1655 Homage... Mk II LRRP

[TheDude]

Anyone notice this? Mk II is releasing what appears to be a 1655 homage. I just pre-ordered.




More info...

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/WSWrapper...ypage=cu01.htm

[fear]

Yep. MKII fan here too. Check out the case, supercased like the new Rolexes. I have the Vantage. The quality of Yao's Swiss watches are amazing!

[Ursa Major]

Pre-ordered one, too. Vantage should be here next week (after one misdirect by the USPS and a resend by Bill). I really like Yao's watches.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Thanks for the heads up!

Haven't visited the MKII site for a while.

[mickeydainish]

looks fab...:-) I would like to see more frm MKII... so I will hit Google and see....

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I just created the MKII "Stingray" watch that I would love to have:

[14060man]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Anyone notice this? Mk II is releasing what appears to be a 1655 homage. I just pre-ordered.




More info...

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/WSWrapper...ypage=cu01.htm

Very nice. It looks like the bezel rotates, allowing for the tracking of a 3rd time zone.

Question about this ETA 2893-2 movement...

Does it function identically to Rolex the 3185 / 3186 movements found in modern day Explorer IIs and GMT Master IIs?

For example, can the 12 hour hand on a ETA 2893-2 be moved independently to jump forward or back in one hour increments without effecting the 24 hour, minute or seconds hands? And if so, does the movement continue to run while moving the 12 hour hand, just like in the Rolex movement?

Is the ETA 2893-2 chronometer grade?

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by 14060man

Very nice. It looks like the bezel rotates, allowing for the tracking of a 3rd time zone.

Question about this ETA 2893-2 movement...

Does it function identically to Rolex the 3185 / 3186 movements found in modern day Explorer IIs and GMT Master IIs?

For example, can the 12 hour hand on a ETA 2893-2 be moved independently to jump forward or back in one hour increments without effecting the 24 hour, minute or seconds hands? And if so, does the movement continue to run while moving the 12 hour hand, just like in the Rolex movement?

Is the ETA 2893-2 chronometer grade?

Yes, the bezel rotates bi-directionally.


The specifications page says:



"ETA 2893-2 (Elabore grade/Rhodium plated), highly decorated (rotor features Côtes de Genève, decorated bridges), Incabloc shock protection, hack setting, automatic with manual winding capability, independently adjustable GMT hand."

It also says it is timed in 6 positions. Regular Incabloc then vs. Incabloc Plus that's in the Top and Chronometer grade.


More info here:

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/images/cu...ifications.htm


I'm looking forward to seeing what custom options Bill offers. We already know there will be 3 bezel options and an optional solid end link bracelet. He will no doubt do the usual hand customization, meaning you can likely get the stick seconds hand or the one pictured. I'm sure there will be the usual dial options too. Also, he generally makes the date background color selectable - white or black, and the lettering can generally be made red if desired. I'm hoping he makes a cyclops optional.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

I just created the MKII "Stingray" watch that I would love to have:

Attachment 33394

Very nice Bo! I know what inspired you to make that! ;)

[14060man]

So if one travels to a different time zone and then changes the 12 hour hand to reflect the new time, does this mean that the GMT will be altered (via a forced and unwanted lockstep change) and therefore need to be reset back to GMT time after the new local time is set?

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by 14060man

So if one travels to a different time zone and then changes the 12 hour hand to reflect the new time, does this mean that the GMT will be altered (via a forced and unwanted lockstep change) and therefore need to be reset back to GMT time after the new local time is set?

Unknown. With my 3186, you can move just the 12 hour hand but that's the first movement I have ever owned that could do that.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Anyone notice this? Mk II is releasing what appears to be a 1655 homage. I just pre-ordered.




More info...

http://www.mkiiwatches.com/WSWrapper...ypage=cu01.htm

You will not regret it. I have a meeting with Mr Yao in Basel this year and I have handle
this watch. It´s a great watch and my friend Tony order one right at the table when
he have seen it.

So now you just have to wait for it.

Jocke

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Jocke

(...)
So now you just have to wait for it.

Jocke

How is the waiting time for this one, Jocke?

It says on the site that the "lead time" is 24 weeks for the custom made watches!

[cbsmohai]

A company that Jeff Bernard started called Avier also makes a 1655 clone which is very nice looking.




$980

Size: Men's
Case: Stainless Steel
Band: Stainless Steel
Buckle: flip-lock
Dial: black dial
white Luminova hands
white Luminova markers
Bezel: fixed 24-hour bezel Bezel
Features: orange second time zone hand
Crystal: sapphire
Movement: automatic
Calibre: ETA 2893
Width: 42 mm
Height: 51 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Lug Width: 22 mm
Condition: New
Box: Boxes Included
Papers: Papers Included
Warranty: 2 Year BW Warranty

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

How is the waiting time for this one, Jocke?

