my SS Daytonas but I just can't bring myself to do it.

But see here, if you end up putting competition package wheels on your regular e46 or e60 that is not the same as putting m emblems on your non m bmw's.