It says on the site that the "lead time" is 24 weeks for the custom made watches!

I don´t know about the waiting time, I will ask him when he is back.

He is in yours surroundings, I say Roskilde and then you know.

Jocke

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Jocke

I don´t know about the waiting time, I will ask him when he is back.

He is in yours surroundings, I say Roskilde and then you know.

Jocke

I believe the watch is still in development. According to the Mk II blog, the real bracelets aren't even done yet. Deliveries are estimated to -begin- in Sept or Oct.

They haven't even opened the real order process up yet - I haven't been able to specify anything yet - not even rubber or bracelet, let alone the finer details...

[14060man]

This could really be a monster if the 12 hour hand could independently jump like a Rolex or Omega GMT.

[toph]

I have looked at this site and Spoken to Bill. I would love one of these watches- there are so many designs etc but i just cannot wait 24 weeks!!!!!!

[Jocke]

Here is a few ones we shot in Basel.







Bill was not sure if the final watch will have the gas escape valve. IMO it belongs to diver watches.



Jocke

[14060man]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Here is a few ones we shot in Basel.







Bill was not sure if the final watch will have the gas escape valve. IMO it belongs to diver watches.



Jocke

Looks fantastic Jocke! These pics certainly whet the appetite.

[jasper]

Hey I like these - but I'm a little confused. Aren't these getting just a little too close to being a "fake" Rolex ?

Mr Yao obviously enjoys a good deal of respect from the senior members of this board, so I am actually considering one of his LRRP watches but I don't *quite* understand what seperates the MkII watches from the good quality fakes out there.

Is it like with the good Shelby Cobra replicas you can buy? Buying a rel one is impossible so why not own a replica which performs as well or better than the original?

I did see a thread pass by discussing homage watches. I guess I should read this.

[Spark]

I pay homage to this on a regular basis

[14060man]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Unknown. With my 3186, you can move just the 12 hour hand but that's the first movement I have ever owned that could do that.

It appears that this LRRP ETA 2893 movement does not have 12 hour independent hand jump capability like modern day Rolex GMT Master IIs and Explorer IIs. I really wish the LRRP had this capability... :(

Perhaps the best approach with the LRRP is to set the 24 hour orange hand to one's local time zone and then use the rotating bezel to track other time zones. For example if you live in the Central Time Zone (GMT - 6), you would turn the bezel 6 hours to the left so the "6" is at the top of watch. This would show the time zone in London.

Of course if you travel to a new time zone, you will have to figure out GMT relative to your new location and then invert the bezel. So if you travel from Central (GMT- 6) to Eastern (GMT - 5) you would have to adjust all the hands forward one hour and then readjust the bezel so the "5" is positioned at the top to track GMT on the orange hand.

I guess this the same basic capability of the original GMT Master I. Would have been cool if the 12 hour jumped independently from a convenience point of view. But Yao should still be commended for creating this compelling tool watch homage.

[Ursa Major]

They're not fakes, they're "homages", in my mind there's a world of difference. Nowhere does Bill claim or imply that these are Rolexes. He takes what he considers to be classic styling cues from some well-loved watches of the past, and builds MKII watches that use them, but don't replicate them, using quality ETA movements and excellent construction at a reasonable price. Example - his Vantage looks a lot like a 1016 Explorer I, but it's 39mm (instead of 36mm) and has a date - the size makes all the difference for me. Stingray = cues from original Blancapain 50 fathom, but in no way tries to pass itself as one. Similarly, the LRRP has some styling cues similar to a McQueen Expy II, but there are differences, and I'm sure he'll offer his usual myriad customization choices that will take it further away. I like the original, but I don't have the interest to pay the money for what it would cost to own one. I like the styling enough to pay Bill for his homage.

[jasper]

Originally Posted by 14060man

It appears that this LRRP ETA 2893 movement does not have 12 hour independent hand jump capability like modern day Rolex GMT Master IIs and Explorer IIs. I really wish the LRRP had this capability... :(

I guess this the same basic capability of the original GMT Master I. Would have been cool if the 12 hour jumped independently from a convenience point of view. But Yao should still be commended for creating this compelling tool watch homage.

I don't know dude - he says in his copy that the watch will have an "independently adjustable 24 hour hand". To me that implies the orange hand is a jumper. This would be a very useful feature and is making me seriously consider one of these. My basic problem with the Real McQueen Expy is that it can't track two time zones. I just found this out and am a bit disappointed that my grail watch isn't (really my grail watch).

My 16750 GMT has the synchronized 24 hour hand....that is to say it and the hour hand can not be adjusted independently. I adjust the bezel to track other time zones. This works very well indeed. Love my GMT.

Personally I would order my LRRP with a fixed bezel, no HEV (does a 300m watch need a helium valve?) and a rubber strap. Call me simple..but I prefer purist.

[14060man]

Originally Posted by jasper

I don't know dude - he says in his copy that the watch will have an "independently adjustable 24 hour hand". To me that implies the orange hand is a jumper. This would be a very useful feature and is making me seriously consider one of these. My basic problem with the Real McQueen Expy is that it can't track two time zones. I just found this out and am a bit disappointed that my grail watch isn't (really my grail watch).

My 16750 GMT has the synchronized 24 hour hand....that is to say it and the hour hand can not be adjusted independently. I adjust the bezel to track other time zones. This works very well indeed. Love my GMT.

Personally I would order my LRRP with a fixed bezel, no HEV (does a 300m watch need a helium valve?) and a rubber strap. Call me simple..but I prefer purist.

The 24 hour hand on the LRRP may be jumper, but the 12 hour hand is not. This means the 24 hour hand is lockstepped to the 12 hour hand when the 12 hour hand is moved. If you travel to a new time zone and change your local 12 hour hand to reflect the new time, the 24 hour hand will move with it whether you want it to or not. The impact is that if you use the 24 hour hand to track GMT, you will need to either adjust the bezel or reset the 24 hour hand to GMT every time you change the 12 hour hand. Kind of a pain in the rear.

When you travel from time zone to time zone, jumping the 12 hour hand independently is very convenient. The modern day Rolex Explorer II 16570, GMT Master II, as well as the discontinued Omega Seamaster GMT, all have this very functional capability. In contrast, the LRRP watch apparently does not do this...but it is indeed more functional than the original 1655, which had a fixed bezel and a 24hour hand lockstepped to the 12 hour hand for "cave dwellers" to determine local 24 hour time. Essentially Yao's LRRP appears to provide the GMT capability of the original Rolex GMT Master I via adding a rotating bezel, which the 1655 did not have.

By the way, every picture of Steve Mcqueen I have seen from 1970 - 1980 shows him wearing the Rolex Submariner no date 5512. I have never seen him wearing an Explorer II 1655. I'm not sure how his name became wed with the 1655, but perhaps his alleged association with the watch is just an urban legend.

[jasper]

Originally Posted by 14060man

The 24 hour hand on the LRRP may be jumper, but the 12 hour hand is not. This means the 24 hour hand is lockstepped to the 12 hour hand when the 12 hour hand is moved. If you travel to a new time zone and change your local 12 hour hand to reflect the new time, the 24 hour hand will move with it whether you want it to or not. The impact is that if you use the 24 hour hand to track GMT, you will need to either adjust the bezel or reset the 24 hour hand to GMT every time you change the 12 hour hand. Kind of a pain in the rear.

Ah - I understand now. I'm looking at it from the perspective of a time zone traveler. If you look at it from the pilot's perspective, where zulu rules, then I understand where you are coming from. You've also explained for me why Rolex jumps the hour hand instead of the 24 hour hand. I kind of wondered about that... thanks

Originally Posted by 14060man

By the way, every picture of Steve Mcqueen I have seen from 1970 - 1980 shows him wearing the Rolex Submariner no date 5512. I have never seen him wearing an Explorer II 1655. I'm not sure how his name became wed with the 1655, but perhaps his alleged association with the watch is just an urban legend.

What's up with that anyway?

[leopardprey]

Can we say then that a Rolex Submariner is a Fake Blancpain Fifty Fathoms or is it a "Homage" to a Fifty Fathoms?

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Here is a few ones we shot in Basel.







Bill was not sure if the final watch will have the gas escape valve. IMO it belongs to diver watches.



Jocke

OOOOHHHHH Jocke! Thanks for the watch porn!

[TheDude]

Ok, so as far as I know, the original 1655 didn't do what people are making so much noise about - jumping the 12 hour hand. I'm a traveler, and I also think that this would be more convenient, but really - what's the BFD? :)

I think Bill's site said that the final cases will be drill through for the lugs and offered in two flavors. If you order the watch with rubber, the case will have screw pins. If you want the bracelet, you'll get the case with springbars. The bracelet is only compatible with the springbar case. Also, the HRV is -only- on the screw pin case, but can be deleted if you don't want it.